IMRF Announces Winners of 2025 Awards Recognising Excellence in Maritime SAR 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 enable 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: Outstanding Individual Contribution to Maritime SAR Operations Sponsored by Powermaster Marine Winner: Heidi Ho Yuen-tung, Hong Kong Government Flying Service, Hong Kong SAR, China Heidi Ho Yuen-tung received the award for her extraordinary courage and professionalism during a risky night search and rescue operation near Severe Typhoon Yinxing. Despite the life-threatening conditions of darkness, violent seas, and dangerous obstacles, she descended onto a drifting barge to rescue seven trapped seamen. Following their recovery, she provided vital medical care and reassurance until their safe return to base. Her courage, determination, and selfless commitment to saving lives embody the highest ideals of maritime SAR. Runner-up: Samuel Wangila Wanyonyi, Kenya Red Cross Society, Kenya Outstanding Team Contribution to Maritime SAR Operations Sponsored by Irwin Mitchell Winner: Ambrey, UK, and the crew of the Al Bahia, Djibouti The Ambrey team and the crew of the Al Bahia received the award for their extraordinary courage and professionalism during the rescue of the Eternity C crew following an attack by drones and armed boats. Demonstrating exceptional coordination and determination, the Ambrey Global Operations Centre in Southampton, alongside the crew of the Al Bahia, searched 96 square miles over 48 hours, successfully recovering ten mariners and ensuring their safe repatriation through complex diplomatic negotiations. Runner-up: QF7 Redland Bay Coast Guard, AVCGA, Australia Women In SAR Award Sponsored by HamiltonJet Winner: Caron Parfitt, Marine Rescue NSW, Australia Caron Parfitt was recognised with the award for her exceptional leadership and commitment to advancing the role of women in maritime SAR. Between July 2024 and June 2025, she served as a Regional Director on the Board of Marine Rescue New South Wales, actively supporting international collaboration and professional development within the IMRF network. Her pivotal role in the IMRF #WomenInSAR Training Course in Finland and the planning of the 2025 Sydney event showcased her dedication to creating practical pathways for women’s growth in operational SAR roles. Through her strategic input, operational expertise, and mentorship, Caron made a lasting impact on the visibility, capability, and progression of women across the global maritime SAR community. Runner-up: Sarah Psaila, Auckland Coastguard, New Zealand Innovation and Technology in Maritime Search and Rescue Sponsored by Kpler Winner: Global SAR Hub, France Global SAR Hub in France received the award for developing SARCHAT, a groundbreaking secure and multilingual communication platform designed to enhance coordination in search and rescue (SAR) operations at all levels, local, regional, national, and international. Created by two former MRCC operators, SARCHAT addresses long-standing operational challenges such as missed messages, unclear decision trails, and fragmented communication tools. The platform’s structured chat system enables topic-based discussion rooms with defined access levels, secure message storage, and automatic AI translation to overcome language barriers. By revolutionising how SAR professionals collaborate in real time, SARCHAT represents a major innovation in global maritime emergency coordination. Runner-up: Auckland Coastguard, New Zealand Lifetime Achievement in the Maritime SAR Sector Sponsored by Inmarsat Winner: Peter Dawes, RNLI, UK Peter is honoured with the award for his lifelong dedication to improving water safety and SAR, both professionally and as a volunteer. With over two decades of service to the RNLI in the UK and earlier contributions in Australia, he has played a pivotal role in setting national and international standards for safety management and lifesaving. A respected authority in the field, Peter has been a regular presenter at International Life Saving Federation and IMRF conferences, advancing evidence-based practices and contributing to global initiatives such as updated lifeguard standards and risk assessment frameworks. His enduring commitment and influence have made a profound impact on the safety and wellbeing of communities worldwide. Runner-up: Lance Miller, Marine Rescue NSW, Australia Caroline Jupe, CEO of the IMRF, said: “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to this year’s winners and runners-up, your dedication, hard work and innovation epitomise the very best of maritime search and rescue. I would also like to thank our judging panel for their careful consideration and commitment; your efforts ensure that these Awards continue to reflect excellence and integrity within the maritime SAR community.” The 2025 IMRF Awards once again highlight the diversity, professionalism and evolving capability of the maritime SAR sector. From courageous individual rescues to technological breakthroughs and lifetime service, the winners represent the full spectrum of life-saving efforts at sea. The People's Choice Award winner for 2025 is Heidi Ho Yuen-tung, Hong Kong Government Flying Service, Hong Kong SAR, China and the Patron's Award winner is Sarah Psaila, Auckland Coastguard, New Zealand. The IMRF would also like to extend its thanks to this year’s awards sponsors for their continued support: Powermaster Marine, sponsor of the Outstanding Individual Contribution to Maritime SAR Operations Award Based in Shanghai, Powermaster Marine is a government-backed high-tech enterprise specialising in advanced marine propulsion, offering innovative thrusters, propellers, and electric drive systems to support efficient and sustainable vessel operations worldwide. (www.powermastermarine.com/en). Irwin Michell, sponsor of the Outstanding Team Contribution to Maritime SAR Operations Award Founded in Sheffield in 1912, Irwin Mitchell has grown into one of the UK’s largest full-service law firms, renowned for its work across private client and business law (www.irwinmitchell.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). Kpler, sponsor of the Innovation and Technology in Maritime Search and Rescue Award A global leader in data and analytics for international trade, Kpler continues to innovate while remaining proudly independent and team-owned (www.kpler.com). Inmarsat, sponsor of The Vladimir Maksimov Award for Lifetime Achievement. Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, is the world leader in global mobile satellite communications, providing safety at sea since its inception by the IMO in 1979. It powers digitalisation, decarbonisation and crew welfare efforts with fast, secure and reliable connectivity worldwide. (www.inmarsat.com). The IMRF extends its sincere thanks to all nominees, the judging panel, sponsors and the wider global maritime SAR community whose tireless work, often unseen, continues to save lives at sea every day. Manage Cookie Preferences