Dedication of the SAR Vessel Mapleguard

17 November 2007

Saturday, November 17^th, members of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, Unit 59 Deep Bay hosted dignitaries, donors and friends of the Lighthouse Country Marine Rescue Society at a dedication ceremony for our new search and rescue dedicated response vessel, the Mapleguard. The ceremony began at 1:30 PM on the docks near the Deep Bay Yacht Clubhouse. Honoured guests included

	the Past President of the Pacific branch of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, Frank Hudson,
	the Executive Director of CCGA-P, Stan Warlow,
	the Superintendent of Search and Rescue, Canadian Coast Guard Captain John Palliser,
	Unit 58 Leader Barry Metcalfe and colleagues Jim Lee and Scott Bell. (Barry and Scott came up on their fast response vessel French Creek I.)
	the President of the Comox Marine Rescue Society, Peter Bolton (with his wife Diane),
	Comox Unit 60 members Garry Brown (son of Bruce Brown, after whom the DRV Bruce Brown II is named) and Ron Gieck, Training Officer
	donors from Qualicum Beach to Fanny Bay and Hornby Island
	several members of the Deep Bay Yacht Club, wives, friends and local residents

The ceremony was admirably executed by the Jetty Niet, wife of Unit Leader Henri Niet, as she recited an ancient naval incantation of the God Neptune to care for the Mapleguard and her crew while on his domain. After the ceremony, surplus champagne was shared by our guests (sorry there wasn't enough for full glasses!).

Here are a few pictures of the event ...