International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF)

IMRF Announces Nomination Shortlist for the IMRF Awards 2023

The IMRF has announced the finalists for this year’s IMRF Awards, recognising volunteer and professional SAR personnel from around the world. Read more
Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence appointed Patron of the International Maritime Rescue Federation

Replaces former IMO Secretary-General Sir Efthimios Mitropoulos following an 11-year tenure Read more
The Self-Righting Debate

Read more
Blog: Martina Capriotti, member of the board of directors at FISA

We sit down with Martina Capriotti, a member of the board of directors at FISA in Italy, about her Sea Rescuers Against Plastics campaign and the importance for SAR personnel and organisations to be aware of the dangers of microplastics. Read more

Improving Maritime SAR Capability Worldwide

The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) brings the world's maritime SAR organisations together.

#SARyouOK?

The IMRF is proud to launch its #SARyouOK? initiative in order to increase awareness and break down the stigma that is attached to mental health and wellbeing issues faced by those working in the maritime SAR sector.

IMRF Annual Meeting 2023

The IMRF's Annual Meeting will take place on 7-8 November 2023. This meeting is kindly hosted by the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue at their training centre, RS Noatun, in Horten in Norway,

#FutureSAR

The #FutureSAR initiative will identify the key challenges the global maritime SAR industry will face as a result of climate change and propose guidance and best practices to aid future rescue operations.

Our Impact

127	IMRF Members	The IMRF has 127 Members from 53 countries (2023)
519	Crew Members	Over 519 Crew Members have participated and trained in the European Lifeboat Crew Exchange since 2012
500	x personnel	from 137 SAR organisations attended World Maritime Rescue Congress (WMRC) in 2023

Upcoming events

European Lifeboat Crew Exchange 2023

The European Lifeboat Crew Exchange Programme is going live again! This member-only event will enable crew members to share ideas and experiences amongst their fellow maritime SAR organisations to improve capabilities and operational best practices. Read more
Start: 23^rd September, 2023 at 8:00am

End: 29^th September, 2023 at 5:00pm

Published: 20^th February, 2023

Updated: 27^th June, 2023

Author:

Location: Finland, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom
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Webinar – Mental health in SAR operations

Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of volunteers and staff members at maritime SAR organisations is vital. For International Mental Health Day, the IMRF is hosting an exclusive webinar for its members on the importance of mental wellbeing for SAR personnel and organisations. Read more
Start: 10^th October, 2023 at 9:00am

End: 10^th October, 2023 at 10:30am

Published: 16^th August, 2023

Updated: 23^rd August, 2023

Author:

Location: Online
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Webinar - Rescue Boat Operator Manual Course

The RNLI is running an exclusive webinar that will look at the importance of using a standardised approach for briefing and debriefing, including SMEAC and SPEP models as introduced in the IMRF's Rescue Boat Operator Manual, the IMRF's online course and the IMRF's SAR check cards. Read more
Start: 23^rd October, 2023 at 2:00pm

End: 23^rd October, 2023 at 3:30pm

Published: 23^rd August, 2023

Updated: 24^th August, 2023

Author:

Location: Online
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IMRF Annual Meeting 2023

The IMRF's Annual Meeting will take place on 7-8 November 2023. This meeting is kindly hosted by the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue at their training centre, RS Noatun, in Horten in Norway, Read more
Start: 7^th November, 2023 at 12:00am

End: 8^th November, 2023 at 12:00am

Published: 6^th June, 2023

Updated: 27^th September, 2023

Author:

Location: Horten, Norway
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Save The Date: IMRF MRO Subject Matter Expert Course, June 2024

The IMRF is pleased to announce that we will be hosting our fourth Maritime Mass Rescue Operations (MRO) Subject-Matter Expert Course in June 2024. Read more
Start: 1^st June, 2024 at 12:00am

End: 1^st June, 2024 at 12:00am

Published: 18^th May, 2023

Updated: 20^th May, 2023

Author:

