One of the IMRF’s core functions is to share information of use to the global SAR community.
Our Articles of Association (new window) state that our ‘objects’ include “promoting cooperation, exchange of information, research and development, advice and consultancy between maritime search and rescue services of the world”.
The IMO and ICAO have agreed to add the IMRF to the sources of information cited in the IAMSAR Manual, in its next edition to be published in 2019.
An area of particular concern has been the sharing of lessons identified in SAR incidents, accidents and exercises.
It has long been agreed that the sharing of information about both mistakes and good ideas in SAR would be of benefit to the SAR community globally.
If these lessons are not shared, people elsewhere will have to learn them from their own experience, by making the same mistakes or by not applying other people’s proven good ideas. Either of these results can be life-threatening in SAR.
The IMRF is inviting you to share your SAR lessons learned and help preventing lose of life in the world's waters!
You can do so by e-mailing your documents and stories to [email protected].
Once your SAR information has been approved, we will publish it on this page below.
SAR Information Articles
Mohammed Drissi, Trustee at International Maritime Rescue Federation speaks about what he calls "Africa's silent killer": drowning. Drowning has become a silent epidemic, says Mr. Drissi, as it is causes the most deaths after malaria and malnutrition. Read more
People known to be in distress need to be rescued, of course – and the SAR community knows that this concept must also be extended to those believed to be in distress, and to those who, while not yet in distress, will become so if help is not provided to them in the meantime. Read more
Everyone agrees that there is great value in sharing SAR information as widely as possible, including lessons identified in SAR incidents, accidents, exercises and drills, so that SAR service personnel can take opportunities to learn from others’ experience and improve their own preparedness. Read more
Although I have been personally involved in pulling people from the sea on a couple of occasions, my own background in SAR is mostly in rescue coordination, training and management. One or more steps back from the front line. Away from the stress. Right...? Read more
As regular readers will know, the fourth in the IMRF’s acclaimed series of conferences on maritime mass rescue operations will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, on Monday & Tuesday 12-13 June 2017, with a live exercise during the late afternoon of Sunday 11th as an ‘optional extra’, at no extra charge, for delegates arriving in the city over the weekend. Read more
Andrew had attended a mass rescue operations (MRO) planning workshop organised by the British Consulate in Miami in September 2015 – only a few weeks before Le Boréal made her MAYDAY call. Read more