Shorter IMRF #FutureSAR Survey 2025

Climate change is increasingly affecting maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) operations worldwide, with extreme weather, rising sea levels, and shifting environmental conditions posing new challenges for SAR personnel, infrastructure, and equipment. The IMRF, in collaboration with Climate Adaptation Works Ltd, is conducting this survey to: 1) Understand how climate change is impacting SAR operations globally; 2) Identify gaps in preparedness, training, equipment, and infrastructure; and 3) Develop practical tools, strategies, and policy recommendations to help SAR organisations adapt

Your responses will contribute to the development of tools to help SAR teams assess and prepare for climate risks. Estimated time to complete the survey is approximately 15 minutes. Your participation is voluntary and anonymous, and results will be aggregated to ensure confidentiality.

This survey is designed for all levels of SAR personnel—from frontline responders to senior leadership. You can fill in the survey by yourself or gather a small team that is able to come up with the answers to the questions more effectively.

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* 1. What country or countries does your organisation primarily cover?

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* 2. What is the name of your organisation? (optional)

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* 3. What is your primary role within your organisation?

SAR unit crew (vessel or aircraft)

Shore crew

Lifeguard

Instructor

Station manager

RCC personnel

Organisation management

Organisation support personnel

Organisation senior leadership

Other (please specify)

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* 4. Are you answering the survey on your own or is there a team answering the questions?

On my own

There are more than one of us answering

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* 5. Are you working primarily at the level of a unit, station or RCC or at the level of the organisation? This question determines whether you are asked organisation level questions or not.

Unit, station or RCC

Organisation

AWARENESS AND CURRENT SITUATION

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* 6. How severe are the following challenges in your organisation?

1 = Not severe – Minimal impact; operations continue as usual with no significant delays or safety concerns.
2 = Slightly severe (Minor disruptions & delays) – Some minor disruptions; occasional delays or increased operational challenges, but missions are still completed without major issues.
3 = Moderately severe (Regular disruptions) – Regular operational disruptions; some rescues take longer or require significant adjustments, occasional safety risks for crew.
4 = Severe – SAR operations are often canceled or deemed too dangerous to conduct; major safety risks, equipment failures or other damage to service, or inability to respond effectively. Frequent and major disruptions; SAR missions are significantly delayed or altered, and safety risks for crew are high.

