Click here to vote for your People's Choice Award Winner. Please note that only one vote per person will be counted.

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The IMRF's People's Choice Award, sponsored by Navigate PR, gives the maritime SAR community the chance to vote for who they think has made the biggest impact in maritime SAR over the past year. All 10 winners and runners from this year's IMRF Awards are eligible to be voted for as part of this online-only vote.

Voting is open until Friday 22nd November. Make sure to vote today and spread the word amongst your maritime SAR friends peers!

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Nominees (in alphabetical order)

Agence Portuaire Maritime et Fluviale Madagascar

Agence Portuaire Maritime et Fluviale Madagascar has been nominated for their efforts have significantly improved inter agency communication and cooperation, setting a benchmark for future operations. Their dedication to saving lives, even in the most challenging circumstances, exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism

Augmented Reality & Mixed Reality Training Environment for SAR, Reval Safety Training, Estonia

The product developed is called METACUBE (AEGIR). METACUBE combines advanced technologies to merge hardware and software solutions, creating training scenarios that closely resemble real-world experiences. By leveraging the principles of Extended Reality (XR), METACUBE integrates virtual objects into real-world environments and dynamically adjusts the virtual reality components of the simulation, offering a highly immersive experience. The training experience is remarkably lifelike, thanks to the software that powers the virtual world.

Captain Yang Hao from China Rescue and Salvage 

Captain Yang Hao showed his exceptional skill and great resolve during the challenging rescue operation of the 14 crew members of the oil tanker Daiyou 69 after it suffered engine failure and was drifting and moving violently amid extreme weather conditions caused by Typhoon Haikui.

Cleeve Robertson from the NSRI in South Africa

Dr. Cleeve Robertson has volunteered with the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) for 35 years, including 11 years as CEO until his retirement in August 2024. Under his leadership, the NSRI expanded its infrastructure, adding bases, increasing its fleet, and growing the volunteer team, significantly enhancing its life-saving capacity. The organisation now offers Survival Swimming training, innovative Survival Swimming Centres in shipping containers, Beach Safety Cameras, and Pink Rescue Buoys, which have helped rescue 184 individuals from drowning.

Corps of Volunteer Rescue Boats, Valparaiso, Chile

The Valparaíso Lifeboat Volunteer Corps (CVBSV) is a maritime search and rescue (SAR) organisation composed entirely of volunteers. Founded in April 1925, the CVBSV has continuously operated for nearly 100 years. Throughout its history, the corps has carried out countless missions, showcasing the bravery and dedication of its volunteer crews.

Holly Phillips, RNLI, United Kingdom

Holly retired from the RNLI in December 2023 after 21 years of service in the Engineering team, where she started as a Naval Architect and later became the Principal Naval Architect. Throughout her career, she played a vital role in the design, construction, repair, safety, and support of nearly every lifeboat currently in the RNLI fleet. She has also contributed to developing and presenting around 29 professional and academic papers. Through her career, she has undoubtedly paved the way for women in engineering, inspiring future generations in the UK, Ireland, and beyond.

Laura Shearer from Ascension Island Sea and Land Rescue, Ascension Island

Laura has been a trailblazer, empowering women in the community to pursue a volunteer career in search and rescue, a field historically led by men. Her influence has helped break down gender barriers, inspiring a new generation of women to join the profession and make a meaningful impact. 

Marine Rescue NSW App, Marine Rescue NSW in Australia

The app makes it easier than ever for boaters to stay safe on NSW waters and puts safety in the hands of the vessel operator before their day on the water. It allows for preplanning including live geo referenced weather and marine warning, localised safety information and a range of additional features. It also connects you directly to Marine Rescue NSW.

Rob Carpenter from Coastguard Tautiaki Moana in New Zealand

Through his leadership, grounded in fostering relationships and community engagement, Rob has empowered Marlborough volunteers to take ownership and speak up. He advocates for diversity, actively encouraging women and young individuals to join the Unit, enabling the deployment of two all-female operational crews. Rob's leadership has elevated the Unit's presence in the local community, with increased engagement in schools, boat clubs, and charity events, promoting water safety.

Shee Kupi Shee, the Director of Disaster Risk Management in Lamu, Kenya

Shee has been involved in rescue operations since 2016. With his initiative, he established the Disaster Response Team and trained its members to respond to maritime incidents along the Indian Ocean waters off the coast of Kenya, specifically in Lamu County. An example of one such mission is, after receiving a distress call from the MV Paradise near the Somalia coast, Shee participated in the rescue operation. This operation was cross-border, and Shee's coordinated response from Kenya provided crucial assistance to Somalia, which had limited response capabilities.