Search and rescue stakeholders from across the Atlantic and Caribbean came together for the 11th Regional Search and Rescue (SAR) Workshop, led by the UK's HM Coastguard.
Held in Miami from 3 to 6 February, the event brought together UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, stretching from the sub-Antarctic South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands to Anguilla in the Lesser Antilles, alongside neighbouring regional partners.
The workshop provided an opportunity to benefit from HM Coastguard’s expertise and to share local knowledge and experience across the network. Phil Bostock, Overseas Territories Search and Rescue Capability Project Lead, facilitated the workshop.
Phil said: “The main objective of this workshop is to share experience, recognise common challenges and learn from each other. By drawing on HM Coastguard’s expertise in saving lives at the coast and at sea, and by working with our international and regional partners, we can collaboratively strengthen search and rescue capability across the region.
“The successful outcome of critical situations such as mass rescue operations depends on timely, effective communication and the coordinated deployment of resources across multiple departments, agencies and responders.”
He added: “Conducting such operations internationally adds further complexity, which is why exercising and understanding these dynamics is essential. We work closely with colleagues and partners to develop best practice and ensure we are prepared for this type of emergency.”
A key activity during the workshop was a mass rescue operation exercise simulating the ditching of a commercial airliner at sea. Mass rescue operations remain a significant concern for island communities due to the high volume of cruise ships and commercial air traffic operating in the region.
Other themes explored during this year’s workshop included training, innovation, and new technology, with presentations from industry experts such as American Airlines, Lost and Missing Persons International, and Global SAR Hub. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) also provided updates on SAR matters, and attendees visited the US Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center in Miami.
Participants included SAR administrators, coordinators and responders from Anguilla, Ascension Island, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Jersey, Montserrat, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and Turks and Caicos Islands.
Additional representation came from the Dutch, Caribbean, the French and US Coast Guard, and neighbouring Caribbean states including Antigua and Barbuda, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Jamaica, and The Bahamas.
The workshop also featured a session led by the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF), focusing on regional challenges such as climate change impacts, limited funding and volunteer availability, and rapid technological and societal changes.
This discussion formed part of the IMRF’s Global Maritime SAR System Review, which aims to identify capability gaps and gather insights from regional members before developing strategic recommendations for the wider maritime SAR community.
Attendees were also proud to support the inaugural Women in SAR workshop, following on from last year’s successful Equity, Diversity and Inclusion session. That event led to the establishment of a Caribbean Women in SAR group, championed by representatives from the UK Overseas Territories.
About the OTSAR Project
The Overseas Territories Search and Rescue (OTSAR) Project has been running since 2016, funded by UK Government, beginning with comprehensive reviews of SAR capabilities across the UK Overseas Territories. Since then, the project has delivered equipment, training and ongoing support to strengthen SAR operations and frontline responders across the region.