Abbreviation SNSM Type Life savers | Formation 1967 Legal status NGO | |
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Motto " Pour que l'eau salée n'ait jamais le goût des larmes" (So that salt water never taste of tears. Purpose The SNSM is the charity that saves lives at sea | ||
The Société Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer (SNSM) is a French voluntary organisation founded in 1967 by merging the Société Centrale de Sauvetage des Naufragés (founded in 1865) and the Hospitaliers Sauveteurs Bretons (1873). Its task is saving lives at sea around the French coast, including the overseas départments and territories.
In 2009 the SNSM was responsible for about half of all sea rescue operations and saved 5,400 lives in 2816 call-outs and assisted 2140 boats in distress. 65% of funding comes from the private sector (donations, bequests and sponsorship) and 35% comes from the national government, the regions, the départements and the local communities.
Fleet
The SNSM has the following boats:
40 All weather lifeboats 25 Class 1 lifeboats (up to 40 Knots/Force 8) 64 Class 2 lifeboats (up to 33 Knots/Force 7) 21 Class 3 lifeboats (up to 10 Knots/Force 3) 425 Inshore lifeboats (including jetskis)The boats are dispersed in 185 stations (including 15 in overseas territories).