Spencer Grell

Corbetts Ski & Snowboards ( Oakville Marine Search and Rescue ( Fire Fighting, Rs Rescue (

[Oakville Fire Dept @oakvillefire]

🎉 Congratulations to Firefighter Neely on earning his Acting Captain helmet shield!

We’re proud to celebrate this well-deserved achievement alongside @oakvillefire leadership, S207 and Station 3 crews! 🚒 #OFDPride

@oakvillepffa
@townofoakville

[Spencer Grell @SpencerGrell]

@oakvillefire Congratulations

[Oakville Marine Search and Rescue OMSAR @OakvilleRescue]

2025 Season Wrap-Up – OMSAR Mission Summary

As the 2025 season ends, Oakville Marine Search and Rescue (OMSAR) is proud to mark our first full year with our new vessel Oakville Rescue, which performed exceptionally on every tasking.

🚨 Mission Activity

OMSAR responded to 55 missions from JRCC Trenton, classified as:
•M1 – Immediate Danger to Life: 5
•M2 – Imminent Danger: 14
•M3 – No Immediate Danger: 32
•M4 – Hoax or Mistaken Belief: 4

Across these missions, crews assisted more than 75 people and safeguarded $735,500 in property, logging 71.62 mission hours with an average 10.19-minute response time.

Taskings ranged from disabled vessels and medical emergencies to parasail entanglements, groundings, and a multi-agency overdue-vessel search spanning the width of Lake Ontario.

📊 Training & Regional Impact
•107 training exercises
•397 total training hours
•OMSAR contributed 16.7% of all CCGA Central & Arctic missions, reflecting a high activity level within the region.

👏 Bravo Zulu

Thank you to every OMSAR volunteer for your professionalism, dedication, and readiness throughout 2025. Looking forward to another strong season ahead.

[Oakville Marine Search and Rescue OMSAR @OakvilleRescue]

🛥️ End of Season Update – OMSAR’s 71st Year of Service 🌊

While OMSAR Oakville Rescue concluded regular patrols on October 31, our rescue vessel remained in service and operationally ready to support taskings from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Trenton whenever required.

On November 17, we officially wrapped up a truly landmark season — our 71st year of marine search and rescue on Lake Ontario — marked by:

✨ Our rebranding from TOWARF to OMSAR (Oakville Marine Search and Rescue)
🛥️ The launch of our new Guardian-class rescue vessel, Oakville Rescue
🚨 55 taskings assisting mariners in need
🤝 Strong collaboration with SAR partners
🙌 Dedicated volunteers supporting safety on the water

We extend our sincere appreciation to:

🔹 JRCC Trenton – for coordinating SAR operations across our region
🔹 Canadian Coast Guard
🔹 Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)
🔹 Neighbouring CCGA units around Lake Ontario
🔹 Halton Regional Police Service
🔹 The Town of Oakville for its continued support
🔹 And our community, for standing behind our mission

As the recreational boating season winds down, our focus shifts to:

⚓ Winter maintenance and upgrades
📚 Ongoing training and readiness
🛥️ Preparing Oakville Rescue for our 72nd season in spring 2026

⸻

🌟 We will return to regular patrols next year — always ready when called.

Stay safe. Stay prepared.
OMSAR — Proudly serving Lake Ontario boaters since 1954.

#OMSAR #MarineSAR #SearchAndRescue #JRCCTrenton #CanadianCoastGuard
#RCAF #CCGA #HaltonPolice #TownOfOakville #OakvilleRescue
#Rebranding #GuardianClass #71SeasonsStrong #VolunteersInAction

[Spencer Grell @SpencerGrell]

@wonderofscience Oh crap leg cramp

[Oakville Fire Dept @oakvillefire]

Firefighter recruitment is now open!

The deadline for applications is Monday, October 20, 2025 at noon. For more information, please go to: https://t.co/0BplvRxaf5

[Burlington Fire Dept @BurlingtonFire]

Tonight is the night! Join us to learn more about rewarding volunteer firefighting opportunities in #BurlON. See you there! 🚒

[Oakville Marine Search and Rescue OMSAR @OakvilleRescue]

🎥 Video: Volunteers prepare Oakville Rescue for deployment – called out from home to serve.

MISSION REPORT – July 16, 2025
Mission 21 of the 2025 Season
At 08:30, Oakville Marine Search and Rescue (OMSAR) was tasked by JRCC Trenton to assist a disabled 24’ cabin cruiser drifting off the Petro-Canada Pier. 🌊

Volunteers responded from home, converging at headquarters to prepare Oakville Rescue and deploy — a testament to their commitment and training. 🚨⚓️

Upon arrival on scene, the crew quickly located the vessel, which had suffered a mechanical failure. A tow was initiated, and two people were safely brought to shore after a controlled tow of approximately 4 nautical miles. The vessel was secured without incident, and all parties were well. 👨‍✈️👩‍✈️

Conditions: Clear skies ☀️, calm seas 🌊, 31°C air / 17°C water temperature
Distance from Base: 4.25nm
Towing Time: 1:03

This mission highlights the readiness and dedication of our volunteer crew—mobilizing quickly, working in the summer heat, and keeping our waters safe. Stay tuned for the behind-the-scenes video of this callout.

#MissionReport #MarineSAR #OMSAR #SearchAndRescue #LakeOntario #TowAssist #JRCCTrenton #RescueReady #VolunteerHeroes #OakvilleWaterfront #OnCallAlways #Mission21

[HRPS Community @HRPS_Comm]

Our 2 District Community Mobilization Bureau is spinning with excitement as they hit the streets on bicycles this summer!🚴

Keep an eye out for them in your neighbourhood as they continue to promote safety and stay connected with the #Halton community.

