Tamar Sea Rescue president Neville Gray said they were delighted to have their new Forward Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR) up and running.

"It's a small gadget but it's so valuable," he said.

"It's capable of picking up any object on the water or in the water at a distance of at least 500 metres, even in total darkness.

"Its value for search and rescue is enormous."

The FLIR creates thermal images with extensive detail and can see more at night than any other imaging technology.

It is also gyro stabilised, meaning the image will be stable even if the vessel is pitching or rolling.

Mr Gray said the FLIR would speed up the process of finding people significantly.

"That's very essential, especially in Tasmanian waters," he said.

"Because of the temperature of the water around Tasmania it's vital that if people are in the water and they're exposed to hypothermia, we must get them out of the water and warmed up as quickly as possible."

West Tamar Council mayor Christina Holmdahl commissioned the new piece of technology on Thursday, and said it would be a "fantastic asset".

"I just hope you don't have to use it often," she said.

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The Tamar Sea Rescue was formed in 1989, and has a formal affiliation with Surf Life Saving Tasmania's rescue services, is an endorsed volunteer marine rescue, and acts as a support service to Tasmania Police.

Tasmania Police Inspector Darren Hopkins said the FLIR would assist greatly with search and rescue efforts.

"I'm pretty sure it is the only one in the Northern part of the state," he said. "It's certainly going to add to our capability of finding people at night and in the water."

Inspector Hopkins said in the water there was a great need to find people faster than if on land.

"Hypothermia is the biggest problem that we've got when anyone is immersed in waters around the state of Tasmania," he said.

"Even minutes can save lives, so a device such as this helping pick up a target quickly is very important."