GAMRU Initiates Winter Training, Welcoming 14 New Members for Next Season

As the boating community braces for the challenges that the upcoming season may bring, the dedicated team at GAMRU, a prominent marine rescue organization, is already gearing up for action. With a commitment to ensuring the safety of water enthusiasts and responding effectively to emergencies, GAMRU has officially commenced its winter training program.

This year, GAMRU is proud to welcome 14 new members to its ranks, expanding the organization's capabilities and reinforcing its mission to protect lives and property at sea. The influx of fresh talent injects new energy and perspectives into the seasoned team, fostering a collaborative and dynamic environment.

The winter training sessions serve as a crucial preparatory phase for both existing and new members. It's a time when everyone comes together to learn, refine their skills, and stay updated on the latest techniques and protocols in marine rescue. From navigation and emergency response procedures to advanced first aid techniques, participants will engage in comprehensive training modules designed to enhance their capabilities on the water.

These training sessions not only focus on technical skills but also emphasize teamwork, communication, and coordination – vital elements in the success of any rescue operation. GAMRU recognizes the importance of a cohesive and well-prepared team, and the winter training is a testament to their dedication to excellence.

The addition of new members adds diversity to the team, leading to a wealth of experience, expertise, and passion for marine rescue. The seasoned members, in turn, play a pivotal role in mentoring and sharing their knowledge, ensuring that the organization continues to uphold its high standards of proficiency and efficiency.

With a rich history of responding to countless emergencies at sea, GAMRU remains at the forefront of marine rescue organizations. The winter training sessions mark the beginning of an intense and comprehensive preparation process, positioning GAMRU to face the challenges of the upcoming season with confidence and competence.

Rescue volunteers need help replacing popular hero Oscar

He’s been run over by boats, poked with poles and left in the freezing lake water. He’s been scarred by propellers, had his clothes shredded and been manhandled and left in undignified positions. And now he’s finally had enough: one of the longest-serving members of South Shore Search And Rescue is calling it quits.

Oscar, the group’s rescue dummy, is retiring.

Officially a “rescue training manikin,” Oscar has been around the volunteer outfit for as long as anyone can remember. And given the hard service he’s seen — thrown repeatedly into the water and retrieved by members as part of their rigorous training — his retirement this year is well-earned.

Replacing Oscar isn’t going to be easy and the South Shore volunteers have already started a fundraising campaign to acquire a replacement. A new rescue training manikin can cost up to $2,000.00.

The group’s campaign kicks off this month in the hope of having a new manikin in time for the 2023 season. Donations can be made via the group’s website at www.gamru.ca/donations and the Canada Helps portal, where the donations are handled and charitable receipts issued. The campaign has already been given a great boost via a $750.00 grant from the Niagara Community Foundation mini grants program. Progress will be tracked through the volunteers’ social media platforms Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

An essential part of the curriculum for training rescuers is how to recover victims from the water. Careful handling of victims who may be terrified, injured or suffering from hypothermia is crucial and the rescue manikin is ideal for training that is literally hands-on.

“If there’s an award for stoicism, commitment and quiet courage, we would nominate our Oscar,” explains unit leader Sean Coffey. “He’s been subjected to the most difficult conditions imaginable. He has been pulled, pushed and dragged. He’s been poked and bumped and run over. And he’s been instrumental in training literally dozens of recruits in real-life rescue work.”

“Oscar is a hero,” Coffey concludes.

Record marine rescue season for volunteers with work still to do

The volunteers of South Shore Search And Rescue were called out 43 times in the 2022 boating season, a number that equals the record set in 2020 for rescue calls in a single year, the head of the marine volunteer group told members this week.

The 2022 tally included another record — eight victims saved in a single mission. It is the most people saved in a single call in the organization's history.

"By any measure, 2022 was an extraordinary season," unit leader Sean Coffey told members. "In addition to the volume of calls, the diversity of situations we met on the water challenged our crews. They met that challenge with discipline, skill and commitment."

The rescue volunteers came to the aid of disabled and overdue boats, vessels aground, persons in the water and other emergencies. The season saw an increase in the number of small, self-powered vessels like paddle boards in distress and people on inflatable pool toys adrift on the lake.

Preliminary data from the 2022 season shows the average response time for the rescuers was 11 minutes. The crews logged more than 50 hours on rescue missions.

