International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) exchange program at STC NEXT

From Saturday 23rd to Saturday 30th September, the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) organized an exchange program for voluntary rescue boat crews from several European rescue companies. The main purpose of this exchange was sharing knowledge and learning from each other’s organization to optimize life-saving work.

After the success of last five years, the IMRF has once again taken over the organization of the sixth European lifeboat crew exchange. In total, eleven countries participated: Germany, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, England, France, Portugal, Estonia, Denmark and the Netherlands. The organizers of the participating countries have provided a learning program that is consistent with the country’s circumstances. Think of the rocky coasts of England, the many islands off the coast of Sweden, the mountain rescue in Iceland and the sandy beaches and the Wadden Sea area of the Netherlands. The foreign volunteers have experienced Search and Rescue (SAR) exercises with STC NEXT rescue stations in order to exchange experience and knowledge and learn new techniques and skills.

The STC NEXT has made a comprehensive program for their foreign colleagues in which practical exercises with the STC NEXT stations was central. In addition, an offshore safety training at STC NEXT, beach lifeguard training on the beach and exercises with the NHV-SAR helicopter were performed. A visit to the National Salvation Museum Dorus Rijkers and the Coast Guard Center in Den Helder was also organized.

It was a very successful week.