IMRF Awards 2026

IMRF Awards - Terms & Conditions

IMRF Awards – Terms & Conditions

Please read this page carefully before preparing and submitting a nomination.

Eligibility and Nominations

The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) Awards recognise and celebrate outstanding contributions to maritime search and rescue (SAR) around the world.

  • Nominations are open to individuals and organisations involved in maritime SAR, including both professional and volunteer personnel and organisations. Nominees do not need to be affiliated with an IMRF Member organisation.
  • Where applicable, nominators are encouraged to indicate whether their nomination is supported by an IMRF Member organisation.
  • Nominators are encouraged to submit only one nomination per category. However, in exceptional circumstances, multiple nominations within the same category may be considered where each nomination relates to a distinctly different operation, achievement, innovation or contribution.
  • A separate nomination form must be completed for each nomination.

Nominations must be submitted by a third party – self-nominations will not be accepted. Nominations submitted by immediate family members or relatives of the nominee will also not be accepted.

Before You Complete Your Nomination

The IMRF strongly encourages all nominators to carefully review the nomination form and model answers before preparing and submitting a nomination.

The model answers are designed to help nominators understand the level of detail, evidence and supporting information that judges look for when assessing nominations. Reviewing these examples will help ensure that nominations present the nominee's achievements as clearly and effectively as possible.

Nominators are also encouraged to download and review a blank copy of the nomination form before beginning their submission.

Qualifying Period

  • Nominations must relate to actions, activities, achievements or contributions that took place during the qualifying period specified for the relevant awards programme.
  • Nominations relating entirely to events outside the stated qualifying period will not be accepted.
  • Posthumous nominations for the Lifetime Achievement Award will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Completing Your Nomination

  • All nominations must be submitted using the official IMRF Awards nomination form.
  • Nominations should be completed in English wherever possible. Where English is not the nominee's or nominator's first language, nominators are encouraged to provide the best available English translation – the judging panel will focus on the merit of the nomination, not the quality of written English.
  • Please use clear, concise and straightforward language, and avoid unnecessary jargon, unexplained abbreviations and acronyms.
  • AI tools may be used to assist with translation, spelling or grammar, but nominations must be written by the nominator and reflect a genuine, first-hand account. Nominations that are substantially AI-generated will not be accepted.
  • Many sections of the nomination form include maximum word limits. These limits help ensure consistency and fairness across all nominations.
  • Supporting photographs and other relevant materials may be included as part of a nomination. However, the success of a nomination will be based primarily on the quality of the written submission and the evidence provided within the nomination form.
  • Incomplete nominations may not be considered.

Any text submitted beyond the stated word limit will not be considered by the judges.

Judging Process

  • All nominations will be assessed by an experienced international judging panel with relevant maritime SAR expertise.
  • All nominations are accepted on the understanding that the decisions of the judging panel are final. The IMRF will not enter into correspondence or discussion regarding judging decisions.
  • The IMRF reserves the right to make awards at its sole discretion, and reserves the right not to present an award in any category should the judges determine that the required standard has not been met.

Submission of Nominations

  • Nominations must be received by the published closing date and time.
  • The opening and closing dates for nominations, together with the applicable qualifying period, will be published on the IMRF Awards website and nomination materials.

Late submissions will not normally be accepted.

Supporting Images

Nominators are required to include a photograph with their nomination. Please provide:

  • A high-quality head-and-shoulders photograph of the nominee; or
  • A group photograph for team or organisational nominations; or
  • A suitable photo of the innovation or technology for innovation nominations.

Images should be high resolution wherever possible and between 1-16MB. Accepted file formats will be specified within the nomination process.

Privacy and Use of Information

By submitting a nomination, you acknowledge that the information provided – including nomination details, contact information, photographs and supporting materials – will be shared with the IMRF and members of the judging panel for the purpose of administering and judging the Awards. Information may be stored securely on systems used by or on behalf of the IMRF.

If a nomination is shortlisted, the IMRF may publish:

  • The nominee's name;
  • The name of the nominating organisation (where applicable);
  • Photographs and website links submitted as part of the nomination; and
  • Details of the nominee's achievements and contribution to maritime SAR.

This information may be used in IMRF communications, including its website, newsletters, reports, promotional materials and social media channels, for the purpose of promoting the Awards and raising awareness of maritime SAR.

The IMRF will not publish personal contact details of nominators or nominees without permission, unless required by law.

If you wish to withdraw a nomination or request the removal of your personal information, please contact the IMRF using the details provided on the IMRF website.

Thank you for helping the IMRF recognise and celebrate excellence, innovation and dedication in maritime search and rescue worldwide.