'It was devastating': High-value rescue equipment stolen in Nanaimo
Thousands of dollars worth of safety equipment has been stolen from a trailer owned by the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) station in Nanaimo, B.C.
“It was quite devastating to go into the trailer and see all these things we use so much gone,” says Deborah Thomson, the prevention and boating safety manager for the station.
The volunteer group is tasked with saving lives on the water and the equipment stolen is meant to teach people in the community about boating safety.
The trailer is stored at the Nanaimo Fire Rescue training centre at the corner of Labieux Road and Dorman Road.
It’s believed that thieves broke in Monday or Tuesday and it may have taken several trips to make off with the stolen items.
The stolen items include a large flat screen TV, a mascot costume named Rescue Bear, electronics to operate a remote-controlled safety robot and several duffle bags filled with lifejackets.
The non-profit organization estimates $15,000 to $18,000 worth of equipment was stolen from the trailer.
“I really hope that we find some of this equipment. I hate having to replace it,” says Thomson. “Any support from the community is certainly beneficial.”
Nanaimo RCMP are investigating the theft.
People who wish to donate to help and replace the stolen items can contact Deborah Thomson at Deborah.thomson@rcmsar27.ca
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.