Editor's note: The following documentary was forwarded by Captain Knut Hveding of the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue (NSSR). Captain Hveding is the skipper of the SAR vessel "RS Odd Fellow II." While surfing the web, Captain Hveding found SITREP and a chain of correspondence followed. Kind permission was granted to publish their story. Additional information may be found at their official website, although it would help if you understood Norwegian... http://www.redningsselskapet.no/page?id=170
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About NSSR
The Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue (NSSR) was founded on July 9th, 1891, with a clearly defined goal – To save lives at sea.
The first rescue boats, the Colin Archer-class, were introduced in 1893. They were powered by sails and oars only. Ever since, the NSSR's boats and crew have saved over 6200 people from certain death. More than 500.000 people have received assistance.
The NSSR is a humanitarian organization aiming at saving lives and recovering property at sea. Maintaining rescue services along the Norwegian coast, and neighboring sea areas where such services may be necessary. The NSSR also runs an information service and educational program designed to improve safety for boaters.
Rescueboats and operations
The fleet covers the whole Norwegian coastline from the Swedish border in the south to the Russian border in the north. The main task
performed by the NSSR is the operation and maintenance of 28 permanently manned rescue boats stationed at strategic points all along the coast.
There are an additional 15 boats manned by trained voluntary crew.
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The rescue boats' readiness is based on a 24 hour watch service. Voluntary lifeboat crews are prepared and ready for action around the clock. The crew members either lodge on board or in quarters close to the vessel, so as to be on hand in case of emergency. Nearly 50 shore bases are manned, 30 of which are on duty all year, while the remainder are used in connection with seasonal fisheries or holiday periods, when the recreational fleet is most active. The greatest activity for the NSSR is in the north of the country, while activity increases in the south during the summer.
When on a mission, rescue boats are under the command of the local police authorities and the regional rescue centers in Bodø in the north, or Sola near Stavanger in the south. There is also close cooperation with the coastal radio station chain. Any change in location or use of rescue boats is coordinated between the rescue centers, fisheries organizations, the coastal radio stations, local boat organizations and other interested parties.
The NSSR has proved its worth in sea rescue services and spent large amounts of money on renewing vessels and equipment, as well as training personnel to continual increase professional standards. All boats have the most modern communication and navigational equipment on board. They all have standard first-aid kits and cardiac starters.
Most boats are able to perform ambulance missions. All permanently manned boats have divers on board. Underwater cameras for inspection dives are available on several boats. The NSSR possesses two ROVs, remotely controlled submersibles, mounted on rescue boats, one in the south and one in the north of Norway.
Voluntary rescue corps
The NSSR is continually improving its availability along the coast and has established 13 voluntary sea rescue corps, two of which are stationed
inland. These are based on the lakes Mjøsa and Femunden. The voluntary rescue corps have rescue launches, the majority of which are of the
"Simrad"-class and designed for use on in-shore mission when needed. These rescue launches are equipped with two high-power water-jet engines,
and are highly maneuverable, as well as having excellent towing and pushing capability. Several hundred volunteers form part of this activity,
which has become an important supplement to the permanently manned vessels.
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Change and modernization
Coastal traffic is in a continual process of change and modernization. This means that there is a constant need for vessels that can meet new
challenges. The NSSR is developing a fleet to meet the future, the first of the new boat type, Petter C. G. Sundt-class, (were) delivered in
May 2007. This long-range class will operate at cruising speeds of up to 35 knots in the densely used shipping lanes between the shore itself and
the open sea.
The Fosen-class, designed for more robust operations, can go further out to sea and these have proved themselves to be a success.
The seagoing fleet, which the society will have at its disposition in the coming decades, will be a guarantee, both for seafarers and the coastal population alike, that the NSSR will be there whenever needed.
Running and maintaining the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue requires a considerable funding. The Norwegian State contributes a small proportion, but most income is raised by the approximately 60.000 members and other voluntary contributors.
The NSSR depends on a small population in a large coastal nation for its economic existence, as it has done for over 116 years.