IMRF Award Finalists Recommend Careers or Volunteering in SAR for Women

It is often said that: ‘You cannot be what you cannot see’, but as part of the IMRF #WomenInSAR Initiative we are determined to shine a light on the many inspirational women working in maritime SAR today as volunteers or as professionals building careers.

Today, we are launching a short video showcasing two amazing women – and IMRF Award finalists – both involved in maritime SAR, but in different roles and countries, to find out more about their roles and what they would say to someone considering a career, or volunteering, in maritime SAR.

Watch the video below:

Can't watch the video on this page? Watch it on YouTube.

The Speakers Are

Daisy Gallardo Delgardo, President and Commander of the Cuerpo de Voluntarios del Bote Salvavidas de Puerto Montt (CVBSPM) in Chile.

Daisy was the finalist in the IMRF Awards 2019 Individual Award category. She joined the Puerto Montt Lifeboats when she was just 16 years old, and since then her enthusiasm and commitment to saving lives at sea has been unfaltering.

She has trained and studied for a range of certificates and works with her organization to provide a maritime SAR response covering anything from a volcano eruption to flooding response or searching for missing persons in lakes and rivers.

Daisy was elected as President of CVBSPM in 2016, the very first woman to hold the position not only in Puerto Montt, but also in the whole community of Chilean maritime rescue organizations.

She was also awarded the Citizens Medal for Merit in 2019. As a result of Daisy’s efforts, the CVBSPM is now a recognized and respected partner of the National Emergency Response Organization and has successfully implemented a communications plan between the coastal communities and the different public services.

You can read more about Daisy here.

The second speaker is Commander Maritime Dr. Suzanna Razali Chan, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, and finalist for the IMRF #WomenInSAR Award 2021.

Suzannah joined the Malaysia Coast Guard in 2007 as a Lieutenant Maritime Officer and is now the Principal Assistant Director in the Search and Rescue & Disaster Relief Division at the Malaysia Coast Guard Headquarters.

Suzanna has completed extensive training in maritime SAR attending many local and international courses and submitting a thesis on maritime safety as part of her PhD doctorate.

Her qualifications and experience gained working in the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) and Maritime Rescue Sub Center (MRSC), has led her to become one of the leading MSAR specialists in Malaysia.

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