Caribbean search & rescue teams boost expertise in VI

ROAD REEF, Tortola, VI—A two-week search-and-rescue training programme was conducted in the Virgin Islands (VI) from January 13 to 24, 2025, bringing together rescue teams from the Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) and maritime protection units from Anguilla, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Facilitated by trainers from HM Coastguard and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), the course focused on ‘training-the-trainers’ to enhance rescue capabilities and foster knowledge sharing among participating territories. The comprehensive programme featured theoretical instruction, tabletop exercises, and hands-on rescue simulations. The RNLI, a UK-based organisation with over 200 years of lifesaving expertise, spearheaded the training to support international crews in meeting industry standards and refining their operational skills.

Meeting international standards

On January 17, 2025, Virgin Islands Governor Mr Daniel Pruce visited the exercise to observe a simulated rescue operation. Following the exercise, he commended the RNLI and UK Coastguard for their contributions, stating, “This training ensures our crews meet international standards to provide the best possible service; I know we are all in safe hands.” David R. Whiddon, Senior International Programmes Manager at the RNLI, also spoke to the importance of global collaboration in lifesaving efforts.