International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF)

IMRF to join ISAR 2024 conference in Malaysia as part of aviation SAR outreach

The conference will focus on both maritime and aviation SAR operations and processes as the IMRF looks to enhance its presence in both sectors Read more
Blog: Caroline Lukaszyk, Technical Officer for Unintentional Injury Prevention, WHO

We sit down with Caroline Lukaszyk from the WHO to discuss this year’s World Drowning Prevention Day and the significance of the maritime SAR sector in promoting drowning prevention methods. Read more
Important Operational Information for Global SAR Community: Detection of Radar SARTs

The IMRFs IMO representative, Roly McKie, has recently produced some information that is of operational concern to SAR rescue boat, SAR aircraft and MRCC operators. Read more
IMRF joins international maritime community at June’s IMO subcommittee and working groups

The IMRF recently attended the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR), alongside the SAR Working Group. Read more

Improving Maritime SAR Capability Worldwide

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

IMRF Centenary Slide Carousel

The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) celebrates its 100th anniversary since its founding in July 1924.

#SaferSAR - SAR Unit Safety Reporting

The IMRF #SaferSAR initiative consists of a 12-month feasibility study for a globally accessible platform that SAR personnel and organisations can use to share lessons and best practices identified in SAR response, incidents, accidents, and exercises.

#FutureSAR

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

Our Impact

130	IMRF Members	The IMRF has 130 Members from 53 countries (2023)
554	Crew Members	Over 554 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

Women in SAR Training 2024

We are excited to announce that we are organising our second international #WomeninSAR training in Finland, 23-25 August 2024. Registration is open now! Read more
Start: 23^rd August, 2024 at 12:00pm

End: 25^th August, 2024 at 6:00pm

Published: 27^th October, 2023

Updated: 20^th December, 2023

Author:

Location: Bågaskär, Inkoo
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Maritime SAR Aviation Panel

The IMRF has launched a specialist panel that will focus on the maritime aviation search and rescue (SAR) sector as the organisation looks to expand its involvement in new and developing areas of the SAR industry. Read more
Start: 1^st September, 2024 at 12:00am

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

Published: 20^th March, 2024

Updated: 17^th July, 2024

Author:

Location: Online
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Global Maritime SAR Forum

The next meeting will be on the 2nd September at 1800 UTC (1900 UK Local time). Topic to be announced shortly. Read more
Start: 2^nd September, 2024 at 7:00pm

End: 2^nd September, 2024 at 8:00pm

Published: 18^th October, 2023

Updated: 8^th July, 2024

Author:

Location: Online
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Lifeboat Crew Exchange 2024

After the success of nine previous years, the IMRF's Lifeboat Crew Exchange will return in 2024. Be sure to keep an eye out for more information about our next programme. Read more
Start: 21^st September, 2024 at 12:00am

End: 28^th September, 2024 at 12:00am

Published: 2^nd November, 2023

Updated: 14^th December, 2023

Author:

Location: TBD
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Maritime SAR Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Seminar 2024

The IMRF is delighted to announce the inaugural maritime search and rescue (SAR) Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Seminar, scheduled for 26 November 2024 in Thessaloniki, Greece. The seminar will be followed by the IMRF’s Annual Meeting on 27 November at the same venue. This event is open to both members and non-members, with a registration fee applicable for attendance. Read more
Start: 26^th November, 2024 at 9:00am

End: 26^th November, 2024 at 5:00pm

Published: 15^th May, 2024

Updated: 5^th July, 2024

Author:

Location: Monastiriou street 305, Thessaloniki
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Annual meeting 2024 - 100 years of excellence in SAR!

We are thrilled to announce the theme for the 2024 Annual Meeting is: "Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) Everywhere and at All Times." This special event, marking 100 years of IMRF Excellence, will be hosted by the Hellenic Rescue Team (HRT) in the beautiful city of Thessaloniki, Greece. Attendance is complimentary for all IMRF members. Read more
Start: 27^th November, 2024 at 9:00am

End: 28^th November, 2024 at 3:00pm

Published: 15^th May, 2024

Updated: 22^nd May, 2024

Author:

Location: Monastiriou street 305, Thessaloniki, 54628
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Latest news

IMRF to join ISAR 2024 conference in Malaysia as part of aviation SAR outreach

The conference will focus on both maritime and aviation SAR operations and processes as the IMRF looks to enhance its presence in both sectors Read more
Important Operational Information for Global SAR Community: Detection of Radar SARTs

The IMRFs IMO representative, Roly McKie, has recently produced some information that is of operational concern to SAR rescue boat, SAR aircraft and MRCC operators. Read more
IMRF joins international maritime community at June’s IMO subcommittee and working groups

The IMRF recently attended the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR), alongside the SAR Working Group. Read more
IMRF celebrates its historic 100th anniversary as the leading global community of maritime SAR

The IMRF is celebrating its 100th anniversary since its founding in July 1924 as the International Lifeboat Federation. Read more
IMRF launches pilot reporting for the #SaferSAR initiative

The IMRF has partnered with CHIRP to launch the pilot programme of the #SaferSAR initiative, which aims to gather the collective experiences of SAR professionals worldwide to make SAR operations more effective and safer. Read more
IMRF launches latest #WomenInSAR mentoring scheme

