The crew of the Ladysmith Coast Guard Auxiliary responded to a boat fire in the vicinity of Conover Cover on Wallace Island (near the north tip of Salt Spring Island) shortly before 9 p.m. on Friday, April 8.
The vessel was reported to be a 2001 Grand Banks 42-ft. power boat with the fire onboard being fully engaged.
Three people were also reported as having been onboard. Also attending the incident were the Coast Guard lifeboat Cape Kuper from Ganges on Salt Spring Island and hovercraft Siyay from Vancouver.
Ladysmith Coast Guard Auxiliary Coxswain Dan Smith and his crew (Brian Cromp, Alan Watt and Mark Pagan) towed the burning vessel from the shore of Wallace Island into deeper water to prevent fire spreading into the forested area while hovercraft Siyay transported the three people to the safety of Salt Spring Island.
The fire onboard could not be contained and the vessel and contents were lost.This is the second major fire of recent for the auxiliary, following their major role in the containment and fighting of the marina fire.
Anyone interested in joining the crew can e-mail Aux29@Hotmail.ca.
— Brian Cromp