IMRF Awards

Isobel Tugwell, Shoreham Lifeboat Crew, RNLI

Winner of the IMRF Awards 2019 Category: #WomenInSAR

Isobel joined the RNLI Shoreham crew aged just 17 years old, while studying for her A level exams. With the support of the school, she was given a parking space and approval to leave lessons and join the crew whenever her pager went off alerting her to an emergency at sea.

She is a brave, inspirational, determined young lady whose life ambition was to save lives at sea – while successfully achieving three A* grades in her A level exams.

Isobel is one of the lifeboat crew on the D-class rigid inflatable lifeboat and the Tamar-class all-weather lifeboat.

Her first lifeboat call was on the inshore lifeboat to rescue a man, who was in the water following a suicide attempt.

The lifeboat crew found him and took him ashore to safety. Since then she has attended many calls at all times of the day and night – broken down boats, people in distress in the water, searches for casualties and attempted suicides.

She also takes part in training exercises every Wednesday and Sunday and cleans the boats and boathouse every Thursday night, no matter what the weather.

Isobel is an ambassador for the station during lifeboat station events, such as the annual open days, and promotes not only safety around our shores, but also women in Search and Rescue.

Isobel says: “Being part of the crew is like being part of a second family. I am one of three women crew members at Shoreham but we all feel like one team. I would encourage any woman who is interested, to join the family and have a go.”

Photo Gallery

Or view this Photo Gallery in Flickr.

Photo Gallery of the IMRF Awards 2019 Day

Or view the full IMRF Awards 2019 album in Flickr.

Latest

The European Regional Meeting 2019

In October delegates from IMRF member organisations across Europe attended the annual European Regional Development Meeting. This year it was hosted by the Ministry of the Sea, Transport & Infrastructure - Maritime Safety Directorate, Croatia and held at the Valamar Lacroma hotel in Dubrovnik on the 15th October 2019.
IMRF Delivers Tailored Training to Boost Maritime SAR Capabilities Across Africa

The International Maritime Rescue Federation has held a basic rescue boat operating course, in conjunction with the RNLI, specifically tailored and structured for maritime SAR (search and rescue) professionals from Africa.
IMRF at the ICAO/IMO Joint Working Group on SAR

The Joint Working Group (JWG) of the UN technical agencies the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Maritime Organization meets to discuss detailed SAR matters every year.
Members Assisting Members: Celebrating the Anniversary of the DGzRS Handover of the two Rescue Vessels of the Uruguayan Navy

In 2018 the Uruguayan Navy, who are responsible for the provision of maritime search and rescue services within the Uruguayan maritime search and rescue region, purchased two rescue vessels of 27m and 23m of length from the German Maritime SAR Service (DGzRS).

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.
Marine Rescue Port Macquarie, Sydney, Australia

In April this year, Marine Rescue Port Macquarie received a mayday alert that a 10m motor cruiser with three people on board had run into something hard at sea.
Daisy Gallardo, President, Cuerpo de Voluntarios del Bote Salvavidas de Puerto Montt

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.
Captain HUANG Zhibin, Donghai No.2 Flying Service of Ministry of Transport

Captain Zhibin Huang is nominated for demonstrating exceptional skill and courage, during the rescue of crew from the cargo ship LINFUNE 16 during a Super Typhoon.
Captain SONG Yin, Donghai No.1 Rescue Flying Service of the Ministry of Transport

Captain SONG Yin joined Donghai No.1 Rescue Flying Service of the Ministry of Transport after graduating from Shanghai Maritime University in 2008.

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.
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. "
World’s Maritime Search and Rescue Experts Gather in Vancouver

Some of the world’s leading maritime search and rescue experts will be meeting in Vancouver, Canada to share knowledge and improve their skills this weekend (15-18 June).
Membership of the IMRF

IMRF membership provides a unique opportunity for SAR organisations to share knowledge, experience and expertise, through the IMRF’s programme of conferences, meetings, forums and activities. Suppliers into the sector can also attend, participate, and engage in discussions and are encouraged to share any innovations that might benefit wider SAR activities.
IMRF Delivers Tailored Training to Boost Maritime SAR Capabilities Across Africa

The International Maritime Rescue Federation has held a basic rescue boat operating course, in conjunction with the RNLI, specifically tailored and structured for maritime SAR (search and rescue) professionals from Africa. The teaching is designed to be a ‘train the trainer’ course, so the participants will return home and share the learnings with their organisations and colleagues.
The IMRF & Our Mission