And while the rescue vessel has been hauled out for the winter, the volunteers' work on land continues, Coffey reminded members. The volunteers will be canvassing local businesses to collect gift cards and gift certificates for the annual online charity auction November 23 through November 26, 2022. The group's largest fundraiser of the year, the auction provides the essential funds for vital fuel, maintenance, training and repairs. Details are available at www.gamru.ca/auction.

The fall is also recruitment time for new members. Membership is open to anyone in the community. Candidates for crew must be 18 years or older, live within easy driving distance of the base at Fifty Point and physically able to function in a difficult marine environment; volunteers to help with projects like fundraising are also welcome. Interested candidates should contact Matthew Tulk at membership@gamru.ca.

Marine rescue heroes meet their investment in South Shore safety - STONEY CREEK, Ont. (Sept. 16, 2021)

The newest heroes of marine rescue on Lake Ontario are the donors who invested in the sophisticated new rescue boat now saving lives on the water.

That was the message to the donors of a multi-year campaign to acquire the new boat for the volunteers of GAMRU South Shore Search And Rescue at a meeting to celebrate the contributors to the boat fund.

“That makes you our heroes,” unit leader Matt Tulk told donors assembled here to tour the new vessel.


From Left: Deputy Unit Leader Bob Gordon, donors Wendy and Don Smith, Coxswain Ryan Howie


“In the same way a successful rescue has a thousand fingerprints, the campaign to raise these funds owes its success to many, many people in many corners of our community,” Tulk said.

The boat exists “because of the vision and the wisdom and the compassion and the unbelievable sense of community of our donors,” Tulk added. “You made us successful. You are the heroes of this story.”

More than $240,000 was raised for the campaign from more than 60 local businesses, individuals and institutions.

The new, purpose-built rescue boat, a Stanley 26 CR S&R, went into service earlier this season after weeks of testing and training. “Even though it only went into service at the start of August, it has already been battle-tested,” Tulk added. The new boat, named GAMRU 240, has already been part of two extensive searches on the water as well as local rescues.


Unit Leader Matt Tulk addressing the donors at Limani's at 50 Point


“But the story doesn’t end here today. In fact, it’s just beginning,” said Tulk. “We expect this boat to have a life of 20 years or more in service to our communities. That means your investment in safety on the water will continue to pay dividends for years to come. That means that families will have loved ones come home, that weekends will end without tragedy, that an adventure on the water doesn’t end in heartbreak.

“And for that, all of the members of South Shore Search And Rescue extend our sincere and heart-felt thanks. We — and the communities we serve on Lake Ontario — offer our endless gratitude and appreciation,” said Tulk.



    

New crew, new vessel for South Shore rescue volunteers

Six new recruits to GAMRU South Shore Search And Rescue have joined the active crews aboard a new rescue boat in time for the final months of boating season.

The new recruits were welcomed Saturday after their final training session in a dedicated process that started in January. The new graduates will join the four active crews on duty around the clock this boating season and help staff a new rescue boat that itself has only been in service since the beginning of the month.

“It’s been a difficult year for everyone,” acknowledges South Shore Search And Rescue leader Matt Tulk, “but our new recruits showed great determination to complete training despite the challenges of COVID protocols, the limited time available on the boat and a host of other challenges. We’re very proud of this group.”

Recruiting new members begins in the fall with training starting in January — in a normal year. “For the past two years, we’ve had to reorganize nearly every aspect of our recruiting and training,” Tulk explains. “We’ll be doing training this fall that would normally be done in the spring. We have a lot of work still to do.”

The new boat, nearly four years in the planning, was delivered in the spring and went into active service following a comprehensive training period for the volunteers. Service was also delayed as the team worked out the new boat ‘bugs’ inherent in any new, purpose-built rescue vessel.

The boat, a Stanley 26 CR S&R from Stanley Aluminum Boats of Parry Sound, Ontario, is one of the most sophisticated rescue craft on Lake Ontario and includes a full suite of modern navigation and communications equipment, specialized night vision technology, a comprehensive medical supplies package and the other gear necessary to deal with emergencies on the water. Money for the new boat and its equipment came from a multi-year fundraising campaign that reached generous donors in the community.

Powered by two BF225 Honda outboards, the new boat has a top speed of 40 knots and a cruising range of 220 nautical miles. Four shock-mitigating seats help protect crews in rough weather.

A thank-you event for donors to the new boat campaign is planned for September. Conditions permitting, the boat will also be shown to the communities along the south shore before the end of the season.