Strengthening global maritime search and rescue (SAR) capability remains central to the IMRF’s mission. As part of the ongoing international SAR capacity-building programme, the IMRF recently supported a Mass Rescue Operations (MRO) workshop in Morocco, delivered in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Secretariat of State in charge of Marine Fisheries, Morocco, and with support from HM Coastguard, UK.

The workshop brought together representatives from SAR services, government agencies and international organisations from across North and West Africa, including Morocco, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania, alongside participants from Spain. Delegates also included individuals from international organisations including the IMO and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Designed to strengthen coordination, preparedness and operational readiness during large-scale maritime emergencies, the workshop focused on practical learning through real-world MRO case studies and tabletop exercises. Delivered jointly by HMCG and the IMRF, the programme provided delegates with the opportunity to exchange operational experience, discuss organisational working practices and explore the challenges and priorities faced by different SAR regions and services.

One delegate reflected on the value of understanding regional differences in SAR operations, commenting:

“It was a very good workshop with good presentations. To show the reality of African West coast has been very helpful in order to understand how the priorities can be different in countries or areas in terms of SAR and other arrangements.”

A key component of the workshop was the collaborative tabletop exercise, where delegates were divided into mixed groups across organisations and countries to encourage the cross-pollination of knowledge, operational experience and ideas. The exercise aimed to strengthen communication and decision-making between agencies during complex mass rescue scenarios.

Highlighting the importance of international cooperation in SAR, another participant noted:

“I appreciate the help to communicate between us, even the difference of organisations, the mission still remains to rescue lives.”

The IMRF also used the workshop to showcase its growing range of MRO learning tools, online resources and published guidance designed to support SAR organisations worldwide. Delegates received an overview of the IMRF’s Mass Rescue Operations materials and guidance, alongside a presentation on the IMRF Maritime SAR Academy initiative.

Participants welcomed the opportunity to learn from each other’s operational approaches and experiences. One delegate commented:

“It is very interesting to share different points of view. We have the opportunity of knowing how other countries work. For all of us, priority is always human life.”

The Morocco workshop forms part of the IMRF’s wider global SAR capacity-building programme, which seeks to strengthen international cooperation, preparedness and response capability to help save more lives at sea worldwide.

Read more about the IMRF’s Mass Rescue Operations guidance, resources and training initiatives.