The visit on 11 May was particularly special because the High Sheriff is the Sovereign's representative in the county for all matters relating to the Judiciary, law and order – and emergency services, such as HM Coastguard. 

It was wonderful to see just how professional, skilled and resilient the service is

Mr Maltby met HM Coastguard officers and was given an outline of how they work when dealing with emergencies and the wider roles and responsibilities of the service that encompasses the whole of the UK coastline and national waters. 

As well as maritime search and rescue coordination and response, HM Coastguard delivers service around the country such as counter pollution and salvage, and vessel traffic services. 

It was a pleasure to welcome the High Sheriff of Hampshire to the JRCC

Mr Maltby said: “We were given a fantastic and clear briefing about the scope of HM Coastguard’s activities, which are broader than I realised, and what a pivotal role the JRCC plays within it.  

“As a maritime nation, the role of HM Coastguard is incredibly important, so it was wonderful to see just how professional, skilled and resilient the service is.  

“I was also impressed by how clever they have been to use technology to improve the service and increase its efficiency and range. HM Coastguard unquestionably is the unsung hero of our emergency services.” 

Matt West added: “It was a pleasure to welcome the High Sheriff of Hampshire to the JRCC and to highlight the depth and breadth of what we do – not just from Fareham but across the country as one of the UK’s four frontline emergency services.” 

Main picture, from left: Matt West, William Maltby and his wife Sarah Maltby 

HM Coastguard can deploy its own helicopters and aeroplanes for aerial search and rescue, with the RAF ready to support. In this exercise, a P8 Poseidon aircraft from 201 Squadron took part out of Aldergrove Flying Station, near Belfast. 

It was the first time this aircraft has both operated from Aldergrove and been in involved in a joint search and rescue training exercise. 

A timely reminder, ahead of the busy summer season, of the importance of maritime search and rescue

The exercise itself tested responses to a person in the water and an incident involving a search for a liferaft.  

HM Coastguard colleagues were on board the Poseidon and had an invaluable insight to the capabilities of the aircraft as well as the challenges of searching for objects in the water.  

The exercise also gave an opportunity for one of HM Coastguard’s trainee Search and Rescue Mission Coordinators based at MRCC Belfast to plan and coordinate a search with the RAF.  

The RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat from Portrush played a significant part in the exercise and was heavily involved in the searches.  

The simulated response was conducted as part of a wider five-day activity led by the RAF, dubbed Exercise Emerald Rescue. 

At the start of the week, HM Coastguard staff were able to brief RAF personnel at MRCC Belfast where processes were explained and a tour given of the operations room, from which 999 calls are directed and rescues coordinated. 

In an emergency by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard

Assistant Chief Coastguard David Sharp said: "Exercise Emerald Rescue is a timely reminder, ahead of the busy summer season, of the importance of maritime search and rescue in the UK.  

“A range of responders, like the RAF and RNLI, train together to be ready 24/7 to help anyone in distress. In an emergency by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard." 

Brigadier Piers L. Ashfield DSO MBE, the commander of 38 Brigade and the senior military officer in Northern Ireland, said: “Aldergrove flying station the westernmost airbase of the UK and has direct access to the North Atlantic. It’s been great to have the Poseidon here this week and we have seen that they can operate successfully from here.” 

Main photo, from left: Phillip Johnston, RNLI Area Operations Manager; Andrew Oldfield, Rescue Coordination Centre Manager, Belfast; Ryan Gray, Senior Coastal Operations Officer; Gordon McCreadie, Divisional Commander

Among those awarded was Coastguard Rescue Officer Dan Hatfield, who received the Chief Coastguard’s Commendation for his actions during a challenging coastal rescue at Newquay in December last year. 

Rope Technician Dan was repeatedly engulfed by heavy waves while rescuing an elderly man cut off by the rising tide. His composure, technical expertise, and determination played a critical role in the successful rescue.

Coastguard Rescue Officers from Newquay and Padstow Coastguard Rescue Teams were also acknowledged for their involvement in the same incident, receiving letters of appreciation in recognition of their teamwork and professionalism during hazardous conditions.

 The evening also celebrated long service and good conduct across Area 11. The following awards were presented:

James Maddern, Station Officer, Penzance, 20 years’ service
Michael Pryor, Station Officer, Mevagissey, 20 years’ service
Andrew Day, Deputy Station Officer, Portscatho, 20 years’ service
Ross Thomas, Deputy Station Officer, St Austell, 40 years’ service
Mark Roberts, Station Officer, Portreath, 40 years’ service

 Citations written by Senior Coastal Operations Officers were read by Coastal Operations Area Commander Jon Oliver, with awards presented by Divisional Commander James Instance. Senior Coastal Operations Officers Rob Farr and Georgia Gowing were also in attendance.

Celebrating two decades of service, Penzance Station Officer James Maddern said: "I'd like to pay tribute to all Coastguards past and present who've supported the service with their skills and dedication to ensure people’s safety at the coast. 

"It's been a pleasure to serve our communities alongside my Coastguard colleagues and friends in Penzance and across Area 11, and I'll carry on rescuing people for as long as I possibly can.

He added: “I'd also like to thank my family for all the times they've stepped in to help when my pager has gone off."

The event also paid tribute to the families and loved ones who support Coastguard Rescue Officers, acknowledging their vital role in enabling responses at all hours and in all conditions.

Reflecting on the event, Jon Oliver said: “HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R924’s SAR Base at Newquay Airport provided a fitting location to recognise the dedication, experience, and professionalism that continue to underpin coastal safety across Area 11.

“And while the awards are important, this evening was about recognising the people behind the role and the consistently high standards they set, whether responding to incidents, leading teams, training, or supporting one another.”

He added: “It’s very humbling to be part of a great team serving Area 11 across South West Cornwall." 

“I joined HM Coastguard at 18, and that was about 18 years ago now. I think I’m possibly the longest serving female CRO in Area 1,” says Faye, a CRO from Unst, the most northerly island (and Coastguard Rescue Team) in the British Isles.  

“I was introduced to the role by a former Station Officer, who I was working with outside of the Coastguard.” 

She adds: “I’m a keen outdoors person, and living on the island we do, it’s always good to give back to the community, so it seemed a really good opportunity.” 

What is the most unusual incident you have attended? 

Faye says that there have been a few during her time as a CRO, but perhaps the most notable came during the COVID-19 lockdown. “There was a yacht that had gone missing from Norway and was traced to our area,” she says.  

“We got tasked by Shetland Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) to search local marinas and in the middle of the night, with a full mist, we found the yacht in Harbour. The crewman didn’t speak English, but in a very helpful twist, one of our team could speak some Norwegian. 

“It turned out that the man had been blown off course and was lost. Our colleagues at Shetland were able to inform the Norwegian Coastguard that he was safe and well, and he was helped back to Norway.  

 What is the most unusual place you’ve been when your pager has gone off? 

“Working in health and fitness, my pager often ends up going off when I’m in a swimming pool! It’s funny that whenever it does, I can get out of the water and get dry in minutes but can’t ever seem to get my socks on – people often see me running out of the leisure centre barefoot with my shoes and socks in hand!” 

What is the most challenging part of your role? 

Faye says that the geography and location of Baltasound is naturally a challenging environment that can make for difficult travel across the island in poor weather, but island life can also mean that sometimes, those in trouble are those you know. 

“I suppose most people would expect the terrain and remoteness to be a challenge, but what is often more difficult is being part of a tight-knit community where we all know one another in some way,” she says. “There’s also a lot of logistics at work when we seek help and support from other teams, like those in Lerwick, who’re a two-hour ferry trip away from us.” 

She adds: “We’re very fortunate that we do also have HM Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopters supporting us, which helps us out a lot.” 

Which local beach is your favourite and why?  

“My favourite beach is Norwick beach. It has everything you’d need: sand, swimming, rocks. It’s a family-friendly beach, but you can often have it entirely to yourself too, especially during the Winter months.” 

She adds, cautiously: “However, we do also have seals that come and have a nosey, so it’s not just the seagulls you’ll be hiding your picnic from!” 

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team? 

“I really enjoy being able to help my community, which is good fun. We’re also putting into practice the skills that we’ve picked up as Coastguards, and that’s not always while we’re on the job either. They’re skills for life that you could end up using at any time while living in a smaller island community.” 

 What new skills have you learned as a CRO? 

I’ve been very lucky that my Area Management Team decided to put me forward as a CERCC instructor,” says Faye, who is also a qualified Rope Technician (Officer in Charge) 

CERCC stands for Coastguard Emergency Responder Casualty Care, and it’s a course that’s given to and attended by all Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs).  

She adds: “I train Coastguards across Shetland and Orkney, and that can be from new recruits to seasoned coastguards attending a refresher course to sharpen up their knowledge and skills.”  

When you’re not a CRO, what do you enjoy doing? 

Faye enjoys walks with her family along the coasts and paths, which are plentiful across Baltasound and the Shetland islands, as well as taking part in indoor fitness contests, most recently in Glasgow.  

“My work in health and fitness holds me in good stead, be that walking, running or cycling,” she says. “We’ve great wildlife and a great location here, so it’s good to get out. From May to September, we see Puffins on our shores, and that’s something to enjoy too!” 

What do you do for a living? 

“I’m a Fitness Instructor at a local sports centre. It’s full-on but it’s great fun, and I’ve been doing it for a very long time – about 20 years!” 

The Shipping Forecast is part of a broadcast service overseen by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to inform and warn seafarers of the weather, sea state and navigational hazards in UK waters and beyond.  

Working round-the-clock with partners including the Met Office and UK Hydrographic Office, the MCA ensures regular, timely and accurate information is provided to help people keep safe at sea. 

Here are 11 things you might not know about the Shipping Forecast... 

1/ What is now the Shipping Forecast was first called Weather Shipping. It aired on 1 January 1924, a year earlier than the BBC’s debut broadcast. It was picked up by ships via the Air Ministry’s Radio Station in London. 

2/ The data that comprises the full Shipping Forecast is part the Maritime Safety Information (MSI) service.  

This informs and warns seafarers of the weather, sea state and navigational hazards in UK waters. Providing MSI is a statutory duty of the MCA. 

3/ The Shipping Forecast broadcast by the BBC is known as a complementary programme – which means it is not part of the regulated MSI service.  

In fact, it is a less detailed version of the main Shipping Forecast which is condensed to fit into the BBC's schedules. 

4/ The main ways seafarers obtain the Shipping Forecast is through the international NAVTEX (NAVigational TelEX) service, coordinated in the UK 24 hours a day by HM Coastguard, which is part of the MCA and responsible for the operational delivery of MSI. 

This is supplemented by regular scheduled MSI broadcasts using marine VHF and MF radiotelephony. It is also available online.

5/ In addition to the Shipping Forecast, the MSI Service includes the broadcast of a High Seas Forecasts, Gale and Storm Warnings, Navigational Warnings and other urgent safety-related information.

6/ The Shipping Forecast contains details of gale warnings in force, a general synopsis and sea-area forecasts containing forecast wind direction and force, weather and visibility.

7/ The data which makes up the Shipping Forecast is provided on behalf of the MCA by the Met Office which records, predicts and reports the latest information of weather and sea state which is transmitted to seafarers by HM Coastguard.

8/ BBC radio listeners are used to the Shipping Forecast being broadcast as the full complement of 31 sea areas. But there are local versions too which are shorter.  

Each of HM Coastguard’s 10 Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres has its own specific list of Shipping Forecast areas to broadcast. It saves seafarers having to listen to reports that might be from the other side of the British Isles.

9/ The Shipping Forecast is issued four times a day. Each forecast covers a period of 24 hours ahead from 6am, midday, 6pm and midnight UTC (equivalent to GMT).

10/ The statutory obligation to provide MSI, which includes the Shipping Forecast, has its roots in the Safety of Life at Sea Convention, first drawn up in 1914.  

Known as SOLAS, it stems from the International Maritime Organization, a specialised agency of the United Nations, of which the UK is a leading member and sets the safety standards for global shipping.

11/ It was British Vice-Admiral Robert FitzRoy who in 1861 pioneered use of the telegraphic messaging system to transmit information across the UK. 

HM Coastguard stations would receive the data and display it visually to seafarers through prominent representation as a series of conspicuous shapes (cones and drums). 

Vice-Admiral FitzRoy’s work was motivated by the sinking of the steam clipper Royal Charter, with the loss of over 450 lives, in a violent storm off the coast of Anglesey on 26 October 1859.

