Thursday, April 8, 2021
VOLUME 3 I ISSUE 41
MERIDIANSOURCE.CA
Rescue boat to speed recoveries GEOFF LEE
WRITER
.................................. The Lloydminster Rescue Squad will be able to conduct more scientific searches for drowning victims with the purchase of a new water rescue boat and underwater dive equipment. The rescue squad has purchased a 22-ft. Kingfisher boat with an enclosed cab equipped with sonar and 3D mapping capability of a lake bed or river bottom. It will also have thermal imaging for 24/7 coverage, including nighttime use. “It’s designed for bigger lakes, so it’s going to be a great asset. We can go out in any type of weather because of the enclosed cab,” said the rescue squad’s chief Norm Namur. “Now, we can travel all over the province of Saskatchewan or Alberta and aid people who have lost their loved ones in the water.” The acquisition of the boat is part of their Water Wishes fundrais-
ing project for water rescue upgrades. The Rotary Club of Lloydminster contributed $5,000 to the fund last week, pushing the estimated $130,000 goal past the halfway mark. “We’re thrilled that the community has come through with some of the donations. We just have another $60,000-$70,000 to raise and it will be paid for,” said Namur. The boat is currently in Gibbons, Alberta, where it is being outfitted with the electronics prior to its anticipated delivery by the end of April. It also comes with a diving platform and a remotely-operated vehicle called a ROV Pro 4 camera accessory the squad also purchased. “It gives us another opportunity to drop this in the water; it’s got about 100 feet of tethered cable and it’s got sonar,” said Namur. The ROV has mechanical jaws to hook a body located underwater and slowly pull it up close to
Submitted Photo
Lloydminster Rescue Squad chief, Norm Namur, left, and deputy chief Ryan LeBlanc, accepted a $5k donation from Rotary Club of Lloydminster president, Darryl Benson, towards the purchase of a new technology-loaded water rescue boat and specialized underwater search equipment. The donation was made on March 30 with the boat to be delivered in the coming weeks.
the surface for divers to complete the rescue. “We don’t need divers in the water if the water has some dangerous aspects,” said Namur. The ROV can reach a depth of about 100 ft, whereas a diver is limited to about 70 ft. “It just gives us so
much more opportunity and search capabilities that we didn’t have before,” said Namur. He says previously, the rescue squad either had to borrow a boat or use their airboat, which is not designed for large lakes. “We’re extremely
happy because last year we did six water calls, so we were all over the place,” he said. “We’ve already got some trips booked with the unit. Once it’s completed, we’ll be going to Gibbons for some training on the boat and what its capabili-
ties are.” Namur says some of the causes for drowning are people not paying attention, falling overboard, and jumping in the water when they shouldn’t be jumping in. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2