5th March 2020

Time to recognise maritime search and rescue heroes

Client news

“Every day around the world, maritime search and rescue (SAR) volunteers and professionals save lives at sea.  It’s a tradition as old as anyone can remember and enshrined in international and maritime law – but we shouldn’t take it for granted” says Theresa Crossley, CEO International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF).

“Today we are calling on everyone involved in maritime SAR to ‘take a step back’ and to celebrate the dedication of their colleagues or recognise the equipment that makes SAR operations possible today that would have been unthinkable even a few short years ago. It’s time to submit your nominations for the IMRF Awards 2020. It is time to say thank you and well done!”

The IMRF Awards recognise volunteers and professional SAR personnel alike, from those developing innovative technology or equipment, to those involved in hands-on multi agency rescues, to those who have dedicated their lives to building maritime SAR service in their region or to women acting as an inspiration to others in a traditionally male dominated sector.

The highly regarded International Awards are now in their fifth year, nominations come from around the world and the five categories are;
• Individual: For Outstanding Individual Contribution to Maritime SAR Operations
• Team: For Outstanding Team Contribution to Maritime SAR Operations
• Innovation & Technology: For Innovation and Technology in the field of Maritime SAR
• Lifetime Achievement: The Vladimir Maksimov Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Maritime SAR Sector
• #WomeninSAR Award: recognising exceptional inspiring SAR women

The closing date for nominations is 30 June 2020, and the winners will be announced on 7 October 2020 at a ceremony on board HQS Wellington, a historic vessel moored on the River Thames in London, UK.

To make a nomination click here.

To read more about the IMRF Awards 2020 click here.  

ENDS

The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) brings the world's maritime search and rescue organisations together in one global and growing family, to share knowledge and improve maritime SAR coordination and response so more people in distress on the sea can be saved.

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.