The Norwegian Sea Rescue Society has received NOK 15 million from the AKO Foundation over a three-year period to support the training of its maritime personnel at the Noatun training center. The funding will help ensure that the crews who save lives along the Norwegian coastline maintain the skills and expertise required for their critical work.

Each year, the Norwegian Sea Rescue Society trains around 24 new maritime employees to serve aboard its rescue vessels. This long-term support provides the organization with predictable funding for training and education in areas such as search and rescue operations, high-speed vessel navigation, medical response, and technical rescue.

"Our crews meet people in some of the most critical situations of their lives. In those moments, the quality of training is absolutely essential. The support from the AKO Foundation enables us to maintain and further develop the expertise that saves lives every single day," says Janne Oddaker, Secretary General of the Norwegian Sea Rescue Society.

PROVIDES GREATER FLEXIBILITY
The Norwegian Sea Rescue Society employs approximately 200 professional maritime personnel. The three-year grant provides greater flexibility to plan training programs over the long term while maintaining high professional standards.

"When a rescue vessel is called out, the crew must be prepared for everything from medical emergencies to complex rescue operations in severe weather conditions. These are skills that take time to develop, but they can mean the difference between life and death," Oddaker adds.

The AKO Foundation describes the contribution as an investment in the future of maritime search and rescue preparedness.

"AKO Foundation is pleased to invest in the people who form the backbone of Norway’s maritime emergency response capability. We hope this support will help ensure that future generations acquire the knowledge, experience, and confidence needed to assist people in distress," says Philip Lawford, Chief Executive Officer of the AKO Foundation.