Quinte Search and Rescue Spokesman Paul Kerwin, Treasurer Andrew Maclean and QSAR founder Howard Garrod listen to a Quinte West council deputation on November 7, 2016. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
Quinte Search and Rescue is looking to double its team of volunteers from 20 to 40.
At Monday’s nights Quinte West council meeting, media spokesman Paul Kerwin said they will be offering a wide range of training sessions as they head into the winter season.
Kerwin also explained how they are planning on expanding their vessel fleet.
He gave an update on their ‘aggressive’ summer fundraising campaign where a pair of new motors was acquired with the help of an anonymous donor plus a $5,000 donation from Quinte West council.
He said they also purchased a third motor and now they need a boat to go with it.
A link to the QSAR go fund me page can be found by clicking here.
Meanwhile, QSAR is also working to try and prevent boating accidents by adding an early warning detection system on local waterways.
Kerwin said there are three or four trouble spots along the Bay of Quinte where boaters are running into low water conditions and channels.
He said a lot of boaters aren’t aware that the average depth of the Bay is only 14 feet.
He said they want to inquire with Fisheries and Oceans and Transport Canada to find out what the legalities are because they are finding not all boaters are checking charts or running their depth sounders.
This year QSAR responded to 30 distress calls for various reasons out on the waterways with almost half in Quinte West.
The volunteers service The Bay of Quinte from the Murray Canal to the Deseronto Bridge and into the Picton Harbour.
Anyone interested in finding out more information on how to join can call (613) 885-2824.
