International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF)

IMRF Forward Look webinar highlights ambitious plans for 2023

The IMRF shared its exciting plans for the next 12 months in its most recent webinar. Read more
Blog: How the NSRI's Survival Swimming Centres are saving lives in South Africa

We speak to Andrew Ingram, the NSRI’s Drowning Prevention Manager, about how the organisation’s innovative swimming centres provides complimentary swimming lessons in remote settings. Read more
New study looks at SAR sensemaking during mass rescue exercises

A recent study undertaken by Germany’s DGzRS and Jönköping University studies the positioning of decision makers and their teams during mass-rescue exercises. Read more
Cospas-Sarsat looking to boost SAR responsiveness and system knowledge

The international satellite distress programme is hoping to improve the response rate to distress alert communications of maritime SAR organisations around the world. 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.

Getting back together: the IMRF’s impact in 2022

The IMRF takes a look back at the work it has achieved in 2022 as loosened pandemic-related restrictions meant the maritime SAR community could once again meet in person

The IMRF #WomenInSAR Initiative

The #WomenInSAR initiative aims to increase the representation of women in the maritime sector generally and to provide support for, and raise the profile of, women in the maritime SAR sector specifically.

Our Impact

123	IMRF Members	The IMRF has 123 Members from 53 countries (2021)
519	Crew Members	Over 519 Crew Members have participated and trained in the European Lifeboat Crew Exchange since 2012
203	x 100 Visits	The MRO Pages, including the MRO Resources Library, had in total 20,302 visits in the whole of 2021
121	x 10	1216 people registered for our Webinars in 2021

Upcoming events

#WomenInSAR Seminars

In collaboration with the IMO, we will be holding two #WomenInSAR Seminars in Africa in 2023. The first seminar will take place in Rabat, Morocco, in February 2023. The second seminar will take place in Mombasa, Kenya, in April 2023. Both seminars are by invitation only. Read more
Start: 1^st February, 2023 at 9:00am

End: 1^st February, 2023 at 5:00pm

Published: 19^th December, 2022

Updated: 20^th December, 2022

Author:

Location: Morocco & Kenya
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#SARyouOK? Online Workshop

As part of our #SARyouOK? initiative, we will be hosting an online workshop in April 2023. Further details including the programme and how to register for this online workshop will be announced in January 2023, so please check back then. Read more
Start: 26^th April, 2023 at 9:30am

End: 27^th April, 2023 at 11:30am

Published: 17^th January, 2023

Author:

Location: Online Webinar
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WMRC - 2023 - Registration Open and Abstract Submission

The fifth World Maritime Rescue Congress will be held from 18–20 June 2023 in Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The Congress theme is: "Towards Sustainable Maritime SAR – Building on our History to Secure our Future." Read more
Start: 18^th June, 2023 at 9:30am

End: 20^th June, 2023 at 4:00pm

Published: 19^th December, 2022

Updated: 20^th January, 2023

Author:

Location: SS Rotterdam, 3e Katendrechtse Hoofd 25, Rotterdam, 3072 AM
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Latest news

IMRF Forward Look webinar highlights ambitious plans for 2023

The IMRF shared its exciting plans for the next 12 months in its most recent webinar. Read more
New study looks at SAR sensemaking during mass rescue exercises

A recent study undertaken by Germany’s DGzRS and Jönköping University studies the positioning of decision makers and their teams during mass-rescue exercises. Read more
Cospas-Sarsat looking to boost SAR responsiveness and system knowledge

The international satellite distress programme is hoping to improve the response rate to distress alert communications of maritime SAR organisations around the world. Read more
IMRF Bookshop Closes with immediate effect

We regret to announce that we have reluctantly decided to close the IMRF Bookshop with immediate effect. Read more
Sustainability top of the agenda at WMRC 2023

From funding and operating greener SAR operations to monitoring the impact of maritime SAR on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, sustainability will be at the forefront on WMRC 2023 Read more
Getting back together: the IMRF’s impact in 2022

The IMRF takes a look back at the work it has achieved in 2022 as loosened pandemic-related restrictions meant the maritime SAR community could once again meet in person Read more
Lifeboat fleet to be in full force at WMRC 2023

Next year’s WMRC is looking to display the international fleet of SAR lifeboats in Rotterdam Read more
IMRF to form working group to develop bespoke rescue boat course

The IMRF showcased the benefits of such a course to the ICAO/IMO JWG-SAR Read more

IMRF Blog

Blog: How the NSRI's Survival Swimming Centres are saving lives in South Africa

We speak to Andrew Ingram, the NSRI’s Drowning Prevention Manager, about how the organisation’s innovative swimming centres provides complimentary swimming lessons in remote settings. Read more
Blog: #WomenInSAR - Sharon Crowther and Carmen Long, South Africa’s NSRI

Sharon Crowther and Carmen Long from the NSRI talk about their experiences at the IMRF’s #WomenInSAR Training & Seminar in Finland in August and what lessons other SAR organisations could learn from NSRI. Read more
Blog: Richard Kullenberg & Salt, Swedish Sea Rescue Society (SSRS)

We talk to Richard Kullenberg from the SSRS about the role that dogs are playing in SAR operations and how his experience has shown how valuable they can be. Read more
Podcast: Matthew Mitchell, Director of Policy, USCG

Today, the IMRF marks World Mental Health Day and highlights the importance of talking openly and honestly about the challenges of mental health, with two exclusive podcasts on the impact of mental health and wellbeing in the maritime SAR sector. Read more
Blog: Jori Nordström, CEO, Finnish Lifeboat Institution

We talk to Jori Nordström, chief executive officer of the Finnish Lifeboat Institution, about his history as a maritime SAR member, the organisation’s 125th anniversary, and the growing role that women play in lifeboat crews. Read more
Blog: How U SAFE Is Looking to Reinvent the Lifebuoy

We sit down with Jorge Noras, founder and president of U SAFE about how this innovative technology is helping first responders tackle SAR operations in challenging circumstances Read more
Blog: Patrick van Eyssen, Volunteer, South Africa’s National Sea Rescue Institute

We sit down with last year’s winner of the IMRF’s Vladimir Maksimov Award for Lifetime Achievement and People’s Choice Award Patrick van Eyssen to discuss his volunteering career and what winning those awards meant to him. Read more
Blog: IMRF Awards - Michael Vlasto

We sit down with Michael Vlasto, a former IMRF trustee and Chair of the IMRF Awards Judging Panel, to discuss the history of the IMRF Awards and his hopes for this year’s nominations. Read more

#SARyouOK?

#SARyouOK? - David Jardine Smith, former IMRF MRO Project Manager

David Jardine-Smith talks from personal experience to the IMRF about the importance of mental health and safety awareness in SAR organisations, regardless of your role in the SAR ecosystem. Read more
#SARyouOK? - Phil Bostock, HM Coastguard

Search and rescue first responders face pressures unlike any other industry. These individuals often put their own personal safety at risk every single day to ensure that those at sea are safe. Read more
IMRF Marks World Mental Health Day with Exclusive Maritime SAR Podcast

Today, the IMRF marks World Mental Health Day and highlights the importance of talking openly and honestly about the challenges of mental health, with an exclusive podcast on the impact of mental health and wellbeing in the maritime SAR sector. Read more
#SARyouOK? - Launch Video

From those working on the front-line to those working behind the scenes, maritime SAR personnel encounter unique challenges and stresses in their line of work. Read more

Improving Maritime SAR Capability Worldwide

Our Impact

123

519

203

121

Upcoming events

Latest news

IMRF Blog

#SARyouOK?