Sweden: SAR helicopters - bases to be closed

Along the Swedish coasts, the Shipping Authority Sjöfartsverket is responsible for the airborne component of sea rescue. Due to high costs, however, an extensive cost-cutting programme has now been imposed on the authority. Following a loss of 850 million Swedish kronor (around 78 million euros) in 2024 and an even higher amount expected in the current year, massive cuts are now to be made.

In addition to staff reductions, the sale of ships and the decommissioning of an icebreaker, savings are also to be made on SAR helicopters: Consideration is being given to closing two of the five bases, which would lead to longer response times in the event of an alert throughout Sweden.

Criticism from the water sports associations

As the magazine Båtliv reports, the umbrella organisations of Swedish water sports, including the Svenska KryssarklubThe German Sailing Club, which has a total of 300,000 members and represents around 2.2 million sailors and motor boaters in the country, has voiced clear criticism. "It is regrettable that the closure of these bases is being considered, especially in view of the recent decline in the number of fatalities. They are an important addition to sea rescue services," the association is quoted as saying.

Sjöfartsverket itself also points out the risk of losing the ability to ensure safety on the water if all austerity measures are enforced, and is instead calling for additional state subsidies and the possibility of being allowed to increase fees for commercial shipping services. A final decision has yet to be made in Sweden.

Five bases throughout Sweden so far

It currently operates its fleet of white-painted Agusta AW139 SAR helicopters, which are marked with red stripes, from five bases: Umeå, Stockholm, Visby, Kristianstad and Gothenburg, with the archipelago areas off the country's two largest cities, Stockholm and Gothenburg, also seeing by far the most rescue missions. In 2024, the helicopters took off on 142 SAR missions.

On the water, on the other hand, the Swedish Sea Rescue Service Sjöräddningssällskapet (SRSS) responsible. As in Germany, this is a non-profit volunteer organisation that is financed by donations and other contributions.