But tragically, more than 800 passengers and 688 crew members lost their lives when the ship collided with an iceberg 340 miles off the Canadian coast. It was a catastrophe that shocked the world and exposed gaps in maritime safety.

While the horrors of the incident are commonly explored in film, television and books, what did the fateful event mean for ship safety? 

International safety reform: SOLAS and lifeboats

Just two years after the incident, the UK led negotiations in London for the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). The landmark agreement, reinforced by the Merchant Shipping Act 1914, mandated that passenger ships carry enough lifeboats for everyone on board. 

SOLAS also formalised lifeboat drills for crew and passengers, setting international standards for crew training – these practices remain fundamental to maritime safety today. 

24-hour radio communications

Although RMS Titanic carried pioneering wireless telegraphy equipment, operators were not on duty round the clock. This significant gap contributed to delays in distress calls. 

Through the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1913, all vessels were required to maintain a 24-hour wireless watch, ensuring that emergencies could be communicated and acted upon immediately.

Bulkhead and hull design

Titanic had 16 watertight compartments designed to keep her afloat, these compartments however were not high enough to prevent water spilling over in a major incident. 

British Board of Trade regulations subsequently mandated taller bulkheads, improved pumping systems and better compartmentalisation, making ships more resilient to flooding. 

Transparency and accountability

Overconfidence and complacence had been part of Titanic’s downfall – people had not necessarily imagined that she could have foundered. 

The Merchant Shipping Act 1914 gave the Board of Trade greater powers to inspect and enforce safety standards. SOLAS strengthened the approach by introducing international certification, inspections and compliance, ensuring safety standards consistently applied across countries. 

Legacy: the lessons learned

More than a century on, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) carries forward the lessons of Titanic. 

From coordinating lifesaving rescues and maintaining 24-hour communications through HM Coastguard, to enforcing rigorous safety standards for ships and crews, their work ensures that the tragedies of the past help shape a safer future for those at sea. 

Chris works as Satellite Communications and UK Mission Control Centre Manager, based at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Fareham, Hampshire.

Chris said: “HM Coastguard has been involved with countless rescues where a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or Emergency Positioning Indication Radio Beacon (EPIRB) has meant the difference between life or death.

“But there have also been examples of false alerts from a beacon that has simply been chucked out without a few important steps being taken first.”

A PLB dumped at a waste recycling centre, for example, was the source of an alert in Exeter which scrambled Dawlish Coastguard Rescue Team.  

Our teams can’t stand down until they can be confident no one is at risk

Without an update of its disused status, and calls to registered numbers going unanswered, the search in January 2023 continued for about two hours until the PLB could be traced to a skip and destroyed. 

On 15 April 2026 it became a legal obligation for PLBs to be registered and have accurate and up-to-date entries on the Beacon Registry, which can be done online in 15 minutes at no cost. 

It applies to PLBs that are carried on board a UK flagged vessel, hovercraft or mechanically propelled watercraft, such as jet skis. The registration requirement already covers EPIRBs. 

Chris added: “Our teams can’t stand down until they can be confident no one is at risk, so we encourage everyone to follow the three Rs when disposing of their beacon.” 

1/ Remove the batteries 

By taking out the batteries when a beacon is no longer needed, you immediately stop any chance of the device broadcasting an alert. Check the device’s instructions for the right procedure. 

2/ Recycling centre 

Once power has been removed, make sure you dispose of both the beacon and the batteries properly. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation but this often means taking it to a recycling centre. 

3/ Registry 

Make sure your beacon registration details are up to date.  

If you have an online Beacon Account, please delete your disposed beacon record. You can do this by clicking the Delete link to the far right of the relevant Hex Id after signing in at https://www.gov.uk/register-406-beacons  

To set up an online Beacon Account, email ukbeacons@mcga.gov.uk or call +44 (0)20 3817 2006. 

Find out about Personal Locator Beacon registration requirements here: MGN 665 (M+F) Amendment 1 Mandatory registration of EPIRBs and PLBs. 

Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs) from Hill Head Coastguard Rescue Team have responded to more than 100 incidents since their state-of-the-art new facility on the bank of the river Hamble went operational last year.

The station houses the team’s Coastguard Rescue Vehicle and specialist equipment to support their mud rescue capability, as well as hot showers, a training room, drying room, and workspace. 

Derrick Jones, Assistant Chief Coastguard for England and Wales, formally opened the station, alongside Area 9 Coastal Operations Area Commander Tom Wright. 

Also attending were the Area 9 Management Team, Operations colleagues from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre at Fareham, Coastguard Rescue Teams from across Hampshire, and SAR partners including those from nearby Gosport and Hamble.  

Derrick said: “It’s been my pleasure to open Hill Head’s new Coastguard Station. This is an impressive and important community asset that helps the Coastguard Rescue Service to continue to provide a high-quality emergency response for Hill Head and the surrounding area. 

“I’d like to offer the team my thanks for their service and to wish them the very best as they operate from their new station. I’d also like to use this opportunity to recognise the crucial role the team here play in ensuring people are safe along our coastline.”

During the event, retiring CRO Ken Pink was issued a valedictory certificate for completion of 22 years in the Coastguard Rescue Service (CRS). 

Tom Wright, Coastal Operations Area Commander, said: “It was incredibly moving to see Ken receive this award. We wish him all the very best as he spends more time with family, and we’d like to thank him for his outstanding commitment during his longstanding tenure with the Coastguard and with Hill Head team.”

Carlisle’s opening over the Easter weekend, pictured above, follows the successful launch of a sister seasonal base at Oban Airport in West Scotland on 15 March. Both include a modern Search and Rescue Hangar, operational planning room, offices, and rest areas for crews.  

This enhanced Search and Rescue provision is part of the UK’s Second Generation Search and Rescue Aviation Programme (UKSAR2G). The £1.6billion modernisation programme has used historic data to identify areas of peak demand for Search and Rescue. 

The new bases provide an additional two search and rescue helicopters into the fleet during the busiest periods of the year. This will benefit those in need by cutting down transit times to areas of high demand and providing additional capacity into the fleet.   

Senior Responsible Owner for the programme Mark Bradley said: “The UKSAR2G programme has been informed by operational data gathered through HM Coastguard’s incident response over several years. This looks at the seasonality and frequency of incidents, together with where and when these occur, to ensure that our network has an enhanced capability in areas of high demand.

“As well as the rollout of new state-of-the-art AW139 aircraft across several of HM Coastguard’s 10 existing permanent bases, the programme has launched seasonal bases at Oban and Carlisle to support the busier summer months.” 

Chief Coastguard Paddy O’Callaghan said: “HM Coastguard is a modern frontline emergency service that continues to be equipped and ready to respond when it’s needed the most. 

“The UKSAR2G programme brings a wealth of enhancements to HM Coastguard’s national Search and Rescue provision, and our new aircraft and seasonal bases underline the service’s longstanding commitment to saving lives.” 

He added: “We’d encourage people to enjoy the summer safely, including when they are visiting the coast. However, experience tells us that things can sometimes go wrong. That’s why we urge the public to remain alert to coastal hazards like tidal cut offs, cliff falls, and mud. 

“This also includes checking the weather and tide times before heading out and considering that even in summer, UK waters can be cold, and entering unprepared can be dangerous.  

“If you or others are in trouble at sea or on the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.” 

The scenario was modelled on a risk identified in the UK National Risk Register, requiring all agencies to maintain preparedness for a major maritime incident. Three LRF plans were exercised alongside HMCG’s Mass Rescue Operations Framework. 

 The exercise involved a fire onboard a fictitious passenger vessel and a challenging, disorderly evacuation, resulting in casualties being dispersed across the North West of England and North Wales to planned and unplanned landing sites. 

 To manage this, two Strategic Coordination Groups (SCGs) and one Tactical Coordination Group (TCG) were convened simultaneously across Merseyside, Lancashire, and North Wales.  

 The initial responders were later joined by partners from Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Cumbria, and authorities from the Isle of Man at a Response Co-ordinating Group, chaired by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), to ensure an effective coordinated regional response. 

 This was one of the first regional exercises in the UK to involve collaboration across multiple English LRFs and the devolved administration in Wales. 

  HM Coastguard Rescue Centre Coordination Manager (RCCM) Lawrence Ramsay said: “This was the culmination of three years of work. We started by engaging partners on the need to prepare for maritime risk, supported them to develop plans for such an incident, and exercised locally before bringing it all together with a full regional exercise. 

 "We can never underestimate the need to be prepared for the worst, and Exercise Pendleton Spirit will allow us to learn key lessons to ensure we are even better prepared, should the worst happen.”  

Being on watch duty more than 35 nautical miles off the Scottish coast, Sam first sensed danger when alarms began to sound in the vessel’s wheelhouse amid rough seas and seven metre waves. He'd gone to check the vessel’s engine room, only to find the whole area rapidly flooding with sea water. Without a moment’s notice, he raced back to wake the seven fellow crew members sleeping below deck. 

“I was just stood on watch while the boys slept downstairs in their beds when alarms started going off on deck. I went to have a look in the Engine Room and water was covering the gearbox with spray firing up towards the roof. I knew right away that it was too much to handle and I called the coastguard,” Sam said. 

 “In the last ten years in Shetland, one boat left the call for help too long and nearly lost their lives, and another had been a bit quicker, but the vessel was still lost.”

RNLI Sumburgh lifeboat and an HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter were rapidly dispatched, alongside a nearby Norwegian Coast Guard helicopter. Sam describes the chaos as he woke the crew and got them into life jackets and a life raft, as there were no other nearby vessels to call upon for help. 

“The boat was going up and down and the life raft’s tethering rope was running through my hands. One of the crew was worried about some of his belongings on board, but I told him to get straight into the life raft with the five others.

“My blood must’ve been fast running back to my heart because I couldn’t feel my hands. The first life raft broke away, and it was just me and the skipper running on borrowed time on deck. 

“We put out another MAYDAY and then got into our second life raft.  In less than two and a half minutes, she was gone. It happened so fast.”

Bobbing around in the North Sea, Sam and his crew felt like hours had passed until rescuers arrived on scene. But in 20 minutes, both helicopters had reached the scene and plucked the crew to safety. 

“When I was pulled up on a winch wire by the helicopter and dangling over the side, I was like, 'Get me inside!' We got dropped at Sumburgh and I got back to my car in wet clothes, filled up with petrol and drove home. It was a shaky drive, but the only thing I cared about at that time was that everyone had got home safe.”

Sam’s advice to fellow fishermen is that timing is everything. “Never leave it too late to make that decision,” he warns. “Don’t worry about the boat, worry about yourselves first. Someone did ask me whether I’d go to sea the next day, but if you knew what was round the corner, you wouldn’t go anywhere, would you?”

Alongside his team, B1 Mechanical Engineer Michael Ratcliffe is poised to keep the aircraft ready at a moment’s notice. The twin-engined aircraft they supervise is a Leonardo AW139; an intricate system of moving parts involving three gearboxes and thousands of components working in concert.  

“My role every day is to keep the aircraft serviced and ready to go,” he explains. “That could mean both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, turnaround inspections, checking vibration data, conducting visual inspections or refuelling before the next sortie.”  

The aircraft operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and so do Mike and his colleagues, ensuring that the aircraft operates to exacting standards for crew and colleagues in the air.  

The AW139 operates across HM Coastguard’s fleet, which also includes Sikorsky S-92 and Leonardo AW189 helicopters, Schiebel S-100 UAVs, and a host of fixed wing aircraft.  

Mike studied aircraft engineering at a local college in Barry, South Wales, where he poured over technical drawings, aircraft specification, and mechanical systems. The young engineer also explored metal work, airframe structures, and the physics behind flight and propulsion.  

Mike’s route to SAR Engineering came when he met a recruiter for HM Coastguard rescue helicopter operator Bristow. After both online and telephone interviews, and a visit to Aberdeen, he was offered an apprentice role.  

He says: “There's a team of 10 engineers working here at the base; we’ve got two chief engineers, and then eight additional engineers on a rotating shift. That includes people like me, a B1 Mechanical Engineer, and B2 Avionics Engineers, who focus on aircraft systems.” 

Despite the raft of high-tech equipment on board, which includes powerful winches, night vision systems and all manner of sophisticated communications devices, it’s HM Coastguard’s bright and distinctive fuselage that gets the most attention. 

“Why do we keep the aircraft so clean?” He queries. “Well aside from the beautiful HM Coastguard liveries, the aircraft encounter a lot of salt in the air, especially while hovering over the coast, so they’re skin-washed regularly.” 

