Ladner Rotarian, former member of the Royal Navy Reserve, and commander of the Delta Lifeboat Station, John Horton, along with his crew, invited members of the Rotary Club of Ladner to tour the mouth of the south arm of the Fraser River on the Delta Lifeboat serving this maritime area.
Saving Lives at Sea is the mission of the Canadian Lifeboat Institution (CLI). The Canadian Coast Guard recognizes CLI as a valued part of Team Search and Rescue and serves as part of the City of Delta’s Emergency Services Programme. Ladner Rotary donated $2,000 to the Delta Lifeboat Society (DLS) and this was a special opportunity for members to learn about function and value of the lifeboat from her crew and to tour around the islands in the Fraser River estuary and see the float homes from the water. DLS is a Not-for-Profit member of the Rotary Club of Ladner.
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One of CLI's two active Lifeboat Stations on the west coast is Ladner Lifeboat Station in Delta, BC: home base of Delta Lifeboat (1B-02) operated by John and his continually training volunteer crew. Not directly funded by government, and relying on personal and corporate donations and grants, CLI complements the primary Search and Rescue organizations such as the Canadian Coast Guard, or its Auxiliary, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue.
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| The Delta Lifeboat is a 52-foot wooden vessel built in 1944 at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, as a US Navy Admiral's barge. After World War II, the boat became a private cruiser refitted for a family. Acquired long ago by John Horton and refitted once again for the rescue and safety purpose it fills, the boat is now serving the Canadian Lifeboat Institution (CLI) | |
Recognizing the importance of maritime industry and recreation, the Delta Lifeboat Station, its Lifeboat and crew serve operators of vessels large and small on the River, into the Straight of Georgia and sometimes along the BC coast. The other Lifeboat Station in the area is in the Steveston community of Richmond.
The Delta Lifeboat, with the other in Richmond, serves as a secondary marine search and rescue asset and towboat, the lifeboat provides services like assisting vessels in distress and supporting the local fishing industry. The vessel is equipped for long operations with a diesel engine, navigation systems, and robust crew accommodations, and the volunteer-run CLI works closely with local authorities for marine safety. CLI is a Not-for-Profit member of the Rotary Club of Ladner.
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One of the great benefits of Rotary is to be invited to tour businesses and organizations in the community. In the last couple of years, we have toured a commercial cannabis greenhouse, Delta Port container terminal, a commercial hydroponic tomato operation, and a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) operation on Tilbury Island in Delta.
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| Past President of Rotary Club of Ladner David Rushton (front centre) with club members and guests and Delta Lifeboat crew, some also club members. Ladner Rotary made a contribution to the local Lifeboat society of $2,000 to support this valuable service. | |