We don’t just respond to emergencies We work to prevent them
Boating Safety
We don’t just respond to emergencies—we work to prevent them. Station 12 crews share practical, local safety guidance on the dock and on the water, including Vessel Safety Surveys, Pleasure Craft Safety Checks, Kids Don’t Float lifejacket loaners, and community visits with Bobbie the Safety Boat. If you see us out on the water, wave us over—we’re happy to answer questions, and you may be eligible for a free safety kit.
Personal safety is vital in a marine environment, especially in cold water. Wearing a properly fitted lifejacket, staying alert, and being prepared with the right gear can prevent small problems from becoming emergencies.
Pleasure Craft Safety Checks
Transport Canada’s Pleasure Craft Courtesy Check (PCSC) is a free, education-focused safety review of your recreational vessel. A trained volunteer meets you alongside a dock or at a boat ramp, checks required safety equipment, identifies any issues, and discusses safe boating practices—with no penalties.
It’s a simple way to confirm you’re equipped for the conditions and compliant with basic requirements before heading out.
Kids Don’t Float
Kids Don’t Float provides free loaner lifejackets (PFDs) for infants, children, and youth at PFD Loaner Stations located at docks, marinas, and beaches across B.C.’s coast and the Shuswap. Parents or guardians can borrow a properly sized lifejacket for the day and return it afterward so other families can use it.
On the Sunshine Coast, loaner boards are available at the Porpoise Bay Boat Launch and Secret Cove Marina. This program makes it easier for kids to wear lifejackets around docks and on the water—especially when families don’t have the right size on hand.
Bobbie the Safety Boat
Bobbie is a remotely controlled “safety boat” robot used for fun, high-impact water safety education with kids and adults. Operators control Bobbie’s movements and deliver a short, prepared boating safety message using a voice-altering headset; participants often receive safety materials and may try on personal flotation devices.
Bobbie appears at schools and community events (parades, fairs, and marine festivals) to help build awareness and encourage safer habits around the water.
To book a Station 12 safety visit (including Bobbie), email: rcmsar12@gmail.com