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.

Among other responsibilities the JWG acts as the editorial body overseeing updates to the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual.

This year’s meeting was held in Viña del Mar, Chile, 9-13 September 2019. The IMRF was kindly represented at the meeting by Mr Jared Blows, of MRCC Cape Town and the JWG’s South African maritime member.

The IMRF submitted two papers to the meeting: a brief report on the 2019 World Maritime Rescue Congress and a paper describing the IMRF’s improved arrangements for sharing information of use to SAR providers.

The paper asked JWG members and observers, and the wider SAR community, to provide input. We cannot share information unless it is provided to us first!

The JWG commended the IMRF for our continued efforts in providing a service to the SAR community and for our continued support to the JWG and IMO via our various interactions.

The updated IMRF website was agreed to be a good place to share SAR information, and a number of JWG delegations said that they would be submitting material.

The JWG further discussed how the IMRF website could provide additional value to the SAR community.

It was suggested that it may also serve as a repository for ‘historic’ documents such as previous versions of the IAMSAR manuals, along with the rationale around changes made to updated versions. The IMRF will consider this proposal.

IMRF Members and other SAR organisations are strongly urged to use the facility provided by the IMRF to share information, ideas and experience that may be of use to colleagues around the world, and which will contribute to the saving of lives at sea. Submissions should be e-mailed to [email protected].