Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette Marit have attended an event organized by the Norwegian Rescue Society. The royals got to try their hand at lifesaving at the harbour area in Oslo. The rescue company’s general secretary Rikke Lind informed Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit about what measures have been taken by the rescue company now that the summer holidays are just around the corner.
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess visited the rescue boat “Klaveness Marine” together with Secretary General Rikke Lind. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess got to meet the crews of the permanently manned RS “Klaveness Marine” and the voluntarily manned RS “Princess Ragnhild”. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess were also briefed on the Rescue Society’s new support vessel. Director at the RS Academy, Matt Skue, and boat driver Hanne Heimdal demonstrated the use of new and special lifejackets. Then Crown Prince Haakon got to try life-saving with rescue dummies used in training.
Since the Rescue Society was founded 130 years ago, the current Norwegian monarch has always been the Society`s high patron. In addition to being a patron, the Crown Prince’s great-great-grandfather, King Oscar II, also donated personal money for the establishment of the company. At the dissolution of the union in 1905, King Haakon VII took over the patronage which was passed on to King Olav V. His Majesty King Harald V is today the Rescue Society’s high patron.
The rescue company has increased its preparedness this summer as a result of a record number of people choosing boat holidays in Norwegian waters. For 130 years, the Rescue Society has rescued people in distress at sea in Norway. More than 900 volunteer operational crews and 200 permanent employees work on the lifeboats, spread over 52 rescue stations along the entire Norwegian coast.
The Rescue Society was founded in 1891 and during these years has saved over 6,400 lives from drowning. Every year, more than 100 people drown in Norway. To prevent this, the Rescue Society teaches 30,000 children and young people every year about seaworthiness. The rescue company receives support from the state, which accounts for 15 percent of the company’s revenues.
