The Bella Coola - Chilcotin Canadian Ranger Patrol recently completed a weekend of marine exercises in the Bella Coola area.
Juri Agapow, local commander and the unit’s public relations officer, said from June 1 to June 4, 2023, 21 rangers participated and it went very well.
“After admin night on Thursday we sailed out 7 a.m. Friday morning,” he said. “Our patrol is split into a Bella Coola and a Chilcotin section, but we operate together.”
It is important that everybody in the patrol is familiar with the AOR (area of operation), which includes the fjords and channels off Bella Coola, he added.
Sixteen rangers and two staff from Victoria participated in the training as a familiarization exercise around marine operations and AOR reconnaissance.
“We also practiced our sustenance skills, being able to procure food from the land and sea enabling us without the need to bring oodles of food rations, which is important in emergency or prolonged operations in remote areas, which are hard to reach by regular supply chain.”
Two nights were spentout in the fjords on three boats, returning Sunday.
“Simultaneously we trained on radio communications as well as navigation charts….understanding how to communicate and knowing where you are are the most important base of every exercise/operation.”
Agapow said they were very close to a lot of bears during the times when they were on shore, so armed bear watch was in effect at all times.
“This is one thing rangers stand out for in search and rescue operations as we are armed for predator control where regular search and rescue personnel is un-armed.”
Agapow said the unit is part of the BC Company - 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group and they alternate doing exercises between Bella Coola and the Chilcotin plateau for training.
There are 10 members from Bella Coola, eight from from the Chilcotin through to Williams Lake and two BC Company staff from Victoria.
Presently recruiting for members, he said to qualify one must be 18 years and older, an outdoors person, have a clear criminal record and willing to serve as needed part-time in the armed forces.
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monica.lamb-yorski@wltribune.com
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monica.lamb-yorski@wltribune.com
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