About Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit 14 - Gibsons, BC
 The Coast Guard Auxiliary, Unit 14 is proud to be stationed on the Sunshine Coast BC in Gibsons. The Coast Guard Aux 14 is made up of Volunteers who bring a wide range of skills and knowledge to the challenging task of saving lives on the water. These are the People, your friends and neighbors, that choose to take the risks and provide assistance to those in need.
Area of Coverage: Howe Sound & the Georgia Strait, BC.
Our Vessel: Rigid Inflatable Boat
The Gibsons Coast Guard Aux 14 would like to acknowledge some of our members from the community with a few examples of the reasons they chose to serve with Unit 14.
From Robyn...
Having worked many years in a creative and nurturing capacity and wanting to find a new way to apply these skills, I was intrigued to see an ad for volunteering with the Coast Guard Auxilliary 14 in Gibsons.
This provided the perfect opportunity for me to combine my years of boating skills learned growing up on the water, plus naturalist and volunteer work for the Vancouver Aquarium and my nurturing capacity with the bonus of giving back to the community. An exciting combination for me.
The backgrounds and skills of our various members encompasses a broad range and makes for never-ending interest during our training, rescues, and activities. I am thrilled to be a part of Unit 14 since 2006 and be able to grow as a mariner learning from the many 'old salts' in our community.
-Robyn
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From Dave...
I love living on the Sunshine Coast, BC and the people I've met here have always inspired me. It was always been my practice to give back something to the community.
After many years training crews on the B.C. ferries and hearing of some of the difficulties the Aux. was having upgrading crew skills, I felt I could offer some of my time. The close proximity to the water and marina made my choice easier.
I've been with the unit for more than seven years and continually see standards improve with an ever growing level of skills. The diversity of marine knowledge that is pooled when our crew practices or are challenged in real situations, has made me proud to be associated with each of them.
-Dave
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From Marcel...
My name is Marcel van der Stelt, 30 years old, and I am originally from the Netherlands. I moved to Canada and then specifically to the Sunshine Coast, BC and Gibsons, in 2003. I joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary in 2004 and have been a member ever since.
My dream was to become a police officer and volunteer work and working in and with the community are great values that the police forces are looking for in an applicant. In the meanwhile I have discovered that no matter what happens I will stay with Unit 14 for a long time. Unit 14 consists out of a group of well dedicated, professional, skilled rescue workers that I am proud to be part of.
The Unit taught me how my mind and actions react to pressure situations and how to put adrenaline into a positive power. Code 3 calls have taught me a lot about myself and Code 2 calls taught me that practice, over and over, are a necessity to improve your skills and to stay on top of your game, so that one day, you can save somebody's life in the best way you know how.
-Marcel
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From Russ...
My reasons for joining the Gibsons Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit are perhaps not that different from other members. Being able to provide an important service to the community is certainly the foremost reason.
It is important to me that the members of these local auxiliary units are all volunteers. With that structure comes diversity of membership, each bringing their own backgrounds, experiences and skills. As a new member to the community this has given me friendships that would not have been achieved without this comradeship.
I was born by the sea in southern England and spent my childhood "messing around in boats." Emigrating to Canada and jobs kept me from that love for forty years, the Unit has helped me rekindle that love and provided training to help me be, I hope a productive member.
Training, experience and discipline are vital components of any team, and I am proud to strive to be a trusted member of this organization.
If you are looking for an important volunteer role in your community, that provides new friendships, the satisfaction of doing an important "job" and learning exciting new skills, the Gibsons Coast Guard Auxiliary "Unit" may be the place.
-Russ |
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Please click for more information on Boating Safety, Volunteering and Our Unit
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