Hey Rick, Check out THIS Rescue ....

[RspctFrmCalgary]

I had noticed this guy out on the "island", nothing unusual in that, see people out there all the time. As I was sitting here at my computer, a bright light caught my attention and I looked up to see the Victoria Fire Department fireboat approaching at high speed with its red lights flashing. What I assume was the guy I had noticed earlier was already loaded in the basket by the time I noticed all this going on. Watched the fireboat trying to get close enough for them to load up, they had to try a few times. Then about 4-6 guys carried the basket down to the boat and loaded it up.

Not a fun rescue I'm sure, but they sure made it look easy.

The picutre is mine, from my crappy little "gag" digital camera.

Firefighters rescue injured man stranded on island


Times Colonist
May 10, 2009

The Victoria Fire Department rescued an elderly man who was stranded on Coffin Island in Vic West after he fell and badly injured his hip.

The man called 9-1-1 for help around 4:30 p.m. Friday. Fire and ambulance crews climbed three metres up a steep bank to get to the man, said Capt. David Bicknell, part of the rescue team. The island can be reached from the beach off Robert Street at low tide.

Crews loaded the man in a basket stretcher but found it would be too dangerous for firefighters to navigate the jagged rocks down the embankment while carrying the stretcher. The department called in its fireboat, the Protector, which was able to pull up next to a rock shelf close to the surface of the water and carry the man to safety.

The department bought the boat in June 2008 to help fight marine fires and this was one of the first times it was used for a rescue call, Bicknell said.

© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist

[Dickey]

Wow, what a great view!!!

I think that white speck to the left is the boat!
(just kidding Sheri!!)

[RspctFrmCalgary]

I told ya it was a *****ty camera! LOL

[Dickey]

I told ya it was a *****ty camera! LOL

yeah, but still a great view of the harbor!

now just put yourself in front of the camera with that beautiful background!

[MalahatTwo7]

I read the story on the weekend, but at the time there were no pictures (still none), so I decided to let it be. Also, the article reads "off Robert Street", but there isn't one. There is "Robertson Street", near Gonazales, but no "Robert". I can almost place the view point of your camera, but its been WAY TOO LONG since I was down around that area. My original thoughts were from Saxe Point, looking NE towards the city, but based on map references, that is probably about 8 miles too far west.

I miss sitting on (or near) the Breakwater during the winter storms.

[RspctFrmCalgary]

Rick, I'm at the Seagate. To the right of me is the Westsong Marina. The little island is in front of the Patricia Apartments. A little bit to the left of the picture (north) is the other "island" with the native cairn & cross, if that rings any bells. There is a Robert St. I just looked it up on mapquest. It's a few streets away from Spinnakers.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Vi...=707+Esquimalt

If I'm on my balcony I get this view of the breakwater. Port Angeles is just across the water.

[RspctFrmCalgary]

That picture sucks, let me see if I can find a better one.

A friend who lives in the same building took this (with a real camera, not like the piece of plastic crap I have). Not sure why it was at Ogden Point but it was pretty cool to see. Port Angeles is a bit to the right of the picture, across the water.

[MalahatTwo7]

Thanks Sheri, I "got ya" now. And I think I know why the frieghter was at Ogden Pt. I am not 100% sure, but I'll be betting that Esquimalt Harbour is not quite deep enough to float that ship. Its got HMCS CHICOUTIMI aboard, from her 1/2 around the world transit from England. Now they are problably trying to figure out how to off load her.

[RspctFrmCalgary]

Here's the "middle view" between the other two pics I posted, facing the Coast Guard docks. Fisherman's Wharf is to the left, I can see a good portion of it (not the houseboats).

[RspctFrmCalgary]

I guess your explanation makes sense ... I had wondered if there just wasn't room, as at the time I believe there were one or two cruise ships also in drydock. Never did find an article about the sub, so it's cool to find out what one it was. It was there for a good three or four days at least.

[Dickey]

I still don't see a picture of Sheri in any of those posted so far.







Unless she is a tiny speck like that boat was.....

[RspctFrmCalgary]

Yup, that's it!