VISAR is a crucial volunteer organisation dedicated to maritime safety in BVI. Founded to protect residents and visitors, it operates 24/7. With a committed team of volunteers and a fleet of well-equipped rescue vessels, VISAR ensures quick and effective assistance in emergencies. They are a key part of the region’s safety network, enhancing the security and well-being of everyone in BVI waters.
VISAR is modeled on the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), the world’s oldest lifeboat service. It is an independent NPO, funded by charitable donations and grants and relies on volunteers. VISAR coordinates closely with local police, fire, and ambulance, as well as the US Coast Guard. Internationally recognised by the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF), VISAR has conducted over 1,600 missions, with volunteers dedicating over 22,000 hours to saving lives at sea.
Responding to emergencies requires a rapid and coordinated effort from volunteers. They interrupt daily activities to mobilise swiftly to VISAR’s two dedicated bases: Road Harbour, Tortola, or Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda. Bases are equipped with essential search and rescue vessels crucial for responding to marine medical emergencies, conducting search and rescue operations, and transporting casualties.
ensure they are ready for any eventuality.
For volunteers aged 18+ VISAR offers a comprehensive training programme essential for becoming fully qualified crew. Trainees engage in practical exercises, including simulated rescue scenarios and hands-on training in boat operations and medical emergencies. This rigorous training ensures that volunteers are well-prepared to handle the challenges of real-life emergencies. By equipping volunteers with essential skills and experience, VISAR maintains high standards of readiness and operational efficiency in its maritime rescue operations.
The effectiveness of VISAR’s operations relies on the coordinated efforts of its trained crew members and dedicated volunteers. Coordinators manage emergency calls around the clock, ensuring that casualties are swiftly connected with rescue vessels and additional resources as needed, such as help from the US Coast Guard and local medical facilities. Essential roles within the crew include the helm, responsible for overseeing the safety of operations; the #2, managing communications and equipment readiness; and the Lead Medic, providing advanced medical care onboard. Each crew member undergoes rigorous training in equipment use and emergency procedures to ensure a prompt and effective response to every emergency call.
VISAR’s goals are to achieve financial independence, ensuring operational continuity and growth, top-tier training, equipping them with the latest skills and techniques to handle diverse rescue scenarios. Additionally, to procure state-of-the-art gear, tools, and vessels, ensuring our capabilities align with the highest standards of rescue operations. By advancing in these areas, VISAR is poised to uphold its mission of safeguarding lives at sea with greater efficiency and impact in the future.
Support from the community is vital to VISAR’s mission of saving lives at sea. There are several meaningful ways individuals and organisations can contribute, including making crucial donations to fund operations and equipment acquisitions, volunteering time and expertise to support frontline operations which impact our ability to respond swiftly to emergencies, or exploring sponsorship opportunities to sustain VISAR’s growth and capabilities.
