The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) has launched the next stage of its #WomenInSAR initiative, supported by a generous grant from Trinity House, a London-based maritime charity and one of the UK’s statutory general lighthouse authorities. This was reported on 27 November.
The IMRF launched its #WomenInSAR initiative at its World Maritime Rescue Congress (WMRC) in June 2019. The project aims to increase the representation of women in the maritime sector and specifically to raise the profile of women working in maritime Search and Rescue (SAR).
This initiative supports the IMO’s Empowering Women in Maritime initiative which seeks to address the sector’s huge gender gap and significant under representation of women in all roles and all sectors, including maritime SAR.
Since the launch of #WomenInSAR, the IMRF has introduced the IMRF #WomenInSAR Award, one of the annual IMRF Awards and organised the very first all-women maritime SAR training in Morocco in conjunction with the IMO.
The Trinity House funding will allow the IMRF to develop the initiative significantly further, delivering valuable information and taking the initial steps to address the gender gap.
In the beginning
The first step is to establish the current situation and to do this, the IMRF has launched the #WomenInSAR Survey, asking all its members and anyone working in maritime SAR to answer some questions about their role and working situation. The survey will be open and promoted through the Winter of 2020 and the resulting report will be published in Spring 2021.
To follow
The second element of the initiative will focus on inspiring the next generation of women to consider a career in maritime SAR through an online #WomenInSAR STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) event, and a dedicated web page and resources highlighting the breadth of potential opportunities available. IMRF’s members who are part of the #WomeninSAR network will be instrumental in this project – acting as case studies, sharing their perspectives and experiences.
Guidance
Further work streams include the development of formal guidance and recommendations on best practices for increasing the representation of women in SAR in both volunteer and paid capacities, a #WomenInSAR Mentorship Scheme and #WomenInSAR Operation Days which will take place in the summer of 2021.
Theresa Crossley, CEO, IMRF said: ‘We are hugely grateful to Trinity House for their support, our #WomenInSAR initiative has been widely welcomed by the maritime SAR sector. More and more women are building exciting careers in this area, changing perceptions and demonstrating how important a real gender balance is, but there are still challenges and too many limitations that need to be addressed. This funding will help us drive this important initiative forward and lead meaningful change.’
Captain Ian McNaught, Deputy Master of Trinity House added: ‘Trinity House is a charity dedicated to safeguarding shipping and seafarers and we have been providing education, support and welfare to the seafaring community for more than 500 years. Men and women working in maritime search and rescue save the lives of those in trouble at sea, providing a vital service, in today’s world, it is only right that women should be equally represented across all roles and we are proud to support this initiative.’
If readers have any questions and/or would like further information about the #WomenInSAR initiative, they are invited to contact Caroline Jupe by e-mail here: c.jupe@imrf.org.uk
To complete the #WomeninSAR survey, there is a link here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/WomenInSAR
About IMRF
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 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.
About Trinity House
The Corporation of Trinity House, London, is a charity dedicated to safeguarding shipping and seafarers, providing education, support and welfare to the seafaring community with a statutory duty as a General Lighthouse Authority to deliver a reliable, efficient and cost-effective aids to navigation service for the benefit and safety of all mariners.
For more information readers are invited to see: www.trinityhouse.co.uk or to contact Neil Jones, Public Relations and Records Manager
E-mail: neil.jones@trinityhouse.co.uk
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