How can the IMRF help good ideas spread in search and rescue?

There is no shortage of good ideas in maritime search and rescue (SAR). Some organisations have excellent lifeboat designs. Others have strong training systems. Many have developed practical ways of working that improve safety and save lives. 

But moving those good practices from one organisation to another is not straightforward. This is where organisations like the IMRF play a key role, acting as “translators” between different contexts. So what does good translation actually look like in practice? 

Start by understanding both sides 

A good translator does not just understand the idea, they also understand how it will be used in practice. That means asking two simple questions: -how does this practice work in its original context, and what is the reality where we want to apply it? 

Without both, it is easy to copy the surface of an idea while missing what really makes it effective. For example, a training manual may seem effective, but if it relies on high resources, advanced equipment or certain skills, it may not work elsewhere without adaptation. 

Accept that copying is rarely enough 

One of the most common mistakes is trying to transfer ideas exactly as they are. In reality, most approaches need to be adapted. They need to be simplified, adjusted to local equipment, and aligned with local roles and structures. 

Sometimes elements need to be removed, and sometimes new ones need to be added. The aim is not to create an identical copy, but something that works just as well in a different setting. 

Simplify and localise before sharing 

Many practices are too complex when first presented. Long manuals, technical language and detailed procedures can be difficult to use, even for experienced crews. There is often a temptation to promote impressive, high-tech solutions, but the best solution depends on the problem and the context. In some places, a large, advanced lifeboat may not be practical. A simple, low-cost intervention may have far greater impact. Good translators help shift the focus from “what looks good” to “what actually works in that setting”. 

A key step is to strip things back and to focus on what matters. What is essential? What can be removed? What do people really need to know, understand and do? In some cases, turning text into diagrams or simple visual steps can make a significant difference, especially in low-resource or multilingual settings. 

People are more likely to accept something that feels familiar. This can be as simple as showing local boat types in training materials, using images that reflect the local population, and avoiding symbols or colours that may not fit culturally. Even small details can affect whether a new idea is accepted or rejected. 

Work in partnership, not as a “provider”

Good translation is not a one-way process. Rather than saying “this is what works, use it”, it is far more effective to work alongside local organisations and understand their challenges, listen to their experience and develop solutions together. This builds ownership and trust, and helps ensure the final result fits the local reality. 

People do not adopt new practices just because they are told to. They are more likely to do so when they trust the source. Local partners often have stronger connections with their own communities than external organisations, which makes them essential in explaining, promoting and embedding new ideas. 

Without trust, even the best-designed practice may fail. 

Partnership also supports implementation over time. Transferring a practice is not a one-off event. It takes time to test what works, adjust based on feedback, and build habits and routines. Longer-term engagement, sometimes over several years, helps ensure that new practices become part of how an organisation actually works. 

Helping good ideas spread in SAR is not about copying. It is about translation. That means understanding context, simplifying complexity, working in partnership and adapting ideas so they truly fit. 

Organisations like the IMRF play a crucial role in this process, not by pushing solutions, but by helping them make sense wherever they are needed. And when that happens, good ideas do not just travel, they help save lives at sea. 

Note: This blog post is based on “Improving the effectiveness of safety interventions in maritime SAR” by Colin Pilbeam, Roland McKie and Caroline Jupe, published in March 2026. The report was funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation.