VISAR | Virgin Islands Search and Rescue

VISAR's Winter Wonderland at Nanny Cay

Opening Night: Friday, November 24, 2023

Nanny Cay – Near M Dock

VISAR’s 4th Annual Winter Wonderland Fundraiser features five weeks of skating along with an extensive schedule of special events!

Volunteer at VISAR

Search & Rescue can be challenging and dangerous, requiring regular training and sincere dedication. Many of our volunteers do not come from a marine background, so VISAR provides first-class training to ensure our crews have the skills they need to save lives. To cultivate the next generation of crew members, education of the community youth about VISAR is crucial. 

Donating to VISAR, Saves Lives at Sea

Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) is a non-profit, non-government voluntary organization dedicated to “Saving Lives at Sea.” It is the officially recognized Search and Rescue (SAR) Service in the British Virgin Islands. Our volunteer crew provides 24/7 assistance 365 days/year for medical and marine emergencies.

About Virgin Island Search & Rescue

  • History

    In 1988, the BVI Government asked the group of people running the informal Search & Rescue Service to create an “autonomous, para-professional, dedicated volunteer maritime search and rescue to be run as a Non-Profit Organization.”

  • Board

    VISAR’s Board of Directors consists of nine members who are voted in at our Annual General Meeting. The board helps guide and carry out the organization’s mission while ensuring the crew, trainees, and staff members meet the short- and long-term goals.

  • Crew

    Our fully trained volunteer crew, trainees, and coordinators, since 2014, have given over 27,000 hours of their personal time to train, attend meetings, and dedicate themselves to VISAR’s mission of “Saving Lives at Sea.”

  • Boats

    VISAR has two base stations; one in Road Reef Marina, Tortola, and the second in Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour. Tortola has a 32-foot Parker 1000 Baltic RIB, powered by twin 300 hp outboard engines. On station in Virgin Gorda is a 28-foot TP Marine RIB, powered by twin 225 hp outboard engines.

  • Equipment

    VISAR’s rescue vessels are fully outfitted with the latest medical, vessel safety, search and rescue equipment, and communication devices.

Our Sponsors

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Events

Support VISAR

As a  non-profit, non-government organization with an annual operating budget of USD 250,000, we take pride in that VISAR will never charge you for our services!  We rely solely on donations, fundraising events, and grants to continue our mission of “Saving Lives at Sea.”

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