The initiative will not only assess current systems but also identify emerging risks and structural disparities that prevent effective life-saving operations. Photo Lloyd’s Register Foundation
The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF), in partnership with Lloyd’s Register Foundation, has launched a strategic global initiative to evaluate and improve maritime search and rescue (SAR) systems.
The Global Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) Systems Review is the first of its kind and aims to assess the resilience, effectiveness, and gaps in SAR capabilities at local, national, and international levels.
According to the IMRF, the review will deliver long-term, evidence-based recommendations to help maritime SAR systems adapt to an increasingly complex environment.
It also seeks to understand how future challenges—including climate change, geopolitical instability, and economic pressures—could reshape SAR operations over the next two decades.
“Those in distress on the water depend on timely and effective search and rescue responses from all involved in the global SAR system. This comprehensive global review of maritime SAR systems by the IMRF, with the vital support of Lloyd’s Register Foundation, will help to identify persistent gaps in capabilities, foster collaboration across borders, and lay the groundwork for a safer maritime future around the world,” said Caroline Jupe, CEO of the IMRF.
The initiative is not only about assessing current systems but also about identifying emerging risks and structural disparities that prevent effective life-saving operations.
A key goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the regional imbalances in SAR capacity and coverage, particularly in under-resourced areas where maritime incidents are on the rise.
The review process will involve a wide range of maritime stakeholders.
These include national and local SAR organisations, government agencies, commercial shipping operators, artisanal fishing communities, academic institutions, industry suppliers, and innovators in maritime technology.
By including diverse voices from across the SAR ecosystem, the IMRF and Lloyd’s Register Foundation aim to ensure that the review reflects the real-world challenges and opportunities faced by those on the front lines of maritime safety.
Lloyd’s Register Foundation, a UK-based charity dedicated to engineering a safer world, is providing strategic and financial support for the review.
The Foundation has a history of working with the IMRF to enhance global SAR effectiveness.
“Robust and effective maritime search and rescue capabilities and capacities are critical to global maritime safety and the protection of human life,” said Jan Przydatek, Director of Technologies at Lloyd’s Register Foundation.
“We are pleased to once again partner with the IMRF to support their latest effort to empower SAR communities, organisations, and decision makers to act decisively, collaboratively, and equitably, and keep more people safe at sea.”
The review builds on existing collaboration between the two organisations.
They are already working together on the #FutureSAR initiative, which aims to improve SAR team readiness amid climate-related challenges.
In addition, Lloyd’s Register Foundation recently funded a feasibility study for the #SaferSAR initiative, which encourages greater data sharing and the exchange of best practices within the maritime SAR community.
Through this broader portfolio of work, the IMRF and Lloyd’s Register Foundation are helping to lay a foundation for a more coordinated and resilient global SAR framework.
By focusing on long-term sustainability, equity in response capabilities, and stronger cross-border partnerships, the organisations hope to elevate the safety net for seafarers and coastal populations worldwide.
For the IMRF, whose core mission is to prevent loss of life in the world’s waters, the global review represents a milestone.
It brings international attention to a sector that often operates under pressure, with limited resources, and in increasingly unpredictable conditions.
The review’s outcomes are expected to inform not only operational improvements but also future funding priorities and policy development in maritime safety.
As global maritime activity continues to grow, with new risks emerging from climate volatility and economic change, this review comes at a critical time.
It offers a structured opportunity for stakeholders across the maritime sector to reflect, recalibrate, and reinforce their collective ability to save lives at sea.
About the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF)
The IMRF is the international non-profit organisation that brings together maritime search and rescue (SAR) organisations from around the world.
Its mission is to prevent loss of life in the world’s waters by improving SAR capability globally.
It supports training, knowledge exchange, advocacy, and cooperation among maritime responders.
About Lloyd’s Register Foundation
Lloyd’s Register Foundation is an independent global charity that supports engineering-related research, education, and public engagement.
With a focus on safety and public benefit, the Foundation funds initiatives that help secure critical infrastructure and protect lives, particularly in high-risk and under-resourced sectors such as maritime safety.
