The IMRF has released its first-ever Rescue Boat Service Implementation Guide, which aims to provide organisations with the necessary information and knowledge to develop a Rescue Boat Search and Rescue (SAR) service. The guide was authored by David Whiddon from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and serves as a guidance document that can be adapted to suit the local context and operating environment of the organisation.

The guide is divided into bite-sized sections, providing step-by-step information that discuss relevant knowledge and procedures to consider when  implementing a rescue boat service. 

The Rescue Boat Service Implementation Guide covers a wide variety of subjects including risk assessments, stakeholder engagements, staffing and training, equipment, facilities, standard operating procedures and service administration. The guide also provides a number of vital supporting forms and documentation, such as template SAR incident report forms, to enable users to kick start their rescue boat service or implement new operating procedures.

This guide highlights the significance of having procedures in place, the necessary information that should be included in a standard operating procedure (SOP), and the importance of understanding the use of a standardised briefing format such as a SMEAC (situation, mission, execution, administration, command, and communication) brief. Additionally, the guide provides information on the significance of adequate service administration, the role of service paperwork, and the reasons why lessons learned are helpful in developing a service. For more information or to download the guide, click here: https://www.international-maritime-rescue.org/rescue-boat-service-implementation-guide. 

The Rescue Boat Service Implementation Guide is the latest resource produced by the IMRF that is made available for free to the global SAR community in its role as a non-governmental organisation to promote and improve operating standards in the maritime SAR sector.