How can safety practices developed in one maritime SAR organisation work just as effectively in another? Read more
With expertise spanning maritime risk, crisis response and search and rescue, Vanguard Tech brings a data-driven, people-first approach to protecting crews and supporting life-saving operations worldwide. Read more
We speak with Cayman Islands Coast Guard Commandant Robert Scotland about the vital role leadership plays in supporting women in SAR and how practical action is helping turn inclusion into everyday reality. Read more
To mark International Women’s Day, we hear from three inspiring women working across maritime search and rescue, sharing their journeys, challenges and the real impact of the IMRF’s #WomenInSAR initiative. Read more
Jaakko Heikkilä, IMRF International Programme Manager, discusses the “Improving the effectiveness of safety interventions in maritime SAR” research, showing why maritime SAR solutions, from lifeboat design to crew training, rarely transfer directly from one country to another. Read more
With decades of experience handling complex international cases, Irwin Mitchell LLP has become a vital voice for victims of maritime and aviation incidents worldwide. Now a proud member of the IMRF and sponsor of the 2025 International Search and Rescue Team of the Year Award, the firm brings its legal expertise and compassion to the global SAR community, ensuring that rescue is just the beginning of recovery. Read more
We spoke with Gemma Gill, the RNLI’s first female coxswain in Wales, about her journey in maritime SAR, her experience in the IMRF Lifeboat Crew Exchange, and why supporting women in search and rescue has become such an important mission for her. Read more
Mike Hammond, Superintendent of Marine Rescue New South Wales, has returned from a Churchill Fellowship examining the rise of electric and alternative-propulsion vessels. He is urging the international search and rescue community to act now with targeted training, better data, and consistent safety standards. Read more
CGI has been supporting search and rescue for more than a decade, providing systems that help lifeboat crews operate more effectively in high-pressure environments. We spoke with Dave Gawthorpe, Vice President of Secure Platform Systems, to learn how their OpenSea360 mission system is shaping the future of maritime SAR. Read more
The IAMSAR Manual will now include guidance on mental health in search and rescue, addressing challenges faced by both rescuers and survivors. Chilean SAR expert Norman Ahumada explains why this is crucial for wellbeing and operational effectiveness at sea. Read more
We spoke to Dennis Marcus from Cruden to find out how the company that is best known for its cutting-edge motorsport simulators is now bringing its technology to the world of SAR. Read more
Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) has opened a state-of-the-art Maritime Training Centre in Accra, Ghana, as part of a major summit focused on unlocking Africa’s maritime potential. Read more
How can safety interventions be effectively adapted across borders and different contexts in the maritime search and rescue (SAR) sector? Dr Colin Pilbeam of Cranfield University is leading pioneering research with the IMRF to understand why some safety practices succeed while others fall short in different operational environments. Read more
Cameroon Lifesaving has joined the IMRF as the first member from the country, bringing a powerful commitment to water safety, community training, and maritime rescue. Led by President Idrisse Tchokona, the organisation is making a life-saving impact across Central Africa; one swimmer, one rescue, and one training session at a time. Read more
We spoke with Andy King, Vice President for Sales at Raymarine, about the company’s long-standing commitment to marine innovation, their vital role in supporting SAR operations around the world, and what the future might hold for rescue technologies. Read more
The role of the private sector in global search and rescue (SAR) is expanding rapidly, bringing innovation, specialised skills, and flexible response capabilities to support national systems. Trevor Arnold ESM, Operations & Training Officer at Public Safety Training & Response Group Pty Ltd, shares insights into how Australia’s private SAR sector is evolving and how closer collaboration with public agencies could shape the future of emergency response. Read more
Dr Paul Luckin has a long involvement in the medical aspects of the practicalities of maritime rescue. We discussed with him the often-misunderstood medical facts of water immersion, the vital importance of preparation, and the stark realities of what it truly takes to survive at sea. Read more
On World Drowning Prevention Day, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) reflects on a growing crisis in South Africa and shares how local solutions, global recognition, and community-led education are helping to rewrite the future of water safety. Read more
‘Good swimmers don’t drown’ is an often common misconception. In reality, good swimmers who are usually confident in water can drown or face severe difficulties due to a lack of survival or self-rescue skills in emergencies like strong currents or sudden exhaustion. Read more
In the lead-up to World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July, the IMRF spoke with Mr Wu Yue, Managing Director of the SIOETC International Ocean Engineering Training Centre (SIOETC), about the challenges facing drowning prevention in China, and how collaboration with international partners is helping to drive real change. Read more
On World Drowning Prevention Day 2025, the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue (RS) and the Flyte alliance are spearheading national efforts to raise awareness, honour the lives lost, and promote life-saving habits. Tanja Krangnes, Head of Drowning Prevention at RS says with a focus on lifejacket safety, education, and collaboration, RS emphasises that drowning prevention must be acknowledged as a crucial public health priority. Read more
Scott Tonks, Head of Technical Sales, and Matthew Mitchell, Director of SAR for the US and APAC at Zelim, share their perspectives on the future of maritime search and rescue, and how technology can support responders in the field. Read more
Watch the IMRF's latest video where Terje Alliksoo explains how sharing experiences on the #SaferSAR platform helps rescue teams learn, stay safe, and save lives. Read more
We speak with Shee Kupi Shee, Director of Disaster Risk Management in Lamu, Kenya, about his Outstanding Individual Contribution to Maritime SAR Operations Award, his personal journey in search and rescue, and the transformative impact of his work in improving maritime safety and resilience along Kenya’s coast. Read more