Learn new skills, meet great people, have fun, and give back to your community! Even if you have no marine or boating experience, many of your life and professional skills will be highly beneficial and we provide additional training as required. Positions are available for active rescue crew, maintenance crew, associated fundraising, outreach & communication teams, and the governing society.

While many volunteer crew members come from a marine background, this is not a requirement. Thanks to our professional training plans, non-mariners can quickly become highly skilled crew members with time and commitment in a supportive environment that values teamwork.

Your commitment as a RCMSAR Station 5 volunteer crew member involves:

• Attending regular training sessions and meetings on evenings and weekends
• Living or working with in 15 minutes of our boathouse at Crescent Beach Marina
• Respond to emergencies on short notice while on call
• Able to commit at least 2 years to the unit

Our volunteers must be great communicators, value teamwork and take direction from their leaders. To be a RCMSAR Station 5 crew member, you must also:

• Be over 18 years of age
• Be in good physical condition and able to pass the annual RCMSAR Fitness Test
• Pass the three month probationary period
• Pass a Police Information Check, including Vulnerable Sector Check
• Complete the Pleasure Craft Operators Certificate course
• Complete the Restricted Operator Certificate – Marine
• Attain Marine Basic First Aid, equivalent certification, or higher with CPR/AED Level C

Through RCMSAR’s training program, you will learn basic search and rescue skills, first aid and become familiar with safety and emergency procedures. Our Station’s training officers will deliver weekly classroom and on-the-water training where you will develop skills in navigation and communications, seamanship and marine regulations building your knowledge and confidence to save lives on the water.

Contact Recruiting@RCMSAR5.ca for more information on our marine search and rescue training program.

Once Crew level is attained RCMSAR Headquarters provides additional seamanship training at the Training Centre in East Sooke for volunteers looking to advance to higher crewing or the coxswain level.

Each year, the Training Centre offers an exceptional learning environment for hundreds of our volunteer delivering courses focused on advanced boat handling skills and SAR skills, navigation and leadership – often in partnership with the Canadian Coast Guard.

In addition to operational volunteers, supporting members are critical to the success of our stations. We also welcome volunteers who have an interest in:

• Boating safety advocacy
• Vessel maintenance and equipment management
• Community fundraising and attending special events
• Marketing, website and social media support

On-water training at Station 5 to ensure that rescue crews are prepared and able to save lives on the water.