The IMRF hosted its tenth annual Lifeboat Crew Exchange in late September, offering an invaluable opportunity for maritime search and rescue (SAR) professionals from over the world to collaborate, learn, and build lasting relationships.
This year's event involved 51 crew members from the host countries Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, along with visiting participants from Australia, Madeira, and New Zealand. A remarkable 280 people contributed to making the programmes in different countries a success.
You can check out our full gallery of images from the event here.
Over the course of seven days, participants engaged in approximately 10 different exercises and made seven visits to various locations, including lifeboat stations and Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs). This immersive experience aimed to enhance participants' skills and knowledge while providing an opportunity for cultural exchange.
Cultural exchange was highlighted by the fact that representatives of SAR organisations from Australia, Madeira and New Zealand joined this year’s Lifeboat Crew Exchange programme as visitors, adding to participants from the hosting organisations. This cultural opportunity was, for many, one of the main highlights of the week-long event.
“It’s a great way of meeting new people and making new friends and connections that will last for years to come. Learning different ways to do maritime SAR with different people from different nations, all with the same goal,” said Elmar Ingvi Haraldsson from ICE-SAR in Iceland.
Participants highlighted the valuable, hands-on experiences gained during the exchange, including training in navigation, Mass Rescue Operations, firefighting, engineering, and person recovery. They faced challenges such as adapting to new environments, launching and retrieving large vessels from the beach, and handling rough weather, all of which enriched their learning. Crew members also learned new rescue techniques, such as recovering unconscious individuals using ropes and carrying casualties over difficult terrain. Additionally, they gained insights into how different SAR organisations operate, the importance of community involvement, and the use of specialised rescue equipment like Markusnets and jet-powered boats.
Networking was a significant focus, with many participants forming friendships and connections that will last well beyond the exchange. “The Crew Exchange is a brilliant way to see a country in a way you never would if you were just passing through,” shared Lawrie McMillan from the RNLI in the UK. “To understand how and why it uses the rescue methods it does, to understand how it works behind the scenes in coordination centres, and to learn how the crews train. You will meet like-minded people with the same aims and learn a thing or two to take home to your own country.”
Participants appreciated the rich cultural exchanges that occurred throughout the week, visiting iconic locations such as lifeguard stations in Weymouth and Poole Quay, and even a submarine at Houat Island in France. The welcoming hospitality of host countries stood out, with many expressing gratitude for the support received from local SAR teams.“I am very grateful for the opportunity to experience a crew exchange,” said Daniel Sunde from the Norwegian Sea Rescue Society (RS). “The opportunity to build networks around the world is worth its weight in gold.”
The commitment and dedication of volunteers within the SAR organisations impressed many attendees, fostering a strong sense of community through shared passion and collaboration.
“The IMRF Crew Exchange gives our crew members motivation and inspiration; it allows us to compare our equipment and methods with similar organisations and gain new insights from the international world of sea rescue,” stated local exchange coordinator Sylvain Moynault from the SNSM in France. “It’s also a great way for both crew members and trainers to form valuable friendships around the world.”
The participants rated the event overall 9.5/10 in their feedback survey. The Lifeboat Crew Exchange will be organised next time in September 2025, and we look forward to welcoming new IMRF members to the event!
If you have any questions or would like further information on the Lifeboat Crew Exchange, please contact Jaakko Heikkilä at [email protected].