This heavily illustrated volume offers a comprehensive and dramatic history of coastal life saving and rescues at sea from the earliest times to the present day. Divided into four sections, the book first covers the beginning of the humanitarian life-saving ethos in Europe and China and how it spread throughout the world, followed by a section on the milestones in rescue craft design, from the earliest pulling and sailing lifeboats to the high-speed lifeboats of today. The last two sections provide an overview of contemporary maritime rescue organizations and the search and rescue (SAR) network, including radio and satellite communications.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 276-290) and index.

Coastal lifesaving : a history -- The evolution of coastal rescue craft : origins to the present day -- The oceanic safety net -- Today's maritime rescue services.