Crew walking to tasking

Port Colborne Marine Auxiliary Rescue (POCOMAR) Recruitment: First Step

“Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours?”

– Gordon Lightfoot, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”

Proceeding to Commence Search Position with Casualty Clearing Station prepared
Photo: Proceeding to Commence Search Position with Casualty Clearing Station prepared

It is 2:35 a.m. when the piercing tone of the pager slices through the stillness of the night. The urgency of the sound pulls you from sleep and the warmth of your bed. A call has come from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre—a vessel is in distress somewhere on Lake Erie. The details are scant: no precise location, no guarantees of the outcome, only the knowledge that someone is in peril and time is critical.

You, as a crew member, dress quickly, pulling on layers to guard against the cold wind that will meet you on the open water. Within minutes, you are out the door, leaving behind a whispered goodbye to a loved one who will return to bed with a silent prayer for your safety. The night is dark, the harbor still, as your crew gathers. Quiet efficiency replaces sleepiness; each movement reflects hours of training and unwavering dedication.

Preparing to recover a PIW (Person in Water) using Horse Collar and hydraulic davit
Photo: Preparing to recover a PIW (Person in Water) using Horse Collar and hydraulic davit
As the SAR vessel slips out of the harbor into the black expanse of Lake Erie, the crew knows this mission could take hours, perhaps even days. They will face cold, fatigue, and the unknown, driven by the hope of bringing someone back to safety. This is what it means to be part of Port Colborne Marine Auxiliary Rescue (POCOMAR).
Conducting radar search for missing vessel
Photo: Conducting radar search for missing vessel

The Challenge

Joining POCOMAR is not for everyone. It requires a special kind of person—one willing to answer the call at any hour, in any weather, and trade the comforts of daily life for the unpredictability of the open water. But the challenge extends beyond the search and rescue missions. Members of POCOMAR are part of a not-for-profit organization that relies on volunteers to maintain vessels and equipment, fundraise, adopt new technologies, and educate the public on marine safety. The hundreds of hours members dedicate each year to training and preparation are essential to ensuring every mission is executed safely and effectively. To be the vessel heading out into a storm while others seek safe harbor demands courage, skill, and a deep sense of purpose.

Our Mission Statement

The mission of the Association is 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.
Helmsman preparing approach to disabled vessel
Photo: Helmsman preparing approach to disabled vessel

Our Objectives

  1. Save 100% of lives at risk through marine Search and Rescue.
  2. Support the Canadian Coast Guard, its Auxiliary, and local Emergency Services.
  3. Promote marine safety and accident prevention through education.
  4. Maintain a strong community presence.
  5. Uphold a professional image and high training standards.
  6. Ensure SAR vessels and equipment are well-maintained and ready for action.

Expectations of Membership

Becoming a POCOMAR member is more than joining a team—it is embracing a responsibility to the community, your fellow crew members, and the lives you may one day save. Members are expected to:

Respond to Emergencies: Train to Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA) standards and remain ready to respond to emergencies in all conditions, often sacrificing personal comfort and time.

Contribute to Community Goals: Participate in public education, fundraising, and maintaining the organization’s strong community presence.

Commit to Excellence: Dedicate yourself to the maintenance of vessels and equipment to ensure they are mission-ready.

Towing operation of disabled vessel during the global pandemic with crew in full Personal Protective Clothing
Photo: Towing operation of disabled vessel during the global pandemic with crew in full Personal Protective Clothing

Your Commitment

If you believe you possess the courage, dedication, and capacity to meet this challenge, we invite you to take the first step:

  • Personal History Essay: Share your story, experiences, and reasons for wanting to join POCOMAR in a brief essay.
  • Application Form: Complete the attached form to begin the recruitment process.
  • Submission: Sign, date, and return these documents to start your journey with us.

This is not just a role—it is a commitment to saving lives, to facing challenges with resolve, and to upholding the highest standards of service. If you are ready to join this exceptional team, we welcome you to rise to the challenge.

To Proceed

Complete the application below.

Meet with POCOMAR Selection Board for a face-to-face discussion to judge your circumstances, experience, and suitability of filling a POCOMAR volunteer position, and to answer any questions you may have to provide you with final details you require to confirm your interest;

Provide an approved Transport Canada recognized Proof of Competency for the operation of power-driven vessels, the most common of which is the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC);

Upon a successful Selection Board, membership in POCOMAR requires that a Police Vulnerable Sector Check be completed.  If you have a PVSC that is current within 12 months, AND which has been obtained from the police service of the jurisdiction where you reside, this will be acceptable.  Successful SB candidates will receive a letter from POCOMAR confirming the requirement for a PVCS for the volunteer position, and which will qualify you for the discounted fee offered.

Apply online:

Conducting Sea Survival Training in Off Season
Photo: Conducting Sea Survival Training in Off Season