Marine Rescue NSW will welcome the world to Sydney this winter after being named host of two major International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) events.
The third International Women in SAR (Search and Rescue) training course will mark the beginning of a historic five days for maritime search and rescue in Australia, as the global maritime SAR community converges on the harbour city for three intense days of training and classroom discussions in late August ahead of the IMRF Regional Seminar.
IMRF CEO Caroline Jupe said the Women in SAR training is an incredible opportunity for female coxswains or those on the path to becoming coxswains, operating on maritime SAR vessels from IMRF member organisations, to enhance their learning.
“The training course is limited to just 16 participants and covers several aspects of leadership on SAR vessels, including communication, mission handling, and various tools and procedures to assist in leading the unit. It will include both facilitated classroom discussions and practical exercises conducted on Marine Rescue NSW vessels.
“The Finnish Lifeboat Institution were wonderful hosts in 2022 and again last year, and the IMRF is excited to be taking Women in SAR to the other side of the world in 2025.”
“Sydney will be the focus, with Marine Rescue NSW also hosting the IMRF Regional Seminar on 25 and 26 August, immediately following the Women in SAR training course,” Jupe said.
The course, which is open to all members of the IMRF, is ideal for women looking to bolster their leadership and communication skills as they rise the ranks in maritime SAR.
Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner and IMRF Trustee Alex Barrell said Greater Sydney offers many unique boating locations for participants to develop and practise their skills.
“From the heavy traffic areas on Sydney Harbour around the iconic bridge and Opera House, to numerous bays, unpredictable heads, and open ocean, Sydney’s maritime environment will be the perfect practical classroom for participants.
“The Marine Rescue Middle Harbour base will also be used throughout Women in SAR, where rescue vessels can be rapidly deployed,” Commissioner Barrell said.
Marine Rescue Bermagui volunteer and Marine Rescue NSW Board Member Caron Parfitt ESM, attended last year’s training in Finland and is encouraging all female coxswains from IMRF member organisations to register their interest in the course.
“The training was excellent. It was well organised and provided a huge opportunity to learn and share ideas with women from other countries.
“There was a strong focus on leadership at the coxswain level, not just technical ability. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said.
The event is part of the IMRF’s Women In SAR initiative, which was launched in 2019 at the World Maritime Rescue Congress in Canada. Since its launch, the campaign has made great strides to bolster the profile and role of women in maritime SAR and making the industry more accessible to women.
Marine Rescue Bermagui Coxswain Caron Parfitt at last year's Women in SAR course in Finland. Photo: IMRF
Beyond the training events, the campaign has also produced critical best guidance documents for maritime SAR organisations, developed an industry-first mentoring scheme, and told the stories of dozens of inspiring women in the sector.
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.
Finnish Lifeboat Institution vessels played a major role during on-water components of the course in 2022 and 2024. Photo by Oskar Krogell
