A new Sicamous based organization, the Deep Water Quests Society (DWQ), is diving into action with support from other local groups. 

Born out of necessity, the recently formed DWQ provides a professional 'Last Response' service that picks up where search and rescue units and RCMP Underwater Recovery divers leave off, using high-tech equipment to find missing persons drowned in B.C. lakes. 

Until now, the service was provided by one of two organizations in North America. They consisted of the Manitoba based Hutterian Emergency Aquatic Response Team (HEART) that helped find the body of an Alberta man who drowned in Mara Lake in 2021, and another in Idaho run by Gene and Sandy Ralston.

The Ralstons, who have found over 130 missing persons in the western States and Canada, are now in their 80s and as Gene said, "it's time to retire." Through the DWQ, B.C. will continue their mission to help find missing loved ones and allow families to grieve. 

The DWQ will use equipment donated by the Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue (RCMSAR) Station 106 Shuswap, received in 2022 after an organization closed in the Lower Mainland. That equipment includes a 25-foot purpose built boat, a side scan sonar and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that will be put into service after the extensive training is completed this fall. 

"Much of it will be self-taught through study packages and On Job Training on the Shuswap before Gene and Sandy are confirmed to come to Sicamous to provide formal training," DWQ spokesperson and former RCMSAR station leader Rob Sutherland said in a media release, adding they'll also coordinate and train with other first responder organizations in the area.

He added there a lot of targets in the lake, such as sunken boats, old docks, anchors and other items that members can use "to practise finding, identifying and in some cases recovering to the surface to learn how to effectively use the equipment," DWQ president Al Poole said, adding. "training is not an overnight process, and skill and knowledge must be obtained before this equipment is put into service."

To help financially support that training, the Sicamous Legion Branch 99 provided a $5,000 donation to the organization. 

"The Legion is fully supportive of the new Society, with all the confidence that the DWQ will bring Sicamous and the Shuswap to the forefront in helping families," Legion president Bill Moore said in the release. 

Sutherland admitted the DWQ has some way to go before becoming fully operational, but expects to reach that point this fall and then begin the process of receiving final authorization.

Though there is still a lot to do, the society organizers know they'll get there and be successful, with Sutherland stating "we need to continue with the Ralstons' mission as they retire."

The DWQ is a volunteer, charitable organization that is the only non-profit in B.C. offering this service without charge except for out-of-pocket expenses, and is accepting donations to help minimize that impact to the families they serve. Donations can be made by contacting Poole at deepwaterquestscommunications@gmail.com.