When discussing safety enhancements in complex operational settings, few areas are as vital and intricate as maritime search and rescue (SAR). Leading the effort to clarify these challenges is Dr Colin Pilbeam, Professor of Organisational Safety at Cranfield University. His career began in agriculture and forest science and continued into international research on sustainable farming. Although this background might seem unusual in occupational safety, it provides him with a unique perspective that drives his focus on practical, real-world safety matters.

“I’ve been working in this field for over a decade now,” Colin reflects. “It started with a grant from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, and since then, the questions have just kept growing.”

This curiosity and dedication to evidence-based impact have enabled him to lead a crucial research project that will investigate how safety practices are adopted and implemented across various maritime search and rescue (SAR) settings to identify the factors that influence their success or failure and will lead to improved understanding of how to transfer safety interventions successfully between locations.

So, what is the core of this project? In essence, it first requires an understanding of why they are effective in one setting and not another or perhaps how they work in different settings.  

Colin explains that organisations often implement interventions, new technologies, practices, or procedures inspired by success in other contexts. However, when they try to apply these in their own environment, they don’t always succeed. He emphasises that the idea of a simple plug-and-play solution doesn’t work because the specific context makes all the difference.

Context, as Colin explains, is more than just a backdrop; it’s a powerful force that can make or break a safety initiative.

“You’ve got to consider work conditions, staff skillsets, industry norms, regulatory environments, and even national culture,” he says. “Effective safety is never one-size-fits-all.”

It’s a lesson that’s particularly relevant in the global SAR community, where approaches vary greatly depending on geography, resources, and infrastructure.

"A maritime SAR organisation in France, for example, can’t just hand over its model to a team in South America and expect it to work the same way,” Colin points out. “Different settings require tailored solutions.”

The research he’s currently undertaking with the IMRF is divided into two phases. The first looks at how current practices and technologies are being adapted across different environments and why some have been successful while others have failed. The second phase moves into the future, applying those insights to new technologies, for example, how to handle battery fires aboard vessels.

“We know how to manage them on land,” says Colin. “But what about out at sea? That’s a different challenge altogether.”

The common thread across both phases is the vital importance of frontline insight. For Colin, involving SAR professionals isn’t merely helpful; it’s essential. “They’re the ones doing the work, day in and day out. They understand the how not just the what. With a bit of reflection, they often know exactly what needs to change to make things safer or more effective.”

Colin is also keen to hear from organisations in underrepresented and resource-constrained regions. Their stories will be vital in shaping a tool that can work globally.

“If we only gather data from the UK, then someone in Brazil or the Philippines could say, ‘Well, that’s all well and good for them, but it’s not our reality.’ That’s why diversity is important. It adds depth, provides nuance, and helps us identify the underlying patterns that span borders.”

Innovation, too, has a role to play, but with caution.

“Technology can improve SAR, absolutely,” says Colin. “But new tools bring new risks. The point is to be wise about adoption, to understand the consequences before jumping in. That’s where this research comes in.”

Culture, both organisational and national, also shapes safety outcomes.

“You can’t ignore it,” Colin emphasises. “Culture shapes how procedures are understood, how rules are applied, and how leadership functions. These elements are deeply rooted.”

That’s why this research isn’t about prescribing solutions; it’s about enabling better decisions. By developing a framework grounded in real-world experience, the study aims to create a tool that SAR professionals everywhere can use to assess new interventions, adapt existing ones, and navigate change with greater confidence.

Above all, it’s a collaborative project. Colin emphasises that his role is to listen, to facilitate, and to reflect findings in a way that SAR teams can use.

“This isn’t about blaming others. It’s about gaining understanding. My role is to ask questions, no matter how simple, and foster a safe environment where people can honestly share.”

And while the research is still in its early stages, the call to action is clear: the more voices involved, the more powerful the results.

“I’d love to be flooded with responses,” says Colin. “Because that means we're making real progress."

If you’re involved in SAR, whether on the ground, at sea, or in an operational support role, your perspective could help shape a global framework that saves lives. Colin is ready to listen. Are you ready to share?

If you or your organisation are interested in participating in the study, please email [email protected].