	Minimal	Some	Significant	Severe	Not sure
Increased frequency of extreme weather events (e.g., storms, heatwaves, hurricanes, typhoons)	Increased frequency of extreme weather events (e.g., storms, heatwaves, hurricanes, typhoons) Minimal	Increased frequency of extreme weather events (e.g., storms, heatwaves, hurricanes, typhoons) Some	Increased frequency of extreme weather events (e.g., storms, heatwaves, hurricanes, typhoons) Significant	Increased frequency of extreme weather events (e.g., storms, heatwaves, hurricanes, typhoons) Severe	Increased frequency of extreme weather events (e.g., storms, heatwaves, hurricanes, typhoons) Not sure
Increased wave heights and rougher seas affecting operations	Increased wave heights and rougher seas affecting operations Minimal	Increased wave heights and rougher seas affecting operations Some	Increased wave heights and rougher seas affecting operations Significant	Increased wave heights and rougher seas affecting operations Severe	Increased wave heights and rougher seas affecting operations Not sure
More frequent or prolonged flooding affecting operations	More frequent or prolonged flooding affecting operations Minimal	More frequent or prolonged flooding affecting operations Some	More frequent or prolonged flooding affecting operations Significant	More frequent or prolonged flooding affecting operations Severe	More frequent or prolonged flooding affecting operations Not sure
Stronger or more unpredictable currents affecting operations	Stronger or more unpredictable currents affecting operations Minimal	Stronger or more unpredictable currents affecting operations Some	Stronger or more unpredictable currents affecting operations Significant	Stronger or more unpredictable currents affecting operations Severe	Stronger or more unpredictable currents affecting operations Not sure
Stronger and more unpredictable winds making operations riskier	Stronger and more unpredictable winds making operations riskier Minimal	Stronger and more unpredictable winds making operations riskier Some	Stronger and more unpredictable winds making operations riskier Significant	Stronger and more unpredictable winds making operations riskier Severe	Stronger and more unpredictable winds making operations riskier Not sure
Rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves increasing crew fatigue and affecting operations or training	Rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves increasing crew fatigue and affecting operations or training Minimal	Rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves increasing crew fatigue and affecting operations or training Some	Rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves increasing crew fatigue and affecting operations or training Significant	Rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves increasing crew fatigue and affecting operations or training Severe	Rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves increasing crew fatigue and affecting operations or training Not sure
Harsher cold spells and freezing conditions complicating operations or training	Harsher cold spells and freezing conditions complicating operations or training Minimal	Harsher cold spells and freezing conditions complicating operations or training Some	Harsher cold spells and freezing conditions complicating operations or training Significant	Harsher cold spells and freezing conditions complicating operations or training Severe	Harsher cold spells and freezing conditions complicating operations or training Not sure
Weaker and unpredictable ice conditions increasing incidents and complicating ice rescues	Weaker and unpredictable ice conditions increasing incidents and complicating ice rescues Minimal	Weaker and unpredictable ice conditions increasing incidents and complicating ice rescues Some	Weaker and unpredictable ice conditions increasing incidents and complicating ice rescues Significant	Weaker and unpredictable ice conditions increasing incidents and complicating ice rescues Severe	Weaker and unpredictable ice conditions increasing incidents and complicating ice rescues Not sure
More frequent wildfires, smoke or sandstorms reducing visibility and affecting operations	More frequent wildfires, smoke or sandstorms reducing visibility and affecting operations Minimal	More frequent wildfires, smoke or sandstorms reducing visibility and affecting operations Some	More frequent wildfires, smoke or sandstorms reducing visibility and affecting operations Significant	More frequent wildfires, smoke or sandstorms reducing visibility and affecting operations Severe	More frequent wildfires, smoke or sandstorms reducing visibility and affecting operations Not sure
