Maritime security and search & rescue at sea

As the leading maritime rescue authority in Finland, the Finnish Border Guard is responsible for organising maritime search and rescue (SAR) operations within the sea area designated for Finnish maritime rescue operations. It contributes to maritime rescue with in-house resources, manages the planning, development and supervision of maritime rescue, and is responsible for the coordination of tasks with other actors involved.

In 2023,  the average response time for the first SAR unit to reach the location in maritime emergencies was 26 minutes. The result is excellent.

The number of tasks declined

The total number of maritime SAR and assistance tasks reduced by about 3% from the year 2022. The decline is explained by, among other things, the varying weather conditions in summer 2023 and the continually high fuel prices.  Similar to previous years, human errors in navigation and technical factors were the most common reasons for maritime SAR tasks. The majority of boaters had a good mastery of navigational skills, equipment, seafaring rules as well as the boating culture in general.

The Finnish Border Guard maintained uninterrupted command and operational readiness and monitored the emergency radio traffic for maritime rescue needs. All maritime SAR emergencies were provided assistance as required. Despite the increasing challenges related to the maritime operating environment, the average response time for the first SAR unit to reach the location in maritime emergencies was 26 minutes.

Maritime rescue capacity was further developed through fleet and equipment acquisitions, by improving plan-based preparedness and by developing the maritime rescue information system, which was taken into use in 2022. Maritime SAR capabilities were maintained and developed by means of active exercise activities, with representatives of various stakeholders participating. The Finnish Border Guard contributed actively to international maritime rescue activities and collaborated with neighbouring counties, especially Estonia and Sweden.

Training in maritime rescue

In order to maintain and develop leadership skills and competence in maritime rescue, the Finnish Border Guard provides training related to maritime rescue. The training is based on the organisation of maritime rescue in Finland as well as the standards of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In practice, training is provided through courses arranged by the Border and Coast Guard Academy, and some of the courses are open for actors outside of the Finnish Border Guard as well.  In 2023, many individuals representing various stakeholders participated in these courses. Moreover, the Finnish Border Guard arranged several international courses, with participants from a number of different countries.

The Finnish Border Guard took part in an unofficial review process, arranged under the leadership of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, which examined compliance with the obligations of IMO in Finland. For the Finnish Border Guard, the review concerned the arrangements of maritime search and rescue as well as the prevention of environmental damages at sea.

The number of maritime SAR and assistance tasks