MASURIAN RESCUE SERVICE (MSR) : Water Rescue Station in Okartowo

Station was founded in June 1978. Yachtclubs from south of Poland, led by the Yacht Club 'Bryza' from Kedzierzyn Kozle were the fouders of the Station . These clubs acted in cooperation with big companiess (like Zegluga on Odra river, ZA Kędzierzyn, ZCh Blachownia, etc.) which ensured their financial stability and possibility of operating at Water Rescue Station. Station was established as a sign of the protest caused by lack of rescue security on Masurian Lakes, particularly on Sniadrwy lake. Organizations delegated representatives of their nautical clubs for getting through this task. People were chosen according to their qualifications connected with water: divers, sailors, rescuers, seamen, navigators, yachtsmen etc. Every device and object on station were built by ourown hands. The ships were renovated and adapted for requirements of rescue. It were taken from different shipowners.

In 1982 the Station already was supple outpost, which was giving rescue protection for south part of Masurian Lakes. Nautical clubs incurred whole financial unkeep of the Station. Owing to country transfromation in 1989, part of personell had to resign. It was a period of big financial slump. More often nautical clubs haven't got possibility of financing rescue activities on Masurian Lakes.

In 1991 Water Rescue Station has been registered in Physical Culture and Sport Office in Warsaw. From this moment activity of the Station was much more stabilized. Support of highly mentioned office was significant contribution of the Station activity, but it wasn't enought to assure it financial stability. In consequence we wrestle with economic problems. The most serious problem of the Station is personell cast. Economic reason is obstackle, because high professional qualifications experts like divers and boat captains, don't want to, or just can't work as volunteers. Providing full personell cast in time of rescue season in period of fall ? winter time is serious problem. Regular presonell is basic framework in most of European Union countries organizations, related with widely comprehended rescue.The reason of it, is a fact, that professional apparatus needs professional care. However, it is related with necessity of possesing fund on fulltimes individual positions. From May to October is rescue season, when we take a stand on: Sniardwy, Seksty, Nidzkie, Buwelno and Orzysz lakes' postes. However we are cooperating with all organizations related with saving human life, such as: police, fire guards, WOPR's squads (Water Volunteer Ambulance Service) etc, our actions cover whole south area of Masurian Lakes.

Water Rescue Station conduct whole year activity and 24-hour duty.
Our members are experience officers, divers and rescuers. They are able and ready to go for action in order to save human life in every conditions, at day and at night time. We also have possibility to react in time of flood, example of that was our action in 1997 on Opolszczyzna.
To operate better we need fund about 1,5 mln zlotych per year. Now our actions are distracted by ganing founds. Moreover we try to do our work as hard as we can to increase safety of fishermen, tourists, canoeists, anglers and others floating on Masurian Lakes.