Together we can save more lives at sea

Join our global network of search and rescue organisations with a united purpose

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Overview of all our free resources and manuals

Order hardcopies and access free digital publications, from our extensive IMRF library of resources.

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Author: Jaakko Heikkila

Learn about maritime search and rescue

Read our FAQ with answers from our expert team.

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Author: Julia Swales

Join the IMRF

IMRF Members around the world support each other and share knowledge, experience, expertise and innovations.

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Author: Tom Scott

Hear from our members

  • Gemma Gill, RNLI, Wales’ first female Coxwain

    We spoke with Gemma Gill, the RNLI’s first female coxswain in Wales, about her journey in maritime SAR, her experience in the IMRF Lifeboat Crew Exchange, and why supporting women in search and rescue has become such an important mission for her. Read more

  • Blog: Demetrius Danas, Irwin Mitchell LLP

    With decades of experience handling complex international cases, Irwin Mitchell LLP has become a vital voice for victims of maritime and aviation incidents worldwide. Now a proud member of the IMRF and sponsor of the 2025 International Search and Rescue Team of the Year Award, the firm brings its legal expertise and compassion to the global SAR community, ensuring that rescue is just the beginning of recovery. Read more

  • Podcast - Championing Women in SAR: Leadership That Makes a Difference

    We speak with Cayman Islands Coast Guard Commandant Robert Scotland about the vital role leadership plays in supporting women in SAR and how practical action is helping turn inclusion into everyday reality. Read more

  • Podcast - Celebrating Women In SAR: Stories of resilience, skill and real impact

    To mark International Women’s Day, we hear from three inspiring women working across maritime search and rescue, sharing their journeys, challenges and the real impact of the IMRF’s #WomenInSAR initiative. Read more

Join us at an event

  • Research into visual detection and locating aids by the DGzRS

    The IMRF’s Global Maritime SAR Forum (GMSF) is the world’s leading platform bringing the global SAR community together to exchange ideas, explore innovation, and learn from real-world experience - all with one shared goal: improving maritime search and rescue. Read more

Events feed

  • Rescue Coordination Centre Exchange

    The Rescue Coordination Centre Exchange Programme aims to foster international collaboration and skill development among RCC professionals. Participants have the unique opportunity to broaden their expertise in SAR operations, learn new techniques, explore diverse operational structures, and bring back valuable insights to enhance their home organisations. Read more

  • IMRF Conference 2026

    The IMRF Conference 2026 will take place on 25–26 November in St. Malo, France, bringing together the global maritime SAR community for two focused days of collaboration, learning, and exchange, built around the theme “Navigating complexity - building safer seas through collaboration, prevention, and innovation”. The conference is organised by the IMRF and hosted by the SNSM. Read more

  • Mental Health and Wellbeing Seminar

    The IMRF is pleased to announce that the next Mental Health and Wellbeing Seminar will take place on 24 November in St Malo, France. This dedicated event will bring explore how organisations can strengthen mental health and wellbeing support across their teams. This seminar is open to IMRF members and non-members. Read more

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  • 160+

    IMRF member organisations

    50+

    countries with IMRF members

    1,000,000+

    Number of people IMRF represents who are involved in search and rescue

Explore our training and development initiatives

  • Crew Exchange

    Since its inception in 2012, the IMRF Lifeboat Crew Exchange has been a unique and invaluable opportunity for maritime search and rescue (SAR) professionals worldwide to come together, collaborate, and learn. Read more

  • Maritime SAR Academy

    Thanks to a major three-year grant from The TK Foundation, the IMRF is developing the Maritime SAR Academy - a modern, accessible e-learning programme designed to strengthen lifesaving capability worldwide. Read more

  • Global SAR Development in Action

    Since 2012, in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the IMRF has been working to develop maritime SAR resources and capability, through various workshops and exchanges around the world. Read more

Latest news

  • New IMO MASS Code Raises Important SAR Considerations

    The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted the first non-mandatory Code for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS), marking a significant milestone in the future regulation of autonomous and remotely operated shipping. Read more

  • Why lifeboat designs and SAR training from one country rarely fit another

    Jaakko Heikkilä, IMRF International Programme Manager, discusses the “Improving the effectiveness of safety interventions in maritime SAR” research, showing why maritime SAR solutions, from lifeboat design to crew training, rarely transfer directly from one country to another. Read more

  • IMRF supports regional Mass Rescue Operations Workshop in Morocco

    The IMRF, alongside the IMO, Morocco’s Secretariat of State in charge of Marine Fisheries and HM Coastguard UK, brought together maritime SAR professionals from multiple countries to share operational experience, strengthen cooperation and enhance Mass Rescue Operations capability. Read more

Spotlight on: Global Advocacy and Influencing

Research

  • Addressing the challenges of lithium-ion battery fires on board ships: A collaborative approach

    The University of Queensland is leading the ‘Batteries at Sea and the Global SAR Community’ project with the IMRF and a range of other international partners, contributing to this research through discussions and sharing maritime search and rescue expertise. Read more

  • The Global Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) System Review

    The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF), in partnership with Lloyd’s Register Foundation and SeaFocus, has launched a comprehensive review of the global maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) system. This initiative is running from June 2025 to January 2027. Read more

  • Making safety work at sea

    A new study led by Cranfield University in collaboration with the IMRF, shows why safety practices in maritime search and rescue do not always transfer easily between organisations and countries - adapting them to local contexts can improve outcomes worldwide. Read more

Testimonials

  • Being a small country on the edge of the Baltic Sea, membership in IMRF gives the opportunity to be part of a larger community. Gaining international experience at conferences, seminars and the Crew Exchange program is an unique value to us in order to share and get new knowledges. Bringing various initiatives (#womeninSAR #SaferSAR #SARyouOK) to the local level creates an opportunity to involve our volunteers from all over the country and also introduce them globally important topics.

    Chairman of the Board
    Estonian Voluntary Maritime Rescue Organization

  • Safe, effective SAR relies on many skilled teams working in sync, in the aircraft, on the ground, in the hangar and in the offices. The IMRF Annual Meeting and Safety Seminar was a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge with others who share our commitment to saving lives.

    Bristow

  • This affiliation strengthens curriculum delivery by incorporating up-to-date SAR techniques, technologies, and real-world case studies, enhancing student preparedness and employability. The faculty also benefits through professional development and research collaboration, boosting institutional credibility and innovation. Regionally, the University is better positioned to support maritime safety and emergency response efforts across the Caribbean. Membership fosters partnerships with key stakeholders from the IMRF network.

    Caribbean Maritime University

  • Search and rescue is at the heart of what we do. With all of our SAR assets mapped across high-risk regions globally, joining the IMRF is a natural step in our commitment to advancing global SAR standards. Ultimately, we joined to contribute our crisis response experience to the wider SAR community; collaborate on training, preparedness, and mission-readiness initiatives; strengthen the bridge between private response capability and government RCCs; and support innovation in maritime lifesaving, technology, and operational doctrine. Our goal is simple: to help save more lives at sea, more effectively, and more collaboratively.

    Vanguard Tech