The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) has been shortlisted in the category; Shoreside Team of the Year for The Safety at Sea Awards 2018.

The awards aim to promote safe and secure work practices across the commercial shipping industry and are organised by Safety at Sea, a leading publication for ship’s crew, with the goal of improving on board safety across the industry.

The nomination recognises the IMRF’s work to prevent loss of life at sea and provide relief from disaster at sea and inland waters. It acknowledges the work that the IMRF does to promote cooperation, exchange information, provide advice and consultancy and develop best practice between search and rescue organisations around the world.

Mohammed Drissi, Trustee at International Maritime Rescue Federation speaks about what he calls "Africa's silent killer": drowning. Drowning has become a silent epidemic, says Mr. Drissi, as it is causes the most deaths after malaria and malnutrition. However, what makes it dangerous is the fact that it is often out of sight.

After Malaria and malnutrition, drowning is the cause of more deaths than any other. Although a relatively rare occurrence, aircraft incidents involving fatalities make headline news across the world, yet an overturned canoe resulting in just as many deaths does not. Drowning has become the silent epidemic and is, unfortunately, often out of sight and out of mind.

Reducing deaths from drowning is a central pillar of the work currently being facilitated by the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) and the continent of Africa has become a recent focus of attention. Sadly, there is a close correlation between poverty, lack of education and high mortality rates and many African nations need help to address the many deaths that are attributed to drowning.

The IMRF Awards offer an invaluable way to raise awareness of the excellent work done by all those involved in maritime search and rescue

“There are just a few days left before the deadline for nominations for the IMRF Awards 2018 on Tuesday 31 July. Nominations can be made online (http://www.imrfawards.org/nomination-form-imrf-awards (new window)), by e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or by phone 0044 (0)1569 767405, but time is running out.” says Theresa Crossley, CEO IMRF.

Last year’s event attracted entries from around the world and the winners ranged from a first mate on a dry bulk tanker who jumped into the sea to lead a daring man overboard rescue in rough seas, to a migrant rescue vessel in the Mediterranean which prevented the mass drownings of more than 1,800 people over one weekend.

The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF), the international charity preventing loss of life in the world’s waters, has held a two day Inter Regional Mass Rescue Workshop for the Asia Pacific Region. The event which was widely appreciated by the participants, took place on 10-11 July in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia alongside the 7th International Search and Rescue Conference and Exhibition.

Theresa Crossley, CEO IMRF said: “A mass rescue operation (MRO) is ‘characterised by the need for immediate response to large numbers of persons in distress, such that the capabilities normally available to the SAR authorities are inadequate’. Our popular and highly rated workshops focus on promoting local and regional communication and discussion, raising awareness, sharing experiences and building preparedness."

“We encourage contributions from local organisations and include a scenario-based exercise, which is designed to raise questions of local relevance. It’s an intensive, but extremely productive, two days for all those involved and afterwards the key parties are much more aware of their capabilities and the issues that they might face in such a difficult situation.”