Pelastusvenemiehistö

Pelastusvenemiehistö is the crew of a rescue boat in Finland’s maritime safety system. The term refers to both professional and volunteer crews who operate rescue boats in coastal areas, harbors, and inland waters as part of the country’s search and rescue network.

Typical duties include maintaining readiness and conducting patrols, responding to distress calls, performing water rescues, towing and assisting vessels in trouble, and providing first aid at the scene. Crews also participate in training, drills, and routine maintenance of boats and equipment, and collaborate with coast guard authorities and other emergency services.

Organisation and governance: Pelastusvene crews operate under municipal rescue services (pelastuslaitokset) and, in many cases, volunteer organisations such as the Finnish Lifesaving Society, in coordination with the Rescue Coordination Centre and the Coast Guard. Crews are on-call and deploy rapidly when signals are received by VHF radio or other emergency channels.

History: Lifeboat operations have roots in 19th-century volunteer rescue efforts and have evolved into integrated components of modern national search-and-rescue systems. Today, pelastusvenemiehistö emphasizes training, safety, and coordination among agencies.

Equipment and training: Members work with a range of rescue boats—from small rigid-hulled craft to larger rescue vessels—equipped with life-saving gear, first aid, radios, and rescue equipment. Training commonly includes seamanship, navigation, first aid, radio procedures, and ongoing drills to maintain readiness.