Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit 14 Gibsons Awards

Gord Cudlipp Wins Safety Award

Unit Leader Gord Cudlipp was nominated by Cheri LePage, Russ Ayers-Berry and Trevor Reid for a recognition as a volunteer called 'The Celebration of Excellence Award'.

Gord won the Safety Award for his dedication to our local Coast Guard Unit as a member since 2001 as well as his start up of a Youth Navy League here, re-instigation of a Youth Learn to Sail programme and as well his dedication to the Gibsons Yacht Club as Commodore and now Past Commodore this year.

To be nominated in one of the categories celebrating Sunshine Coast volunteers, the nominee must have volunteered on the Sunshine Coast for a minimum of five years and meet the following criteria:

1. Be a leader and role model.
2. Break new ground.
3. Participate as a volunteer actively.
4. Support and encourage the development of others.
5. Show vision, initiative and creativity.
6. Make a difference.
7. Be respected.

Photo by Jan DeGrass

Nationally Recognized Awards for the unit

The award called the Tolonen Award is presented to the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit that accomplishes an Outstanding Operational record in Volunteer Marine Search and Rescue. Considering there are 51 Coast Guard Auxiliary Units in the Pacific Region, we (Unit 14 Gibsons) are very proud to be the recipient of this prestigious award. The award was presented by our then Lieutenant Governor, Iona Campagnolo.

In September 2007, our unit sent a regular team (composed of one novice, one new Coxswain, our Training Officer and Gord – so just a regular crew, not a beef steak crew) to represent the Pacific Region to the ISAR (International Search & Rescue) competition in Toronto.  We came home with 11 first place trophies out of a possible 16.

In 2008, our Unit received two prestigious awards for their participation in a rescue in October of  2007 The National Search and Rescue Secretariat Certificate of Achievement and the Seattle Yacht Club Appreciation Trophy. These awards were presented to our new Training Officer Bill Parsons; Gord was not involved in this particular rescue, however, I feel he is responsible for the team spirit our unit upholds to be able to respond to this level of efficiency.

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