Estonian Lifesaving Organization

In 1993, AFRAS raised funds to purchase marine radio communications equipment for both ashore rescue bases and the afloat units of the Estonian Lifesaving Organization. In early 1994, a team of AFRAS officers traveled to Estonia to help install ten radios, antennas and power supplies at their shore stations and aboard their boats. The selection of radio equipment was based on a needs survey conducted with the help of the US Military Attache and in consultation with the RNLI and the Finnish Lifeboat service. Although the Estonians had taken over several bases vacated by the Soviet Navy and Border Guards and were operating rescue craft, they had no means to communicate with vessels in distress or with their own lifeboats. This assistance package proved to be highly effective and gave the Estonian Lifeboat Organization a marked improvement in capabilities.