What is SAR at sea?

SAR at sea means saving and protecting lives of persons in distress in sea area. This includes many different duties like assisting vessels and boats in distress at sea, preventing disasters, searching missing people and performing medical transport in the archipelago and sea area. The basis for carrying out these duties is enacted in international treaties and decrees.

All authorities operating in sea area carry out SAR at sea. Also merchant shipping and voluntary organisations participate in it. In Finland The Border Guard is responsible for SAR service at sea and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC Turku) and maritime rescue sub-centres lead SAR operations. When the persons or environment are no longer in danger, commercial companies carry out the salvage of vessels and cargo.