World Maritime Day 2019 – “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community” This year’s theme for World Maritime Day on the 26th September is “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community”. This is in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5, achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. We at the IMRF are at the forefront of ensuring that maritime SAR globally achieves this, through our #WomenInSAR initiative, launched in June this year at our World Maritime Rescue Congress. Since launching our #WomenInSAR initiative, the IMRF is pleased to announce the winner of the inaugural #WomenInSAR Award - Isobel Tugwell. Click on the following link to read more about the IMRF Awards 2019 Winners. Congratulations to Isobel and to our other finalist, Captain Song Yin, who are both inspirational women! Thank you to everyone who voted and look out for information on how to nominate for next year's Award - coming soon! Looking ahead, in November, in conjunction with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and as part of our SAR capacity-building work in Africa, we will be hosting the continent’s first Women SAR Managers Course, from the 13th-15th November 2019 in Rabat, Morocco. The course will be attended by women working in SAR organisations across Africa, with the aim of building female skills in this sector. Women trained on the course will become role models and mentors for other women involved in SAR activities. The course will include classroom-based learning, as well as an at-sea simulation exercise, involving a distress alert and coordination of the SAR operation by MRCC Rabat. We are currently finalising our #WomenInSAR plans for 2020. If you and/or your organisation is interested in working with us, please contact [email protected]. Manage Cookie Preferences