The commissioning of the MV Island Responder at the Chemainus wharf Thursday afternoon is seen as a significant milestone in emergency services within B.C.
ItB次元官网网址檚 the provinceB次元官网网址檚 first purpose-built marine ambulance, operated under a long-term contract with Chemainus Water Taxi Ltd. by BC Emergency Health Services, and seen as an important lifeline for the proper administration of medical treatment for residents of the islands neighbouring Chemainus. It comes with all the amenities B次元官网网址� an on/off ramp for stretchers and wheelchairs and 100 square feet of room inside to make the the transport and treatment of patients easier and more efficient.
It was all cause for celebration and numerous members of BCEHS, Ambulance Paramedics of B.C., Chemainus ambulance crew members, Penelakut elder August Sylvester and the men who operate the vessel themselves were on hand for the special ceremony that finally happened after being postponed from last November when an atmospheric river deluge struck the region. Piper Mike Wright and honour guard members Glenn Hovgaard and Wray Watson led the assembled guests along the dock to the boatB次元官网网址檚 berth.
B次元官网网址淭his place is a well-respected area,B次元官网网址� said Sylvester in welcoming everyone to Penelakut territory.
B次元官网网址淲hat weB次元官网网址檙e going to do is bless that boat so it wonB次元官网网址檛 tip over. We want them to have their safe rides B次元官网网址� safety first.B次元官网网址�
The boat has already been put into service more than 85 times for emergency responses since November of 2021.
B次元官网网址淚t seems dozens of our patients have been able to get medical attention,B次元官网网址� said Heather Edward, South Vancouver Island director of BCEHS. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 kept our patients safe and our medical responders.B次元官网网址�
Making the service a reality did not come without a great deal of effort.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of people who were involved in the process,B次元官网网址� said Bob Mollet, one of the captains of the vessel and operations manager for Chemainus Water Taxi, who acknowledged those contributions.
Edward concurred about the effort that went into it B次元官网网址渁nd it shows in that amazing vessel thatB次元官网网址檚 there.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 long overdue to have this vessel,B次元官网网址� added Stuart Myers, B.C. Ambulance Service worker and regional vice-president of CUPE 873.
Chris Mullin and Harmen Bootsma are the two main captains, with Chemainus Water Taxi owner Brian Francoeur and Mollet serving in relief. They are at the ready to answer calls 24/7, with a minimal response time since they all live within minutes of the dock to launch the boat.
Doug Spraggett and the build team at Northwest Aluminum Craft were crucial in the design.
B次元官网网址淒oug worked with us closely on details that we needed and often offered innovative solutions and suggestions,B次元官网网址� explained Mollet. B次元官网网址淣orthwest Aluminum Craft delivered this very unique, fast, capable vessel on time and on budget.B次元官网网址�
The vessel is a S32 catamaran with a custom cabin design. ItB次元官网网址檚 35B次元官网网址�6B次元官网网址� long and 11B次元官网网址�6B次元官网网址� wide and powered by two 300 horsepower Mercury outboard motors.
Mollet said the decision to go with a catamaran hinged on several factors, including: the width of the vessel allowed more cabin space without increasing the length; the wide platform offers excellent stability at dockside when transferring the weight of a loaded Stryker cot and personnel on or off; and the shallow draft is important for some of the smaller islands where docking is tide dependent.
don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
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