Pickering marine rescue seeking volunteers for 60th year

PARA Marine Search and Rescue, based in Pickering and operating on Lake Ontario since 1967, is seeking volunteers as the unit approaches its 60th anniversary.

The volunteer organization responds to roughly 30 incidents per year, ranging from abandoned jet skis to people stranded in the water. A few years ago, deputy unit leader Justin Tumino participated in a rescue after two children on a unicorn inflatable drifted off the Oshawa shoreline. Weather can be challenging—storms and frigid temperatures are common—but Tumino said the unit prioritizes every call. "We try not to say no at any given point because there's somebody stranded out there," he said.

PARA Marine SAR is assigned calls by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton and operates as a 24/7 service. It currently has around 40 boat crew volunteers who can choose whether to be on the emergency-response list. The unit requires pleasure craft operating cards from Transport Canada but covers the cost of additional certifications and training.

First-year crew member Sarina Burry, who has boating and first-aid experience, said the draw was community service. "I'm someone who loves helping out my community," she said. "It just feels natural."

Volunteers come from all walks of life—property managers, firefighters, IT workers. The unit is also recruiting land-based volunteers for administrative work and fundraising.

PARA Marine SAR is raising funds for a new boat to replace its nearly 30-year-old vessel, which is nearing end of life. A newer model will handle rockier Lake Ontario shoreline conditions better. The replacement could cost between $1.5 million and $2 million.