He adds: “The AW139 is just a great cab to work on and it’s a great source of pride for me to be working on HM Coastguard Search and Rescue aircraft. Being an engineer is just a great vocation and hands-on job where we’re part of a team making a difference and helping people, every day.”  

Mike and his four-man crew will then be sent on HM Coastguard SAR missions, or ‘sorties’ by Aeronautical Operations Officers at HM Coastguard’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Fareham, sharpening up their skills in two-hour airborne training exercises to keep up their competencies.

“Whenever the job phone rings, we gather information like ranges, bearings and casualties, from HM Coastguard’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Aeronautical Rescue and confirm whether it’s a ‘wet job’ at sea, or a ‘dry job’ on land,” he adds. 

Racing out to the aircraft, the four-person crew, which includes a pilot and co-pilot, winch operator and winch paramedic, leaves the ground as quickly and safely as possible. The crew fly the Leonardo AW139, one of the newest aircraft in HM Coastguard’s fleet.  

Mike says: “Ultimately, when we’re trying to get people from a place of danger to safety, it usually involves winching. The pilot provides the winch operator and winch paramedic with a stable platform from which they can exit and enter an area, be it cliffs, vessels, or hills.  

“The AW139 is an excellent hover platform. It’s well-established and it's in service across the planet. It's unique in its agility and speed, and SAR models include an advanced weather surveillance radar, forward-looking infrared, and dual hoists for lifting casualties.” 

The helicopters are built by Leonardo in Italy and flown to the UK where they are modified to include HM Coastguard’s bespoke SAR mission management system. They are extensively kitted out with state-of-the-art systems so that the crew can accomplish almost any SAR task thrown at them, and aircraft work within the HM Coastguard national network, providing round-the-clock availability across the country.  

“We could be called out to assist with searches, fallen climbers, or vessels in distress. We can rescue casualties aboard the aircraft, but we can also help to support lifeboat crews and coastguards performing searches at sea or on the ground, especially in hazardous conditions,” Mike says.  

HM Coastguard’s rescue helicopters cover remote and challenging areas from above, using heat-seeking thermal imaging and night vision to overcome darkness and spot casualties day or night.  

“It’s a challenging professional environment and we’re very rigorous in our approach,” says Mike. “The aircrew work closely with the engineers and other ground-based professionals, all of whom make a vital contribution to every sortie that launches.  

“We’re very supportive of each other, and together we have the training and capability to meet the challenges we face in as safe a fashion as possible.” 

Mike also praises the work of Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs), who he says are an invaluable part of Search and Rescue. He says: “CROs might be keeping casualties safe, setting up Helicopter Landing Sites, or providing us crucial weather advice and guidance.  

“That information is invaluable as it helps with our fuel planning and our ability to reach a scene quickly and safely.” 

Unlike colleagues with military backgrounds, Mike became a pilot through civilian training, completing his commercial pilot’s licence in the USA before returning to the UK to work on crew change in the oil and gas industry.  

“I flew for around 10 years on numerous airframes before coming over to HM Coastguard, which was an opportunity I just couldn’t miss,” he says. “After a rescue, it takes an hour or two for the adrenaline to wash out, so you might end up staring at the ceiling for a while thinking about it, but the next morning, you’ve had a cup of tea and you're back in the air again! 

“We can be hypercritical when debriefing at times, but at the end of the day, we often nudge each other to remind ourselves that we retrieved the casualty and delivered them to further care safely and in good time. It’s then that we know we’ve accomplished our task.” 

Thanks to her calling 999, HM Coastguard was made aware that the woman had been cut off by the tide, and the water around her was rapidly getting higher.  

With help on its way, she was given the float to live advice.  

A complex search of land and water in foggy conditions began, with Southport, Crosby and Wirral Coastguard Rescue Teams, an HM Coastguard helicopter and a lifeboat from New Brighton RNLI sent to the scene, alongside Southport Lifeboat, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Merseyside Police and North West Ambulance Service. 

With emergency services working together and searching for around two hours, the woman was finally found floating and swimming by the RNLI lifeboat and brought to shore. The dog was also rescued but, sadly, did not survive.

HM Coastguard Area Commander Michael Buratti said: “I would like to thank our emergency service colleagues and partner agencies who supported the incident and all contributed to it being brought to a safe and positive conclusion.” 

Turning to safety, Mike said: “We are fortunate to have an absolutely stunning coastline that we would encourage people to visit and enjoy safely. Before visiting, it is essential to check the weather forecast and local tide times, and to understand how the tide will behave during your visit.  

“If the tide is coming in, do not venture too far out on to the beach, as there is a real risk of becoming cut off. On arrival, always take time to read local safety signage, which provides area-specific advice.  

“If you do find yourself in trouble in the water remember float to live - relax and float by tilting your head back with your ears submerged. 

“Importantly, if you find yourself in difficulty or you see someone else who needs help, always call 999 and ask for HM Coastguard.”

Taking a brief moment to prepare before you set out will give you and your loved ones the best chance of helping to save the life of anyone you see in danger as well as yourselves. 

The HM Coastguard officers in the operations rooms have a world-class array of systems and equipment to help them locate you, but precious minutes can be saved if you can give them as much information as possible, quickly and clearly.

Our teams use advanced technology to assist with search and rescue response but if the 999 caller can tell us their exact location immediately, it can save valuable time in dispatching the most appropriate responders. We urge everyone who visits the coast to have a think ahead of time about what they will tell us if they do need to call for help. For example, are there any significant landmarks, specific names and location information you can tell us about that will help to pinpoint where you are very quickly.

Richard Wasson, HM Coastguard’s Community Safety Lead. 

This is particularly important if you are away from home and may not be aware of the names of certain locations. Having a fully charged mobile phone on your person is key. Any additional devices such as a personal locator beacon can also be a significant aid to help us to help you, particularly in remote areas without phone signal.

When you call 999 and ask for the Coastguard, one of the first questions will be “where are you?” The moment you provide that information, the teams will be dispatching the most appropriate responders. There are very simple ways (as well as more sophisticated options) to help you stay safe and know your location.

Know where you are. Four easy top tips 

1. Before you leave. Tell someone 

   Ideally go with someone else, not alone. Before you leave home, tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.

    

2. Safety signs and location 

   Look for local safety signs depicting beach names and location references. It’s a good idea to take a photo of any signage so you can refer back to it to help you explain where you are in an emergency. Make a note and take a picture of local landmarks such as car park names, buildings such as cafes or public toilets and geographical landmarks such as sand dunes. 

    

3. Location apps and Ordnance Survey (OS) grid references

   If you are using an app it’s a good idea to practice with it before you might need it. Be aware that in remote areas you might not have mobile data available for using apps although you may still have the ability to call 999. 

   The most reliable way to give HM Coastguard your location is by providing the six figure OS Grid Reference. For example, a BCP Council beach safety sign at Branksome Chine in Poole (pictured below) shows the grid reference of SZ 065 896. 

   In Northern Ireland, the system is slightly different. The area of Northern Ireland is divided into lettered squares, measuring 100km by 100km, each identified by a single letter. A grid reference would normally be described by the box letter followed by the units of measure in metres. An example grid reference would be J 338 740. 

   Many smartphones now have GPS installed (Global Positioning System which pinpoints geographical locations) and other widely available apps are really useful such as Google Maps, Apple Maps, OS Locate and What3Words. And in the future, Ofcom has announced that satellite calling will be available in the UK. This involves satellites hundreds of miles above Earth beaming down signals to smartphones, so they can make calls, send texts and use data in ‘not-spots’ where there’s no mobile coverage.   

    

4. Mobile phone

   Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged and ideally in a waterproof case. It's also worth taking a power pack so you can recharge your phone, especially if your activities involve heavy battery use. 

    

Know where you are. Extra Safety Tech 

Many of us enjoy exploring the coast and getting away from it all. But the downside is there may not be anyone around to help if something goes wrong in a remote location and a good chance you may not have a phone signal. What then? 

1. PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) 

   Increasingly affordable and compact, these units will work even in remote locations. In the UK if you get into difficulty, you can set it off and HM Coastguard will be alerted, with your location. 

    

2. VHF Marine Radio with digital selective calling

   Essential for all boaters and those going afloat.  

    

3. EPIRB (Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon)

   Emergency positioning indicating radio beacon. An essential piece of kit for vessels. You need to register it to your vessel. When activated, it will transmit the position of the vessel to HM Coastguard. Register your beacon on GOV.UK now.

    

The OS Grid Reference explained  

Pinpoint your location: Ordnance Survey (OS) Grid Reference with HM Coastguard, the Ordnance Survey’s Grid Reference is the most reliable.  

The Ordnance Survey National Grid System is a way of pinpointing a location.  It divides the country into a series of squares, each identified by letters and numbers. You can see it on a paper map and there’s also a phone app on which you can download and save an offline map for use if there’s no mobile phone signal.  

Read more: 

Safety spotlight – ‘Tech up’ in case of trouble | HM Coastguard UK 

Out of range but not out of touch – Alan’s rescue | HM Coastguard UK 

After searching for a career change from working in operations at Shoreham Port, Fin interviewed for a full-time role at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), where someone recommended Fin look into applying to become a Coastguard Rescue Officer (CRO). 

He says: “As it turned out, I finished CRO water training on a Sunday and started a full-time position at the MCA on the Monday. Acronym overload!”

What is the most unusual incident you have attended?  

 “The most unusual incident I supported was during the famous Brighton Pride event. As you can imagine, the occasion can bring with it a wide variety of shouts, considering proximity to the beach and the sheer number of people in the city.”

 What is the most challenging part of your role?

During the summer months, Fin says that the frequency of shouts goes up significantly. “We see many people ‘down from London’, enjoying a day off or a holiday to the coast,” he says.  

 “The most challenging thing about the coming summer season is getting home, getting changed and back into bed, only for the pager to go for fourth or even fifth time that night.  

Nonetheless, it’s important to bring a fresh perspective to each shout – even if they’re in such quick succession!” 
 

Which local beach is your  favourite and why?   

“The local beach down the road from where I live in Hove is great in early summer; midweek evening BBQs with friends… When it’s quiet, these are quite hard to beat!”

 What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team?  

Fin says he enjoys being a member of Shoreham Coastguard Rescue Team because people can be from all stages of life, and all share their expertise and knowledge to improve the team’s work and wisdom.

 What does being a Coastguard mean to you and what new skills have you learned?

 “An essential lesson is being able to follow instructions while in a high stress environment,” says Fin. “Under pressure, it can be very difficult to maintain that concentration, but we train for it. Listening to that one voice is critical for the team.” 

Delivering a high quality of primary care, while remaining calm in high stakes situations is one of the skills he’s developed during his time in the team. “On a practical note, thick Winter socks can transform your foot comfort during the colder winter months,” he adds.

  "There are just so many things!” she adds. “I think really, being a Coastguard has made me much more confident about doing things I haven’t done before. It’s very dynamic, too. 

“Years ago, I wouldn't have thought I could do water rescue training, but I pushed myself and managed it.”  

When you’re not a CRO, what do you enjoy doing?  

Beyond his role at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and as CRO at Shoreham Coastguard Rescue Team, Fin trains in triathlon disciplines, where he’s competed in some of the hardest triathlon courses in the world.  

He says: “I’m currently building up to completing a full iron man distance. Location to be confirmed, but hopefully somewhere warm, so unlikely the UK! I’ve also recently started playing Padel.  

“It’s a racket sport thought to originate from Mexico that’s sweeping through tennis and sports centres. It’s highly addictive, I’d recommend people give it a go!”

It had been an overcast January day when the Professor’s holiday changed dramatically during a coastal walk in South Cornwall.  The professor, his dog, and eight friends had been on a four-day walk along the South West Coast Path when disaster struck somewhere between the villages of Par and Fowey.  

“Conditions weren’t great. There'd been general drizzle landing on top of wet mud, but we were well equipped,” says Chris.  

“I saw a sheep in the nearby field, so I called my labrador over. I put my walking sticks down to put his lead on, but when he gave me a little tug, I slipped. My leg crumpled and I heard crack, crack, crack. I knew immediately that I’d broken my ankle.” 

With adrenaline pumping, Chris’ ankle wasn’t sore when he tried to move, but the broken joint was unable to bear any weight. After a minute, it had started to swell and became very painful.  

