Training resources for seafarers and SAR practitioners
Training and preparation for maritime rescue are essential elements of professional competence for seafarers and SAR practitioners. Rescue situations rarely unfold under predictable or controlled conditions. They may take place at night, in congested traffic lanes, far offshore, or in deteriorating weather. In many cases, crews have only limited information about the boat in distress, the number of people on board, or the condition of those who require assistance. Responders must therefore rely not only on seamanship and technical skill, but also on a clear understanding of how search and rescue operations are organised and coordinated across different authorities and actors.
These realities mean that decision-making during a rescue is almost always performed under pressure. Shipmasters and crews may have to balance the safety of their own vessel with the urgent need to assist another. They may encounter overcrowded or unstable craft, people suffering dehydration or injury, or situations where communications with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) are intermittent or delayed. In such circumstances, actions taken within the first minutes can significantly shape the outcome of the operation. Preparedness and shared procedural knowledge therefore become critical components of safe and effective rescue.
Beyond the technical aspects of navigation and seamanship, modern rescue scenarios often include legal, ethical, and humanitarian dimensions. Crews may be confronted with questions about the status and vulnerability of rescued persons, the appropriate place of safety for disembarkation, or coordination responsibilities among different national authorities. Understanding these issues in advance reduces uncertainty and helps ensure that decisions are consistent with international obligations and good practice. Training resources that explain these frameworks are therefore an important complement to traditional maritime skills.
Years of experience and policy have been consolidated in the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual (IAMSAR), which serves as a foundational resources for these skills. Familiarity with key aspects of IAMSAR is required for shipmasters and their senior personnel under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). Some countries also maintain professional training academies for their coast guards and other rescue personnel, providing advanced levels on training for SAR coordination.
Currently, however, there are few free resources for maritime actors interested in expanding or improving their understanding of mass rescue. FHAS is working with partners to fill this gap, both for seafarers on commercial ships and for MRCC personnel who work along underserved maritime migration routes. Below are a few of the existing free resources available to seafarers interested in expanding their understanding and skills in maritime SAR.
The International Organisation for Migration and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, The protection of migrants and refugees moving by sea: This short (2-5 hours), self-paced course provides a comprehensive overview of the legal frameworks and operational standards required to identify and protect vulnerable migrants and refugees moving at sea, with an emphasis on international human rights and refugee law.
The Open University, The search and rescue of refugees at sea: This introductory course (3-4 hours) provides a look at the international laws governing maritime search and rescue (SAR) and the specific mental health and wellbeing risks faced by humanitarian workers in this field.
The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF), International Maritime SAR Academy: A new initiative from IMRF, the International Maritime SAR Academy is developing a range of courses related to maritime SAR. These courses are free to IMRF member organisations.