People who live and work along the world's coastlines have, for centuries, answered distress signals of those whose lives have been endangered on the sea. There is an affinity, an unspoken allegiance, among such individuals that has prompted immediate, almost instinctive response to trouble at sea.

In many countries around the world, the people who unselfishly and without hesitation risk their own lives to save others, are volunteers. Voluntary sea rescue organizations range in size from small services, such as Rescue 15 in Prince Rupert, B.C., Canada, with one craft, to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, which operates a fleet of 290 boats from more than 200 lifeboat stations.

In 1976, to address the needs of rescue organizations around the world to raise funds, exchange information and provide co-operation, a group of American professional seamen and business men formed the Association for Rescue at Sea (AFRAS).