The Comox Valley Marine Rescue Society is a non-profit organization created in 2003 to support our local Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 60. Our mission is to support and fund Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue 60 Comox (RCM-SAR 60 Comox) by purchasing equipment, providing funds for maintenance, and raising funds to support the SAR operation. 

Our goals are: to save 100 % of lives at risk, to reduce the number and severity of SAR incidents, to promote marine safety, to support the Canadian Coast Guard, to provide a humanitarian service, to maintain the highest professional standards, to promote dedication and pride of membership, to support environmental monitoring and the aquaculture industry in Bayne Sound.

In 1978, the Canadian Marine Rescue Auxiliary, a non-profit organization, was formed after it became clear that a formal organization for training volunteer search and rescuers was necessary in order to improve the CCG's response to maritime search and rescue incidents, particularly in remote locations. 

In 1997, the Canadian Marina Rescue Auxiliary was renamed to the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, and their areas of operations were split to match the areas of operation of the Coast Guard: 

• Newfoundland and Labrador

• Maritimes (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island)

• Quebec

• Central and the Arctic (Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut)

• Pacific (British Columbia)

For our region, Western (British Columbia), the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary was rebranded as Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RMCSAR) in 2012 to signify the service's non-governmental and volunteer-based status. The change assisted the public in British Columbia to better understand the community-based nature of the service and the importance of local support in maintaining rescue vessels, recruiting and training volunteers, and equipping them with the tools they need to save lives on the water. 

The title "Royal" was granted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in February 2012 in recognition of the organization's long-standing service, broad geographic coverage, and philanthropic mandate. 

In 2017, RCMSAR signed a memorandum of understanding with the Province of British Columbia to allow local authorities and provincial agencies to request assistance from RCMSAR directly in times of emergency specifically related to their jurisdictions, for example, water ambulance mode transportation and ground search support where vessels are requested by the police. 

During the same year, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Inc. became the organization's legal name. Incorporating as a non-profit meant that RCMSAR Inc. could enter into contracts, purchase assets, own property, borrow money, and generally conduct business. The incorporation also limits the liability of the members, who are not personally liable for the corporation's debts. 

Today, more than 950 volunteers operate 31 rescue stations on the west coast of British Columbia and in the inland waters of the Shuswap in BC's interior. Collectively, they respond to an average of 450 missions per year, or about a quarter of all marine emergencies in B.C. Each year, we assist about 400 people, of whom 20% were in a dangerous situation. 

RCMSAR is reimbursed for fuel used for missions and on-water training from the Canadian Coast Guard through a Contribution Agreement in support of the Coast Guard's marine search and rescue mandate. However, the majority of funding is also provided by the Province of British Columbia through Community Gaming Grants for vessels and equipment. RCMSAR also depends on donations from individuals, corporations, and community and private foundations.