Organisation History

The charity Maritime Rescue Institute came from the Maritime Rescue International Ltd, a company established in 1987. This commercial division provided marine safety training to the oil & gas sector and merchant navy. MRI Ltd employed up to 18 staff and processed up to 40 trainees per week. This sector was experiencing problems caused by market decline however and did not suit the strategic objectives of the Board of Director, hence it was disposed of to RGIT Montrose on 1st December 2003. This action clarified the position of Maritime Rescue Institute as a charity and allowed it to focus its efforts into the development of waterborne rescue services throughout Europe and developing countries.

MRI presently has 3 full time employees, 2 part time and 2 temporary positions through the summer period. In addition, MRI benefits from the professionalism of approximately 25 volunteers, who provide support in key functions including the search and rescue team, engineers, fundraisers and a librarian.

MRI provides a number of community-based functions, the key one being developing, training and ensuring the ongoing capability of the search and rescue team, which provides the lifeboat service for Kincardineshire. MRI has also established a Youth Team and is developing heritage, education and accident prevention programmes. We have a strong tradition of support to and from the local community.

In addition, Maritime Rescue Institute is recognised as a centre of excellence and world leader in research and development of waterborne search and rescue. This status is evidenced by its election onto the council member of the International Lifeboat Federation, chairing the Education and Awareness Committee, and as a member of the SAR (Search & Rescue) Operations Committee.

Maritime Rescue Institute provides a unique conduit between operator, tool makers and legislation makers which is why such our service exists and continues to thrive even without huge resources behind us. We have a unique background stemming from a traditional association with the sea. Our product is knowledge.

Our hands-on, real life experience and tremendous spread of contacts and projects is valuable to organisations much larger than our own.  For example, MRI has worked with many remarkable individuals who have exceptional understanding and ability on the water; from Inuit and Aborigines to professionals within national emergency response organisations, who operate from many different platforms - fishing vessels, rubber ducks, coastguard cutters, canoes, military craft, patrol vessels, lifeboats, and in many different places in the world, particularly northern Europe, North America, and Pacific Rim countries.