The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) supports and facilitates global SAR development.

The IMRF in collaboration with the IMO is working to develop maritime SAR resources and capability across Africa and Asia.

International Maritime Rescue Federation

Improving Global SAR Capability. Saving Lives.

	A charity, funded by membership fees, charitable grants and donations.
	A Non-Governmental Organisation in consultative status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO – the relevant United Nations technical body).
	Advocating for maritime SAR globally.
	Leading and assisting with maritime SAR improvement projects globally.

IMRF Members
Any organisation worldwide involved in, developing, or associated with maritime SAR.

Our members may be:

	large or small organisations;
	newly-formed or long-established;
	charities, private or public agencies;
	supporting organisations and industry.

What Does the IMRF Do?

	The world's maritime SAR organisations working together to improve global SAR.
	Sharing ideas, technologies and experience.
	Representing the world’s maritime SAR community .

Common humanitarian vision: - to prevent loss of life in the world's waters.

What Is the Problem?

	The World Health Organization estimates that, globally, about 400,000 people drown every year.
	That is 40 people, every hour of every day!
	Equivalent to 70% of the global death toll for malnutrition and 60% for that of malaria.

SAR Capacity Building in Africa

Working in Partnership with IMO

Since 2012, the IMRF, with the IMO Technical Cooperation Division, has been helping key states in Africa to develop a well-functioning SAR coordination capability.

The IMRF work complements IMO-funded initiatives, by working with Maritime Administrations, MRCCs and MRSCs to identify development needs and provide specialist programmes of training, knowledge-sharing and international networking.

What Is Being Done?

	Working with IMO Technical Co-operation Division (and supported by the TK Foundation) and other donors (including some IMO member states) the IMRF has organised:
		Regional SAR Development Meetings;
		IMO trainings: SAR Management, SAR Mission Controller, SAR Mission Coordinator, On Scene Coordinator;
		Courses on the requirements of IAMSAR Manuals I, II and III;
		Local trainings for MRCC personnel on GMDSS and SAR operations;
		Practical training in rescue boat handling and casualty recovery;
		Seminars and workshops;
		Mass Rescue Exercises;

Achievements the IMRF and IMO have reached since 2014 are:

	12 Regional SAR Development Meetings
	23 African SAR Training Courses
	294 People trained across …
	4 ... African Regions

The Outcomes in Africa So Far Are

	MRCCs and JRCCS established or improved;
	National SAR plans adopted;
	Ratification of SAR Convention;
	Introduction of new technologies;
	Regional SAR plans adopted;
	Improved strategic and operational communication between SAR organisations within (and between) regions;
	Training needs analysis is embedded as part of strategic SAR discussions;
	increased competence and confidence of the trainees applying “best practice” when tasked with On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) responsibilities;
	the development of checklists, as a tool for participants handling SAR incidents in their own organisations, helping them to make effective decisions under pressure; and,
	reductions in incident response times, saving more lives.

SAR and the Sustainable Development Goals

IMRF’s work with the IMO is helping to meet key Sustainable Development Goals by:

	providing learning opportunities (SDG 4);
	contributing to the building of resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation (SDG 9);
	strengthening the means of implementation (SDG17); and,
	encouraging and increasing the participation of women in SAR (SDG 5).

The Next Steps for the IMRF Will Be

	work with Technical Cooperation Division to organise a Regional SAR Development Meeting, with associated operational training sessions in the Kenya region;
	roll out plans for further co-operation with the South African SAR region, particularly on Mass Rescue Operations;
	continue to hold practical SAR trainings and courses on the requirements of IAMSAR Manuals I, II and III; and,
	Actively encourage the participation of women SAR professionals in IMRF/IMO courses, seminars and trainings.

What Else Has IMRF Been Doing?

Global SAR Assessment - Africa

	As part of the Global SAR Assessment, the IMO has tasked the IMRF to conduct an analysis of development needs for the various African SAR regions.
	Will provide an in-depth picture of SAR capabilities across Africa, allowing the IMO to target its assistance even more effectively.

Mass Rescue Operations (MRO) Project

	In 2018, IMRF MRO Workshops held in:
		Bangladesh – 40 delegates from 20 organisations.
		Uruguay – 150 participants from SAR organisations from Uruguay and other countries in the region.
		Malaysia – 25 participants from across the region.
	Second MRO subject matter expert (SME) course held in Sweden (September 2018).
	Free-to-use guidance papers and other materials available online
	MRO element planned for WMRC 2019, in Vancouver.

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