Two Supporters of the IMRF Are Swimming The Cross Continental Swim
Two supporters of the IMRF, Keith and Jenny Esdon, are swimming The Cross Continental Swim, a 4 mile open water swim from Asia to Europe in Istanbul, Turkey, in aid of the IMRF this summer.
Here is their story, told by Keith: "Jenny and I started open water swimming only 2 years ago, and this will be our biggest challenge yet. We have been training in lakes in the UK, but never out in deep water. The Cross Continental Swim is around 4 miles from Asia, under the Sultan Selim bridge, then across to the European bank just north of the Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridge."
Mass Rescue Conference Highlights Capability Gaps and Importance of Planning
Dr Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President, World Maritime University, delivers keynote speech:
More must be done to emphasise the importance of maritime mass rescue operation planning and to fill global gaps in search and rescue (SAR) response capability. This was Dr Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry’s message to delegates at the opening of the 4th International Maritime Mass Rescue Conference in Gothenburg, Sweden, last week.
Dr Doumbia-Henry, President of the World Maritime University, told delegates that learning from experience and exchanging views among SAR practitioners are essential. Recent experience in the Mediterranean has shown the need for mass rescue capability and preparedness. Increasing vessel traffic in Arctic waters highlights the need to improve currently inadequate SAR resources for such a challenging environment. And the need for all levels of SAR capability in the developing world continues to outpace resources.
33 Casualties on Board, Including 7 Children, 14 Women and 12 Men
As Boat Carrying Approximately 750 People Partially Capsizes in the Mediterranean
The 24th May 2017 saw one of MOAS’ most tragic rescues to date. Overcrowding and sea swell tipped hundreds into the water during a rescue yesterday.
31 bodies were recovered to MOAS vessel Phoenix alongside 604 survivors, one of whom has since died on board despite our medical crew’s desperate efforts to save him. Several survivors are still in critical condition, including a 6-month pregnant woman who is being monitored for pregnancy related complications following the stress of losing her young son yesterday.
The MOAS aircraft began spotting vessels in distress in the early morning of Wednesday and the Phoenix’s RHIBS (rubber hulled inflatable boats) were soon after deployed to begin the first rescue.
Theresa Crossley Appointed CEO of the International Maritime Rescue Federation
The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF), the international charity focussed on preventing loss of life in the world’s waters, has announced that Theresa Crossley will be its new Chief Executive.
Theresa will join IMRF in October this year, when she steps down from her role as Executive Director of The United Kingdom Major Ports Group (UKMPG).
Practical Training Improving SAR Response in Morocco
In April Norwegian trainers from Redningsselskapet (RS) were in Larache, Morocco working with SAR crew from the Morocco Ministry of fisheries rescue vessel Loukouss.
The training is part of the IMRF Global SAR development project which is looking at improving the SAR coordination and response in the African regions.
The Head of International Projects for RS, Vivi K. Lundgren Schumann, coordinated the activity with IMRF Regional Coordinator and Head of RCC Rabat, Mohammed Drissi.
