Lifeboats play such an instrumental part of the day-to-day activities of maritime search and rescue (SAR) organizations around the world. No matter the size and scope of the organization, every crew knows the importance that lifeboats have played in saving lives at sea.

The World Maritime Rescue Conference (WMRC), taking place in June 2023 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, is looking to highlight the importance of lifeboats and demonstrate how crucial they are to maritime SAR operations.

As part of the three-day event, the congress is looking to showcase the international fleet of lifeboats on the Nieuwe Maas river in the centre of Rotterdam.

To put on such a feat, KNRM is looking for participating international SAR organizations to bring operational lifeboats and historical lifeboats with them to WMRC 2023.

Koos van der Bent, Operational Inspector at KNRM, is taking the lead on this incredibly important display. If you would like to know more about this programme, including participation at the fleet demonstration day on 18 June 2023, you can contact Koos at [email protected] or +31653296727.

For the crew members of the visiting lifeboats we are offering several options to combine the visit of their lifeboat with the congress:

1. A full access package to the three-day event, with access to all social events, exhibition, sessions and panels for those interested. IMRF members have access to a special discounted ticket price of EUR465* until 17 March 2023, while non-members can purchase the early-bird discount for EUR655*. To find out more about this year’s WMRC event or purchase tickets, click here to visit the official website: https://wmrc2023.com/ 

Crew members also have the option to join the congress dinner cruise. Tickets for this cost EUR145*.

2. We also are offering a special package to the personnel of any lifeboat that takes part in the display, with access to Exhibition A/B of SS Rotterdam, the Welcome Reception on 18 June and networking breaks and lunches on 19 and 20 June. This special package will be offered at a price of EUR99*. For more information on this package, please contact the Congress Secretariat at [email protected]

*All prices detailed above are excluding VAT.

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WMRC 2023 is the largest event of its kind in the world, open to all with an interest in SAR. The conference will include a number of talks, discussions and workshops.

The congress will be jointly hosted by the IMRF and KNRM at SS Rotterdam, the iconic former flagship of the Holland-America line, now a hotel and conference venue permanently moored in the heart of Rotterdam.

The overall theme for WMRC 2023 is ‘Towards sustainable maritime SAR – building on our history to secure our future’ and will include three conference threads: ‘SAR operations today’, ‘Sharing SAR experiences’ and ‘The future sustainability of SAR’.