International Maritime Rescue Federation Launches #FutureSAR Initiative to Tackle Climate Change Challenges in SAR Industry

First-of-its-kind project funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation aims to identify new rescue scenarios, implement new technologies, and protect infrastructure

The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) has announced the launch of its #FutureSAR initiative to address the key challenges faced by the global maritime search and rescue (SAR) industry as a result of climate change.
The initiative, funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation, is the first industry-wide response to the effects of climate change on the SAR sector. The #FutureSAR project aims to identify new rescue scenarios such as storm surges, implementing new technologies such as alternative fuels, and protecting infrastructure such as lifeboat facilities.
The IMRF will create a working group consisting of SAR organizations, technical institutes and engineering specialists to produce a report on the Climate Transition for Maritime SAR Services in 2024. The report will be available for free to SAR organizations worldwide to implement best practices for climate change-related challenges.
The #FutureSAR initiative will also explore ways in which the global maritime SAR community can contribute to the wider shipping industry’s drive to decarbonize and achieve net zero