The IMRF is once again looking to raise the profile and awareness of women in the maritime SAR sector with the launch of its latest #WomenInSAR mentoring scheme. Read more
Canada hosts maritime SAR and IMRF community for critical workshops and seminars

Members of the maritime SAR sector came together in Victoria, Canada, for the latest IMRF regional meeting and maritime SAR workshop, the first gathering like this in the Americas since the 2019 WMRC. Read more
RNLI and KNRM celebrated their 200th anniversaries with parade of historical and modern lifeboats

The RNLI and KNRM celebrations brought much awareness to the crucial work SAR organisations undertake daily. Read more

IMRF Blog

Blog: Caroline Lukaszyk, Technical Officer for Unintentional Injury Prevention, WHO

We sit down with Caroline Lukaszyk from the WHO to discuss this year’s World Drowning Prevention Day and the significance of the maritime SAR sector in promoting drowning prevention methods. Read more
Blog: Captain Xu Fan, Operations Director, Beihai Flying Rescue Service (BFRS)

We sit down with Captain Xu Fan from BFRS to discuss some of the incidents he has responded to in his career and how his need to continuously improve his skills is driving him. Read more
Blog: Tyler Brand, Superintendent, Canadian Coast Guard (CCG)

We spoke with Tyler Brand, Superintendent of SAR in the Western region of Canada, a man of many talents and a passion for all things SAR Read more
Blog: How MarineTraffic became an invaluable maritime SAR tool

We talk to Schalk van Bosch, AIS Network Development Manager at MarineTraffic (Kpler) about the adoption of its technology to improve the situational awareness of maritime SAR professionals. Read more
Blog: Alex Morkin, Director, SiiTech

We speak with Alex Morkin from SiiTech about how his AIS technology is helping to improve the situational awareness of maritime SAR organisations during vital operations. Read more
Blog: Captain Hilmar Snorrason, Principle at the Maritime Safety and Survival Training Centre, ICE-SAR

We speak with Captain Hilmar Snorrason, Principal at the Maritime Safety and Survival Training Centre at ICE-SAR, about his 30-year career in maritime safety. Read more
Blog: Amber Sheasgreen, Operations Manager, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue

We speak with Amber Sheasgreen, the winner of the 2023 #WomenInSAR award, about the importance of asking questions and the need for cohesive teamwork in maritime SAR operations. Read more
Blog: Angelo Abreu, Commander-in-Chief, SANAS Madeira

We talk to Angelo Abreu from SANAS Madeira about the impact and challenges of smaller maritime SAR organisations and how learning from peers is of the utmost importance. Read more

#SARyouOK?

IMRF launches official #SARyouOK? mental health and wellbeing guidance document

The document provides a clear and structured approach for SAR organisations to aid stress and trauma that personnel experience on an often daily basis. Read more
#SARyouOK? - Jori Nordström, CEO, Finnish Lifeboat Institution

Jori Nordström talks about the changing culture of being most open and honest when discussing mental health and wellbeing, and how important this is for those working in maritime SAR. Read more
#SARyouOK? - Sylvian Moynault, International Relations and Operational Coordinator, SNSM

Sylvian Moynault from SNSM in France says SAR organisations should promote an open discussion about mental health and wellbeing, and assist those who have experienced harmful or difficult situations Read more
#SARyouOK? - Jorge Diena, Former President, ADES, Uruguay

Jorge Diena from Uruguay's ADES notes about how South American SAR organisations are in the early stages of developing mental health and wellbeing processes to benefit their crew Read more
#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

Read more

SAR Matters

Understanding the Capabilities and Limitations of SAR Resources

Whatever your point of view is, in many places around the world, there is a SAR system in place that exists to respond, but it has capabilities and limitations, and SAR personnel would do well to understand these. Read more
Developing, maintaining and managing competent personnel

Being competent and ready is vital. SAR requires the use of trained people to deliver critical services but incompetence at any stage could lead to serious negative outcomes Read more
Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) and SAR

Commercial MASS and remotely operated vessels could play a significant part in future maritime SAR operations to help improve capabilities and operations. Read more
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

#FutureSAR

#FutureSAR, Jacob Tas, Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution

Jacob Tas, Chair of the IMRF and CEO at KNRM, discusses the impact on the operational conditions of SAR personnel owing to the growing challenges of climate change. Read more
#FutureSAR, Fredrik Falkman, Swedish Sea Rescue Society (SSRS)

Fredrik Falkman from Sweden's SSRS suggests that SAR organisations need to have a smarter approach to operating in rising sea levels, with a critical assigning of resources for each operation. Read more
#FUTURESAR – Berit Letting, Norwegian Sea Rescue Society

Berit Letting from RS stressed the importance of raising awareness about climate change and informing the public about safe sea conditions Read more
#FutureSAR - Katie Young, Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Katie Young from the UK's RNLI talks about some of the holistic approaches that SAR organisation's can take to tackle climate change Read more
#FutureSAR - Matthew Fader, Swedish Sea Rescue Society

Matthew Fader, International Search and Rescue Development Manager at the SSRS, gives his insights into climate change and how it is impacting SSRS’s SAR operations. Read more

Improving Maritime SAR Capability Worldwide

Our Impact

130

554

500

Upcoming events

Latest news

IMRF Blog

#SARyouOK?

SAR Matters

#FutureSAR