Strengthening Search and Rescue on the Isle of Man
When someone goes missing, every minute counts. Behind every successful search is a network of dedicated organisations working together to bring people home safely.
One of those organisations is SARDA Isle of Man (Search and Rescue Dog Association Isle of Man), a volunteer-led charity that provides specialist search and rescue dog support to the Island's emergency services. Operating under the command of the emergency services during incidents, the team plays a critical role in locating missing and vulnerable people, often in difficult terrain and high-risk situations.
Funding from the Manx Lottery Trust's Dormant Assets Fund has enabled SARDA Isle of Man to significantly enhance its operational capability through the purchase of a specialist Incident Support Vehicle.
More than just a vehicle, it acts as a mobile command hub, allowing the team to coordinate searches more effectively, communicate seamlessly with emergency service partners and deploy advanced technology including digital search management, live GPS tracking, drone capability and satellite communications. The result is a faster, more efficient and better-connected response when it matters most.
The impact has been immediate. The vehicle is already operational and supporting live incidents, helping strengthen multi-agency working and ensuring volunteers have the tools they need to respond effectively in emergency situations.
The funding has also helped position SARDA Isle of Man at the forefront of search and rescue capability. The charity is currently the only organisation on the Island using a fully digital search management system, enabling real-time coordination of search teams and improving communication throughout an operation. It represents a significant step forward, not only for SARDA, but for the wider emergency response network that supports communities across the Isle of Man.
Marc Marshall from SARDA Isle of Man said: "This funding has genuinely transformed what we're able to do as an organisation. The Incident Support Vehicle has already become the heart of our operations, allowing us to arrive on scene and establish a fully functioning command point within minutes. It gives us the technology to manage our part of a search digitally, track teams in real time, access live drone footage and maintain reliable communications with multiagency’s like the Police, Fire Service, helicopters and other emergency services.
“Before this investment, we simply didn't have that capability. Today, we're able to support searches in a way that's more coordinated, more efficient and ultimately more effective. It means our volunteers can focus on what they do best, knowing they have the tools and information they need to carry out searches safely and professionally.
As a volunteer charity, we're continually looking for ways to improve the service we provide to the Isle of Man. Support from the Manx Lottery Trust hasn't just funded a vehicle; it's strengthened our ability to work alongside our emergency service partners and has given us a capability that will benefit the Island's community for many years to come. When someone goes missing, every improvement we can make has the potential to make a real difference, and that's exactly what this funding has enabled us to do."
This project demonstrates how strategic funding can create lasting change. By investing in organisations like SARDA Isle of Man, the Manx Lottery Trust is helping strengthen essential community services, empowering volunteers and ensuring charities have the tools they need to make an even greater difference across the Island.
