FloodFighters@Seawork 2025: Adapting maritime SAR for a changing climate

The IMRF was proud to take part in the inaugural FloodFighters@Seawork on 10 June 2025, a new addition to Seawork, Europe’s largest commercial marine and workboat exhibition. 

This event brought together industry professionals to explore the operational and strategic challenges of responding to increasingly frequent and severe flooding, with a focus on how maritime search and rescue (SAR) can adapt to the growing risks posed by climate change. FloodFighters@Seawork provided a platform to showcase flood rescue techniques and explore how climate change is reshaping rescue readiness, through a conference, exhibition pavillion, and live water demonstrations. 

Caroline Jupe, CEO of the IMRF, opened the presentation by highlighting the IMRF’s role in helping maritime SAR services navigate the evolving rescue landscape. She discussed the #FutureSAR initiative, developed in response to global member concerns about climate-linked challenges such as storm surges, rising sea levels, and extreme weather. 

She noted that while flood response is not traditionally within maritime SAR’s remit, some IMRF members are already adapting, training, and equipping their teams for inland flood rescue. “It is only by working together and sharing our knowledge,” she added, “that we can ensure the safety of all as we adapt.” 

Caroline also presented on IMRF’s #FutureSAR climate change initiative. The Tides of Change report, published in March 2024 and funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation, identifies 85 climate change impacts on maritime SAR, from operational disruptions and asset strain to responder wellbeing and the need for cross-sector collaboration. The report also suggests checklist items related to each impact to help organisations prepare for the future. You can download the report here. 

Phase 2 of the campaign is now underway, developing a global practitioner survey, an Impact Response Card for planning and documenting organisational resilience, and a webinar, which you can register for here. These efforts will lead into Phase 3 in 2026, launching flood rescue guidance for the global maritime community.  

Throughout the day, attendees explored the FloodFighters Pavillion, featuring the latest flood rescue tools and technologies. A dedicated trail guided visitors through the exhibition, while live water demonstrations by Professional Rescue and Wessex Rescue showcased rescue techniques and kit performance in real-time. 

The programme also featured valuable contributions from other speakers, including Daniel Harries, National Resilience Defra Flood Rescue Capability Officer (UK), who gave an overview of the update to the UK’s revision of Defra Flood rescue concept of operations. A group of Emergency Planners and First Responders from North Carolina, USA gave a case study review from the recent response to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina in September 2024, and the subsequent large scale flooding it caused. Emeritus UK Chief Fire Officer Roy Harold moderated the day. 

FloodFighters@Seawork highlighted the critical importance of collaboration across maritime, inland, and emergency services to tackle climate-driven emergencies. The event showcased how working together, sharing knowledge, and combining expertise are essential to building resilient and effective flood response capabilities. We would like to sincerely thank the organisers, especially David Lane and the entire FloodFighters team, for their leadership and dedication in bringing this vital community together and driving progress on this global challenge. 

To learn more about the IMRF’s #FutureSAR initiative and access the report, click here.