The thousands of migrants who find themselves in difficulty trying to cross the Mediterranean are the main challenge facing search and rescue (SAR) services in the area.

This was one of the main topics discussed at a regional meeting of the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF), hosted by the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) earlier this week.

Rescue boat guidelines, Mass Rescue Operations – including the logistics of coordinating the rescue of Costa Concordia passengers and the USCG Black Swan exercise held in the Bahamas – were also on the agenda, along with the desire to improve relationships between cruise ship operators and the SAR services.

Other key elements under discussion were fatalities in the developing world stemming from fishing to ‘feed the family’ and the need to develop water safety and education to help reduce lives lost through drowning.

IMRF Chairman, Michael Vlasto: said, “IMRF regional meetings provide a great forum for open discussions on the lifesaving challenges faced by maritime SAR organisations, countries and the region as a whole. We (IMRF) come with open minds and no agenda other than looking at how we can help. One of the presentations mentioned “no borders, no politics just Maritime Search and Rescue” which is an excellent description of the theme of the last few days.”

Delegates heard that migrant incidents were becoming a daily problem, that their boats were often not seaworthy and that they did not have safety equipment resulting in hundreds losing their lives every year.

The IMRF said an area it could support would be by working with developing countries helping to build Maritime SAR coordination and response capability either directly with those countries or through support of successful training initiatives provided by the AFM.

IMRF Regional Coordinator Mohammed Drissi from Morocco presented an overview of the training provided through IMRF in North West Africa, as an example.

On the theme of cooperation and co-ordination, Bruce Reid, IMRF Chief Executive said, “One of the underlying themes has been the need to improve communications between the rescue organisations which is something we encounter around the world. The more familiar the SAR organisations and individuals are, the better the coordination is under the pressure of a SAR event.

“We have been impressed with the structures and professionalism of the groups we have met and the openness with which the challenges have been tabled.

“There are a couple of key areas we will be looking to assist with. Providing some ideas of how other IMRF members have improved Inter-organisational communications is one and the possible improvement of cross organisation multi country plans for response to Mass Rescue Operations is another.” He added.

IMRF trustees were delighted to have the opportunity to meet with the Maltese Government’s Home Affairs Minister, Manuel Mallia, during their visit.

IMRF Chairman Michael Vlasto said “the opportunity to meet with a key minister such as Dr Mallia so early in his term has been most beneficial. During our discussions we were able to provide the minister with an international perspective on some key areas of Maritime Search and Rescue. We would like to thank the Minister for his interest in and support of the work of the IMRF and for listening to our concerns during what was obviously a very busy time.”

The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) brings the world’s maritime search and rescue organisations together in one global – and growing – family, accredited at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

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”. See: www.international-maritime-rescue.org.

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