Mass Rescue Operations Guidance for Maritime Search and Rescue Organisations

The IMRF has developed the most comprehensive guidance available for planning and preparing for Mass Rescue Operations (MROs) in the maritime environment. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) defines an MRO as “characterised by the need for immediate response to large numbers of persons in distress, such that the capabilities normally available to the search and rescue authorities are inadequate.” These complex and large-scale incidents are rare, meaning most SAR organisations have limited experience in responding to them – yet they can occur anywhere, at any time, and have severe consequences.

The IMRF’s guidance addresses this challenge. It outlines the critical components of an MRO response: the need for additional resources, enhanced coordination, specific planning, dedicated training and exercises, and learning from real-world incidents. The guidance draws on international best practice and the lived experience of maritime SAR professionals.

Since its original publication, the guidance has been regularly reviewed and updated to ensure its continued relevance. The most recent update was completed in 2025, following a two-year review process involving 12 subject matter experts from IMRF member organisations. These experts contributed new content and revisions to address evolving challenges and emerging forms of MRO.

The IMRF’s Mass Rescue Operations project team has: 

• Developed comprehensive MRO Guidance for maritime SAR operations preparing for MROs, including an example MRO plan (pages 245-257 of Guidance). The Guidance is available for purchase in print MRO Guidance.
• Produced an MRO Summary Guidance. The Summary Guidance is available for purchase in print Summary Guidance.
• Prepared an online MRO Library with related documents. containing useful MRO-related information.
• Run a series of international MRO conferences.
• Developed an MRO Workshop format (pages 224-228 of Guidance) to help with awareness-raising and local and regional planning
• Developed an MRO Subject-Matter Expert course
• Contributed extensively to a review of the MRO guidance in the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual (IAMSAR).
• Produced two MRO podcasts

Contributor Mass Rescue Operations resources

Dr Paddy Morgan, Medical Director for HM Coastguard, has outlined a new triage guideline to support search and rescue (SAR) crews during mass rescue operations (MROs). The Multiple Persons in Water Triage Tool is grounded in operational experience and helps responders make faster, consistent, and survival evidence based decisions when time is critical. Read more about it here.

What’s New in the Latest Edition?

• New Chapter on MRO and Information Management: Explores the importance of timely and accurate digital information exchange during large-scale emergencies.
• New Consolidated Chapter on MRO and Irregular Migration: Addresses the increasing frequency and complexity of these incidents with tailored guidance.
• Revised Section on Continued Proficiency: Provides updated advice on designing and conducting MRO exercises, developing After Action Reports (AARs), and integrating lessons learned from both exercises and real events.
• Three New Appendices (‘Job Aids’): Offer quick-reference tools for establishing effective landing sites, setting up reception centres, and drafting a basic MRO plan.

A Living Document for a Global Challenge

The guidance remains highly relevant for all those responsible for maritime emergency response – especially when preparing for "low probability, high consequence" events. While MROs may be rare at the national or local level, they are occurring with increasing visibility worldwide, and no jurisdiction is immune.

Every organisation with a role in maritime SAR should either have an MRO plan or be part of one. The IMRF’s guidance supports both newcomers and experienced planners: it can be used in full as a foundation document or consulted chapter by chapter to fill specific gaps in existing plans.

This evolving, inclusive resource goes beyond the essential framework provided by the IAMSAR Manuals, and it continues to "promote the conversation" on MRO preparedness across the global SAR community.

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The MRO Guidance and any other information on these pages is intended for use by any SAR organisation who may find it helpful and is freely available in digital format. 

If you have any material that you would like to submit to our MRO library, please e-mail [email protected].