MRI Inland Waterway SAR Resources

Inland Waterway SAR at Stonehaven is a declared SAR resource to HM Coastguard

History

In the late 1970s training was conducted at Stonehaven in specialist swift water rescue for US personnel. Further development programmes in swift water and surf rescue were put together for South African and Australia rescue teams. Because of the lack of requirement from UK rescue teams for swift water rescue skills, the issue remained dormant until events such as Marchioness disaster and Easter 1998 and 2000 floods highlighted the requirement for such specialist services. In response to this changed requirement MRI SAR team is again equipped, trained and available for inland waterways emergency response.

Equipment
  • 4x4 vehicle with winch and boat and/or equipment trailer suitable for off road use
  • Auto inflation inflatable boat with 15hp outboard engine
  • Immersion proof communication system
  • Searchlights
  • Ropes, 6 x canyoning rope (static)
  • Descenders, ascenders, krabs, prusiks, pulleys, rope protection
  • Emergency medical aid/trauma pack plus stretcher with float system
  • Appropriate personal protective equipment
Training outcomes
  • SAR area awareness, environmental and operational
  • Waterways basic awareness
  • Riverbank and field craft
  • Basic casualty care and medical aid
  • Advanced medical aid
  • Technical, supervisor and boat coxswain skills
Exercises
  • Live bait and contact rescues
  • Boat tethers, 2-4 point tethers
  • Entrapment and vertical pinning
  • Highline tyrolean
  • Defensive and offensive swimming