räddningsbåt

A räddningsbåt, or rescue boat, is a small, fast, and maneuverable craft designed to perform search and rescue operations, provide emergency assistance, and support larger vessels and shore-based responders at sea and along coastlines. It is typically used to reach distressed boats, recover people from the water, evacuate casualties, tow disabled vessels, and assist in other urgent maritime incidents.

Design and equipment commonly include hard-hull or rigid-inflatable configurations, with lengths ranging from approximately 4 to 12 meters. They are powered by one or more high-performance engines and equipped with communications gear (VHF), navigation systems (GPS, chart plotter), basic radar, and safety equipment such as life jackets, flares, first-aid kits, and rescue lines. Some boats may carry additional gear for firefighting, towing, or medical support. The emphasis is on stability, seaworthiness, and the ability to operate in adverse weather and low-visibility conditions, including night operations.

Operators and use vary by country but typically include coast guards, marine police, and volunteer rescue organizations. In Sweden, for example, räddningsbåtar are deployed by national authorities and the Sjöräddningen (Swedish Sea Rescue Society) to reach distressed vessels, perform man-overboard recoveries, deliver medical assistance, assist in environmental and salvage operations, and support large ships near ports and along the coastline. They are deployed from dedicated stations and can be dispatched through national rescue coordination systems.

Crew training emphasizes seamanship, navigation, first aid, and survival at sea, with ongoing drills and adherence to national regulations and international search-and-rescue frameworks coordinated by Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers (MRCCs). The räddningsbåt embodies a flexible, rapid-response component within broader maritime safety and rescue services.