The IMRF is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s IMRF Awards in recognition of those involved in global maritime search and rescue (SAR) efforts. The awards acknowledge those who have shown excellence in their field, developed innovative technology and equipment or acted as role models to inspire others. The IMRF Awards also shine a light on those colleagues who offer the tireless support, training, and planning that enables SAR crews to do what they do, safe in the knowledge that they are all part of the same team.

The winners of this year’s IMRF Awards are:

Shee Kupi Shee, the Director of Disaster Risk Management in Lamu, Kenya, won Outstanding Individual Contribution to Maritime SAR Operations. 

Shee has been involved in rescue operations since 2016. With his initiative, he established the Disaster Response Team and trained its members to respond to maritime incidents along the Indian Ocean waters off the coast of Kenya, specifically in Lamu County. An example of one such mission is, after receiving a distress call from the MV Paradise near the Somalia coast, Shee participated in the rescue operation. This operation was cross-border, and Shee's coordinated response from Kenya provided crucial assistance to Somalia, which had limited response capabilities.

The Corps of Volunteer Rescue Boats, Valparaiso, Chile, won the Outstanding Team Contribution to Maritime SAR Operations category.

The Valparaíso Lifeboat Volunteer Corps (CVBSV) is a maritime search and rescue (SAR) organisation composed entirely of volunteers. Founded in April 1925, the CVBSV has continuously operated for nearly 100 years. Throughout its history, the corps has carried out countless missions, showcasing the bravery and dedication of its volunteer crews.

The Innovation and Technology in Maritime Search and Rescue Award was won by Augmented Reality & Mixed Reality Training Environment for SAR, Reval Safety Training, Estonia.

The product developed is called METACUBE (AEGIR). METACUBE combines advanced technologies to merge hardware and software solutions, creating training scenarios that closely resemble real-world experiences. By leveraging the principles of Extended Reality (XR), METACUBE integrates virtual objects into real-world environments and dynamically adjusts the virtual reality components of the simulation, offering a highly immersive experience. The training experience is remarkably lifelike, thanks to the software that powers the virtual world.

Holly Phillips, RNLI, United Kingdom, won the #WomenInSAR award, sponsored by HamiltonJet.

Holly retired from the RNLI in December 2023 after 21 years of service in the Engineering team, where she started as a Naval Architect and later became the Principal Naval Architect. Throughout her career, she played a vital role in the design, construction, repair, safety, and support of nearly every lifeboat currently in the RNLI fleet. She has also contributed to developing and presenting around 29 professional and academic papers. Through her career, she has undoubtedly paved the way for women in engineering, inspiring future generations in the UK, Ireland, and beyond.

Cleeve Robertson from the NSRI in South Africa won The Vladimir Maksimov Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Maritime SAR Sector, sponsored by Inmarsat.

Dr. Cleeve Robertson has volunteered with the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) for 35 years, including 11 years as CEO until his retirement in August 2024. Under his leadership, the NSRI expanded its infrastructure, adding bases, increasing its fleet, and growing the volunteer team, significantly enhancing its life-saving capacity. The organisation now offers Survival Swimming training, innovative Survival Swimming Centres in shipping containers, Beach Safety Cameras, and Pink Rescue Buoys, which have helped rescue 184 individuals from drowning.

This year, the IMRF has also introduced the Patron’s Award, chosen by the IMRF’s Patron, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence. Congratulations to Captain Yang Hao from China Rescue and Salvage for winning the 2024 Patron’s Award. 

Captain Yang Hao of rescue helicopter B-7328, from the Donghai Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Transport, showed remarkable courage, exceptional skill, and great determination during the challenging rescue operation of the 14 crew members aboard the oil tanker Daiyou 69 on 4 September 2023. Conditions were significantly impacted by Super Typhoon No. 11, named "Haikui." The "Venturi Effect" of the strait amplified the wind and waves, leading to severe sea conditions. The tanker suffered engine failure and was drifting violently in extreme weather conditions caused by Typhoon Haikui. Captain Hao had to make several critical decisions in the most testing of circumstances. He got every decision right and as a result saved 14 lives and kept his crew safe.

Captain Yang Hao has received a Letter of Commendation from the IMO for his bold actions during a challenging rescue operation. His selfless dedication and exceptional courage make him a worthy winner of the first Patron’s Award.

The IMRF also acknowledges this year’s runners-up, including Captain Yang Hao from China Rescue and Salvage (Outstanding Individual); Agence Portuaire Maritime et Fluviale Madagascar (Outstanding Team Contribution); Marine Rescue NSW App, Marine Rescue NSW in Australia (Innovation and Technology Award); Laura Shearer from Ascension Island Sea and Land Rescue, Ascension Island (#WomenInSAR Award); and Rob Carpenter from Coastguard Tautiaki Moana in New Zealand (The Vladimir Maksimov Award for Lifetime Achievement).

IMRF CEO Caroline Jupe said, “The IMRF Awards celebrate the outstanding work performed by SAR personnel and organisations worldwide. This year's winners exemplify dedication and passion to our community, showcasing professionalism and pride in their responsibilities. We receive numerous remarkable nominations each year, and this year was no exception. I congratulate everyone nominated for the IMRF Awards for their tireless efforts and our exceptional community for their unwavering commitment to maritime SAR daily.”

Voting for the People’s Choice Award winner opens on Monday, 11 November and closes at 11.59 pm (UK time) on Friday, 22 November. Don’t wait; make your vote count! The People’s Choice Award winner will be announced at the IMRF’s Annual Meeting on 27 and 28 November.

The IMRF would also like to extend its thanks to this year’s awards sponsors for their continued support:

Inmarsat, sponsor of The Vladimir Maksimov Award for Lifetime Achievement. Inmarsat is the world leader in global mobile satellite communications and has provided safety communications at sea since its inception by the International Maritime Organization in 1979 (www.inmarsat.com).

HamiltonJet, sponsor of the #WomenInSAR Award. The company’s waterjet and control systems deliver manoeuvrable, reliable and safe prolusion for SAR vessels. HamiltonJet has worked with the maritime SAR sector for many decades, making and developing waterjet propulsion systems that can dramatically increase the range of conditions in which a SAR boat can operate (www.hamiltonjet.com).