Dover RNLI Crew Member Represents UK at International Women in SAR Forum
Dover RNLI Lifeboat Station is proud to announce that one of its own volunteer crew members, Melita, was recently selected to participate in the prestigious International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) Women in Search and Rescue (SAR) Forum, held last month in Finland.
The annual event, hosted in collaboration with the Finnish Lifeboat Institution (FLBI), took place at the renowned Bågaskär Training Centre and brought together female representatives from maritime rescue organisations around the world.
The forum welcomed 16 women from 10 countries—including Ascension Island, Australia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom—representing a range of both volunteer and government SAR bodies. Supporting the forum were 23 FLBI crew members, instructors, and personnel, whose expertise and dedication made the event possible.
Over the course of three days, participants engaged in intensive hands-on training, including:
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Live exercises aboard various rescue vessels
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Simulated scenarios focusing on communication and decision-making
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Workshops on crew welfare, leadership, and operational safety
The forum provided a unique opportunity to enhance practical SAR skills, share global best practices, and strengthen international partnerships in the ongoing mission to save lives at sea.
“We are incredibly proud of Melita for representing Dover RNLI and the wider UK lifeboat community on such an important international stage,” said Danny Wilkins, Station Coxswain at Dover. “Collaboration and shared learning with our international counterparts are vital to the continued advancement of maritime safety and rescue operations.”
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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