Kids And The Sea is a water sports program based in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. The KATS program was started in the BVI's about 1990. Tom Gerker, a local resident and businessman was involved in the original conception of the program in St. John, and brought the fundamentals of KATS to the BVI's, where the program was warmly embraced by the Rotary Club of Tortola, and sixteen years later, KATS is larger than ever.
 

KATS is a nonprofit organization and depends solely on donations from the local business and private sectors of the BVI community. Without the funding from the community, the program would not exist. The officers of KATS, and especially the kids themselves, are very appreciative of the community's contributions to KATS.

In the twentieth year of teaching the children of the BVI's, KATS is looking forward to yet another successful year, keeping the kids safe on the sea, and to enjoy the beautiful waters of the BVI! The KATS program is open to each and every child of the BVI's, and if a child does not have modest tuition fees to pay for the classes, a sponsor is found to help them. No child is left behind!

The instructors for all of the KATS programs, except for Scuba and Windsurfing, are totally made up from volunteers to teach the various programs. All of the volunteers give up hours and hours of their time to make the program work for the kids. Besides teaching the courses, the volunteers are setting up venues for the students, and holding fundraisers for the program when the programs are in recess.

VISAR was founded in 1988, and was modeled on the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in the UK, the world's oldest lifeboat service. Like the RNLI, and many other lifeboat services in Europe, it is an independent, volunteer‐based organization funded almost entirely by charitable donations. Since it was formed VISAR has carried out well over 450search and rescue missions, helped more than 1,200 people in distress and saved over 40 lives.
 

Function: In the first few months of 1988, a team of development advisors from the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office was sent out to the British Virgin Islands to make development recommendations to the Government of the BVI. One of their recommendations was that the Government invite the group of people running the informal SAR service to create an "autonomous, para‐professional, dedicated volunteer maritime search and rescue service." VISAR’s function is simply stated – VISAR saves lives at sea.

Training: Search and Rescue can be a difficult and dangerous job, and it requires regular training and sincere dedication. Many of our volunteers do not come from a marine background, and so we have to provide first class training to make sure our crews have the skills they need to save lives.

Medical related emergencies account for almost 70% of all launches, and all active crew members have an up to date Emergency First Responder first aid qualification. In addition, we run training sessions on a weekly basis to enhance medical knowledge, and to give all crew members experience driving and operating the rescue boat in simulated distress situations. We have a close working relationship with the US Coast Guard, and run joint helicopter training sessions on a regular basis.

Rescue Boats: VISAR has two rescue boats, one based on Tortola and the other on Virgin Gorda. Together, these boats provide SAR cover for all of the islands and surrounding waters that make up the British Virgin Islands. Spirit of Tortola II, based on Tortola, was purchased and delivered to VISAR in 2007. It is a TP Marine 28ft RIB, constructed in The Netherlands. The vessel is powered by twin 225hp outboards, which have been immersion‐proofed, this gives the boat the ability to recover from capsize and continue under its own power. Gorda Peak, based on Virgin Gorda, is an Atlantic 21 purchased by VISAR from the RNLI in 2000. The Atlantic 21 is a modern all‐weather lifeboat powered by twin outboards and capable of speeds exceeding 25 knots. Originally developed in 1972, they were designed to operate in river estuaries and along coastlines, where deeper draught lifeboats are unable to operate.

VISAR is in the process of purchasing a new rescue boat, a 28-foot rib being manufactured to our design and specification by TP Marine, NV in Holland, to replace Gorda Peak in the Virgin Gorda base. We expect to take delivery of the new boat in the second half of 2009.

Equipment: Both boats are able to operate in very rough conditions and to provide emergency assistance to those in distress at sea. Each boat carries a full medical kit, an AED (automatic emergency defibrillator), a back‐board and straps, two oxygen cylinders, search lights, two spare Fuel Caddies and life jackets for use by casualties. The boats also carry spare parts and tools in the case of breakdown, and are designed to provide protection for the crew in the case of an emergency, including capsize lights and a CO2 self‐righting bag on the radar arch at the stern.