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Bali Beach Club Funds Search & Rescue Helicopter Equipment At Top Tourist Resort

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One of Bali’s most famous beach clubs is going above and beyond to support the people of Bali and the 7 million international tourists who visit the island each year.

FINNS Beach Club in Canggu has funded a Search and Rescue Helicopter to support the Bali Search and Rescue teams in their life-saving work.

Helicopter in the Sky in Bali

FINNS Beach Club is perhaps the most famous beach club in all of Bali. FINNS have just launched their newly sponsored Search and Rescue helicopter in partnership with Sayap Garuda Indah (SGI), a Bali-based search and rescue organization that works alongside the Bali unit of the National Search and Rescue Agency known as Barsarnas.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Denpasar Class A Search and Rescue Agency (Barsarnas) and SGI, affirming the government’s full support for the collaborative humanitarian mission and operations.

The FINNS Search and Rescue Helicopter was launched on the 6th February with a full-scale live ocean rescue simulation. The helicopter performed a series of low-flying maneuvers and hoist operations, demonstrating the ability to evacuate victims without the need for a landing. The demonstration provided media crews and invited guests with a firsthand look at the technology and air safety standards currently available in Bali. Visitors at FINNS Beach Club and those on Berawa Beach could also watch the simulation as it unfolded. 

Paul Hussey, the Chief Operations Officer of FINNS Beach Club, told reporters, “Safety is the foundation of everything we do at FINNS.” Adding “We are proud to fund and support this helicopter, and to work with SGI and Barsarnas to protect the local community and tourists who call Bali their second home.”

While FINNS Beach Club has funded the initial launch of the Search and Rescue Helicopter, the ongoing capacity of the service now depends on the continued support of public donations.

As explained by FINNS Search and Rescue, “Despite the generous sponsorship of FINNS Beach Club, funding this essential service remains a big challenge. The operating costs, including fuel, maintenance, training, staffing, etc., exceed $600,000 a year. Local government budgets, which have been stretched to breaking point, cannot cover these expenses. Without private donations, response times could lengthen, or responses might even have to stop entirely, risking lives.”

The team explained that travellers love to embrace the spirit of exploration in Bali, but that adventure brings its risks. Donating to our service aligns with the tradition of “gotong royong,” an Indonesian tradition of communal cooperation and harmony. It’s a contribution to the collective good.”

“Just $20 will help to fuel a short flight, $100 can equip a team with critical gear. Every contribution is used to enhance the service with updates provided regularly on this site of successful missions.”

LIVE / SAFETY UPDATE SAR-HELICOPTER-V26

Rescue From Above

FINNS Beach Club launches a life-saving helicopter for Bali. Tap a card to see how it works.

🚁 NEW LAUNCH

THE HELICOPTER

FINNS x Basarnas

TAP TO REVEAL
LIFE SAVER
Partnership: Funded by FINNS Beach Club, operated by SGI alongside the National Search & Rescue Agency.
Tech: Capable of low-flying maneuvers and hoist evacuations without landing.
🌊 MISSIONS

SEA & LAND

Where It Rescues

TAP TO REVEAL
PROVINCE WIDE
Coverage: From stranded surfers in Uluwatu to injured trekkers on Mount Agung.
Speed: Significantly reduces response times compared to ground efforts.
🤝 SUPPORT

GOTONG ROYONG

Community Funded

TAP TO REVEAL
DONATIONS NEEDED
Cost: Running costs exceed $600,000/year.
Impact: $20 fuels a short flight; $100 buys critical gear. Public support is vital to keep it flying.
📑 ADVICE

INSURANCE

Don’t Fly Without It

TAP TO REVEAL
BE PREPARED
Requirement: While SAR exists, comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for medical costs.
Tip: Ensure your next of kin knows where to find your policy documents.

FINNS Search and Rescue has confirmed that it is not only sea-based rescue missions that they will support, but life-saving evacuation work and emergency response all across the province.

The team shared, “Our services will currently cover a range of SAR requirements, such as aerial searches for missing persons, rapid response callouts to maritime distress, disaster relief coordination with local authorities, and emergency medical transport to hospitals.”

Ambulance-In-Bali

Adding “Whether it’s locating a stranded surfer off the coast of Uluwatu or evacuating an injured trekker from the slopes of Mount Agung, our helicopter is on standby, ready to respond once the call has been received. This will significantly reduce response times compared to ground-based efforts.” 

Tourists traveling to Bali must ensure that they have fully comprehensive travel and medical insurance that covers both medical emergencies, emergency evacuation, and support in the event of natural disasters.

Man Hikes Solo on Mount Agung

Tourists should read their policy document in full before traveling to Bali and understand how to file a claim in an emergency. It is highly advisable to make sure that the next of kin know where to find insurance documents and how to make a claim in the event that the policyholder is incapacitated. 

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Peter

Wednesday 11th of February 2026

Finns owned by an Australian criminal

Shorty

Thursday 12th of February 2026

@Peter,

Tony Smith has no criminal record. In 2015 he was charged with a number of offences. The charges were dropped in 2020

Exp

Tuesday 10th of February 2026

What a good deed.

But wait. FINNS ran into massive trouble last year as FINNS were investigated for "religious blasphemy" having disturbed worshippers with fireworks. FINNS then facing closure for not having "full and complete business permits." Later FINNS security "arranged" a street fight with some guests. Could have been a better year.

Now FINNS buy helicopter and everything good?

Shorty

Wednesday 11th of February 2026

@Exp,

So they had some problems last year.

Does this mean the sponsorship should be rejected? Does your implied motivation matter?

Search and rescue capability has been greatly increased.