Rising sea levels impacting SAR stations, launch sites, or coastal infrastructure	Rising sea levels impacting SAR stations, launch sites, or coastal infrastructure Minimal	Rising sea levels impacting SAR stations, launch sites, or coastal infrastructure Some	Rising sea levels impacting SAR stations, launch sites, or coastal infrastructure Significant	Rising sea levels impacting SAR stations, launch sites, or coastal infrastructure Severe	Rising sea levels impacting SAR stations, launch sites, or coastal infrastructure Not sure
Increased coastal erosion and sediment shifts affecting SAR launch sites and access routes	Increased coastal erosion and sediment shifts affecting SAR launch sites and access routes Minimal	Increased coastal erosion and sediment shifts affecting SAR launch sites and access routes Some	Increased coastal erosion and sediment shifts affecting SAR launch sites and access routes Significant	Increased coastal erosion and sediment shifts affecting SAR launch sites and access routes Severe	Increased coastal erosion and sediment shifts affecting SAR launch sites and access routes Not sure
Decreased reliability of weather forecasts and increased unpredictability of weather conditions	Decreased reliability of weather forecasts and increased unpredictability of weather conditions Minimal	Decreased reliability of weather forecasts and increased unpredictability of weather conditions Some	Decreased reliability of weather forecasts and increased unpredictability of weather conditions Significant	Decreased reliability of weather forecasts and increased unpredictability of weather conditions Severe	Decreased reliability of weather forecasts and increased unpredictability of weather conditions Not sure
Displacement or migration of people	Displacement or migration of people Minimal	Displacement or migration of people Some	Displacement or migration of people Significant	Displacement or migration of people Severe	Displacement or migration of people Not sure
New or increased presence of marine hazards (e.g., floating debris, algal blooms)	New or increased presence of marine hazards (e.g., floating debris, algal blooms) Minimal	New or increased presence of marine hazards (e.g., floating debris, algal blooms) Some	New or increased presence of marine hazards (e.g., floating debris, algal blooms) Significant	New or increased presence of marine hazards (e.g., floating debris, algal blooms) Severe	New or increased presence of marine hazards (e.g., floating debris, algal blooms) Not sure
More frequent power and communication failures due to extreme weather	More frequent power and communication failures due to extreme weather Minimal	More frequent power and communication failures due to extreme weather Some	More frequent power and communication failures due to extreme weather Significant	More frequent power and communication failures due to extreme weather Severe	More frequent power and communication failures due to extreme weather Not sure
Damage to SAR equipment and infrastructure from environmental stress (e.g., corrosion, heat stress, salinity)	Damage to SAR equipment and infrastructure from environmental stress (e.g., corrosion, heat stress, salinity) Minimal	Damage to SAR equipment and infrastructure from environmental stress (e.g., corrosion, heat stress, salinity) Some	Damage to SAR equipment and infrastructure from environmental stress (e.g., corrosion, heat stress, salinity) Significant	Damage to SAR equipment and infrastructure from environmental stress (e.g., corrosion, heat stress, salinity) Severe	Damage to SAR equipment and infrastructure from environmental stress (e.g., corrosion, heat stress, salinity) Not sure
Increased maintenance needs for SAR stations and vessels due to harsher environmental exposure	Increased maintenance needs for SAR stations and vessels due to harsher environmental exposure Minimal	Increased maintenance needs for SAR stations and vessels due to harsher environmental exposure Some	Increased maintenance needs for SAR stations and vessels due to harsher environmental exposure Significant	Increased maintenance needs for SAR stations and vessels due to harsher environmental exposure Severe	Increased maintenance needs for SAR stations and vessels due to harsher environmental exposure Not sure

