When it comes to protecting the lives of those who take part in water-related activities, there害羞草研究所檚 a factor regarding the Semiahmoo Peninsula that stands out 害羞草研究所� the number of women who sign up for the task.

The RCMSAR5 Crescent Beach unit counts six women among its 28 active members; a percentage more than double the 10 per cent average seen across the organization as a whole.

Regional RCMSAR operations manager Amber Sheasgreen said the female contingent per unit varies depending on the size and location of each station 害羞草研究所� some have no women onboard, while others have more 害羞草研究所� and also on whether administrative and support roles are factored in.

There are 害羞草研究所渁 couple害羞草研究所� other stations that, like Crescent Beach, fall into the 20 per cent or higher category, however, those are typically smaller units, she said. Delta has two female crew members, while in Richmond, three of the unit害羞草研究所檚 34 members are women.

害羞草研究所淚 would say the 20% at Crescent Beach is a bit of an anomaly compared across the board. And in fact, a goal I would like to see achieved/exceeded at every unit,害羞草研究所� Sheasgreen said by email.

There are 33 of the volunteer marine-rescue stations across B.C., only two of which do not rely on community fundraising. Eleven stations watch over the province害羞草研究所檚 southern region.

In addition to the six active female crew members at Crescent Beach, there are three women on the board of the Semiahmoo Peninsula Marine Rescue Society, which supports the station. One of those three, Kristen Gribble, wears both hats.

For Gribble, who also has the longest tenure at the station amongst its female members, the effort is about continuing a journey of learning, while giving back to the community.

害羞草研究所淚 feel that all of the members of our station have that same passion to help others and feel it is a privilege to do so,害羞草研究所� she said.

Gribble, a teacher, joined the unit initially to assist with fundraising and event planning, but said she always had her eye on becoming one of the crew.

She acknowledged being part of the team is a 害羞草研究所渉uge commitment害羞草研究所� 害羞草研究所� following extensive training, volunteers are on call 24/7, 365 days a year 害羞草研究所� that comes with no financial benefit.

害羞草研究所淏ut this 害羞草研究所榳ork害羞草研究所� is something different entirely,害羞草研究所� she said.

害羞草研究所淲ith each training experience, mission or event I become more enthusiastic and driven to try more, give more and learn more.害羞草研究所�

While women represent 害羞草研究所渁n extremely low percentage in the maritime and search and rescue sector,害羞草研究所� she said it害羞草研究所檚 heartening to see that more programs and initiatives aimed at encouraging girls and women to think about such careers are being put into play.

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According to the Achieve Anything Foundation (AAF) 害羞草研究所� founded by Langley woman Kirsten Brazier 害羞草研究所� marine search-and-rescue is among a number of fields where the gender is 害羞草研究所渄rastically under-represented.害羞草研究所� Aviation is another such field.

RCMSAR5 station leader Rona Tepper said one of her proudest moments was orchestrating an AAF event aimed at inspiring future women leaders to consider roles long perceived as reserved for men.

It brought 40 women from all different backgrounds to the RCMSAR5 station for a full day of hands-on training.

害羞草研究所淲e covered everything from knot tying to boat handling, first aid scenarios and running the de-watering pumps used when a vessel is taking on water,害羞草研究所� Tepper said.

害羞草研究所淚t was so fulfilling to see everyone害羞草研究所檚 confidence build over the course of the day, doing something completely different.害羞草研究所�

Tepper, a mother of three who devotes an average of 40 hours per month to RCMSAR5, was quick to climb the ranks of the Crescent Beach station. Within her first year of joining, she was nominated for the role of deputy station leader. Two years later, she took the helm, and is now in her second term with the title.

The hours are on top of the busy schedule she maintains overseeing multi-family construction projects. Tepper said leadership skills she learned with RCMSAR5 have helped her at work, too, including a tactic that teaches a person to think things through before reacting.

Surprise was certainly one of Tepper害羞草研究所檚 reactions when she and other RCMSAR5 crew members were tasked out during the December 2018 storm that wreaked havoc on the White Rock Pier.

She was out taking pictures of the king tide and windstorm in Crescent Beach when the call to assist came through.

害羞草研究所淏efore I even answered I said to myself, who on earth would be out on the water right now?!害羞草研究所� she said.

With the bay too dangerous for the crew to respond by water, they were given a police escort to White Rock, where the Coast Guard advised them there were people on the pier, and it was collapsing.

As part of the shore crew that day, Tepper said it was 害羞草研究所渦nforgettable害羞草研究所� watching the rescue efforts of the Cormorant helicopter and local first responders.

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Susie Inkpen is another key member of the Crescent Beach crew. A member since 2018, Inkpen is the organization害羞草研究所檚 in-house mechanic, responsible for maintaining the engines of the team害羞草研究所檚 two vessels.

Currently a marine mechanic at Bridgeview Marine in Delta, she has worked in the field for more than 12 years.

Other women on the crew include Shelley-Ann Campbell (six years), Anna Threlfall (eight months) and Melissa Reynolds (2.5 years), while on the society, Gribble is joined by Melanie Gaboriault and Sharon Delmonte.

Delmonte said it was an 害羞草研究所渆asy yes害羞草研究所� when she was asked three years ago to join the society 害羞草研究所� her husband was involved with RCMSAR5 for 15 years. Bringing a wealth of financial knowledge to the group, Delmonte said she admires the 害羞草研究所渆normous commitment害羞草研究所� the volunteers make 害羞草研究所渢o keep this community safe on the water.害羞草研究所�

Gribble said it害羞草研究所檚 never too late for anyone to learn something new, or step out of their comfort zone by dipping their toes into something different 害羞草研究所� they just might discover a whole new love.

To get involved 害羞草研究所� active boat crew members must live within 15 minutes of the Crescent Beach boathouse 害羞草研究所� or for more information, visit