SISL - Société Internationale de Sauvetage du Léman

What SISL - Société Internationale de Sauvetage du Léman does

SISL - Société Internationale de Sauvetage du Léman is a Franco-Swiss non-profit rescue organization founded in 1885 and headquartered in Aigle, Switzerland. The organization coordinates 24/7 lake rescue operations on Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) through a federated network of 34 local sections distributed along both the Swiss and French shores, mobilizing approximately 2,200 volunteer members. Its operational fleet comprises 43 traditional wooden rowing boats, 25 intervention units, and 27 patrol boats (vedettes), supported by standardized equipment including HIKO 11400 rescue vests, MANTA SAR helmets, and Samaritan PAD 500P defibrillators.

Core service offerings include emergency response for persons and vessels in distress on the lake, training and certification programs (rescue brevet, cold water experience courses, Secours Léman courses), a youth program (Juniors SISL), a wind warning service, and the LEMANO marine radio communication channel that recently marked 50 years of operation and is undergoing digital transition. The organization publishes a bimonthly Bulletin du Sauveteur and operates a member portal and mobile application at app.sisl.ch. Auxiliary products include fleet inspections and an annual international rescue competition (Fête Internationale de Sauvetage).

SISL operates as a volunteer-funded charitable organization with no commercial revenue stream; funding derives from membership contributions and donations (CCP 18-980-1, IBAN CH72 0900 0000 1800 0980 1). The organization holds strategic mutual partnerships with REGA (Swiss Air Rescue), CGN (Compagnie Générale de Navigation), Police Cantonale Vaudoise, SDIS, Gendarmerie de Haute-Savoie, ambulance services, firefighters, and SAGRAVE, and participates in the cross-border Plan Multilatéral de Secours du Léman (PMSLL). It maintains only 6 paid administrative staff, with governance provided by a Central Committee led by President Olivier Durgniat (since 2019) and Vice-President Bernard Chalon (since November 2023).

Name

SISL - Société Internationale de Sauvetage du Léman

Legal name

SISL - Société Internationale de Sauvetage du Léman

Website

https://sisl.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1885

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SISL is a Franco-Swiss non-profit rescue organization founded in 1885, coordinating 24/7 lake rescue operations on Lake Geneva through 34 local sections and approximately 2,200 volunteer members serving public water users across Swiss and French shores.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Lake Rescue and Water Safety Services

NAICS

Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Navigational Services to Shipping (488330)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Business Services, Nec (7389)

akta.pro primary industry

Search & Rescue (Urban/Water/Wilderness) Coordination (HLAJAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Emergency Response & Search-and-Rescue (SAR) (BPAGAAAA), Harbor Master & Marine Traffic Control (VTS) (TLAHAFAA)

Keywords

• Lake rescue services
• Water emergency response
• Volunteer lifeguarding
• Maritime safety operations
• Rescue training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Aigle

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership Contributions: As a non-profit organization, SISL operates primarily through member contributions and donations. Bank account provided for donations (CCP 18-980-1, IBAN CH72 0900 0000 1800 0980 1)

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

SISL provides 24/7 emergency rescue operations on Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) through 34 local sections staffed by approximately 2,200 volunteer members on both the Swiss and French shores. The organization maintains a fleet of rescue vessels (43 rowing boats, 25 intervention units, 27 patrol boats), operates the LEMANO marine radio channel, conducts rescue certification and training programs for members, issues a bimonthly official bulletin (Bulletin du Sauveteur), and provides a storm warning service for lake navigation.

Product overview

SISL is a non-profit Franco-Swiss rescue organization active since 1885, operating 34 rescue sections with 2200 volunteer members. The organization provides 24/7 rescue operations on Lake Léman using a fleet of 43 rowing boats, 25 intervention units, and 27 patrol boats. Core offerings include rescue training and certification programs, a bimonthly official bulletin, a member portal (app.sisl.ch), and specialized courses such as cold water experience training and Secours Léman courses. The organization also operates the LEMANO radio communication system and provides a wind warning service for lake navigation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Opérations de sauvetage (Lake Rescue Operations) 24/7 emergency rescue operations for persons and vessels in distress on Lake Léman, delivered through 34 local sections covering both Swiss and French shores by 2,200 volunteer members.
• Formations aux brevets de sauvetage (Rescue Certification Training) Training programs for rescue certifications and swimming badges for SISL members, including instructor training and boat handling courses.

Quantifiable outcome

• Continuous 24/7 rescue coverage around Lake Geneva

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Police Cantonale VaudoisecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Cantonal police providing coordination and support for lake rescue operations
• SDIS (Services Départementaux d'Incendie et de Secours)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023French fire and rescue services participating in the Plan Multilatéral de Secours du Léman (PMSLL)
• Gendarmerie de Haute-SavoiecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023French police coordination for cross-border rescue operations on Lake Geneva
• SSLIA GenèveminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Airport fire service providing additional rescue capability
• AFTTminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Maritime federation partner for nautical training and safety
• ESU (Equipe de Soutien d'Urgence)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Psychological support service for rescue volunteers after difficult interventions, newly established partnership with Vaud Canton rescue organizations
• Brigades de Gendarmerie du LaccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLake police brigades providing law enforcement and coordination for water rescue operations on Lake Geneva
• REGA (Garde Aérienne Suisse de Sauvetage)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss Air Rescue service for aerial evacuation and emergency medical transport from Lake Geneva
• CGN (Compagnie Générale de Navigation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMain navigation company on Lake Geneva. Regular collaboration for rescue operations and training. SISL participates in CGN open days and provides safety demonstrations
• Ambulanciers et MédecinscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmbulance services and physicians providing emergency medical support during rescue operations
• Pompiers (Firefighters)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFire department services for land-based support and large-scale rescue operations
• SAGRAVEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner for rescue operations and training coordination

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/SISLofficiel
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sislofficiel-societe-internationale-de-sauvetage-du-leman

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SISL - Société Internationale de Sauvetage du Léman