From 20-27 September 2025, the IMRF welcomed 58 lifeboat crew members from nine European countries – Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and, for the first time, Poland – alongside visiting participants from Australia, for the annual Lifeboat Crew Exchange.

Now in its 11th year, the programme continues to grow in scale and impact, offering a rare opportunity for lifeboat crew members from across the world to train together, share knowledge, and learn new techniques in the spirit of international collaboration.

The 2025 exchange delivered a powerful mix of hands-on training, cross-cultural learning, and peer-to-peer collaboration. Crew members took part in joint multi-national search and rescue exercises, including mass casualty scenarios, helicopter winching drills, and cold-water immersion exercises. Specialist training with jet skis, rescue runners, and bridge simulators gave participants the chance to test different approaches and expand their skillsets.

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive:

Overall rating: 9.6/10

Training experience: 9.1/10

Networking experience: 9.8/10

Recommendation score: 9.9/10

Over 90% reported learning something new, from fresh approaches to man overboard recovery, to the importance of cultural communication and teamwork.

As one participant, Ruslan Poret (PIRITA SAR, visiting Sweden), put it:

“It’s not just training - it’s a cultural and professional exchange that broadens your perspective, strengthens your skills, and energises your commitment to rescue work.”

While the training was rigorous, participants highlighted the camaraderie as a defining feature of the week.

“I haven’t laughed this much in years,” said Frida Wistedt (SSRS, visiting France).

“You will have experiences that you can still remember in a rocking chair,” added Tommi Vanhala (FLBI, visiting Norway).

Friendships were forged quickly, creating an international network of lifeboat crew members who share the same mission: saving lives at sea.

Lifeboat Crew Exchange 2026

With this year continuing the proved success of the programme, the IMRF is already preparing for the next exchange. The 12th IMRF Lifeboat Crew Exchange will take place from 19-26 September 2026.

Since the initiative first launched in 2012, it has offered hundreds of participants the chance to learn, share, and bring home new ideas to improve their stations and strengthen local SAR capability. After a three-year pause during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Crew Exchange has returned stronger than ever.

Planning for the 2026 exchange begins in January 2026. The programme is open to IMRF member organisations, with limited places also available for those who may wish to send crew members even if they cannot host.

Since the Lifeboat Crew Exchange has proven such a success, we are now expanding the concept into the Rescue Coordination Centres with the launch of the IMRF Coast Guard Exchange Programme, which will be piloted from 2-6 March 2026. Hosted by HM Coastguard (UK) and the Irish Coast Guard, the new initiative will give MRCC and JRCC operators a unique opportunity to share expertise, strengthen international collaboration, and bring home valuable insights to enhance their own organisations. Learn more here.

If your organisation is interested in joining next year’s exchange, please contact [email protected]. More information on IMRF membership can be found here.