The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF), in collaboration with Lloyd’s Register Foundation, has launched the first global review of maritime search and rescue (SAR) systems. This groundbreaking initiative aims to assess the current effectiveness of SAR capabilities worldwide and provide long-term, evidence-based recommendations to enhance their resilience and reach.

The Global Maritime SAR Systems Review will evaluate SAR performance at local, national, and international levels, identify critical capability gaps, and anticipate how evolving global challenges—such as climate change, geopolitical tensions, and economic pressures—may impact maritime rescue operations over the next 10 to 20 years.

The review will consult a diverse range of stakeholders, including SAR organizations, governments, commercial shipping operators, artisanal fishing communities, academics, and technology developers. A key focus will be on understanding regional disparities in SAR capacity and promoting international collaboration.

“Those in distress on the water depend on timely and effective search and rescue responses,” said Caroline Jupe, CEO of the IMRF. “This review will help identify persistent gaps and lay the groundwork for a safer maritime future.”

Jan Przydatek, Director of Technologies at Lloyd’s Register Foundation, added: “Robust and effective SAR systems are critical to global maritime safety. This project empowers SAR communities to act collaboratively and keep more people safe at sea.”

This initiative builds on previous IMRF and Lloyd’s Register Foundation collaborations, including the #FutureSAR program, which addresses SAR operations under climate stress, and the #SaferSAR feasibility study, focused on improving data and best-practice sharing across the SAR community.