Join Us!

There are two ways that you can become involved, as a Supporting Member or as Search And Rescue (SAR) crew.

Volunteering as a Supporting Member

Supporting members perform a number of important roles that keep our station and fundraising society operating smoothly. Supporting members also have the option of serving as search and rescue crew on our vessels.

You might be a good fit as a Supporting Member, if you have an interest or a skill in one of the following areas:

• Fundraising
• Special Events (land and water)
• Boating Safety
• Board Work – Oak Bay Sea Rescue Society
• Public Relations
• Administration
• Finance
• Maintenance (vessels, boat house, gear)

Volunteering as Search and Rescue (SAR) crew

Becoming an active crew member on search and rescue missions requires specific skills, training, and commitment above all. New crew members are selected by our Recruitment Team and spend the bulk of the first year at the station training to become full crew.

Requirements for joining as Search and Rescue crew:

• Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC)
• Restricted Operator Certificate – Maritime (ROC-M)
• Marine First Aid with CPR-C / AED (MFA-C) or Standard First Aid with CPR-C / AED (SFA-C)
• Recent Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP) check with Vulnerable Sector screening
• Candidate Document Number (CDN) from Transport Canada
• Be over 18 years of age
• Proof of double COVID-19 vaccination
• Able to commit to being on duty 1 week out of every month on a fixed schedule (day and night crews available)
• Able to commit to regular monthly training (classroom and on the water)
• Live within 20 minutes of our Rescue Station at Oak Bay Marina
• Capable of handling the physical demands of SAR operations in all sea and weather conditions
• Able to make a two-year commitment to the Station
• Boating experience and knowledge of the local waters around the southern Vancouver Island area, specifically Oak Bay

Some of our crew members eventually become Coxswains and are responsible for the safe operation of the boat on rescue missions. Coxswains receive additional training at the RHIOT School in Bamfield and at the regional RCMSAR headquarters and training center in Sooke on Vancouver Island.

How do I volunteer?

For Supporting Member inquiries contact our Society President.

For SAR Crew inquiries contact our Recruiting Team and tell us what you are interested in!

You can also reach out and get started quicker by filling in our Expression Of Interest form.We have 2 program areas:Regular Crew for adults aged 19+ and Junior Crew teens aged 14-18.

For all other inquiries contact us.