Search and rescue workers often face stresses that are not present in many other fields of work. A job that requires a person to put themselves in harm’s way repeatedly carries a high risk to their physical and mental health. Research indicates that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) amongst first responders is comparable to that of combat veterans. Read more
The Newsletter of the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF)
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Dean Lawrence was appointed IMRF Chairman, in June last year at the World Maritime Rescue Congress in Vancouver. Here we ask him to tell us a bit more about himself and the challenges facing the sector. Read more
IMRF Members work together for many purposes, not just at sea and on exercises. Last year, Chris Hartmann from the Deutsche Gesellschaft zur Rettung Schiffbrüchiger (DGzRS) or German Maritime Search and Rescue Association traveled to Estonia for three days to work with the Estonia Volunteer Rescue Organisation, sharing and discussing successful approaches to fundraising, based on DGzRS’s experience. Read more
The S/Y Admiral Bellingshausen, a 24-meter Dutch built Estonian yacht has completed the last leg of its journey to celebrate 200 years since the discovery of Antarctica by Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen who was born in Saaremaa, Estonia. Read more
The IMRF’s programme to support global SAR development has helped the Benin Maritime Prefecture upgrade its headquarters in Cotonou, from maritime rescue sub-centre (MRSC) to full national maritime rescue coordination centre (MRCC). Read more
The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health estimates that 320,000 people drown every year. Furthermore, Africa and Asia-Pacific account for almost 90% of drowning deaths, with the highest rates being in the WHO Africa Region - 20x higher than in the United Kingdom. Read more
Jorge Diena, one of the IMRF Trustees, forwarded this document prepared by Commander Artigas Zorilla and Lieutenant (MD) Ana Mieres about what happened when the Uruguayan Navy received a distress call from a cruise ship, which needed assistance for a passenger with respiratory failure. Read more
In the last four months, regardless of where we are in the world, our lives have been changed by COVID-19, including at IMRF, where we have had to postpone or cancel some of our events planned for later this year, including the IMRF Awards 2020. Read more