It employs 197 professional seamen, 60 at the head office in Oslo, and 14 in the regional branches.

Pleasure craft owners can sign up for a "totalmedlemsskap" (Total Membership), a service and assistance package deal.

[4]The society's official mascot is Elias the Little Rescue Boat, who is the main character of an animated series on national television, books and merchandise.

[5] Elias is used by local chapters of the society to teach children about safety at sea.

The first boat purpose-built for the organization was RS 5 Liv, which was the result of a design competition won by Christian Stephansen.

[8] An updated and motorized design by Bjarne Aas was launched in 1932, with RS 38 Biskop Hvoslef being the first in class.