Location: Europe - TBC
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Latest news

IMRF Announces Nomination Shortlist for the IMRF Awards 2023

The IMRF has announced the finalists for this year’s IMRF Awards, recognising volunteer and professional SAR personnel from around the world. Read more
Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence appointed Patron of the International Maritime Rescue Federation

Replaces former IMO Secretary-General Sir Efthimios Mitropoulos following an 11-year tenure Read more
Jaakko Heikkilä joins IMRF as International Programme Manager

Jaakko Heikkilä has joined the IMRF as its new International Programme Manager Read more
Climate change presents major global health and drowning risks

IDRA is looking identify ways that climate change is impacting drowning risks and ways for SAR organisations to tackle them Read more
IMRF launches exclusive e-learning platform for members and African SAR organisations

The new online training academy will offer IMRF members and organisations throughout Africa the opportunity to undertake essential maritime SAR training on-demand and at their own pace Read more
IMRF co-opts two new board members to broaden regional scope

Anna Classon from the RNLI and Captain Mohammed Drissi from the Moroccan SAR Service join the Board of Trustees Read more
Obituary: Jared Alexis Blows

The IMRF is deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Jared Blows, Chief at the MRCC in Cape Town. Jared passed away at home on 22 June 2023, shortly after returning from international technical engagements. Read more
WMRC 2023 Demo Day showcases maritime SAR’s extraordinary skills

KNRM showcased the rescue boats and expertise of the SAR crews and volunteers in Rotterdam to showcase the exceptional capabilities of maritime SAR organisations Read more

IMRF Blog

Blog: Martina Capriotti, member of the board of directors at FISA

We sit down with Martina Capriotti, a member of the board of directors at FISA in Italy, about her Sea Rescuers Against Plastics campaign and the importance for SAR personnel and organisations to be aware of the dangers of microplastics. Read more
Blog: Herbert Meth, Head of Ascension Island Sea and Land Rescue Service

We speak to Herby Meth, Head of AISLR, about some of the challenges facing a SAR organisation that faces geographical isolation and the impact that can have on major medical emergencies. Read more
Blog: SIOETC brings training expertise to the SAR community

SIOETC CEO Wu Yue says SIOETC aims to create a world-class ocean engineering training centre. Read more
Blog: Alex Barrell, Commissioner and CEO, Marine Rescue NSW

We talk to the new Commissioner of MRNSW, Alex Barrell, about his commitment to creating mental health awareness across the first responder sector in Australia as he builds MRNSW’s services to the maritime community. Read more

#SARyouOK?

#SARyouOK? - Alex Barrell, Commissioner, MRNSW

Alex Barrell from Australia's MRNSW talks about how SAR first responders need resources to speak about traumatic situations and their feelings. Read more
#SARyouOK? – Graeme Harding, Training Manager, NSRI

Graeme Harding from South Africa’s NSRI talks about the importance of speaking up about mental health and how necessary mental health and wellbeing programmes are. Read more
#SARyouOK? – Jacob Tas, Chief Executive Officer, KNRM

Jacob Tas talks about the sometimes tragic nature of maritime SAR operations and how SAR organisations must do their bit to support their crews during these difficult events. Read more
#SARyouOK? Online Workshop - April 2023 - Full Videos

On 26 April 2023 the IMRF welcomed speakers from all over the world, including New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden and the United Kingdom as part of its very first #SARyouOK? Online Workshop. Read more

SAR Matters

SAR Communication – Understanding effective human communication skills

SAR personnel understand the importance of communicating information correctly by using the best equipment available and understanding how to use it effectively. Read more
IMRF welcomes Roly McKie as IMO representative

Roly will sit on several IMO committees on behalf of the IMRF and its members, and become the organisation’s in-house SAR expert. Read more

Improving Maritime SAR Capability Worldwide

Our Impact

127

519

500

Upcoming events

Latest news

IMRF Blog

#SARyouOK?

SAR Matters