Our Mission
To preserve life and property in the waters surrounding the Port Colborne area through search and rescue, and to promote marine safety and accident prevention within the community.
Our Objectives
- Save 100% of lives at risk through marine search and rescue
- Support the Canadian Coast Guard, its auxiliary & local emergency services
- Promote marine safety and accident prevention through education
- Maintain a strong community presence
- Maintain a professional image and high training standards
- Maintain well-equipped search and rescue (SAR) vessels and equipment
Formed in 1988 and a member of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA), POCOMAR is an independent corporation and registered charity. We operate with an executive board and a number of sub-committees who oversee administration, training an unit operations.
The unit consists of Search and Rescue (SAR) crews who maintain 24/7 on-call duties throughout the boating season. Each crew is led by a crew coxswain or captain who provides on-water training to their crew members as well.
The unit operates year-round, training on water and responding to SAR calls during the boating season. We conduct training in the classroom during winter for our volunteers. We also attend various community events during the boating season and off-season.
When a distress situation occurs on the water, the Joint Rescuer Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Trenton, Ontario is notified. JRCC will dispatch POCOMAR crew(s) and coordinate search and rescue efforts, relaying information through Prescott Coast Guard Radio.
We offer complimentary boarding safety checks! Contact us to find out more.
Be safe, be smart!
The best way you can help us is by helping yourself. Be a safe boater and be a smart boater.
The more you prepare for your day on the water and the more you know, the less likely you are to find yourself in a distress situation.
- Get your Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card (PCOC)
- Take a boarding course through the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron
- Make sure you have all the required safety equipment on your boat before you go
- Make sure your vessel is running properly and is seaworthy
- Check the marine forecast, and watch for changes in the weather
- Take a cell phone, or better yet, a VHF marine radio (provided you have received your ROC-M certification to operate it)
- Let someone know where you are going and how long you will be out
- Be prepared for an emergency and know what to do
- Don’t boat with alcohol
- Always wear your PFD or life jacket
