Maritime SAR needs more women as both volunteers and in paid roles, our sector is still overwhelmingly male-dominated. #WomenInSAR add value to any team they are part of, they can be inspirational leaders, exemplary trainers, bringing particular skills, talents and expertise to their roles. 

With this in mind and to encourage and support the representation of women in maritime SAR, in August the IMRF is holding the first International Search and Rescue (SAR) IMRF #WomenInSAR Training and Seminar, hosted by the Finnish Lifeboat Institution (FLBI).

The theme for the event is ‘Sharing experience, highlighting leadership, and giving organisations the tools to increase the representation of women in SAR’.  

Theresa Crossley, CEO IMRF says: “The upcoming training and seminar is just the latest in our drive to improve the representation of women in maritime SAR as part of our #WomenInSAR initiative. Women in SAR add value to any team they are part of.  Traditionally maritime SAR has been viewed as a male profession, but there are many inspiring women who challenge this perception.  Our goal is to show what opportunities are open to women, to help break down the barriers and encourage organisations to support women as they build their careers. Every balanced organisation needs men and women, and there is no reason why women shouldn’t be equally represented across our sector.”

Join the delegates for our first International Search and Rescue (SAR) IMRF #WomenInSAR Training and Seminar, just click here to find out more. 

The IMRF launched its #WomenInSAR initiative at its World Maritime Rescue Congress (WMRC) in June 2019.

The project aims to increase the representation of women in the maritime sector generally and to provide support for, and raise the profile of, women in the maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) sector specifically.

This IMRF initiative supports the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Empowering Women in Maritime initiative, find out more here.

Photos Credit: DLRG