People often underestimate how strong the Fraser River is, but fortunately, for residents of the Royal City and neighbouring communities along the Fraser, the New Westminster Police Department’s marine unit is only a call away when people run into trouble on the water.
Members of the department’s marine unit, who operate the department’s police boat Shaw 1, have been busy lately. Earlier this summer, the crew performed two major rescues in just over two weeks.
But it’s not uncommon to get calls for rescues throughout the year, according to Const. David Hill. Sometimes it’s because a boat lost power, other times people just underestimate the power of the Fraser River. Hill said he’s pulled people from the river who were trying to swim to Queensborough.
“We get all sorts of calls and go all sorts of places,” Hill said.
Hill has been with the New Westminster Police Department for eight years. He joined the marine unit soon after he was eligible – constables have to serve for three years before they can join – because he’s always had a passion for boating and being out on the water.
Hill and his fellow marine-unit officers are considered part of patrol. Much like regular patrol officers, they spend most their days responding to calls on land, but when there’s an emergency on the water, it’s up to them to go investigate.
“You never know what the day is going to bring – it’s an added bonus,” he said. “You kind of do it all.”
The marine unit is responsible for patrolling the river within New Westminster’s boundaries. They are trained to respond to a variety of calls, including rescues, vessels in distress and inspections.
The unit also handles body recoveries, which, while not common, are an emotional experience.
Sometimes the bodies have been in the water for a long time, either lodged beneath a boom or wedged under a dock.
“It’s not the prettiest part of our job,” Hill said.
Another grim part of the job is responding to suicide calls from the Pattullo Bridge. Jumpers often climb over the railings and hang there for a while as they contemplate their next move. During that time, officers on the bridge will strap on a harness and climb over the railing to try and dissuade the person from jumping. Meanwhile, officers with the marine unit, like Hill, wait below. If the officer on the bridge can talk the person off the ledge, the pair will rappel down from the bridge deck to the boat below, Hill said.
Unfortunately, sometimes people do jump. When that happens, it’s up to the officers on Shaw 1 to try and rescue the person. Sometimes it’s too late; other times the jumpers survive and are rushed to the hospital for treatment, Hill said.
The department’s marine unit doesn’t just help New Westminster residents either.
The crew travels around the Lower Mainland and pitches in when other police departments along the Fraser River need assistance. Plus they meet lots of people – everyone from fishermen to tug boat operators and coast guard officers, as well as all the people they help.
“It’s a small family out here on the water,” Hill said.
