Kuopio Lifeboat Association responds to urgent and non-urgent rescue missions in Finland’s inland waters, specifically in the northern part of the Vuoksi waterways. Saastamoinen Foundation has supported the association’s activities for over 20 years.
Photos: Finnish Lifeboat Institution
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.
The association ensures safety on the water throughout the boating season. Particularly during Midsummer, rescue readiness is emphasised: In the Finnish Lifeboat Institution’s nationwide Midsummer duty, Operation “Meritähti” (starfish), nearly 130 rescue vessels and 1,000 sea rescuers across Finland are on standby to ensure the safety of those on the water.
Increasing number of authority-led rescue missions
“The 2024 season went down in the association’s history as exceptionally busy, with a total of 122 missions. Approximately two-thirds of these missions were authority-led. Two individuals were rescued from probable demise, and in both cases, the vessel carrying out the mission was PV Herman Saastamoinen. In total, 93 missions were recorded for the vessel, which is the second highest in the entire fleet of the Finnish Lifeboat Institution,” says Oliver Kuustonen, Chairman of the Board of Kuopio Lifeboat Association.
Kuopio Lifeboat Association has 30 active sea rescuers and approximately 800 members, who enable the association’s operations. The 24-hour on-call strength always includes one captain and the necessary crew, all of whom are trained for their duties. The association has three vessels continuously ready for deployment.
“For an association operating on a volunteer basis, the support of partners is vital,” Kuustonen points out.
The Foundation annually supports the association’s activities with financial aid. The support, which has continued for over 20 years, enables the acquisition of new equipment, training, and the acquisition and maintenance of the association’s command vessel, PV Herman Saastamoinen, among other things.
Read more (in Finnish): meripelastus.fi
We wish all those spending time on the waters a safe summer and remind them of Traficom’s boater’s checklist and the Finnish Lifeboat Institution’s emergency instructions.
