Saving 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.

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SWIM & SUP

THE SOUND 2022

For all those who are diligently training for Swim & SUP the Sound, YOU have EVEN longer to get in shape!

Due to conflicting dates, there will be no SSTS this year, and we're focusing on next year's event.
Our fun-filled DAY will be back on the calendar in early June 2023!

SAVE-THE-DATE will be announced on our website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Please keep an eye out for the announcement!

Emergency Calls

Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) monthly statistics for 2021.

2021 STATS

SHOP TO SAVE A LIFE

By purchasing a rashguard, hat, or sticker, your donation will go directly towards VISAR's mission of SAVING LIVES AT SEA.

If you are interested in purchasing VISAR merchandise, please contact us at [email protected]

VOLUNTEERING

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.

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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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testimonials

Our donation to VISAR will never be enough to thank them for their continued dedication and efforts. We are fortunate to be able to support this organization and their volunteers for keeping everyone, including our customers, safe at sea.

MarineMax Vacations is thankful to have a longstanding relationship with VISAR and donates annually to this brave and dedicated organization.

Raul Bermudez, vice president of MarineMax Vacations British Virgin Islands

NEW- MAY 2020:

We had the great pleasure of meeting Laura from VISAR along with two friendly RVIPF officers as they surveyed the yachts in Norman Bight – one of the most professional and friendly visits from port authorities that I think that I’ve ever encountered, around the world.

From VISAR: This was done during lockdown to provide information on how to access food, water, fuel, medicine, etc.

s/y Hawk Eye USA

NEW- MAY 2020: First of all thanks to all of you, Julie, Phil, the volunteers that brought my mother medicine and everyone in VISAR for the excellent work you do every day. It has been a pleasure to collaborate with VISAR and we will be telling everyone that here in BVI there is an example that should be copied in all the world.

For all of you, be safe, take care, and the best of lucks.

Rafael USA

During a dive at the RMS Rhone, one of my Sergeant’s experienced a medical emergency at a depth of about 50 feet…A crew of three VISAR volunteers responded to the scene within about 20 minutes of the phone call. The crew was extremely professional, knowledgeable, and reassuring. Thankfully, Sergeant Henderson made a quick recovery and further treatment was not necessary.
From one group of first responders to another, I would like to thank the volunteers who responded that day for their time, effort and dedication to public service

Lieutenant Greer Texas, USA

I truly owe your team my life. I don’t even know how to begin to thank you for giving me a second chance at life. What an amazingly special group of men and women you all are, I wish I could explain how thankful and grateful I am that you came to my rescue, but I will find a way to thank you properly. You are all such special people and you will always have a big place in our hearts. Thank you, thank you, thank you

Amy British Virgin Islands

On February 1, 2017, while on a cruise, I went on a dive excursion. It started out fine, but soon into the dive, I began to experience difficulty in breathing due to a chest cold. I told the dive master I needed to ascend and proceeded to the surface. The next thing I remember was regaining consciousness in the Peebles Hospital ER. I wasn’t aware of anything going on at the time, of course, but I have since learned that from the time the distress call came into VISAR’s base at 10:45 am, 38 minutes later, I was at Peebles Hospital. WOW!! Especially in my case, why is this such a big deal? During my four days in ICU, I was told that when I arrived at the ER, my organs had begun to shut down. The doctor’s comment was actually “it was critical that you got here so fast”. I started to ask what she meant, but then stopped because I realized the answer. I truly owe my life to VISAR and will financially support it for the rest of my life.

Jack Erb Texas, USA

Events

Sep 28, 2021

VISAR’s Winter Wonderland at the Cyril B Romney Tortola Pier Park

VISAR's Winter Wonderland - Season 2022|2023 Dates: To be announced! Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park

By Carine Locher

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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