Chris’ friends called 999 and asked for the Coastguard. St Austell Coastguard Rescue Team was sent and arrived on scene quickly. Chris says: “It was so reassuring to see them come over the hill, I remember thinking that this was a system that clearly works very well.” 

Officer in Charge Martin Cocks said: “Chris had exactly the right footwear and was well-equipped, but handling dogs under slippery conditions can lead to accidents. Unfortunately, given the thick mud and weather we’ve had, coastal paths can quickly become dangerous.” 

The team assessed Chris and put a splint on his foot, which made him more comfortable. They considered carrying him to the road in a stretcher but decided that the remote location and difficult terrain made extraction by foot difficult.  

Station Officer Simon Blench said: “We did our primary patient assessment, immobilised the ankle, and strapped it up. It was interesting to learn that Chris had in-fact treated hundreds of these injuries himself but in that moment, he was a casualty in pain in need of our help.” 

Coastguards sheltered Chris from powerful downdrafts and loose debris as an HM Coastguard rescue helicopter loomed overhead and lowered down its stretcher and winch paramedic. “It was a little bit scary because it was so windy,’ recalls Chris.  

“But I knew they knew what they were doing. They were all brilliant – it was just so well thought out.” 

After being airlifted to a local hospital, Chris’s X-rays were unequivocal – he'd sustained a trimalleolar fracture, a high impact and severe injury where inside, outside and rear bones are broken. A thick plaster cast and complete rest was prescribed, as Chris’ friends pushed carefully on with their trip.  

 “For someone who’s probably treated hundreds of broken ankles in their time, it was interesting to experience firsthand,” says Chris, who shared his appreciation with the Coastguard Rescue Team.  

“I just really wanted to thank Coastguards for their phenomenal professionalism and reassurance during the incident.” 

Speaking of his team’s work, Martin said: “It does make you proud of what we do when we come together and execute an effective rescue. It's nice to know that, despite our training, a senior and experienced surgeon thinks very highly of our casualty care.  

“It really lifted our spirits to receive a letter of thanks from Chris, and it has taken pride of place at our Coastguard Station.” 

St Austell CRT's top coastal walk safety tips

• Check the weather and tide forecasts. Prepare for changing conditions and wear suitable footwear and clothing. 
• Look carefully at the terrain underfoot and consider whether routes should be avoided or attempted at another time under better weather. 
• Always carry a reliable means of calling for help. If you’re in trouble on the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 

 “My husband Chris suggested we get a boat. He’d done some basic sailing when younger and was keen to start again. After browsing online, we realised we’d need to properly educate ourselves before taking the plunge.”

The couple did their homework and decided that visiting different vessels in-person was sensible. With a trailer in tow, they visited various sellers in Cornwall and decided upon their first boat: a 23ft sailing vessel.

“The boat spent six months in a workshop before finally launching at Gosport,” Alice recalls. “At the time, I was working for another emergency service in Hereford, so we’d travel down to the Solent every fortnight to spend time on the boat.”

Alice took some tuition with a former Royal Navy veteran and quickly developed a passion for sailing. She completed her Day Skipper Theory Test and not long after, applied for a role with HM Coastguard. 

Now a Maritime Operations Officer, Alice is often aboard her boat when she’s not in the Operations Room at HM Coastguard’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC). 

On days off, she enjoys plotting and planning journeys, while her husband Chris takes charge of the sails and tiller of their current boat, a 26ft Westerly Griffin. In August, the pair tackled their longest voyage to date, sailing from Portsmouth to Weymouth.

“Working at HM Coastguard makes appreciate just how much boat owners need to do to stay safe at sea, including many things I hadn’t previously considered,” Alice admits. 

As someone who regularly responds to vessels in distress, she emphasises the importance of properly registering safety devices – from vessel MMSI numbers to contact and next of kin details stored with EPIRBs and PLBs. 

Having accurate information enables Alice and her team to swiftly identify who’s in trouble, where they are, and what kind of emergency response is needed. 

“It’s easy to forget, but my advice for lifesaving equipment is register straight away with the latest information,” she advises. “And if you move house or change your name or contact details, don’t forget to update your registration to match.”

Alice and her colleagues have seen the lifesaving capabilities of such radio devices first hand, helping to keep people safe and ensuring the best outcomes in emergencies. 

“Someone could go overboard five or six miles offshore, or they could fall into water and sustain injuries on a harbourside or marina. It could be a single sailor, or a group. We’ll always respond straight away,” says Alice. 

Another crucial piece of lifesaving kit is a lifejacket. Alice and her husband have already replaced the ones they bought as beginners. With so many brands, types and levels on the market, it’s a difficult decision over which to choose. 

“We decided that it was time to upgrade and buy new Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs), but there are so many types, it can be a bit of a minefield. I’m always harnessed to the boat, so I have a more basic setup, but Chris is moving about onboard more often, so his new jacket also has a built-in transponder. Make sure you have one that fits you best.”

Speaking about HM Coastguard’s free Boating Safety Checklists, Alice said: “We keep one in our boat as it reminds us of various things; from crew, training and skills to servicing, equipment and emergency action plans.

“The checklist stops us being as distracted by routine logistics, like when to arrive in harbour or when to catch the tide. Instead, it focuses us on safety and the basics, like whether our passengers know what to do in an emergency, can they operate a VHF radio? Who’s going to step in if the skipper is incapacitated?”

For budding enthusiasts like Alice and Chris, there’s always something new and challenging when they’re on the water, which is what makes their trips so fun – even if it is the complexities of entering a marina in the dark or contending with rougher than forecast conditions upon arrival. 

“In terms of Coastguarding, no two days are the same and there’s nothing like the sense of achievement that comes with a rescue,” says Alice. “We’ve sent help, and they’ve been rescued. It’s something I’m ever so proud of."

His chosen vessel, a 1975 Carter 30, had been well cared for by its previous owner and came complete with dual autopilots, AIS, EIPRBs and a DSC VHF radio. But the safety conscious former Helicopter Winch Operator and Forces veteran also double-checked the engine and auxiliary equipment, and fitted safety features including extra lines, hooks, and jackstays.

He then checked multiple weather reports and satellite imagery before setting off, with contingencies and additional stops planned in, should there be unexpected problems. Max also provided tracking links and schedules to his friends at home.

“The forecast was 20 to 25 knots with winds coming from the east, which made for nice sailing under good conditions. But nature had other plans,” he said. Shortly after entering the Bristol Channel, rising winds marked a more challenging trip, with unexpected gale warnings and strong gusts of up to 40 knots. 

Amid the harsh and confusing sea states, the vessel’s engine faltered. A coolant hose had become detached, destroying the boat’s impeller and overheating the engine. When smoke filled the engine compartment, he shut the engine down, but Max soon discovered about 200 litres of black, sooty water below deck. 

Despite the wet and acrid conditions, he used his hand-held bilge pump to drain half the silty water and improve stability, but the vessel’s interior was slippery and wet, presenting additional danger as the boat rolled in the heavy seas. 

 Tired and drained, Max reassessed the situation. “I didn’t want to enter Milford Haven at night as I wasn’t familiar with the Vessel Traffic Separation Scheme (VTS) there,” he says. “I really didn’t want to be in a rescue situation in total darkness.”

 As daytime rolled in, he decided to call for help while he still had power, communications, and some control of the boat. He called Pan-Pan on his VHF radio but received no answer. 

Setting off the DSC function on his VHF radio, Max held onto his survival ‘grab bag’ and flares, a Search and Rescue Transponder (SART), and a life raft he kept in the cockpit. 

“As a failsafe, I called 999,” he says. “The Coastguard was patched through and asked about my speed, drift, and any injuries. Later I learned that my friends, who were tracking me, had also raised the alarm.” 

Angle RNLI lifeboat arrived and it was agreed that a tow would be the best option, but conditions remained severe and with six-metre waves, the setbacks continued. 

 While still under tow, a violent wave sent Max flying into the cockpit, injuring his back. Regaining control at the helm, another big wave rolled the vessel over, and he was tipped into cold water that flooded the cockpit. Thankfully, he was still attached to the boat by his safety line. 

 Spotting the situation, the RNLI crew returned to the tilting boat. “It was like something out of an action movie,” recalled Max. “My hearing was impaired by my jacket which had risen around my ears, the waves were crashing over our heads, and my feet were slipping against the boat’s propeller. 

 “The crewman cut me free and inflated my vest, so I was able to kick away from the vessel and be pulled on a line back to the lifeboat, where crew heaved me aboard.”

 Max recognises the immense bravery of the lifeboat crew, putting themselves in harm’s way to leap across vessels amid strong winds and waves. He says: “It was just fight or flight really, but I am forever grateful to HM Coastguard and the lifeboat crew, who showed such skill, compassion, and humanity.

 “I can’t contemplate how differently things may have been without their help. I lost my boat, but I didn’t lose my life.”

Max’s top solo sailing advice

• Prepare early and properly. Safety equipment only helps if it’s fitted, tested and ready before you leave. 
• Wear your lifejacket correctly and fit cleats, hooks and lines today, not tomorrow. Do they work? Test them thoroughly.
• Stay calm and think methodically. Panicking wastes time and energy. make well-considered and deliberate decisions for worst-case situations that you’ve thought through beforehand.
• Think about communications. Electric items and engines can fail, so have backups. Carry a mobile phone, a VHF radio, and other items like SARTs, EPIRBs and PLBs. Keep what you can on your person. 
• Advise others of your plans, routes and timings. These crucial people could raise the alarm if you’re unable to. 

HM Coastguard (part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency), the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) have launched their annual safety campaign for recreational boaters. 

‘Reduce the risk, boost your skills’ aims to provide both new and experienced boaters with handy tips and guidance for getting themselves and their vessel ready for the upcoming boating season.  

Pre-season checks, onboard equipment and crew all feature in the campaign’s safety checklists, which are provided free of charge across the UK – including a version available in Welsh. 

The laminated booklet includes simple advice, such as discussing passage plans and man overboard procedures, checking equipment and engine, identifying a second-in-command, and ensuring an effective means of calling for help is kept onboard. 

Tom Barnett, Network Commander for HM Coastguard, said: “As a boater myself, I recognise the importance of effective preparation and planning – it’s absolutely part of how boaters best equip themselves and others for a safe and enjoyable day out on the water. 

“Created in collaboration with partners at the RNLI and RYA, our campaign provides tips, advice and a helpful set of free Boating Checklists, designed to help boaters carefully consider their safety, the safety of their passengers, and the safety of their vessel and its features.”

He added: “If you do get into trouble on the coast or at sea, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

Sarah Pennicard, RNLI Water Safety Delivery Manager, said: “We always want people to enjoy being on the coast, but things can quickly go wrong at sea. It’s so important to stay prepared.

“The boating checklists are your essential guide to ensure you are prepared as we enter the start of the boating season, and we’re thrilled to be working with HM Coastguard and the RYA to produce them.

“By keeping the essential checklists onboard, you’ll be reducing the risks of incidents occurring or increasing in severity.”

Richard Falk, RYA Director of Training, said: “There’s nothing quite like time spent out on the water. But whatever your level of experience, even the shortest trip benefits from a little thought and preparation. 

“We’re delighted to be working alongside the RNLI and HM Coastguard to share these important safety messages as the boating season gets underway.”

He added: “The start of the season is also the perfect time to refresh your knowledge with an RYA training course, either in a classroom or afloat, or through reading one of our many RYA handbooks which cover all forms of boating.”

To order your copy of the checklist, visit: hmcoastguard.uk/checklist. 

The accolade was given to Gareth by Assistant Chief Coastguard John Craig at a ceremony on Monday 23 February attended by CROs from Sheringham and Cromer Coastguard Rescue Teams.   

Letters of Appreciation also went to Sheringham CROs Allison Marriott, Steve Price, Emma Wright and Caroline Clark; and Cromer CROs Nathan Jonas, Jackie James, Harriet Barnard, Steve Lane, Will Witham and Jim Lilley. 

The casualty... desperately needed the timely intervention of Coastguard Rescue Officers

The incident began with a 999 call to HM Coastguard at around 9.35am on 16 September 2025 reporting a group of swimmers cut off and trapped against a rock groyne. 

Officers at Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) sent Sheringham and Cromer CRTs and Mundesley Volunteer Inshore Lifeboat to the scene. 

Three of the swimmers managed to reach safety but a fourth remained stuck, buffeted by the conditions against the rocks.  

With the lifeboat still on its way, the decision was made to carry out a team tethered rescue – sending CRO Gareth out to recover the swimmer, securely attached to a line held by his teammates on shore.  

