The Victoria Marine Rescue Society is an all-volunteer organization that supports the local Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary unit to save lives and assist boaters in distress on the Victoria, Esquimalt, and West Shore waterfronts. The Society is also active in the community promoting boating safety.

Although the national Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary organization provides some funding for training and reimbursement for search and rescue missions, it does not provide capital funding for the rescue vessel upon which mariners in the Victoria waterfront area rely.

The rescue boat is paid for by the Victoria Marine Rescue Society, which draws on a range of funding sources such as individual donations and support from the municipalities which benefit from a local marine search and rescue service.

The Victoria Marine Rescue Society:

• Provides fundraising and administrative support to Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit 35, one of 53 volunteer units along the BC Coast that supports the Coast Guard, police, fire, ambulance and other rescue organizations.
• Maintains a 24 hour a day, 365 days per year search and rescue readiness.
• Responds to an average 70 calls per year.
• Promotes boating safety, including programs designed to increase water safety awareness among children.
• Recruits volunteer search and rescue crews.
• Provides ongoing training to volunteers in search and rescue techniques, navigation safety, seamanship, communications, and first aid.