Search and Rescue (SAR) Team

People

Each rescue station is manned by seven members of staff. While each team member has a daily role, such as Admin and Finance officer or Megafloat production they also make up the SAR team. These full time staff members are also assisted by a highly dedicated team of volunteers.  

Boats

The lifeboats are the same design as the vessels already in use on the lake. Doing this allows for a safe beginning as the crew are already very familiar with how best to use these boats in their local waters. As the SAR team gain confidence and skills, NLRI upgrade their boats to higher performance craft.

Kaiso rescue station has recently been given a Gemini inflatable with 2 x 60 hp engines to use for SAR operations. This boat was kindly donated by Tullow Oil as part of the companies support for NLRI operations on Lake Albert. Following an extensive training programme, we believe that the introduction of this new craft, accompanied by the hard work and commitment shown by the Kaiso team, will greatly help NLRIs efforts to make the waters in this area a safer place.

Rescues

The crews have a dedicated phone and number for emergencies. However, calling depends on those in distress:

1. having a phone
2. being in a situation to use it (credit, range, calm, dry)

Since lifeboat launch in Jan 07: 89 people have been saved by NLRI SAR operations

An effective communications network and positioning system would increase the SAR call out rate as well as making operations more efficient. Therefore, NLRI will take part in a pilot project, in partnership with ZAIN and Ericsson, to test a new SAR call out system operating on Lake Victoria.