The very best traditions of HM Coastguard’s expertise and dedication

Gareth was able to make his way out to the stranded woman and, roped to the CROs on dry land, assist her back to safety.  

Once on shore, the woman was treated for injuries to her arms and legs, and hypothermia, before being handed into the care of East of England Ambulance Service. 

Assistant Chief Coastguard John Craig said: “The casualty had been pushed up against rock armour by wind and tide and needed the timely intervention of Coastguard Rescue Officers. 

“The extrication of the casualty in difficult conditions, medical care afterwards, and management of the scene were in the very best traditions of HM Coastguard’s expertise and dedication.” 

Main photo, from left: Jon Payne (Senior Coastal Operations Officer), Jim Lilley, Will Witham, Emma Wright, Nathan Jonas, Jackie James, Steve Lane, John Craig, Gareth Davies, Allison Marriott, Steve Price, Julia Bourne and Harriet Barnard (photo: Maritime and Coastguard Agency)

The forceful storm whipped up enormous waves and pelting shingle and debris, which devastated the diner, transforming a cosy Valentine’s dinner into a chaotic and destructive scene that called for a full-scale response from emergency services. 

While diners watched fierce waves climbing the pebble beach beside them, they were not prepared for what happened next, as waters suddenly and unexpectedly surged beyond sea defences, smashing through the restaurant’s windows in a hail of glass, stones and water. 

Staff hurried guests to the restaurant’s upper floors, but the storm intensified and the building’s structure began to groan amid extreme, powerful flurries of seawater. 

With 32 people trapped inside, Lymington Coastguard Rescue Team was called into action, along with the Police, Army and Fire Service, who battled harsh conditions to reach the exposed coastal location. 

Paul Richman was Deputy Station Officer for Lymington Coastguard Rescue Team at the time. He said: “The restaurant was located on the shoreline at a pinch point where waves converged from all directions. When we arrived, it was being hit very hard by everything from waves, gas bottles and canisters to shingle and debris.”

Parked cars had blocked the single access road, so Coastguards were transported by the military in an eight-wheel drive armoured personnel vehicle, where they worked together to extricate casualties amid the thrashing torrent of seawater, spray and debris. 

Paul, who is now Station Officer for the Lymington team, added: “The army had to drive over shingle and damaged vehicles to reach the restaurant’s car park, but it was just too dangerous to exit. 

“We moved right up to the building’s back door where we could climb in from the back of the vehicle without being swept away.”

The concrete floor of the restaurant had been lifted by waves lapping under it and Paul’s team were unsure of the integrity of the building. When they reached diners on the first floor of the restaurant, the upstairs windows blew out, and storm debris rained in. 

He said: “We located all casualties and protected them, forming a human chain to load them into the truck. The whole thing was such a shock when we arrived, but we didn’t really have time to think about it.

“Communications were very difficult; there was so much noise it was difficult to speak. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Ops Room kept an open radio channel with us so they could keep a constant watch on us. It was reassuring to know there was someone there watching out for us, ready to action whatever we needed.”

More than £100,000 worth of damage had been done to the restaurant, with surrounding beach huts and vehicles destroyed, but despite the conditions, diners and staff had fortunately been left uninjured.

Locally, the audacious rescue continues to be a great source of pride for Paul’s team, their station and the local community.  He said: “At the end of the incident, we all had a big shared debrief, and I was very proud of my team.

“Everyone just came together with very little discussion and we just got on. We knew what we were doing and felt very capable – it was a really, really good rescue.” 

The 147,000-tonne, Liberian-flagged, single-hulled tanker, built in 1993, was carrying a cargo of North Sea crude oil to the nearby Texaco refinery. 

At approximately 8pm on 15 February 1996, as the vessel approached the narrow, rock-lined entrance channel under pilotage and in otherwise average weather conditions, Sea Empress missed the centre of the channel and struck the Mid Channel Rocks. The impact ruptured several cargo tanks and oil began leaking into the sea almost immediately. 

 What followed would expose significant weaknesses in the way major maritime emergencies had been managed at the time.  

Escalating contingency plans 

Milford Haven Port Authority’s Emergency Plan was activated shortly after the grounding, and the Marine Pollution Control Unit’s National Contingency Plan came into effect. The plan provided escalation guidance which allowed central government to assume control of incidents, but the early response was to be hampered by uncertain command and authority.  

Responsibility during the critical initial phase was shared between the port authority, the ship’s operators, government agencies and commercial salvors. The operators accepted assistance from a salvage consortium under Lloyd’s Open Form 1995, a “No Cure – No Pay” agreement incentivising the saving of property and, where possible, the environment. At the time, there was no single entity with a statutory authority to direct or overrule salvage decisions on environmental grounds. 

Rather than being kept firmly aground and stabilised, Sea Empress was refloated on a rising tide with the intention of moving into harbour for offloading and repair; a decision that was to prove detrimental. As the vessel was lifted, she drifted back onto the rocks and was grounded repeatedly as the tides changed. Each impact worsened damage to the hull, tearing open additional cargo tanks and releasing greater quantities of oil. 

A preventable, uncontainable event  

As weather conditions worsened, tides and winds carried the pollution along the Pembrokeshire coastline. The prolonged nature of the incident, with oil escaping intermittently, made containment almost impossible. Surface booms were ineffective in rough seas, while extensive use of chemical dispersants broke up oil slicks but drove pollution deeper into the water column, harming marine life. 

Ultimately, more than 200 kilometres of coastline were contaminated, including some of the UK’s most environmentally sensitive areas. Thousands of seabirds were killed, shellfish beds were closed for extended periods, and coastal communities dependent on fishing and tourism suffered economic damage. Clean-up efforts, meanwhile, were to continue for years. 

Subsequent investigations concluded that the disaster was largely preventable. While navigational error caused the initial grounding, the scale of the spill was greatly increased by failures in contingency planning and decision-making. In particular, the absence of a single, overriding authority to prioritise pollution prevention over salvage was identified as a shortcoming as the National Contingency Plan did not deliver national control early enough. 

The introduction of the SOSREP 

One of the most significant outcomes of the Sea Empress incident was the recognition that a clearly empowered individual should be able to take immediate command of maritime emergencies involving environmental risk. This led directly to the creation of the role of the Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP). 

Established in 1999, the SOSREP role provides the UK government with a single point of authority during maritime incidents that threaten pollution or safety. Based within the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the SOSREP has the power to direct salvage operations, override commercial interests, and take actions judged necessary in the public interest. 

 Meanwhile, pilotage procedures at Milford Haven Port were re-considered, emergency towing capability was strengthened, tanker traffic management was improved, and the National Contingency Plan was re-written to provide clearer lines of command and earlier government intervention.  

 Absorbed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), the modern-day equivalent of the Marine Pollution Control Unit is HM Coastguard’s Counter Pollution and Salvage branch. The MCA conducts national counter pollution exercises every 18 months to test its response to shipping or offshore oil and gas incidents, the most recent being Exercise HARES in 2025. 

 Current SOSREP Stephan Hennig said: “Thirty years on, Sea Empress is a stark reminder that the severity of such maritime incidents is in large part shaped by decisions made in the hours and days that follow an initial impact.  

 “The foundation of the SOSREP role ensures that where risks to safety or catastrophic pollution are observed, prompt interventions are made without delay.” 

 He added: “Indeed, we’ve since seen several maritime incidents of significant scale where this protocol has ensured a streamlined, timely and definitive response; minimising pollution and dangers to life.” 

  “My husband is part of our local lifeboat crew, and our house looks across to the Coastguard station,” says Kate McManus Coyle, Station Officer for Kames Coastguard Rescue Team.  “I always wondered what the Coastguards did, so after watching their water rescue training I spoke to one of the team. I just thought the service sounded really interesting!”  

  Kate became Station Officer (SO) for the team around six years ago, taking on the role from another female Coastguard who’d decided to step down. “At that point, there were about five of us on the team, and really, it’s just grown from there to a crew of eight,” she adds.   

  “We’re quite a female-heavy team and being based in such a remote community, we’ve got people from all walks of life here.”  

What is the most unusual incident you have attended?  

  The Kames team respond to an incredibly broad range of incidents, but it’s a missing person search that most sticks in mind for Kate.  She says: “Last summer, we had a missing person call for someone who, it was said, couldn’t walk very far. We’d been told their range was about 100 metres or so, but it turned out a little different.”  

  Search plans were made and the team scoured the immediate vicinity for eight hours, looking for a person in need of urgent assistance, but their investigation had amounted to very little. “We searched all major routes and had our helicopter out, the Police, police dogs, lifeboat...,” says Kate.   

  After an exhaustive effort, the person concerned popped out of a woodland area with a suitcase, more than nine miles away from the search.  

  What is the most unusual place you’ve been when your pager has gone off?  

  "It has to be while I’ve been out fishing. We had to rapidly sail back in, and then I was trying to catch up with the team!”  

  What is the most challenging part of being a Coastguard?  

  Kate shares that being an emergency responder within a close-knit local community has its challenges, a delicate balance between being respectful of the community but also tolerant of the frustrations it can sometimes bring about.  

  “With my husband also being part of that response too, we find that we must be very diplomatic,” she says. “We’re very respectful of our community but we’re also aware that sometimes people within it can be personally involved or might have family involved." 

  She adds: “It’s something we’ve learned to handle very well, and something that we ensure new recruits become familiar with.”  

  Which local beach is your favourite and why?   

  “My favourite beach is Ostel Bay, also known as Kilbride Bay, on the Cowal Peninsula in Argyll. It’s lovely,” says Kate. “It’s right near to where I live and is a massive and beautiful sandy beach that looks right across the sea to the Isle of Arran.”  

 What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team?  

  Kate says that she really appreciates the teamworking among her colleagues, and the enjoyment and pride that comes with supporting people in her local community.   

  What new skills have you learned as a CRO?  

  "There are just so many things!” she adds. “I think really, being a Coastguard has made me much more confident about doing things I haven’t done before. It’s very dynamic, too. 

  “Years ago, I wouldn't have thought I could do water rescue training, but I pushed myself and managed it.”  

When you’re not a CRO, what do you enjoy doing?  

  When she’s not Coastguarding, Kate is walking her dog Arwen, an eight-year-old hairy lurcher. She also kayaks, paddleboards, cycles, and gardens.  She says: “I love my garden and I’m generally outside all the time, winter and summer. Arwen is kept busy by the many deer and other animals she follows the tracks of locally.”  =

What do you do for a living?  

  “I’m home a lot of the time nowadays, as my husband works at sea, but I’ve worked in hospitality, including when I first joined the Coastguard. I really enjoy running the Coastguard Station, which takes a lot of my time.” 

Richard Holland, Acting Station Officer of Sutton Bridge CRT, said: “To have our late nights, interruptions, and sacrifices recognised in this way means a great deal to all of us.  

“We are grateful for this award and for the continued support we receive from our community. It is an honour to serve.” 

We remain on call 24/7, ready to respond whenever our community needs us.

The event was attended by a special guest, actor Colson Smith from Coronation Street, with the celebrations featuring a performance by Britain’s Got Talen star Max Fox. 

Richard added: “It was a pleasure to be in a room filled with inspirational people from across South Holland, each with their own stories of commitment to their communities. 

“It was a memorable occasion that truly showcased the very best of our region. 

“Serving our community is at the heart of everything we do, and it means a great deal to know that our efforts make a difference. 

"The team is proud to serve the Spalding and South Holland area, as well as the wider south Lincolnshire and north Norfolk coastline. We remain on call 24/7, ready to respond whenever our community needs us.” 

HM Coastguard is one of the UK's frontline emergency services. In an emergency by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 

Main picture, from left: Coastguard Rescue Officer (CRO) Matt Breathwick, Acting Station Officer Richard Holland, CRO Martin Day, Senior Coastal Operations Officer Tom Sharp, and CRO Tom Bell. 

“I’m a Cornwall girl and I used to surf myself. Even though my son is part of a surf lifesaving club, I watch him closely and I know his actions, I know how he surfs,” she says.

Although conditions had begun calmly enough, the winds had started to pick up. Before long, strong rip currents had begun to pull surfers of all abilities sideways towards the bay’s rocky cliffs. 

The sudden change in conditions, surfers struggling to make it to shore, and a dwindling visual contact with her son had unnerved Gemma on shore.

