Improving Maritime SAR Capability Worldwide

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

#SARyouOK?

Following extensive collaborative research between members of the SAR community, including those who are members of the IMRF and those who are not, the IMRF compiled its official #SARyouOK? Guidance document.

Published:

Author: Tom Scott

#SaferSAR

The #SaferSAR initiative will look to enable global search and rescue (SAR) organisations to better collect, analyse and share maritime SAR incident response data in a bid to enhance future maritime SAR response operations.

Published:

Author: Jaakko Heikkila

#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.

Published:

Author: Tom Scott

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

  • Global Maritime SAR Forum

    The next meeting will take place on 16 April at 19:00 UTC on the subject: ‘SAR and Health Care’, presented by Joost J.L.M. Bierens MD (ret) PhD MCPM Read more

  • Maritime SAR Aviation Panel

    The IMRF is set to launch 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

  • IMRF Regional Meeting and Maritime SAR Workshop

    A full day discussion and workshop on developing and maintaining a maritime SAR capability in the more remote areas of the globe, for those that live there and those they can assist. Read more

  • IMRF MRO SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT COURSE 2024

    The IMRF is pleased to announce that we will be hosting our fourth Maritime Mass Rescue Operations (MRO) Subject-Matter Expert Course in June 2024. Read more

  • 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

  • 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

  • Maritime SAR Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Seminar

    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. Read more

  • Annual Meeting - 100 years of excellence in SAR!

    We are thrilled to announce that the theme for the 2024 Annual Meeting is "Search and Rescue Everywhere and at All Times." This special event marks the IMRF Centenary and will be hosted by the Hellenic Rescue Team (HRT) in the beautiful city of Thessaloniki, Greece. Read more

Latest news

IMRF Blog

#SARyouOK?

SAR Matters

#FutureSAR