Saving Lives by Preventing Incidents

The sea can be a very  hostile environment. Even the most experienced and careful seafarers can get into difficulties. Mans' ability to survive at sea is limited and when things go badly wrong, lives can be placed in great danger very quickly - much more so than on dry land.  Essentially, the number of life-threatening incidents can be greatly reduced by proper preparation for the intended voyage. This involves -

• Awareness of the environment and of the risks posed to the vessel, its passengers and crew.
• The suitability of the craft and equipment for the activity in question and under the worst conditions envisaged.
• The competence of the captain and crew to deal with the challenges of such a voyage.
• The adoption of safe operating practices, which allow for the possibility of equipment or human failure.

Preparation for Emergencies

Though many accidents at sea can be prevented, the prudent mariner will also make preparations in case things go badly wrong. In some circumstances the captain and crew may require additional assistance to return safely to port. Accidents on board can cause injuries requiring additional medical assistance or even evacuation of the injured to a hospital ashore. In the most extreme cases, where the vessel is too badly damaged or otherwise compromised, emergency evacuation may be necessary. These situations can only be properly dealt with through proper preparation by the vessel's crew -

• Having the necessary equipment on board and training to deal with any envisaged accidents and emergencies.
• Having the ability to communicate and get help.
• Having the proper means to survive (in the water, if necessary) for long enough until rescue assistance arrives.

 

Providing Humanitarian Rescue Assistance

IMRF member organisations - the world's maritime rescue organisations -  maintain a constant state of readiness to respond immediately and to provide essential life saving services to anyone in distress.   Rescuers often have to battle against extreme weather and overcome many challenges  to locate, rescue and treat casualties and bring then back to safety. Every second counts and they know that prior preparation is the key to their success. They spend a lot of their time planning and preparing  training to ensure that they can respond effectively and safely when called upon. They know that -

• Their craft and equipment must be fit this arduous purpose.
• Rescue personnel must maintain high level of personal competence and must be capable of interacting effectively within their fellow rescuers
• They practice well proven and effective operational procedures, capable of being safely adapted to meet the challenges of specific rescue scenarios

Maritime search and rescue is provided on a humanitarian basis and is  available free of charge to anyone in need.

Dedicated Rescuers

Rescuers are very special and dedicated people, who often have to endure great personal hardship and discomfort, sometimes putting their own lives at risk to come to the assistance of people in distress, who, most probably, they have never even met before. For many unfortunate casualties facing imminent death, or dealing with severe injury, our rescuers are often their "last hope". This is a obligation which rescuers take very seriously and they commit themselves wholeheartedly to honing their skills so that they are ready,whenever required, to perform this essential humanitarian task

The Maritime Search and Rescue System

Effective maritime search and rescue (SAR) is the product of close cooperation between the different functions and organisations which each play a vital functional role in any rescue operation.  Together, these are known as the "Search and Rescue System". The following are the main component parts of the SAR System -

• The Maritime Communications System
• The Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC)
• The Operational Search and Rescue Units (SARU)

The search and rescue units which respond may be -

• Rescue boats or ships
• Rescue Aircraft (Fixed wing search or deployment, Helicopters etc)
• Beach / surf rescue units
• Shore based rescue teams
• Specialised search and rescue units
• Medical assistance or advisory teams

Although these functions may be delivered in many different ways by any combination of state agencies, volunteer based charitable organisations or commercial companies, all of the above components regularly train together and function as a single system to provide the casualty with the most effective rescue service possible in the circumstances prevailing.

International Search and Rescue

Two thirds of the earth's surface is covered by water.  Governments of coastal states clearly have responsibility for safety and rescue within their own territorial waters, but much of the earths oceans are in fact stateless international waters.  The world's governments cooperate through a number of key United Nations agencies such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to implement international conventions and regulations concerning safety and rescue on, or over, the world's waters. IMRF is priveledged to represent the world's maritime rescue organisations at these key international forums

A Very Unequal World

Unfortunately, adequate maritime rescue services are not universally available over all of earth's waters.  It is hardly surprising that these forgotten areas are also the areas which need them most - the worlds poorer areas, where most lives are being lost every year.

Many poorer communities rely fundamentally on the water for food and essential transportation. Maritime tragedy bites very often and very hard at these already empoverished communities. Unlike many other third world disasters and plagues, which strike at the weaker members of their communities, these disasters deprive village communities and families of their food gathering breadwinners - the traditional fishermen. Considerations of personal safety come a very poor second to the driving needs for survival. Paradoxically, the need to susvive, drives them to take unreasonable chances - venturing out onto the seas in flimsy primitive craft and often paying with their own lives and frequently leaving their communities devastated by the large scale losses.

IMRF - A Catylist for International Remedial Action

These severe losses of life need immediate and well focused remedial programmes.  These programmes need to get quickly and efficiently to the source of the problem and work with focal communities to improve safety and to help them to develop rudimentary emergency maritime response services.

IMRF member organisations work with these issues on a daily basis and unquestionably have the expertise to provide practical assistance directly to these communities. They also enjoy a proud record of success in countries where such services are already well established. As the collective body for the world's practical rescue service operators, IMRF also enjoys a high level of credibility in international circles - where we can play a pivotal role in briging about real and lasting change.

Working Together - Saving Lives

IMRF's primary function is to assist the development of all maritime rescue organisations.  For over eighty years, IMRF members have provided essential developmental assistance and have a very credible record of success.  Working together, we can help one another and share our precious resources and expertise. All we need to make this dream a reality is the essential funding for our programmes

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