“I spoke to some local surfers who came out and told me that while the boys weren’t distressed, they were unable to get to shore – I’d lost visuals on them and with several other surfers looking in similar difficulty, I thought it was time to call the Coastguard,” she adds. 

“The lady on the other end of the phone was wonderful, very calm, and said she'd send out a lifeboat. I kept apologising to her taking up their time, but while I was on the line, a young lad came to me and said his friend was also caught out in the waves.”

As their surf lifesaving training taught them, Gemma’s son and his friend recognised the signs of a rip and stayed with their boards. They didn’t exhaust themselves struggling against the powerful rip current now pulling them along the bay and before long, the pair had been assisted to shore with a tow from some local surfers.

But Gemma’s relief was short-lived however, as another child had abandoned his surfboard and was swimming to the rocky cliffs nearby.  Fortunately, an HM Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter had arrived on scene and was sent to rescue the youngster. The helicopter’s Winch Paramedic swooped up the boy and put him back safely on the beach. 

“While my son and his friend had gone up to the car to get warm, I stayed to meet the other boy on the beach,” says Gemma. “The whole emergency response was very heroic and quite honestly gave me chills. 

“As water users, we’re very invested in that world, so it was heartwarming to see the community come together for their own like that.”

Gemma says two bits of advice kept her son and his friend safe on Christmas Eve. Firstly, they kept hold of their boards as flotation aids, and secondly, they didn’t fight a rip current. Surfers and swimmers in a rip should swim horizontally to shore, at which point they’ll eventually be able to exit the rip safely.”

The advice is endorsed by Tom Furse, Rescue Centre Coordination Manager for Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), who adds: “We want people to enjoy the beach and coastline, but swimming or surfing in the sea can come with risks. 

“Check the weather and tide times, surf on a lifeguarded beach, ideally with a buddy, and learn how to watch for rip currents. Stay within your limits and always stay with your board. Wear a wetsuit that is suitable for the conditions and tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back.”

Tom added: “In this instance, Gemma’s 999 call was essential. The quicker we’re informed, the quicker we can coordinate a lifesaving response. If you see someone in trouble in the sea or at the coast, always call 999 and ask the Coastguard.”

Gemma’s son and his friend continue to surf at local beaches, as they continue their surf lifesaving training. She says: “They love the water and love surfing. For me, it’s reassuring to know that despite the worst-case scenario, there’s an amazing service out there that will step in to help when people’s lives are in danger at the coast.”

The Breaking Boundaries scheme, based in the south-west, involves emergency organisations from around the UK collaborating with local instructors to give female responders the expertise and confidence to be at the forefront of operations.  

Among those benefitting are Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs) from teams in Devon and Cornwall. 

They have been selected for training to boost their skills as qualified rope rescue technicians, with the potential to pass on their knowledge to others. 

Such specialist CROs are able to abseil down cliffs, for example, to help people stuck on rocks or trapped by the tide. 

They are supported at the top by fellow CROs trained in using winch systems. 

Michelle Spence is a volunteer CRO from Torquay Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) in Devon, and is one of the women getting involved at the Plymouth training centre. Others were from Croyde and St Agnes CRTs. 

Michelle said: "It’s been a fantastic opportunity for us all to gain additional knowledge and experience – not only in rope rescue, but also in understanding how our colleagues across other rescue services operate.  

“The time, expertise and support shared by our instructors and by one another has been phenomenal.  

“We’re excited about the next steps, which include bringing another cohort of women through the program, as well as developing members of our existing team through the next stages." 

Breaking Boundaries is a joint initiative involving local training companies providing instruction and additional support to women from HM Coastguard as well as Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART) from South-West Ambulance Service, Mountain Rescue, Lowland Rescue, and Fire and Rescue Services.

“I have worked in other emergency services but also grew up loving the sea,” says Senior Aeronautical Operations Officer (SAOO) Alex, who is based at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Fareham.

 He adds: “When I saw an opportunity to join the Coastguard and combine those experiences, it seemed like the perfect fit.”

 What is the most unusual incident you’ve worked on or coordinated?

Alex and his team can sometimes deal with incidents involving missing people, but they’re not aware that they’ve been reported missing. He says: “The best one I can remember was an overdue climber. The police said he was very surprised when they told him that we had been searching for him!”

 The team sent a Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter to search for the man, but it turned out he’d already left the mountain and was in a local pub having dinner. “While not very unusual, it was quite funny,” says Alex.  

What is the most challenging part of your role?

The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) handles a fleet of aircraft that are available to HM Coastguard for assistance in an emergency – it’s quite a tall challenge for the team, who task and manage HM Coastguard’s aeronautical response for the whole of the UK.

 Alex says: “Handling the whole of the country, we can struggle with a lack of local knowledge in areas, so we work hard to find out factors about an area that affect Search and Rescue operations. We also work with a wide variety of other services, and it can often be complicated to try and work out who we need to speak to for each incident without knowing the area.”

Which local beach is your favourite and why?

“I have always liked Littlehampton - well worth the drive for some fish and chips!”

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team?

Alex says: “I enjoy the backgrounds that our team members come from. We have a lot of people who come from other emergency service partners or the military, and the experience this brings is essential to working across such a broad range of incidents.”

What does being a Coastguard mean to you – are there essential lessons/tips/skills you’ve picked up?

“Calm and composure are key,” Alex says. “The Coastguard relies on highest quality communications over the phone, radio and in person, to keep the service running smoothly and to keep the public and our crews safe.”

He adds: “A cool head in a crisis that can quickly assess information and prioritise tasks amongst the team, no matter what your role, is essential.  

When you’re not working, what do you enjoy doing?

Outside of work, Alex is a keen watersports and outdoor activities enthusiast. He says: “You can often find me on my paddleboard, and I am currently ‘learning the ropes’ sailing with a friend who's an expert. When I have time, I like to get out to interesting places like North Wales to tackle a mountain or do a long hike.”

 Described as ‘relentless’ by James Delday, Station Officer of Kirkwall Coastguard Rescue Team, three 14-hour days ran the course of an entire weekend from Friday 2 January, and saw Jim and his Deputy Mark Rendall coordinate a more unusual HM Coastguard response: sustaining care services across the island.  

 "Vital NHS staff needed to help their patients and care across the community had to continue,” says Jim, a longstanding Coastguard since 1977 with both operations room and coastal operations experience.   

“It started with an evening call requesting our assistance to someone stuck in snow, but we soon saw conditions worsen. Our team members didn’t return from that call until 4am the next morning, then three hours later at 7am, the next tasking came in.” 

With persistent and strong winds whipping up snow drifts that continued to fall over Orkney, James and Mark were called upon by Coastal Operations Area Commander Dave Sweeney to manage the coordination of around 18 Coastguard Rescue Officers supporting the continued operation of the island community.  

 HM Coastguard team members trained in 4x4 driving set out on numerous taskings amid challenging conditions to move NHS staff between medical practices, the island’s main Balfour Hospital, and care in the community settings.  

 Jim said: “The NHS made a call through the system requesting that we need to help doctors, nurses, specialists, and midwives to change shift at the hospital. The main roads were only starting to be treated, and the side roads were impassable. 

 “To maintain the community’s health needs, it was vital for the hospital to continue running so the whole community pitched in, as we often do, to help everyone.” 

 The team members were up early each morning to help family members deliver and administer care and medications to loved ones, as well as shuttle medical professionals through dense snow.  

 They were also called upon to support travel for patients in need of urgent and lifesaving medical care, including dialysis and cancer treatment.  

“Our Coastguards come from a range of backgrounds and occupations. That weekend, they dropped everything and said, ‘there's people in need of help, let's get this operation underway,” said Jim.  

 Coastal Operations Area Commander Dave Sweeney said: “It’s been a tremendous effort and a phenomenal task undertaken by Jim, his team, and everyone across Orkney and Shetland. 

 “Being on the islands, our resilience is different to that of the mainland, but we’re well-equipped, well-resourced, and capable. Everyone helps each other out, and we’re glad to be part of that effort, including our colleagues at Orkney Local Emergency Coordinating Group (OLECG) and Shetland Emergency Planning Forum (SEPF). 

 “Our teams completed around 100 transfers of vital staff and carers to our communities and ensured our MRCC Shetland staff could also make it into work to continue crucial HM Coastguard coordination.” 

He added: “With snow continuing to stack around us, our community spirit kicked in. While words genuinely escape me for the praise I feel, I can’t thank our teams enough for their commitment and dedication to the communities they serve.” 

She adds: “The North Sea incident was especially testing for our newer team members, who absolutely shone in the deepest of deep-end situations.”

The CPS team picked up on a myriad of other incidents, from vessels with fraudulent or ambiguous insurance transiting through the Dover Strait, thought to be the busiest shipping lane in the world.

Car carrier and bulk carrier fires also required swift coordination of assets and identification of safe havens, demonstrating the evolving complexities of new technologies such as lithium-ion batteries and the unique fire risks they pose. 

Just a few weeks ago the team responded to a loss of shipping containers in the Solent, which despite their perishable contents, carried serious safety and navigation concerns for mariners, people on the coast, and two major UK ports.

The MCA’s Counter Pollution and Salvage team work closely with HM Coastguard colleagues from Coastal Operations, Receiver of Wreck and the Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP), as well as a host of public sector services. 

Beyond the headlines, the team’s substantial day-to-day operations continued throughout the festive season and into the New Year, providing expert advice and guidance for around 20+ incidents per week. 

More unusual enquiries for 2025 included the legality of clay-pigeon shooting from vessels, mineral pollution mistaken for valuable whale vomit, and live munitions found by the public.

But crucially, much of the team’s vital work lies behind the scenes in preparedness, from auditing MCA equipment across the UK, to exercises with port authorities, even training in areas as remote as the Falkland Islands. 

Reflecting on what she says stands out most, Jayne says of her team: “We’re a group of resilient, dedicated individuals who support one another through every challenge. 

“Whether that’s through training, procurement of new technology, or engagement at the international level; our team's adaptability ensures we’re prepared for whatever next year brings.”

For the MCA’s Survey and Inspection Team, Acting Assistant Director Survey & Inspection South Chris D’Alcorn reflects on another busy festive period, with the team providing essential services to ensure that shipping never stops.

He said: “Our coverage is maintained around the clock by the out-of-hours team and Duty Surveyor, with a dedicated phone line available 24/7/365 to support UK-flagged vessels globally.”

"Over Christmas and New Year alone 17 surveyors were on rota, ensuring comprehensive coverage across public holidays and weekends, covering everything from attending ports to inspect foreign vessels in UK waters and those involved in incidents, to offering expert advice.”

The team have been involved in several incidents over the past year supporting colleagues in other teams and offering advice internally and to other government departments. Additionally, they’ve have flagged in several high-profile vessels to the UK flag which included working weekends and travel at short notice.

Chris adds: “As 2026 begins, we will move into what has historically been our busiest quarter of the year, with many seasonal vessels being in refit and getting ready for the summer months. 

“This normally peaks about Easter time as many go into operation to make full use of the better weather and any tourism during the school easter holidays.”

The teams will also be involved in lot of testing and training in readiness for a new Maritime Digital Platform (MDP) with multiple new elements to go live next year. As preparations for 2026 gather pace, both teams are set for another year of challenges, learning, and outstanding teamwork.

After resuming shoreline searches in Withernsea for one missing person today, 3 January, HM Coastguard stood down its extensive search effort this afternoon. 

3 January, 9.30am

HM Coastguard searches in the Withernsea area have resumed this morning, 3 January. 

Coastguard Rescue Teams from Hull, Withernsea, Hornsea and Bridlington alongside police were sent to the scene at around 6.30am to search for one missing person. Searches remain ongoing.

3 January, 1am

HM Coastguard has been searching for two missing people in the water off Withernsea this afternoon and evening (2 January). 

First alerted to reports of people in difficulty in the water at around 3.10pm, assets sent to the scene included an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft, Coastguard Rescue Teams, the RNLI and Hornsea Inshore Rescue, alongside Humberside Police, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and Humberside Fire and Rescue. 

After extensive shoreline and offshore searches, the search was stood down at around half past midnight (12.30am, 3 January). Efforts will resume at first light, when coastguard rescue teams along with partner agencies will be sent to conduct additional searches of the area.

A second update from Humberside Police can be found here - Update on Withernsea incident | Humberside Police

2 January, 9.40pm

An update from Humberside Police can be found here - Officers in attendance on Withernsea Promenade | Humberside Police

2 January, 7.15pm

HM Coastguard is searching for two missing people in the water off Withernsea today, 2 January. 

