Every year, more than 4,500 course participants come to Horten to receive training in lifesaving and safety at sea. With the opening of Noatun in 2018, the RS Sea Rescue School is equipped to train seafarers in the safety needs of the future.

Competence requirements and contributing to well-educated seafarers have always been central to the history of the Norwegian Rescue Service. A large part of the training now takes place at the RS Sea Rescue School, which is wholly owned by the Norwegian Rescue Service. The school is run in line with the Norwegian Rescue Service's purpose of saving lives, salvaging assets and protecting the coastal environment, as well as conducting training work to improve safety for those travelling at sea. The school is housed in state-of-the-art premises at Langgrunn outside Horten.

– Horten has solid maritime traditions. There has been maritime training in the town since the war, and here we have good access to the sea. This has meant a lot to Horten becoming such a central and important place for the Rescue Service , says Martin Fuhr Bolstad, general manager of the Maritime Rescue School.

TOP MODERN FACILITIES

In January 2018, the new facility "RS Noatun" was officially opened by King Harald. The name Noatun is taken from Norwegian mythology. It was the name of the god Njord's own harbor and home. Njord was the god you were supposed to sacrifice to for good luck at sea. A fitting name, in other words. The facility consists of three large educational buildings with conference facilities, accommodation, a restaurant and extensive exercise and recreation areas. Here is a simulator center for speedboat navigation, a base for the volunteer sea rescue corps in Horten, a center for the Rescue Service's preventive work and state-of-the-art facilities for training and exercise.

– The goal is to develop our facility to become one of the leading European centers when it comes to safety, sea rescue and emergency preparedness , says Bolstad.

PREPARED FOR THE UNCONCEIVABLE

Course participants from all over the country, as well as delegations from abroad, flock to Horten to gain training and practical skills in safety. It is especially important for seafarers to practice the things we don't want to happen at sea.

– With us, they can practice flipping underwater in a helicopter, train in lifeboat driving and learn CPR within medical treatment, says Bolstad.

INTERNAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

The center is also important in the training of the Rescue Service's own people. Here, crews from all over the country are trained in rescue skills.

– It's everything from taking people out of the water in waves and wind navigation, practicing search and rescue operations to training in a simulator on interaction between several boats to coordinate a larger rescue operation, explains Bolstad.

NEW TIMES AT SEA

Norway has always been a proud maritime nation. Even though changes are constantly occurring, and new industries are replacing the old, Martin Fuhr Bolstad is confident that the maritime sector will continue to be an important social builder for Norway in the future.

– The ocean contains enormous resources. I think we are only seeing the beginning of how we can manage this.