August 5, 2018
Port Colborne, ON
Boaters and swimmers around the Great Lakes should prepare themselves by having all necessary information to avoid getting into a distress situation.
Norm Dashwood, Port Colborne Marine Auxiliary Rescue, POCOMAR advised anyone boating or swimming in the Great Lakes to take all necessary safety measures like wearing life jacket, having communication device to contact someone who can help and dialing *61 to reach the coast guard anytime.
If there is a radio available anyone in distress can also call channel 16.
POCOMAR covers eastern Lake Erie. It is the only permanently stationed asset in the area by the Canadian Coast Guard.
All search and rescue calls from the Grand River and the Niagara River up to the US border come through POCOMAR.
The unit has been called out for swimmers that got missing, a vessel in distress like those who run out of fuel, those whose boats got damaged, boats with mechanical failures, collisions, and on fire.
PCOMAR was formed in 1988. It is a member of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary.
POCOMAR is an independent corporation and registered charity.
The boating season attracts many boaters to the Great Lakes.
In 2016 boating season, POCOMAR responded to 46 emergency calls, 96 hours on rescue operations, and saved 61 lives.
POCOMAR’s membership is made of volunteers. The unit does not charge for their rescue services.
Donation to POCOMAR over $20 is issued a tax receipt.