First alerted to reports of people in difficulty in the water at around 3.10pm, assets sent to the scene include an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft, Coastguard Rescue Teams from Withernsea, Hornsea and Hull, the RNLI's inshore lifeboat from Withernsea and all-weather lifeboat from Bridlington, and Hornsea Inshore Rescue. 

Yorkshire Ambulance Service has been sent as well as an air ambulance. Humberside Police and Humberside Fire and Rescue are also in attendance. 

Searches remain ongoing.

2 January, 4pm

HM Coastguard is responding to reports made at about 3.10pm on 2 January of a number of people in difficulty in the water at Withernsea. 

An HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft have been sent as well as Coastguard Rescue Teams from Withernsea, Hornsea and Hull. 

The RNLI's inshore lifeboat from Withernsea and all-weather lifeboat from Bridlington are assisting, as well as Hornsea Inshore Rescue. Yorkshire Ambulance Service has been sent as well as an air ambulance. Humberside Police and Humberside Fire and Rescue are also in attendance.

Every day HM Coastguard was ready to respond 24/7 with Coastguard Rescue Teams and aircraft synchronized from maritime rescue coordination centres.  

Here are some of the big moments. 

JANUARY 

New Year’s Eve parties had barely ended before fresh celebrations began as the BBC kicked off 2025 by marking the centenary of the corporation’s first broadcast in 1925 of the iconic Shipping Forecast. 

In fact, what is now the Shipping Forecast was first called Weather Shipping. It aired on 1 January 1924, a year earlier than the BBC’s debut broadcast, and was picked up by ships over a telegraphic messaging system. 

These days, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is ultimately responsible for the provision of Maritime Safety Information (MSI) to ships at sea. It works closely with the Met Office which prepares and issues routine forecasts and initiates weather warnings for dissemination by HM Coastguard as well as the BBC. 

Closer to land, HM Coastguard responded to floods that struck the Somerset town of Chard on 26-27 January amid heavy wind and rain. 

Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRTs) from Burnham-on-Sea and Weston-Super-Mare assembled, supported by a specialist flood response team made up of Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs) from south Devon, three full-time HM Coastguard officers, and a drone team. 

The HM Coastguard contingent joined in the multi-agency response by assisting in the evacuation of around 150 properties, including two care homes, and making welfare checks. 

FEBRUARY 

A personal locator beacon (PLB) was credited with helping make the difference in the rescue of a 74-year-old man who broke bones in 13 places after falling during a solo voyage in bad weather. 

The alert giving Richard Spreckley’s location 14 nautical miles south-east of Berry Head, Devon, was picked up by HM Coastguard’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Fareham, Hampshire, at about 9.55am on 8 February. 

Richard was soon met by RNLI lifeboats from Torbay and Dartmouth sent by HM Coastguard. The sight of them was a “tremendous relief”, he said. 

Someone very familiar with lifesaving rescues is Paul ‘Bud’ White who retired from Hastings Coastguard Rescue Team at the age of 72, ending more than five decades of service for which he was made an MBE in 2010. 

Bud started his time with HM Coastguard as a 17-year-old auxiliary, as the volunteer title was then, and went on to become Station Officer. His grandfather, father, uncle, brother and son have also served. 

It was another proud night at the inaugural Northern Ireland Blue Light Awards in which HM Coastguard was shortlisted for Blue Light Emergency Service of the Year. 

MARCH 

When two cargo vessels, the Stena Immaculate and Solong, collided and caught fire off the coast of Yorkshire on 10 March, the response was led by HM Coastguard.  

Search and rescue and counter-pollution teams were involved, with cooperation across a range of agencies to contain the emergency in which one crew member from the Solong was tragically lost. 

A new joint safety campaign launched in partnership with the RNLI and Royal Yachting Association (RYA), encouraging the recreational boating community to ‘Reduce the risk, boost your skills’. 

It included free checklists for boat owners to refresh their skills and help prepare their vessels for the new boating season.  

Derrick Jones, Assistant Chief Coastguard, said: "We hope that everyone has a safe and enjoyable time on the water, but it’s essential that all levels of boater, from beginner to experienced, are properly equipped to handle emergency situations that can occur at any time of year, and in any conditions.” 

International Women's Day on 8 March was a chance to spotlight the achievements of HM Coastguard’s Nicola Davies whose career has helped forge a path for other women. 

Embodying the day’s “Accelerate Action” theme, Nicola has risen through the ranks and is now Head of Operational Assurance at HM Coastguard – using her 30 years’ experience to ensure standards are met.  

Nicola's elder daughter, Emily, has followed in her wake as she trains to launch her own maritime career, driving cruise ships around the world.  

APRIL 

Congratulations were in order for Graeme Gordon, Station Officer with Burghead CRT, who picked up three Moray and Banffshire Heroes Awards. 

The event celebrates local community champions and volunteers across north-east Scotland, with Graeme winning the categories of Volunteer, Emergency Service, and Hero of Heroes. 

Graeme, who joined HM Coastguard in 1985, was recognised for his longstanding work to save lives by managing his team's training and emergency response. 

MAY 

Coastguards were honoured to join the national commemoration parade to Buckingham Palace to mark VE Day. 

The full-time and volunteer officers marched from Whitehall alongside fellow emergency services personnel from the police, fire and rescue, and ambulance services. 

They were part of the Uniformed Civilian Services contingent in a military parade on Monday 5 May followed by a flypast of current and historic military aircraft – including the famous Red Arrows. The event was ahead of VE Day on 8 May when the Allies declared victory in Europe.  

Hayley Douglas, Deputy Station Officer for Isle of Tiree CRT in Scotland, commented: “It is incredibly important to me to remember those involved in past conflicts in all the various roles across the armed and civil services.” 

JUNE 

A sailor whose yacht sank after going aground on a submerged rock off the coast of Anglesey, Wales, was pulled from the cold water by rescuers guided precisely to his location by an emergency beacon.  

Forward planning by Chris Cowlard made the difference as he was able to broadcast his location with an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) – bought less than three weeks before the incident. 

He was picked up by the RNLI’s inshore lifeboat from Holyhead, directed there by HM Coastguard. Chris said: “I was so relieved. The moment I hit the bottom of that lifeboat I knew I was safe.”    

Port Talbot CRT was the winner of the prestigious Emergency Services Award at the Nation Radio Pride of Wales Awards. 

The team, which has a proud history dating back to the early 1900s, received the honour at a ceremony held at Brangwyn Hall in Swansea on 5 June.  

Station Officer Connor James, Deputy Station Officer Gary Locke, and CROs Alastair Wilson and Leanne Brereton accepted the award on behalf of the team. 

The mother and best friend of a much-loved teenager who drowned in a fierce rip current at Bournemouth beach more than two years ago spoke up to help people enjoy the coast safely this summer.  

Joe Abbess (17), a popular trainee chef and regular gym-goer, was in the water up to his waist during a trip to the seaside town with friends on 31 May 2023 when conditions suddenly changed.  

As the summer season got into full swing, Vanessa Abbess joined with her late son’s best friend, Joe Green (19), and HM Coastguard to make a difference in his memory. 

Vanessa said: "It is so shocking that Joe died and shows you’re never entirely safe in the sea – but there are ways to reduce the risk, which we want everyone to know.” 

More than 50 years working to save lives earned Lymington CRO Peter Brown a British Empire Medal in HM The King's Birthday Honours. 

Peter’s paid and voluntary career started with the RNLI in 1970 and went on to include senior roles at the MCA. 

He said: “In the UK we are so lucky to have such capable and willing coastguards and lifeboat crews promoting maritime safety and rescuing those in need. It is my absolute pleasure to continue to volunteer with the very best of them.” 

JULY 

An HM Coastguard helicopter Winch Paramedic received a prestigious award for his bravery during a dramatic rescue at Newhaven, East Sussex. 

Chris Purkiss, from Lydd’s search and rescue helicopter team, received the Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy at the House of Commons as part of the Air League’s Annual Reception Ceremony on 9 July.  

In July last year, Chris and his crew were sent to a wrecked vessel at Newhaven breakwater. Amid gale conditions, Chris was winched aboard the yacht and successfully rescued the lone yachtsman as the vessel broke up on the rocks.  

Chris’s fellow crew members were Pilot Chris Trubshaw, Co-Pilot Mark Wielopolski, and Winch Operator Andrew Catterall. 

As holidaymakers flocked to beaches across the UK, a summer safety campaign from HM Coastguard urged visitors to stay out of danger by following simple safety advice at the coast.  

Through posters, safety messaging and case studies, HM Coastguard’s Coast Clever summer safety campaign warned of coastal dangers including cliff falls, tidal cutoffs, offshore winds and mud.  

Chief Coastguard Paddy O’Callaghan said: “Each year HM Coastguard responds to reports of people in danger at the coast, but many of these situations can be avoided." 

AUGUST 

Two teenagers trapped on cliffs at the popular holiday spot of Bude, Cornwall, were rescued from danger by HM Coastguard. 

A 999 call at about 9pm on 23 August raised the alarm, with the response run from HM Coastguard’s Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC). 

The first person was recovered to the top in a rope rescue operation by Bude and Boscastle CRTs. The second was winched to safety by an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter.  

Senior Coastal Operations Officer Robin Snuggs said: “This was a complex and technical rescue involving very close coordination between all the teams involved.” 

SEPTEMBER 

The highly anticipated third series of Coastguard returned for a fresh run on Channel 5.    

Through captivating true-life stories gathered from day-to-day activity on many fronts across the UK, viewers were taken inside the operations of the MCA, tasked with preventing loss of life on the coast and at sea. 

MCA Chief Executive Virginia McVea said: “We’re extremely proud to share a powerful insight into our work across the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.”

A special award was presented by the NHS to HM Coastguard to honour vital support provided during the Covid pandemic in the Western Isles of Scotland. 

An inscribed plaque depicting the George Cross, given for gallantry to the whole NHS in 2022, was offered by NHS Western Isles in gratitude for the efforts of local volunteer CROs.  

A new Operational Support Vehicle (OSV) for HM Coastguard search and rescue operations was among the latest developments to be showcased at the Emergency Services Show 2025.  

The vehicle – one of 18 provided to each operational area of HM Coastguard in the UK – was the centrepiece of its stand at the event from 17-18 September.  

As well as carrying rescue equipment, the OSV provides on-scene command facilities using on-demand satellite communications for reliable contact between commanders and teams in all conditions.  

It also provides welfare and logistical support for prolonged incidents, including hot water; kit washing, decontamination and drying capability; battery recharging; and seating for five people. 

International cooperation between HM Coastguard, the Falkland Islands, Argentina and Spain led to the rescue of a yachtsman whose vessel was in danger of sinking in the south Atlantic more than 100 miles from land. 

With the drifting yacht's communications limited, the jurisdictions worked together to calculate its location about 108 nautical miles south-west of the Falklands and coordinate the rescue with the help of a fishing trawler. 

Rob Priestley, Network Commander at HM Coastguard, said: “This was a good example of international cooperation that brought a yachtsman to safety from a dangerous situation, miles from land.” 

Deceptively calm waters quickly became dangerous one Sunday afternoon at Carlingford Lough in Northern Ireland as two young boys were swept out to sea on a paddleboard. 

The Kilkeel CRT and an RNLI lifeboat were able to spot the boys who had sensibly stayed with the paddleboard to keep them afloat. When the lifeboat crew arrived, both were wet and extremely cold.  

One of their mums said: "As we waited, it was an enormous comfort to have the coastguard rescue team there and know that they would do everything possible to save our boys." 

OCTOBER 

The crew of the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based in Lydd were honoured again for the dramatic rescue at Newhaven, East Sussex – this time by the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society.  

On 4 July 2024, the crew sprang into action when deteriorating weather prevented an RNLI lifeboat from safely rescuing a stricken sailor whose yacht had broken free of its moorings. 

“With seconds to act, the crew showed exceptional skill and bravery, winching their paramedic onto the collapsing yacht to pull the casualty free before both were lifted to safety,” said the Society. 

Winch Paramedic Chris Purkiss called it “a real team effort,” praising his helicopter crew and Newhaven CRT on the ground. 

The MCA announced the locations for HM Coastguard’s new seasonal helicopter bases, increasing search and rescue provision in two of the busiest locations for summer tourism. 

On Monday 6 October, HM Coastguard in conjunction with Bristow Helicopters Limited began construction of the new base at Oban. The base will include a modern Search and Rescue hangar, an operational planning room, offices and rest areas for crews. 

