The Spirit of SAR is raising funds to purchase two rescue boats. They exist for one purpose: to support the training of everyone with an interest in boating safety and maritime search and rescue — recreational boaters, volunteers, students, and past, present and aspiring first-responders alike.
Knowledge only saves lives when it can be practised. Most people who go afloat have never rehearsed a capsize, a man-overboard recovery, or a distress call. Most volunteer crews learn on borrowed time in borrowed boats. Two dedicated hulls change that — turning guidance into muscle memory and making the waters we all share measurably safer. That is what we mean by a more rescue-ready world.
What the two boats will be used for
Once in service, the boats will provide education, training, and other services including marine assistance towing and search and rescue:
Education
On-water and shoreside sessions for boaters, families, students and community groups — cold water, capsize, lifejackets, VHF distress calling and safe passage planning.
Training
Practical maritime SAR training for volunteers and professional first-responders: boat handling, man-overboard recovery, towing, night and low-visibility operations, and on-scene coordination.
Marine assistance towing
Non-emergency assistance for disabled or grounded vessels, keeping small incidents from escalating into rescues.
Search and rescue
Availability to support and exercise alongside local SAR authorities and partner teams when called upon.
Research and standards
A working platform for the human-factors, training-standards and maritime SAR research SoS publishes free to the community.
Outreach
Open days, demonstrations and safety events that bring water safety to the people who need it most.
Why two boats?
One boat is a demonstration. Two boats are a capability. With a pair on the water we can run realistic exercises — a casualty vessel and a responding vessel, a towing platform and a safety boat, a search unit and an on-scene coordinator. Two boats also means training can continue while one is under maintenance, and that assistance and rescue tasking never comes at the cost of a cancelled course.
Ways to give
Every contribution goes toward the purchase, equipping and safe operation of the two boats. One-off gifts, monthly support, corporate sponsorship and in-kind help — engines, electronics, trailers, berthing, safety equipment — are all equally welcome.
Prefer to talk it through first, or want to discuss named sponsorship of a vessel? Get in touch and we will send the full project outline.