The 21 volunteer marine rescuers from Mill Bay are looking for the public’s help in raising money to refit their rescue boat, and have fun at the same time.
The Mill Bay Marine Rescue Society will host its fifth annual fundraiser, called Conquer Cobble Hill Hike & BBQ, beginning at 4 p.m. on June 24 at Cobblestone Pub.
An optional hike to the top of Cobble Hill is part of the festivities, and the $20 ticket also gets you a beer, burger, an opportunity to win door prizes and access to a silent auction.
Spokeswoman Renee Chopka said the society needs to raise $15,000 more to reach its goal of $150,000 which will go towards the mandatory mid-life refit of the unit’s Titan 249 Rigid Hull Inflatable Fast-Response Craft.
Approximately $50,000 of that amount came from government grants, with the rest coming mainly from fundraising efforts, personal donations and local businesses.
Chopka said the money will be used to update the vessel’s electronics equipment, radar, wiring, safety gear and other upgrades to maintain its active emergency marine SAR status.
“We had about 150 people take part in the Conquer Cobble Hill Hike & BBQ last year, and we’re hoping for more people to take part and support our work this year,” she said.
The society is a non-profit organization made up of local community members who volunteer their time and efforts towards the safety of all boaters who use Maple Bay, Sansum Narrows, Cowichan Bay, Mill Bay, the Saanich Inlet and connected waterways.
As members of the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, the volunteers are on call 24/7 and are tasked out on various missions, such as boat fires, float plane crashes, sinking or capsized ships and towing boats with engine failure.