Swedish Maritime Administration helps develop life-saving feature in the 112 app

When an emergency call involving a person in the water is received by 112, a notification is simultaneously sent to everyone who has the app and is nearby. They can then help by raising the alarm, throwing flotation aids into the water or helping rescue teams quickly locate the correct position. In water-related accidents, time is often critical. In many cases, people who are already at the scene can make a difference before rescue teams arrive.

Since 2025, the feature has been available in the 112 app for people near Sweden’s coastal waters and the lakes Vänern, Vättern and Mälaren. These areas account for a large proportion of recreational boating activity during the summer months. More than 200 incidents have been recorded in which the feature has been used. An evaluation of the feature was carried out on 1 December 2025, when it was decided that SOS Alarm, the Swedish Maritime Administration and the Swedish Life Saving Society would continue to operate and jointly develop it. The feature is now permanent.

— We believe it is positive that more people nearby can help, particularly in areas where it takes longer for rescue teams to arrive. Today, almost everyone has a mobile phone. The Mayday relay system, which involves relaying distress messages, was introduced quite some time ago. Since then, the maritime sector has undergone considerable digitalisation, and this feels like a natural further development and a complement to Mayday relay, says Johan Mårtensson, SAR Officer at the Swedish Maritime Administration, who has been involved in developing the feature.

Following discussions with a reference group consisting mainly of representatives from municipal rescue services and the police, the feature is now being expanded to include incidents involving people in the water in areas under municipal rescue service responsibility and in mountain rescue areas. Notifications are sent through the app when rescue resources are assigned to an incident. Mobile phones within 2,000 metres of the incident's registered location receive the information. In urban areas, the radius can be reduced to 1,200 metres, while in mountain rescue areas it is 5,000 metres. The information remains visible in the app for as long as rescue resources are assigned to the incident, up to a maximum of 30 minutes.

The feature will be reviewed this autumn, after which a decision will be made on whether to continue offering it in the app.

— At the Swedish Maritime Administration, we welcome the fact that the feature is now also being tested in waters under municipal rescue service responsibility and in mountain rescue areas. Municipal rescue services are responsible for incidents in municipal waters, while the police are responsible for mountain rescue operations. The Swedish Maritime Administration is obliged to assist with resources whenever possible, says Johan Mårtensson.