We support non-government organisations (NGOs) and charities delivering maritime rescue, humanitarian assistance and emergency response. Our aim is to help them build capable people, effective systems and operational capability that can grow without straining the organisation that carries it.
How we support NGOs
- Governance and organisational development
- Operational procedures and safety systems
- Leadership and management training
- Volunteer development and professional development programmes
- Standards development
- Exercise design and capability reviews
- Operational research and strategic workshops
- Mentoring
Case study
Strategic development of a European humanitarian SAR programme
The Maritime Search and Rescue Council supported a large French medical NGO in the development of its proposed humanitarian maritime search and rescue programme in the Central Mediterranean. Working alongside the organisation’s leadership, the Council delivered a series of strategic workshops and technical consultancy sessions covering the operational environment, maritime SAR legal framework, concept of operations, organisational risk, and the strategic and operational challenges associated with establishing a humanitarian SAR capability. This work enabled the organisation to develop an informed, evidence-based operational strategy for future maritime operations while identifying the governance, partnerships, resources and organisational capability required for successful delivery.
Building on this work, the Council provided specialist consultancy to support vessel selection and operational planning, undertaking an independent assessment of vessel purchase and charter options, operational suitability, life-cycle costs, crewing models, and deployment requirements against the organisation’s proposed budget and humanitarian objectives. The project included technical evaluations of suitable SAR vessels, operational risk assessments, and strategic recommendations that balanced humanitarian objectives with operational effectiveness, financial sustainability and long-term organisational resilience. This enabled the organisation to make informed strategic decisions on the future development of its maritime SAR capability while reducing financial, operational and organisational risk.