IMRF Awards

Daisy Gallardo, President, Cuerpo de Voluntarios del Bote Salvavidas de Puerto Montt

Finalist of the IMRF Awards 2019 Category: Individual

Daisy is the President of the Cuerpo de Voluntarios del Bote Salvavidas de Puerto Montt (CVBSPM), a volunteer search and rescue organisation in Chile. The volunteers train each week to ensure that they are ready for any maritime SAR mission.

Daisy joined the organisation in 2006, aged 16 and hasn’t stopped since then.

She gained both her Radio Operator and her small boat Captain qualifications and was then appointed finance officer for the whole organisation.

She was involved in the search for missing persons after volcanic eruptions, has participated in many maritime search and rescues, as well as the recovery of lost persons from lakes and rivers.

Over time she has taken on more responsibility and has reached the rank of second lieutenant.

She has even managed to obtain significant financial support from a Regional Fund to promote the organisation.

Daisy Gallardo was elected President of CVBSPM in 2016, the very first woman to be President of a Search and Rescue organisation, not only in Puerto Montt, but also in the whole of Chile.

As a result of her ongoing efforts, the CVBSPM is now a recognized and respected partner of the National Emergency Response Organization (ONEMI) and has successfully implemented a communications plan between the coastal communities and the different public services.

In March 2019 Daisy was awarded the Citizens Medal for Merit.

Photo Gallery

Or view the Gallery in Flickr.

Photo Gallery of the IMRF Awards 2019 Day

Or view the full IMRF Awards 2019 album in Flickr.

Latest

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.
European Regional Meeting 2020 - Webinar - 15 October 2020

Welcome to the European Regional Meeting 2020 - Webinar - 15 October 2020 page. Below you will find the Webinar recordings in 4 blocks and the chat logs in PDFs.
#WomenInSAR Initiative

Women are hugely under-represented in the maritime sector. The IMRF is working to raise the profile and increase the representation of women in maritime SAR. Our #WomenInSAR initiative is moving into its next phase this year.
Fifth Mass Rescue Operations Conference – 17-19 October 2021

The dates of the much-anticipated fifth IMRF Mass Rescue Operations Conference have been announced.

IMRF #WomenInSAR Survey

Last year, the IMRF launched its #WomeninSAR initiative which included a new IMRF #WomeninSAR Award, and women-only SAR training events.
#WomenInSAR Blog - Part 1 - Managing Lifeboat Operations Across British Columbia

#WomenInSAR blog The Royal Canadian Maritime Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) is the volunteer based organization that operates more than 30 marine rescue stations on the British Columbia coast and in the B.C. Interior. From Vancouver’s busy harbour to the remote waters of the North Coast, RCMSAR volunteer crews are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, ready to respond to marine emergencies. They conduct, on average, 800 marine rescues every year.
Celebrating International Women’s Day …

Winner of the first IMRF’s #WomeninSAR Award 2019, Isobel Tugwell is a member of the Shoreham Lifeboat Crew, with the UK’s Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
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.
World Maritime Day 2019 – “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community”

This year’s theme for World Maritime Day on the 26th September is “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community”.
Arthur Allen, US Coast Guard

Over the last 35 years, Arthur Allen has been advising the US Coast Guard on the impact of ocean currents and winds on the location of people, vessels or aircraft in distress.
Clay Evans, Superintendent, Canadian Coast Guard

Clay Evans has dedicated over 30 years of service to maritime search and rescue. He began as a rescue boat student, joining the Coast Guard as a Navigator after graduation.
Use of remotely controlled assets in Maritime SAR - UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency, Phillip Hanson

The UK has many areas of difficult coastline and a range of tidal reaches, but drones and emerging technologies offer new ways of finding people missing in remote and rural areas.
Floating Rescue Stretcher - NSRI, South Africa

The National Sea Rescue Institute in South Africa conducts many rescues along difficult rocky shorelines, where any casualties have either to be carried to safety along the narrow coastal footpath, or have to be evacuated by sea.
Coastguard New Zealand, Surf Life Saving Kariotahi, New Zealand Police, Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter Trust - multi-agency rescue at Port Waikato River Bar, North Island, New Zealand

In May this year, a man, woman and child were in a small boat at the entrance to the Waikato River, when, at about 17:30, the boat stalled and flipped, tossing them into the freezing water.

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 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. "
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.
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.