Järvipelastajat – Kuopio Lifeboat Association

Kuopio Lifeboat Association is a member association of the Finnish Lifeboat Institution, whose volunteer sea rescuers perform rescue and assistance operations for those on the water and promote safe boating in Finland’s inland waters, specifically in the northern part of the Vuoksi waterways.

From its beginning, the operation has been based on the selfless execution of assistance, search, and rescue tasks, though often with an emphasis on providing non-urgent aid. Over the years, however, the operations have developed into a highly professional volunteer effort and are now often a vital source of assistance on the waterways. Currently, a large proportion of operations come via the Emergency Response Centre, and in such cases, operations are conducted in collaboration with authorities.

Saastamoinen Foundation annually supports the association’s activities with financial aid, which is vital for an association operating on a volunteer basis. The support, which has continued for 20 years, enables the acquisition of new equipment, training, and the acquisition and maintenance of the command vessel PV Herman Saastamoinen, among other things.

Collaboration between the Foundation and the Association reflects the activities of Herman Saastamoinen, the founder of the Saastamoinen family, who was a ship-owner in Kuopio in the late 1800s. The completion of the Saimaa Canal made Kuopio’s harbour a home for many shipyards that delivered cargo around the world. Herman Saastamoinen’s merchant fleet allowed an effective distribution network and imports for the wholesale business.

Towards the latter half of the 1800s, the focus of Herman Saastamoinen’s shipping activities was in the northern part of Saimaa, where the Kuopio Lifeboat Association operates. The association’s command vessel, PV Herman Saastamoinen, was named after the founder of the Saastamoinen family who was active in these same waters.