The Lifeboat Crew Exchange is managed by the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) in association with a different IMRF Member each year.

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Individuals

Any individuals interested in participating should advise their local Lifeboat Station. Unfortunately, we cannot accept direct requests from individuals. 

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Lifeboat Organisations

If your organisation is interested in participating as a host, or would like to have one or more of your crew members attending next year’s exchange, please contact us at [email protected] for more information.

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Eligibility

Next to applying through your local rescue organisation, participants need to be:

	Must be currently active as a Crew Member of a lifeboat/rescue organisation
	Must have 3 years experience in SAR and must have SAR Training in own organisation;
	Physically active and fit to undertake practical training exercises;
	Have a good understanding of the English language and Nautical English;
	Have the right skills for using onboard communication systems under supervision;
	Over the age of 18;
	The crew members must be active with the intention of being a crew member for the next 5 years.

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Key Messages for Crew Members

	The rescue organisations host a full exchange week (7 days) in their respective countries and each country is able to send up crew members to different countries.
	The programme allows crew members to share ideas and experiences and ultimately enables maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) organisations to cost-effectively share the burden of developing rescue capability.
	The week-long exchange includes the improvement of training modules in areas such as first aid, navigation, off road driving, crisis management, leadership, maritime English and exchanging best practice in rescue operations.
	The programme objectives for the lifeboat crew members are to;
		gain different/specialist lifeboat/SAR experience;
		build and improve professional knowledge;
		experience working in a transnational team;
		share experiences and develop increased mutual understanding;
		build productive networking relationships for the future.
	Participants on the course experience day and night time exercises such as towing, navigating, man overboard recovery, first aid, sea survival training, lifeguard training, recovering boats, helicopter transfers and many other exercises that improve the common spirit.
	The project experiences will be disseminated at a national and local level in the different countries via their websites, intranet, newsletters, meetings and publications. The event will also reach an international audience through media activity by the IMRF, links to international websites and at future IMRF events.

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