Whether it was by foot or by air or by boat, search and rescue crews in Campbell River had their busiest year on record last year.
Campbell River Search and Rescue responded to 82 calls for help in 2020, a 28 per cent increase over the previous year.
“I think it’s a combination of people just being out more,” said Grant Cromer, Campbell River SAR’s manager. “Vancouver Island is a huge outdoor recreation destination. Our population is growing across the island, and we can’t say for sure but we think COVID definitely had a hand in the higher numbers.”
The calls resulted in 6,499 hours on task by volunteer members.
Campbell River Search and Rescue, which currently has 50 members, covers a massive area from Oyster River to Tahsis to the northern tip of Vancouver Island. They also cover parts of the mainland such as Bute Inlet.
“It’s about 35,000 square kilometres, definitely the largest area on Vancouver Island and one of the larger ones in the province and a lot of that area is rugged and unpopulated,” said Cromer.
Among the several high-profile searches was the days-long search for Michael Gazetas, a Courtenay man who disappeared in February sparking a lengthy search. To this day he has not been found — a rare case without closure for the numerous search and rescue teams that took part.
“No SAR group likes to have a stone unturned and especially not finding the subject always wears on our minds,” said Cromer. “We put a tremendous amount of resources into that as did the family and private enterprise.”
A high point in 2020 was the formation of the North Island Hoist Rescue Team, a partnership with Ascent Helicopters in Parksville and Comox Valley Search and Rescue. The team plucked numerous people to safety from valleys and mountaintops.
Campbell River SAR expects another busy year ahead but has this advice that might just prevent a few calls.
“Go to adventuresmart.ca for some great tips and always leave a trip itinerary when you’re going out and try to take some communication device with you,” said Cromer.
Dean Stoltz
