The Sunshine Coast RCMP’s new patrol boat now has a name, but it’s been so busy over the spring and summer there likely won’t be an official ceremony until the fall.
Staff Sgt. Vishal Mathura, the detachment commander, told the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) policing committee on July 20 that the boat, a seven-metre craft built by Titan Boats in Sydney, is now known as Orca, a name chosen by local school kids.
The boat was delivered in May and the detachment has been making full use of it.
Over the long weekend, for example, the Orca did a daytime patrol from Gibsons to Davis Bay, Smuggler’s Cove, Thormanby Island, Pender Harbour and Garden Bay.
Mathura said 12 boats were checked for compliance with marine safety regulations and RCMP issued six notices and warnings for various contraventions.
RCMP also used the Orca Sunday to deal with a complaint about a bonfire on Home Island, off the southwest tip of Keats. As a result, nine males were each issued a violation ticket under the Wildfire Act, which carries a fine of $1,150.
The Orca has also been highly visible during community events, including escorting the paddlers from the Pulling Together canoe journey, and at last month’s Sea Cavalcade in Gibsons.
Mathura said RCMP had the Orca out in Gibsons Harbour checking vessels during the day and on the water during the fireworks display, ready to respond to any incidents.
At the July 20 committee meeting Mathura told SCRD directors, “The location where we get the most visibility, and [do the] most enforcement is in Gibsons, because that’s where it’s harboured, but we try to get out as much as we can to Pender Harbour, to Halfmoon Bay … all over. We have a huge patrol area we’re responsible for and a massive coastline, and the islands as well.”
West Howe Sound director Ian Winn said knowing the new boat is available and able to respond in conditions where the previous boat might not have been practical has been a bit of extra peace of mind for island residents.
Pender Harbour’s Frank Mauro echoed those thoughts.
“We always appreciate when it visits Pender Harbour,” said Mauro. “It’s noticeable, and required, during these summer months when the presence is especially important.”
Other detachments are also welcoming the Orca. Sunshine Coast RCMP is the only detachment covering Howe Sound with a boat available, so it acts as support for RCMP in Squamish and on Bowen Island.
Mathura told the committee the only area that’s not easily covered with the Orca is Sechelt Inlet, because of the time required to travel from Gibsons and around the top of the Sechelt Peninsula.
