Chairman, Maritime Search and Rescue Council
Chairman, Maritime Search and Rescue Council
Matthew is a strategic leader in the maritime sector and a qualified Captain with over 15 years of_x000d_
operational experience in SAR, including commanding and instructing on coastal, offshore, and_x000d_
ocean-going SAR vessels across the UK and Europe. He is also a seasoned trainer and consultant,_x000d_
working globally with government and non-government organisations to strengthen maritime SAR_x000d_
capabilities. His consultancy work spans key areas such as maritime migration SAR, SAR governance,_x000d_
operational implementation, legal compliance, and capability development._x000d_
Recognised as one of Europe’s leading SAR experts, Matthew has managed multi-million-pound_x000d_
international SAR projects involving NGOs and multi-state stakeholders in high-risk SAR_x000d_
environments, including the Mediterranean migration crisis. He has provided expert evidence to_x000d_
courts in high-profile international legal cases concerning mass casualty rescues and SAR law_x000d_
interpretation._x000d_
Matthew frequently appears in international media as a SAR subject matter expert and is recognised_x000d_
by the European EFCA as a Coastguard Operations Subject Matter Expert. He chairs the Maritime_x000d_
Search and Rescue Council and co-founded the Maritime Emergency and Coastguard Policy Institute,_x000d_
leading specialist research and policy work in maritime SAR. He is currently authoring a book:_x000d_
Maritime Search and Rescue: A Commander’s Guide, due for publication in 2026 and has research_x000d_
interests in AI integration in SAR, SAR-law enforcement conflicts, and SAR competency under STCW_x000d_
regulations.