At Global SAR Hub, the mission is simple but powerful: to centralise and share crucial information for search and rescue (SAR) operations worldwide. Today, we’re excited to introduce Tanguy Le Coq and Arthur Barbier, the minds behind one of the IMRF’s newest members, Global SAR Hub, and showcase their dedication to strengthening SAR capabilities across the globe.

Tanguy and Arthur, both French Navy officers, each began their careers at the age of 16. Arthur now works at the MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) in Fort-de-France, Martinique, and Tanguy served at MRCC Etel in Brittany, France. Their shared experience and passion led them to co-found Global SAR Hub, a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving communication and collaboration between Rescue Coordination Centres (RCCs) and Rescue Sub-Centres (RSCs) around the world.

Their journey to creating Global SAR Hub started with firsthand experience on the front lines of SAR. At the MRCC, one of their main responsibilities as SPOC (SAR Point of Contact) involved handling COSPAS-SARSAT alerts for vessels registered in their areas, even when these vessels were located halfway around the world.

Tanguy and Arthur explain, “To do this, we used several databases, including one very well-known system that we prefer not to mention, but we encountered many issues. The contact details for RCCs were often outdated, areas of responsibility were poorly defined, and the websites were too slow or poorly designed for a mission as critical as rescue operations.”

Frustrated by these limitations, they “decided to roll up our sleeves and, after thousands of hours of work, as passionate IT enthusiasts, we developed the ideal tool based on our needs - a platform that lists all maritime RCCs around the world, with their areas of responsibility, contact details, and overlapping zones.” This initiative led to SeaSAR, a platform cataloguing all RCCs and RSCs across the globe with detailed contact information and areas of responsibility. Shortly after, they expanded to develop AirSAR in collaboration with aeronautical experts, filling a similar need for the aviation community. Following this development, the Global SAR Hub website serves as a reliable resource visited by over 1,000 SAR professionals daily.

For Tanguy and Arthur, ensuring the reliability and accuracy of data is at the heart of Global SAR Hub’s work. “The main challenge with our tools, such as SeaSAR, is ensuring they remain constantly up to date,” they explain. To achieve this, they “conduct quarterly update campaigns by directly contacting RCCs to refresh their contact information. Over time, as our reputation grows, we receive an increasing number of responses, which strengthens the reliability of our data.”

Their tools are designed with a user-friendly interface to save time and reduce response delays. “In just three clicks, a rescue centre can contact another centre on the other side of the world through a fast and efficient platform.” This focus on efficiency is particularly valuable for time-sensitive SAR operations.

In real-world situations, Global SAR Hub’s tools have already proven invaluable. “Let’s take a concrete case,” they share, “a COSPAS-SARSAT alert is transmitted by the Mission Control Centre…The first step is to verify the position of the detection and cross-check it with the ship’s MMSI to see where it is located on the AIS.” They explain that when an alert is generated, they often must coordinate with centres around the world to ensure that the rescue is underway. “This is where SeaSAR becomes essential: thanks to our platform, with just a few clicks, we can quickly find the contact details for the [relevant] RCC and establish communication without delay.”

Driven by their mission to continuously improve SAR operations, Global SAR Hub is working on several new tools. One example is Passage Plan, which will allow navigators to map their routes and provide essential data to RCCs in advance, ensuring swift support in an emergency. “Passage Plan is a simple and comprehensive tool,” Tanguy and Arthur explain, “that allows a navigator…to chart their entire route and waypoints” This allows captains and RCCs alike to have a solid plan in place and the necessary contact information on hand before setting out on their voyage.

Other tools in development include LandSAR, a new cartography platform for terrestrial SAR, and Clear406, which will offer a graphical interface to streamline COSPAS-SARSAT alerts. These tools, like SeaSAR and AirSAR, are built to support SAR professionals in critical moments. “True to our name, Global SAR Hub, our ambition is to cover all SAR sectors on a global scale,” they say. “While our experience primarily lies in maritime SAR, we are collaborating with experts in the aeronautical and terrestrial domains to build, brick by brick, an essential platform for SAR as a whole.”

Tanguy and Arthur joined the IMRF to connect with like-minded SAR organisations and contribute to a community focused on saving lives. “The IMRF brings together a diverse range of SAR organisations…offering a unique environment for sharing experiences, expertise, and innovations,” they explain. “Being part of this global community allows us not only to learn from best practices but also to actively contribute to improving maritime safety on an international scale.”