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* 7. Are your vessels designed to withstand the future conditions in terms of winds, wave height, visbility and temperatures?

Yes

Mostly

Mostly not

Not at all

POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS

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* 8. Have you or your team received training on how to handle SAR operations under extreme weather conditions in the last 2 years?

Yes

Not applicable

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* 9. How important do you think the following additional training or resources would be for your organisation?

Other (please specify)

IMPACTS AND ADAPTATIONS

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* 10. What are the biggest barriers to improving climate resilience in your organisation?

No real need

There is a need, but the risk is not pressing enough yet

Lack of funding for climate adaptation measures (e.g., vessel upgrades, infrastructure improvements, training)

Inadequate supply of climate-resistant SAR equipment

Lack of personnel or time to implement climate adaptation strategies

Difficulty integrating climate risk assessments into SAR planning and decision-making

Limited awareness or understanding of climate change impacts on SAR operations

Slow policy adoption or resistance to change within the organisation

Limited collaboration with other organisations on climate resilience initiatives

Other (please specify)

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* 11. Are you aware if your organisation has made a climate risk assessment or has a formal climate resilience strategy or framework in place?

No idea

I know that these don't exist

I know that there is a climate risk assessment

I know that there is a formal climate resilience strategy or framework

100% of survey complete.

	Not at all important	Possibly important	Important
Understanding climate change impacts on SAR operations	Understanding climate change impacts on SAR operations Not at all important	Understanding climate change impacts on SAR operations Possibly important	Understanding climate change impacts on SAR operations Important
Climate risk assessment and long-term adaptation planning for SAR organisations	Climate risk assessment and long-term adaptation planning for SAR organisations Not at all important	Climate risk assessment and long-term adaptation planning for SAR organisations Possibly important	Climate risk assessment and long-term adaptation planning for SAR organisations Important
Early warning systems and predictive analysis for extreme weather events	Early warning systems and predictive analysis for extreme weather events Not at all important	Early warning systems and predictive analysis for extreme weather events Possibly important	Early warning systems and predictive analysis for extreme weather events Important
Decision-support systems for assessing go/no-go conditions during extreme weather	Decision-support systems for assessing go/no-go conditions during extreme weather Not at all important	Decision-support systems for assessing go/no-go conditions during extreme weather Possibly important	Decision-support systems for assessing go/no-go conditions during extreme weather Important
Training on operating in extreme storms, high winds, and rough seas	Training on operating in extreme storms, high winds, and rough seas Not at all important	Training on operating in extreme storms, high winds, and rough seas Possibly important	Training on operating in extreme storms, high winds, and rough seas Important
Training on operating in extreme heat/cold conditions (e.g., heatwaves, ice rescue)	Training on operating in extreme heat/cold conditions (e.g., heatwaves, ice rescue) Not at all important	Training on operating in extreme heat/cold conditions (e.g., heatwaves, ice rescue) Possibly important	Training on operating in extreme heat/cold conditions (e.g., heatwaves, ice rescue) Important
Training on operating in flood or swiftwater conditions	Training on operating in flood or swiftwater conditions Not at all important	Training on operating in flood or swiftwater conditions Possibly important	Training on operating in flood or swiftwater conditions Important
Best practices for adapting SAR infrastructure to climate risks	Best practices for adapting SAR infrastructure to climate risks Not at all important	Best practices for adapting SAR infrastructure to climate risks Possibly important	Best practices for adapting SAR infrastructure to climate risks Important
Training on operating and integrating drones and autonomous vehicles for SAR in climate-sensitive regions	Training on operating and integrating drones and autonomous vehicles for SAR in climate-sensitive regions Not at all important	Training on operating and integrating drones and autonomous vehicles for SAR in climate-sensitive regions Possibly important	Training on operating and integrating drones and autonomous vehicles for SAR in climate-sensitive regions Important
Managing crew fatigue and heat and cold stress during prolonged SAR operations in extreme conditions	Managing crew fatigue and heat and cold stress during prolonged SAR operations in extreme conditions Not at all important	Managing crew fatigue and heat and cold stress during prolonged SAR operations in extreme conditions Possibly important	Managing crew fatigue and heat and cold stress during prolonged SAR operations in extreme conditions Important
Mental health and resilience training for SAR personnel responding to climate-related disasters	Mental health and resilience training for SAR personnel responding to climate-related disasters Not at all important	Mental health and resilience training for SAR personnel responding to climate-related disasters Possibly important	Mental health and resilience training for SAR personnel responding to climate-related disasters Important
Physical fitness and endurance training for SAR personnel in extreme environments	Physical fitness and endurance training for SAR personnel in extreme environments Not at all important	Physical fitness and endurance training for SAR personnel in extreme environments Possibly important	Physical fitness and endurance training for SAR personnel in extreme environments Important
First aid and medical response for climate-related injuries (e.g., heatstroke, hypothermia, dehydration)	First aid and medical response for climate-related injuries (e.g., heatstroke, hypothermia, dehydration) Not at all important	First aid and medical response for climate-related injuries (e.g., heatstroke, hypothermia, dehydration) Possibly important	First aid and medical response for climate-related injuries (e.g., heatstroke, hypothermia, dehydration) Important
Mass rescue planning and evacuation strategies for climate-related disasters	Mass rescue planning and evacuation strategies for climate-related disasters Not at all important	Mass rescue planning and evacuation strategies for climate-related disasters Possibly important	Mass rescue planning and evacuation strategies for climate-related disasters Important
Pre-positioning of emergency SAR resources in high-risk areas	Pre-positioning of emergency SAR resources in high-risk areas Not at all important	Pre-positioning of emergency SAR resources in high-risk areas Possibly important	Pre-positioning of emergency SAR resources in high-risk areas Important
Improved communication systems	Improved communication systems Not at all important	Improved communication systems Possibly important	Improved communication systems Important
Cross-agency training exercises for coordinated SAR responses to climate-related disasters	Cross-agency training exercises for coordinated SAR responses to climate-related disasters Not at all important	Cross-agency training exercises for coordinated SAR responses to climate-related disasters Possibly important	Cross-agency training exercises for coordinated SAR responses to climate-related disasters Important
Public education and early-warning outreach for climate-related SAR risks	Public education and early-warning outreach for climate-related SAR risks Not at all important	Public education and early-warning outreach for climate-related SAR risks Possibly important	Public education and early-warning outreach for climate-related SAR risks Important