Maritime search and rescue

The Border Guard is the leading national search and rescue authority at sea. It is responsible for rescuing people at sea, arranging maritime search and rescue services, assisting vessels and boats in distress at sea, preventing accidents, searching for missing people, transporting patients from vessels and providing telemedical assistance service for seafarers.

Maritime search and rescue operations are led by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Turku (MRCC Turku) or the Maritime Rescue Subcentre in Helsinki (MRSC Helsinki).

In maritime areas, the Border Guard cooperates with a large number of authorities and voluntary organisations. The key partners include the Finnish Transport Agency, the Finnish Transport Safety Agency, the Defence Forces, environmental authorities, the police and rescue departments.