PFD

Hero Alert 📣 : Sailors ⛵ Brian Angus & Dorothy Stauffer

First, I want to say this clearly: please wear a life-jacket when you head out on the water. Whether you are on a stand-up paddleboard or a boat, you need to be prepared for the unexpected.

If you are planning to charter a boat in British Columbia and are unfamiliar with our waters, I can tell you from personal experience that conditions at sea can change quickly. A calm day can become dangerous within an hour, and what feels routine can suddenly become life-threatening.

Our waters are also extremely cold. If you end up in the water, hypothermia can become a real risk. A life-jacket is essential, but it will not keep you warm. If you plan to swim or be in the water for any extended period of time, a wetsuit or dry suit is not optional. It is safety equipment.

Second, I want to send a huge thank you to Royal Van sailors Brian Angus and Dorothy Stauffer, who were first on the scene after a charter boat sank off the B.C. coast.

Because of their extensive emergency training, sailing experience, and quick action, three people were saved. As they described in their interview, they responded as emergency responders would: dividing the urgent tasks, staying focused, and working together as a team.

They also shared carrying the emotional weight of that moment, knowing they had lost sight of two people and had to make the heartbreaking decision to keep moving forward. I hope that, as time passes, the heaviness of making that call begins to lift.

If you live near the sea, I highly recommend learning to sail. Sailing is a wonderful skill, and in moments of crisis, that knowledge and confidence on the water can become vital in helping others get home safely.

I also recommend watching Brian and Dorothy’s interview with Global News, as they share several important lessons drawn from their insights and experience: https://globalnews.ca/video/11943890/saving-3-people-whose-boat-sank-off-the-b-c-coast

I strongly encourage everyone who spends time on or near the water to take a course in first aid and CPR.

And wear the life-jacket.
Every time.