#BikePatrol #SummerSafety

[Oakville Marine Search and Rescue OMSAR @OakvilleRescue]

🇨🇦 Canada Day smiles at the pier! 🇨🇦

Families and curious young visitors stopped by the new OMSAR rescue vessel today at Oakville Harbour on 16 Mile Creek — enjoying tours of the boat and picking up special Canadian Coast Guard SAR colouring books! 🖍️🚤

We love welcoming the next generation aboard and sharing how marine search and rescue keeps our waters safe. Thank you to everyone who came by to say hello — and to the kids who made our day with their questions, curiosity, and big smiles! 😊❤️

#OMSAR #CanadaDay2025 #OakvilleHarbour #16MileCreek #SearchAndRescue #MarineSAR #OakvilleEvents #ProudToServe #FutureRescuers #ColouringBooks #CommunityConnections

[DR @Media371]

.@BurlingtonFire, @oakvillefire and @MiltonFireON crews worked tirelessly under challenging conditions and sweltering temperatures controlling a large grass fire caused by a passing train on Monday afternoon. The swift response and coordinated efforts of Burlington crews effectively contained and prevented any spread to nearby homes. #BurlON

[Burlington Fire Dept @BurlingtonFire]

#BurlON Fire Dept Vehicle Rescue Team competed in @TercCanada Regional Rescue Challenge, placing first in two scenarios: one using hydraulic tools and one without, taking home a first-place finish overall. Show them some 💙 as they flex their skills as leaders in vehicle rescue!

[Graham Paine @GPmedia_24]

WILD LAND FIRES: @oakvillefire & @BurlingtonFire dealing with wild land/grass fires along rail lines from Burloak to Third Line,crews attempting to gain access along north side of tracks. Majority of fires located are in #Oakville , @GOtransit trains notified of crews near tracks

[Spencer Grell @SpencerGrell]

@CP24 Norm rip

[Oakville Marine Search and Rescue OMSAR @OakvilleRescue]

You’re Invited — Join the Celebration!

Join us as we officially launch Oakville Rescue, our new Search and Rescue vessel, on Saturday, May 24 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

We’ll be welcoming VIP guests including local, provincial, and federal officials and politicians, as well as representatives from the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, local emergency services, SAR units, CoastWatchers, and other friends and supporters of OMSAR.

A special thanks to Mayor Rob Burton and the members of Oakville Town Council for their continued support of marine safety in our community.

While the seating area is reserved for invited guests, the public is encouraged to gather along Navy Street Pier and in Tannery Park — both offer excellent vantage points.

Don’t miss the moment when Oakville Rescue enters Sixteen Mile Creek at approximately 1:15 p.m. — a proud milestone for marine safety in Oakville!

#OMSAR #OakvilleRescue #MarineSAR #BoatLaunch #CommunitySafety #OakvilleEvents @townofoakville @MayorRobBurton

[Graham Paine @GPmedia_24]

POLICE MARINE 2 LAUNCH: @HaltonPolice official christening & launch of new Marine 2 patrol vessel — 38’boat w/3-350 HP engines w/counter-rotating dual props— top speed 100km/h, equipped w/ thermal imaging & depth sonar.

[Spencer Grell @SpencerGrell]

@CityNewsTO And another beauty I lose respect for.

[Oakville Marine Search and Rescue OMSAR @OakvilleRescue]

🚤 Embracing New Technology for Enhanced SAR Service 🌊

As the 2024 season for the new vessel Oakville Rescue continues much later into the fall than usual 🍂, our Oakville Marine Search and Rescue (OMSAR) crews are diligently training 💪 to master the advanced systems onboard 🛥️. This weekend, teams are focused on integrating technologies like autopilot controls 🤖, joystick vessel handling 🎮, radar 📡, advanced sonar systems 🌐, and the FLIR thermal imaging system 🔥, alongside sharpening essential skills like vessel maneuvers and docking ⚓.

With Oakville Rescue in service much later in the season than usual 🕒, crews are ensuring they’ll be fully prepared and ready to serve when the 2025 season begins 🚀. These cutting-edge tools and skills enhance our ability to search for and locate vessels 🛶 or persons in the water (PIWs) 🚨, even under challenging conditions like low visibility 🌫️ or nighttime operations 🌙.

Our teams are embracing the challenge 🏆, knowing these upgrades will make a real difference when every second counts ⏱️. Stay tuned 📣 as we continue to adapt and grow with OMSAR (formerly TOWARF). Together, we’re building on a proud tradition of excellence in marine search and rescue 💙⚓.

[Oakville Marine Search and Rescue OMSAR @OakvilleRescue]

With the launch of our new Search and Rescue Vessel in the Fall of 2024 we are also excited to officially announce our name change to Oakville Marine Search and Rescue (OMSAR).  This rebranding process has been ongoing throughout 2024, following an extensive consultation period with both the Membership and Town of Oakville.  While the new name more accurately reflects our current scope of service, the new logo maintains a link to TOWARF's 70 years of service of which we are so proud.

Our Mission remains the same, Saving Lives on Western Lake Ontario.  This rebranding strengthens our ability to communicate this mission and reinforces our identity as a volunteer-led organization. 

The new name and logo will be rolling out in a phased manner across our various platforms over the coming weeks, everyone at Oakville Marine Search and Rescue is excited to kick off the 2025 season with our new identity.

[Spencer Grell @SpencerGrell]

@cnnbrk Dr Phil is also his new co counsel.