11th October 2019

Lifeboat crews across Europe swap places

Client news

The IMRF holds its 8th annual European Lifeboat Crew Exchange, where crew members swap places to learn about different equipment and gain experience in new locations

The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) has successfully held its eighth European Lifeboat Crew Exchange Programme, with 72 maritime search and rescue (SAR) professionals from 14 countries across Europe taking part.

The programme which was launched in 2012 and runs each September, brings volunteers from lifeboat organisations together to train, share best practice and learn from each other, hosted by the participating groups.

Theresa Crossley, CEO IMRF says: “Each year the number of maritime SAR volunteers and organisations taking part in our crew exchange has grown, and every year the feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, describing it as an incredibly useful and productive exercise. 

“The European Lifeboat Crew Exchange builds close and extremely collaborative bonds between SAR organisations. It also offers a very cost-effective way to develop our team’s skills and expertise, not least because we all share the same common aim – to save more lives at sea.

“Maritime SAR professionals as you would expect, complete thorough, intensive and ongoing training and yet many lifeboat organisations around the world are voluntary and charitable organisations, as a result this cooperation maximises the shared benefits and will significantly help to develop rescue capability across Europe.”

Lifeboat organisations from Germany, Norway, Finland, Sweden, the UK, the Netherlands, France, Estonia, Portugal and Croatia both sent teams to other locations and hosted teams from other countries. While crew members from lifeboat organisations in Bulgaria and Latvia, and for the very first time Russia and Canada, travelled across Europe to experience active duty with hosting organisations.

During the week-long exercise (21-28 September) the crew members have taken part in simulated exercises, shared personal experiences of complex rescue situations and learnt new techniques and skills.

All of the participants rated the week-long exchange as excellent or very good, with the most important benefits being the opportunity to learn new techniques and try out different resources.
Shawn Burchett from Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue spoke for many of the crew members when he said that his biggest takeaway was the participants shared passion to improve maritime SAR wherever they are in the world, and their excitement and energy which transcends borders and language barriers.

The IMRF has 118 member organisations who include maritime rescue coordination centres, coast guards and volunteer response organisations in over 50 countries around the world. 

The IMRF’s mission is to bring the worlds’ maritime search and rescue organisations together to share lifesaving ideas, technologies and experiences, to encourage cooperation all with the aim of improving maritime SAR capability worldwide.

ENDS

Click here to visit the IMRF’s facebook page for pictures and video from this years’ European Lifeboat Exchange.

IMRF

The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) brings the world's maritime search and rescue organisations together in one global and growing family. IMRF's member organisations share their lifesaving ideas, technologies and experiences and freely cooperate with one another to achieve their common humanitarian aim: "Preventing loss of life in the world's waters".

The International Maritime Rescue Federation was founded (as the International Lifeboat Federation) in 1924. In 1985 it was granted non-governmental consultative status with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in recognition of the good work being undertaken and the growing need for an organisation to act as a global focal point for maritime search and rescue.

In 2003 it was registered as an independent charity and in 2007 the organisation was renamed the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF), reflecting the broader scope of modern maritime search and rescue activity.

www.international-maritime-rescue.org