Sea Rescue

The Sea Rescue Centre searches for and rescues people who are or may be in distress at sea. The Sea Rescue Centre can immediately receive alarms and lead rescue operations around the clock.
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Foto: Linus Kamstedt Lindholm/SSRS
Sjöräddningssällskapet deltar vid 80 procent av all sjöräddning i Sverige. Foto: Sjöfartsverket

The Swedish Maritime Administration is the authority responsible for the functioning of the maritime rescue service at sea, in coastal waters and in Lake Vänern, Lake Vättern and Lake Mälaren. International waters are also covered.

Maritime rescue also includes medical transport from ships and medical advice in connection with maritime rescue operations. Sea rescue operations are led from the Swedish Maritime Administration's sea rescue centre in Gothenburg, which is manned around the clock.

Under the leadership of the Swedish Maritime Administration, boats from the Swedish Sea Rescue Society, the Coast Guard, the Police and the Swedish Armed Forces also participate in sea rescue operations. At sea, all vessels in the vicinity are also obliged to assist under the Maritime Act.

Sea Rescue Society

The Swedish Sea Rescue Society is involved in 90 per cent of all sea rescues in Sweden. Sjöräddningssällskapet is a non-profit organisation with 74 manned rescue stations around the Swedish coast. 2,400 volunteer sea rescuers are available for action around the clock, all year round.

The Coastguard

The Coast Guard maintains a high level of maritime rescue readiness at all times in order to assist in emergencies at sea. Coast Guard vessels are equipped for sea rescue in accordance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, SOLAS.

Maritime police

The maritime police is a sea-borne police force that operates in Stockholm and Västra Götaland counties. Just like other police officers, they intervene against all crimes, on land or at sea. The maritime police also participate in rescue operations and investigate accidents at sea. They are available 24 hours a day, all year round and can also intervene in other counties, especially during major incidents.

The Armed Forces

The Defence Forces' Type 80 surveillance boats are used on a daily basis for the surveillance of sea areas and important protection objects. The surveillance boats are also an important resource for sea rescue. Other boats tasked with protecting Swedish territory are also a good resource for sea rescue, as they are equipped with fire and bilge equipment, among other things.

The Swedish Transport Agency exercises the central supervision of the maritime rescue service.

The information comes from the Swedish Maritime Administration, the Swedish Sea Rescue Society, the Coast Guard, the Police, the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Transport Agency.