International Lifeboat Federation

The [http://www.international-maritime-rescue.org International Lifeboat Federation (ILF) ] is a global organisation that unites and represents the world's operational marine rescue services, whether civilian or military - full-time or voluntary - large or small.

All member organisations are united in pursuit of one single humanitarian goal -

"PREVENTING LOSS OF LIFE IN THE WORLD'S WATERS"

The Federation originated at first International Lifeboat Conference held in London, England in 1924. The conference, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, was attended by seven of the world's lifeboat organisations. It was unanimously decided by the attendees that an international organisation should be established to promote, represent and support sea rescue services around the world. In 1985, the International Lifeboat Federation (ILF) was formally registered as a "non-governmental consultative organisation" by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The International Maritime Organization is the United Nations specialised agency for international maritime affairs.

Back in 1924, before modern radio communication, or rescue helicopters were in common use, coastal maritime rescue was almost always provided by small rescue craft operated by local communities. These rescue craft were traditionally referred to as "lifeboats", before the alternate meaning - the emergency evacuation craft carried on larger ships - became common.

As technology developed, so too did maritime rescue. Most developed countries have centralised Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres, which can instantly receive maritime distress calls and co-ordinate rescue response using a range of modern maritime communication and positioning systems and search planning computers. Modern Rescue Coordination Centres have a broad range of well equipped rescue assets at their disposal, which are manned by highly competent crews. Rescue response would include modern surface search and rescue units, rescue helicopters and fixed-wing search aircraft as well as a range of other specialised rescue and casualty treatment teams.

In order to reflect this broader scope of modern maritime rescue activity, carried out by its member organisations, and to remove any ambiguity over the alternate meaning of the word "Lifeboat", the [International Lifeboat Federation] decided to changed its name to International Maritime Rescue Federation in 2006.

Today, the International Maritime Rescue Federation represents more than 90 organisation, form the world's largest maritime rescue services to new start-up organisations, which come from over 60 different countries all around the world.

IMRF may now be reached at [http://www.international-maritime-rescue.org]

International Maritime Rescue Federation will hold the 20th International Lifeboat Conference as part of the World Maritime Rescue Congress in Gothenburg Sweden from 4th to 8th June 2007.

For details of the World Maritime Rescue Congress follow [http://www.worldmaritimerescuecongress.org/]

External links

* [http://www.international-lifeboat-federation.org International Lifeboat Federation]