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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.
1.What country or countries does your organisation primarily cover?
2.What is the name of your organisation? (optional)
3.What is your primary role within your organisation?
4.Are you answering the survey on your own or is there a team answering the questions?
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.
AWARENESS AND CURRENT SITUATION
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 wave heights and rougher seas affecting operations
More frequent or prolonged flooding affecting operations
Stronger or more unpredictable currents affecting operations
Stronger and more unpredictable winds making operations riskier
Rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves increasing crew fatigue and affecting operations or training
Harsher cold spells and freezing conditions complicating operations or training
Weaker and unpredictable ice conditions increasing incidents and complicating ice rescues
More frequent wildfires, smoke or sandstorms reducing visibility and affecting operations
Rising sea levels impacting SAR stations, launch sites, or coastal infrastructure
Increased coastal erosion and sediment shifts affecting SAR launch sites and access routes
Decreased reliability of weather forecasts and increased unpredictability of weather conditions
Displacement or migration of people
New or increased presence of marine hazards (e.g., floating debris, algal blooms)
More frequent power and communication failures due to extreme weather
Damage to SAR equipment and infrastructure from environmental stress (e.g., corrosion, heat stress, salinity)
Increased maintenance needs for SAR stations and vessels due to harsher environmental exposure
7.Are your vessels designed to withstand the future conditions in terms of winds, wave height, visbility and temperatures?
POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS
8.Have you or your team received training on how to handle SAR operations under extreme weather conditions in the last 2 years?
9.How important do you think the following additional training or resources would be for your organisation?
Not at all important
Possibly important
Important
Understanding climate change impacts on SAR operations
Climate risk assessment and long-term adaptation planning for SAR organisations
Early warning systems and predictive analysis for extreme weather events
Decision-support systems for assessing go/no-go conditions during extreme weather
Training on operating in extreme storms, high winds, and rough seas
Training on operating in extreme heat/cold conditions (e.g., heatwaves, ice rescue)
Training on operating in flood or swiftwater conditions
Best practices for adapting SAR infrastructure to climate risks
Training on operating and integrating drones and autonomous vehicles for SAR in climate-sensitive regions
Managing crew fatigue and heat and cold stress during prolonged SAR operations in extreme conditions
Mental health and resilience training for SAR personnel responding to climate-related disasters
Physical fitness and endurance training for SAR personnel in extreme environments
First aid and medical response for climate-related injuries (e.g., heatstroke, hypothermia, dehydration)
Mass rescue planning and evacuation strategies for climate-related disasters
Pre-positioning of emergency SAR resources in high-risk areas
Improved communication systems
Cross-agency training exercises for coordinated SAR responses to climate-related disasters
Public education and early-warning outreach for climate-related SAR risks
IMPACTS AND ADAPTATIONS
10.What are the biggest barriers to improving climate resilience in your organisation?
11.Are you aware if your organisation has made a climate risk assessment or has a formal climate resilience strategy or framework in place?
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