Coquitlam Search and Rescue needs your help finding storage

COQUITLAM (NEWS 1130) – Coquitlam Search and Rescue is in need of a helping hand so members can store their new boat that’s been seeing a lot of activity lately.

According to Thom Zajac, president of Coquitlam SAR, the team has seen a “continual increase in tasks year-over-year,” which is partly why the group opted to buy the new vessel.

“To serve our future growth, particularly in the upper areas of our search area in Pitt Lake and the rivers,” he told NEWS 1130.

Coquitlam Search and Rescue is in search of a place to store its new boat. (Courtesy Coquitlam Search and Rescue)

But a new boat means the need for storage — and that’s not something the team has access to at this time.

The team is looking for a facility that is central to the Tri-Cities, has 24/7 access, parking for a couple of vehicles, is secure, and has a small amount of power to be able to charge some batteries.

More specifically, the ideal space would be 365 square feet, 14 feet high, 14 feet wide, and 26 feet long.

“Teams across the province are all increasing their boat assets because tasks are increasing on the water. All SAR teams, ground SAR teams, are responsible for inland waters, so that’s the rivers and lakes that are across B.C.,” Zajac explained.

Several of our members were doing marine operations training on the Fraser River today when the call came in for the injured hiker in Minnekhada.

This is the second time they responded directly from training to a task in the last two weeks. pic.twitter.com/yZhwkK2bZj

— Coquitlam SAR (@CoquitlamSAR) July 18, 2021

In addition to Pitt Lake, Coquitlam SAR also does a lot of work on the Fraser River, as well as the access into Indian Arm. But activity appears to be getting busy all over, Zajac says.

“Right now, we’re just looking for that storage. We had tremendous support from the community in helping us fundraise for the boat and we’re hoping that we can see a similar response from the community, as far as storage,” he said.

The storage would only be required for a few years while Coquitlam SAR works on a larger, more permanent facility to store all its equipment.

Currently, the boat is being stored at the Coquitlam Town Centre fire hall, outside, which is “not ideal.”

With the weather heating up once again, Zajac is reminding people to be cautious out on the water. That message also applies to the backcountry, with smoke drifting in from wildfires, making conditions even more challenging for crews.

People who think they may be able to help satisfy the SAR team’s storage needs are asked to fill out an online form. The deadline to do so is Aug. 16.