News

And a Happy and Healthy 2021

Season's Greetings and a Happy and Healthy 2021.

The IMRF Secretariat and Bookshop will be closed, from 19 December 2020 – 3 January 2021 inclusive.

Latest

International Mass Rescue Conference (G5)

The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) is delighted to announce our latest International Mass Rescue Conference (G5), to be held on 17-19 October 2021 in Gothenburg, Sweden..
Full Members
Associate Members
Become a Supporter of the IMRF

DGzRS Boat Given to Georgia Maritime Transport Agency

The IMRF brings the world's maritime search and rescue organisations together in one global - and growing – family. Our members share their lifesaving ideas, technologies and experiences and freely cooperate with one another all with the aim of improving maritime SAR capability worldwide.
IMRF’s Chinese Members Continue to Save Lives During the COVID-19 Pandemic

All around the world, search and rescue operations are being affected by the introduction of significant travel restrictions, the challenge of socially distanced operations and dramatically enhanced health and safety procedures as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Calling All Women (and Men) in SAR!

Survey launched to assess gender balance, IMRF calls for all those working in maritime SAR to take part …
Trinity House Supports IMRF #WomenInSAR Campaign

Trinity House is supporting the International Maritime Rescue Federation’s campaign to promote gender equality in maritime search and rescue
MOAS: Building Vital Flood Response Capability in Bangladesh

The Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) is an international humanitarian organisation based in Malta dedicated to providing aid and emergency medical relief to refugees and migrants around the world.
Member Focus: Inmarsat

Inmarsat has been an IMRF supporter for many years, most recently regularly sponsoring the IMRF Awards (the Vladimir Maksimov Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Maritime SAR sector – named after a much-respected former Inmarsat employee - and the #WomenInSAR Award).
IMRF to Develop Full Suite of Pandemic Resources

The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) has secured essential funding to develop new search and rescue (SAR) training resources, which will help SAR teams around the world to complete their rescue missions safely during pandemics and health emergencies.
IMRF Contributes to the ICAO/IMO JWG on the Harmonization of Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue

Udo Fox, Executive Director, DGzRS has attended the 27th session of the ICAO/IMO Joint Working Group|(JWG) on the Harmonization of Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue, as the IMRF’s IMO representative.
IMRF Pandemic SAR Webinar - 26 October 2020

This Webinar launched the next phase of the IMRF COVID-19 & Pandemic Response project, and also provided an opportunity for participants to share experiences and reflect on lessons learnt from their SAR operational experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aviation Search and Rescue – Harmonising Global Safety

Many IMRF members either work with aviation assets in maritime SAR operations, or are responsible for providing aviation SAR services. And yet there is no formal international benchmark to ensure quality, safety and consistency of aviation SAR standards.

COVID–19 – Planning Checklist

The Main priorities for all SAR organisations are to minimise the risk of infection for all staff and volunteers and to continue to provide effective SAR and lifesaving services. These priorities should underpin all COVID-19 response planning.
IMRF Holds First All-Women SAR Training to Address Gender Imbalance

As part of its ongoing #WomenInSAR initiative and supporting the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) theme of empowering women, the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) has held its first all-women maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) training in Morocco.
MEDEVAC de Enfermos COVID-19 a Bordo de Crucero

Jorge Diena, Consejero de la IMRF, nos envió este documento preparado por el Capitan de Fragata (CG) Artigas Zorrilla y la Teniente de Navío (MED) Ana Mieres, explicando lo sucedido cuando la Armada Uruguaya recibió un llamado de emergencia de un crucero, requiriendo asistencia para un pasajero con dificultades respiratorias.
Meet the new Board of Trustees

Meet the new Board of Trustees - elected at the QGM in Vancouver on 18 June 2019.
International Maritime Rescue Federation Elects New Board

IMRF members elected their new Board of Trustees yesterday (18 June 2019) at their Quadrennial General Meeting (QGM) in Vancouver. The meeting followed on from the 4th World Maritime Rescue Congress, which brought together maritime search and rescue specialists and equipment providers from around the globe.
The IMRF Awards 2019 Winners Have Been Announced

Exceptional search and rescue teams, outstanding individuals and innovative technology from around the world have been recognised in the annual IMRF Awards
The IMRF Awards 2019 shortlist is announced

International shortlist showcases skills and commitment to saving lives at sea, across the sector and around the world
IMRF Launches Updated Basic Rescue Boat Operator Manual

The International Maritime Rescue Federation has launched a new Basic Rescue Boat Operator Manual, a vital best practice guide for any SAR rescue organisation.
IMRF Second Fundraising and Communication Skills-Share hosted by the Swedish Sea Rescue Society (SSRS)

“It was two very productive days in keeping our skills current. Tacit and explicit knowledge (information, skills, or expertise) was “It was two very productive days in keeping our skills current. Tacit and explicit knowledge (information, skills, or expertise) was exchanged among experts of our organizations. Skill-sharing not only bolstered our understanding, but helped create an archive of accessible knowledge. "
COVID-19 Voluntary Guidelines: Medical-Hygiene Issues Related to COVID-19 - Frequently Asked Questions

This document is for SAR organisations currently facing operating challenges as a result of COVID-19. It is primarily based on guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO), existing national protocols provided by IMRF member organisations and consensus of an IMRF expert panel. Recommendations by ILCOR[1] and national resuscitation councils have also been included.