Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue (NSSR)

The NSSR (Redningsselskapet) is a highly respected partner in Norwegian society and one of the world's top-flight sea rescue services. Operating in the rocky and storm-tossed seas along Norway 's coast it works hard to further boating safety and when necessary to make rescues. It has 53,000 individual members and operates 39 rescue vessels. Some of these are all-weather, medium endurance, high-seas capable craft but there are also many all-weather lifeboats. Most of the lifeboat crews are paid and live aboard their boats for twenty day periods, taking the next twenty day off.

In 1988, AFRAS contributed to the refitting of the Oscar Tybring, a lifeboat of historical importance that was built in 1895 for the Norwegian Society of Sea Rescue (NSSR) and named after Dr. Tybring, one of the founders of the private humanitarian organization. Before being decommissioned, the Oscar Tybring was credited with the saving of 329 lives and 102 boats, operating often during the arctic winter under appalling conditions.

The Oscar Tybring was refurbished and refitted by a dedicated group in California in honor of the NSSR centennial in 1991.

Since its founding in 1891, the NSSR has saved thousands of lives and rescued tens of thousands of vessels. It has recently embarked on a large program to modernize and standardize its fleet. One part of this is to replace the venerable " America " that was purchased years ago through US donations. AFRAS is pleased to be able to work with the NSSR to raise the funds needed to replace " America " with a modern all-weather lifeboat.