# International Maritime Rescue Federation

The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) is an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) that supports search and rescue (SAR) organisations with the development and improvement of maritime SAR capacity. This is done by providing guidance, facilitating training and enabling SAR providers to share knowledge and expertise between members across the IMRF community.

## History

In 1924, the first International Lifeboat Conference was held in London, England. The conference, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, was attended by seven of the world's lifeboat organisations. It was unanimously decided by the attendees that an International Lifeboat Federation (ILF) should be established to promote, represent, and support sea rescue services around the world. In 1985, the ILF was formally registered as a "non-governmental consultative organisation" by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations specialised agency for international maritime affairs.
In 1924, before modern radio communication or rescue helicopters were in common use, coastal maritime rescue was almost always provided by small rescue craft operated by local communities. These rescue craft were traditionally referred to as "lifeboats", before the alternate meaning—the emergency evacuation craft carried on larger ships—became common.
As technology developed, so too did maritime rescue. Most developed countries have centralised Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres, which can instantly receive maritime distress calls and co-ordinate rescue response using a range of modern maritime communication and positioning systems and search planning computers. Modern Rescue Coordination Centres have a broad range of well equipped rescue assets at their disposal, which are crewed by highly competent personnel. Rescue response would include modern surface search and rescue units, rescue helicopters and fixed-wing search aircraft as well as a range of other specialised rescue and casualty treatment teams.
The ILF played an important part in IMO's Global Search and Rescue Plan, following the adoption of the 1979 SAR Convention, and in the evolution of the Global Maritime Distress Safety System. In 1998, the ILF was awarded the International Maritime Prize of the IMO, the first time it had been awarded to an organisation rather than an individual.
In order to reflect this broader scope of modern maritime rescue activity, carried out by its member organisations, and to remove any ambiguity over the alternate meaning of the word "Lifeboat", the International Lifeboat Federation decided to change its name to International Maritime Rescue Federation in 2003, the process being completed in 2007.
On 27 September 2023, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, brother-in-law of King Charles III, was appointed patron of the IMRF.

## Operation

The IMRF has close to 130 members in over 50 countries. The organisation's influence is amplified through its consultative status at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and its role in key IMO Working Groups such as the IMO/ICAO SAR Joint Working Group.
The IMRF leads a number of programmes to tackle issues facing the international maritime SAR sector, including its #SARyouOK? mental health initiative, Mass Rescue Operations (MRO) guidance project and #FutureSAR climate change initiative.
The IMRF members can cost-effectively share the burden of developing rescue capabilities to meet challenges by learning from the ideas and experiences of others.
The Board of Trustees is responsible for agreeing on the IMRF's strategy and has overall control of the charity. The Trustees are elected for four-year terms by the member organisations at the Quadrennial General Meeting, which takes place in conjunction with the World Maritime Rescue Congress. The most recent World Maritime Rescue Congress was held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in June 2023.
As of March 2025, Caroline Jupe currently serves as Chief Executive since February 2023.