Our Story
It all began in 1967, when a small group of local boaters from the Oshawa Power Squadron looked out over Lake Ontario and saw a need — not for themselves, but for their fellow mariners. They knew the lake could be unpredictable, and that sometimes, help was too far away when trouble struck. With that shared sense of duty, they approached the City of Oshawa for support in creating something new: a volunteer rescue service that could make a difference when seconds mattered most.
The City answered the call, and soon after, the City of Oshawa Marine Rescue Association (COMRA) was born. Their first vessel — a sturdy 31-foot 1961 Bertram Gulf Coast fishing boat — wasn’t fancy, but it was fast, reliable, and ready to serve. In June 1968, COMRA officially launched from the Port of Oshawa Marina, marking the beginning of what would become decades of lifesaving service on Lake Ontario.
Over the years, COMRA’s mission grew. In 1979, we became one of the founding members of the Canadian Marine Rescue Auxiliary (CMRA) — a pioneering group of volunteer rescue units that formally joined forces with the Canadian Coast Guard to provide Marine Search and Rescue services across the country. In 1996, that partnership evolved into what we now know as the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA) — a national network of volunteers dedicated to keeping Canada’s waters safe.
Today, COMRA proudly serves as Unit 009 within the CCGA Central & Arctic Region, covering the waters of Lake Ontario throughout the Durham Region. We’re part of a larger family of volunteer rescuers who respond to nearly one-quarter of all marine emergencies in Canada every year.
From April through October, our crew stands ready — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — to answer the call. We may not wear uniforms every day, but when distress calls come in, our volunteers leave their homes, families, and comfort behind to brave the cold, the dark, and the unpredictable waters in the name of saving lives.
We aspire to create a world class volunteer organization where equality and inclusion are achievable for all, providing a safer marine environment while creating learning and leading opportunities for our volunteers, through our training and rescue activities, with our partners and communities.
For us, this isn’t just about boats or rescues. It’s about community — about neighbours helping neighbours, and about a deep, shared love for the waters that surround us.
COMRA COMMUNITY
Chain of Command
Our unit operates under a strong chain of command to ensure safety and efficiency. The Executive Team—made up of the Unit Commander, Vice Commander of Operations, Treasurer, Secretary, and Past Unit Commander—oversees leadership and administration.
The General Members include Coxswains (Captains), Crew Members, and specialized roles such as the Training Officer and Fundraising Manager, all working together to keep our operations coordinated and ready for action.