The second seasonal base will be located in Carlisle. The bases will each operate one aircraft from April to September, 9am-9pm, with a readiness state of 15 minutes. 

Chief Coastguard Paddy O’Callaghan said: “Our new seasonal bases are a huge step forward in expanding HM Coastguard’s search and rescue capability during those periods when we experience a rise in incidents.” 

CRTs from across north Wales, together with crew members from the Caernarfon search and rescue helicopter, watched a special thank-you screening of the BBC’s second series of SOS Extreme Rescues.  

All those attending the showing at Galeri Caernarfon had taken part in the filming of the second series which follows the incredible responses of HM Coastguard and partner emergency services across the coastlines and mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia). 

Among them were three related members of Criccieth CRT, in Gwynedd: husband and wife Anitria and Wayne Roberts and their son, Cedri. 

Angie Bosley, from Barmouth CRT, said: “It was a great reminder of the importance of collaboration and the impact of what we do. The screening really captured that spirit, and it was lovely to celebrate it together.” 

The HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter crew from Caernarfon celebrated winning the Prince Philip Helicopter Rescue Award for the second year running.   

The accolade was given by the Honourable Company of Air Pilots at a ceremony in London on Friday 24 October for “exceptional courage and professionalism” in responding to an injured walker at Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) in Snowdonia in extremely challenging weather.  

On 18 November 2024, Captain David Kenyon, Co-pilot Charlie Brown, Winch Operator Mark Tomblin, Winch Paramedic Neil Cooper, and Winch Operator Under Training Geraint Morris overcame a blizzard to successfully rescue the casualty. 

A suspected bomb brought up from the seabed was presented to Brightlingsea Museum in Essex after researchers discovered it was actually a bell from a wrecked ship that first set sail from the town nearly 150 years ago.  

The Deputy Receiver of Wreck, Andrea Bailey, helped bring the artefact home from where it was found during commercial survey work near Saltburn – about 260 miles away on the North Sea coast. 

With no one claiming ownership, it became property of the Crown and so it was agreed its final journey would be back to Brightlingsea for exhibition in the local museum. 

Deputy Receiver of Wreck Andrea said: “The fate of the Masonic and her crew was a tragedy, far away from where it first set sail. So it feels right that the bell – the last surviving piece – is returned to where it was built.” 

NOVEMBER 

Specialist flood response teams from HM Coastguard joined fellow emergency services helping communities keep safe in south Wales as Storm Claudia swept through the region. 

Heavy rain brought flooding to several areas: swelling rivers, blocking roads, and forcing some residents to leave their homes to keep clear of the rising waters.  

During 14-15 November, volunteer CROs assisted more than 150 people, including making welfare checks, responding to 999 calls, and evacuating at-risk households. 

The crew of an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter who plucked a man from a yacht being smashed on rocks won recognition yet again their skill and bravery. 

The Lydd-based helicopter team were presented with the International Ocean Safety Award by the International Association of Cape Horners at their annual lunch in Portsmouth on 22 November.  

The accolade was for the rescue at Newhaven, Sussex, on 4 July 2024 when the HM Coastguard helicopter and crew, provided by contractor Bristow, saved a sailor from his yacht as it was swept onto rocks below a sea wall.  

DECEMBER 

When Storm Bram swept across the UK in early December, HM Coastguard was ready to respond. In Newtownards, Northern Ireland, Bangor and Portaferry CRTs joined fellow emergency services on 9 December to help a number of vehicles stranded in flood water – including a school bus of children.  

CROs in full water rescue equipment assisted in clearing the road to allow the vehicles to get to safety. 

HM Coastguard was alerted to another significant incident when 16 containers came off a cargo ship near the Nab Tower in the Solent, leading to loads of bananas washing up on the West Sussex coast. 

Eight of the containers were reported as carrying bananas, two as carrying plantain, one as carrying avocados, and the remaining five as empty. No one was injured. 

HM Coastguard closely monitored the situation, warning shipping and sending aircraft and Selsey CRT to observe. The response included liaising with local authorities responsible for the shoreline clean-up, as well as the vessel’s owners for recovering the containers. 

Happy new year! 

Suddenly an officer at a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre could be taking a 999 call, or a volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officer’s bleeper might go off signaling someone in distress. 

Here’s a true taste of what it was like responding with HM Coastguard on Christmas Day 2024. 

01:01:43 

It’s a very early start on Christmas morning for the volunteers of Benbecula and Lochboisdale Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRTs) in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland.  

An emergency call comes into Shetland Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) about a vehicle which has gone into the water on the island of South Uist.  

The CRTs are sent to assist a search – but good news soon comes in. No one is in danger and the person from the vehicle has got themselves to safety. 

09:42:13 

In some homes presents are being swapped and unwrapped but on the Essex coast there’s a report of a medical emergency, with the call handled by an operations officer at Dover MRCC. 

Someone has fallen ill and paramedics need help to transfer the patient to their ambulance. In case they are needed, an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter is sent as well as an RNLI inshore lifeboat. 

But with Walton and Clacton CRTs on the scene, the casualty can be carried by stretcher to the waiting ambulance to be taken to hospital. 

10:28:07 

There’s an emergency at Brancaster, Norfolk, where a report has been made of two people cut off by the tide. Humber MRCC sends Hunstanton and Wells CRTs to the rescue. 

They are soon stood down, however; before they arrive the pair make it back to shore – soaking wet but safe. 

Stay safe by the coast 

11:14:33 

Kitchens are warming up with people preparing their Christmas lunch. But at Exmouth, Devon, attention is focused on a swimmer reported missing at the beach.  

The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Fareham, Hampshire, manages the response. Exmouth and Beer CRTs are sent to search, along with the RNLI’s lifeboats from Exmouth.  

There’s relief as the response ends in quick-time when the person is found safe and well on shore. 

12:59:21 

It’s lunchtime, but for Inverness CRT and the RNLI’s lifeboat from Kessock in Scotland, there’s the crew of a yacht to rescue, which has gone ground in the Moray Firth, near Inverness.  

They’re sent to assist by Shetland MRCC but, fortunately, everyone is accounted for. The two people on board make it onto the beach safe and well, with the lifeboat standing by as a precaution.  

The pair are checked over by the CRT before being passed into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service. 

Stay safe on board 

13:21:22 

Twelve drummers drumming is the final verse from the 12 Days of Christmas.  

There’s just one (container) drum washed up at West Kirby, Merseyside – but it might be filled with toxic material, according to a report from a member of the public handled by Holyhead MRCC. 

Wirral CRT are sent to investigate to ensure it’s not a threat to anyone out for a Christmas stroll on the local coastline. They establish it is empty and place it safely for the local authority to collect. 

14:07:37 

A little way up the coast at Birkdale, a man has become disorientated and lost in the sand dunes. Southport and Crosby CRTs are sent by Holyhead MRCC to help him find a way out, supported by Southport Offshore Rescue quadbikes. 

The man is located safe and well before being guided back towards home to enjoy the rest of his Christmas. 

17:20:13 

On the south coast in Hampshire, a man needs help after falling ill on a vessel moored at Fareham. 

Hillhead and Portsmouth CRTs, together with an RNLI lifeboat from Portsmouth, are sent by the JRCC to help transfer him onto dry land.  

The teams work together to bring the patient ashore and pass him safely into the care of the ambulance service. 

17:42:59 

Darkness has fallen and Milford Haven MRCC receives a report of a bright red flare spotted in the night sky over Swansea Bay, south Wales.  

It could be someone signalling they are in danger, so Mumbles and Port Talbot CRT are sent to investigate, along with the RNLI lifeboat from Mumbles.  

South Wales Police join the response and establish it was an accidental release from the shore. 

18:47:19 

As people around the UK are starting to sag into their sofas in front of the TV, Holyhead MRCC receives a report of concern about a person who might have been cut off by the tide at Lytham, Lancashire. 

Lytham St Annes CRT are sent to ensure no one is in danger. There’s relief when it is established no one is in distress, and the response is stood down. 

21:00:46 

While some people are thinking of going to bed after one more slice of Christmas cake, Milford Haven MRCC is coordinating HM Coastguard’s support for a missing-person search in Swansea, led by South Wales Police. 

Mumbles and Port Talbot CRTs are sent plus both RNLI lifeboats from Mumbles. It’s a good result: the person is found safe and well. 

HM Coastguard is ready round-the-clock to respond to calls for help every day of the year.  

For an emergency at sea or by the coast, call 999 and ask for Coastguard.  

Happy Christmas! 

 On the face of it, it seemed a very routine callout for Newquay’s Coastguard Rescue Team, a simpler beach job for the well-experienced crew. Nevertheless, they were quick to respond, gearing up and dispatching to the scene in minutes. 

 Coastguards arrived to find an elderly man perched on rocks beyond the beach’s breakwater, around 15 ft away from a raging tide and the safety of the shore. 

“The man had been walking the beach, and, after seeing a walker in front of him walk around the breakwater, he’d followed and found himself caught by the tide,” says Jeremy, an Air Ambulance crew member who is an Officer in Charge for Newquay Coastguard.  

"We quickly realised this was a far bigger job than described, and there was a high chance that our casualty could fall into the sea at any moment.” 

The team called for Newquay’s lifeboat, but they knew that harsh and rocky conditions posed a significant danger to the lifeboat crew – a rescue by boat might not be possible.  

The decision was made to rig a team member up in a dry suit with a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) and floating line, ready and prepped to jump in the water if necessary. Fellow coastguards on cliffs above, meanwhile, prepared apparatus and climbing equipment.

“The tide and swells were coming in, with the water now reaching the man’s feet, so we decided to prepare a technical rope rescue,” adds Jeremy. “We alerted our flank team at Padstow as a fallback and the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter, who were on their way. 

“The waves were crashing and engulfing our rope technician, the casualty was completely overcome and exhausted. We knew we didn’t have much time.”

One of the team at the cliff is a paramedic and received the man for assessment when he was lifted to the top. Jeremy said: “This was a really good team job, with eight people pulling the rescue off in the speed they did, working incredibly well, while having a plan B in case we need to enter the water.”

Visiting the Coastguard Station after his rescue, the casualty thanked Newquay team. He hadn’t had much energy left and was exhausted when coastguards reached him, describing what had happened as quite a close call, Jeremy says.

He added: “The tide catches people out all the time, even those that are local or experienced walkers and beach users. Whenever you think you’re due to make it back, add extra time. Tide is never an exact science and given swell, wind, and weather conditions, you can’t count on it. Be mindful and know the dangers.” 

 “I was celebrating my 50th dip with four others from my local club, so it was just for some fun really,” says Julie. The group always stay away from the mouth of the bay, where they’d been warned of potentially dangerous currents.  

 “It sounds stupid after what happened, but we’re quite sensible and we keep to the left of ‘Jack’, a big pipe on the far side of the beach. We don’t go out of our depth; but I’ll admit that I do love jumping the waves – it’s what makes things different and fun.”

It was as the group had been wading out that Julie spotted one of her fellow dippers, someone she didn’t know well, moving past Jack, out past the mouth of the bay. 

 “I called out to her with my colleague warning about going past the post. Looking back, I think she might have already been in difficulty, and I couldn’t see a float, which was very worrying.”

 It was then that Julie and her fellow dipper made a very well-intentioned mistake: they swam out deeper. “We just wanted to help I think,” says Julie. “I didn’t even realise that we were now drifting out too and only realised this when my feet hit some rocks. 

“I felt helpless, as I recognised the danger and the limits of my own abilities, and a horrid realisation crept in – before me a person was drowning. It was totally horrible, and she was in such great difficulties. 

“Her hands were up and the waves were crashing over her. In my mind, I’d turned my back on someone who was drowning and I’m still finding that very hard to deal with.”

Julie attempted to swim to the shore while battling the strong current when she saw a man standing on the cliff pointing and shaking his hands. She said: “I put my hands up and pointed to the other swimmers. I gestured that I was trying to move and swim. I had my float and held onto it, but I was so, so tired. 

“I remember thinking that I was going to drown, and I decided to try to reach the rocks. At that stage, I didn’t know that the Coastguard was coming. I was taken closer; there were lots of waves and it was quite frightening.”

Desperately fighting the tide and her own exhaustion, Julie clung to the rocks, being bruised and battered by the surf and the unforgiving breakwater.  She later said she felt lucky compared to the other two. 

Shouting through the winds, an off-duty doctor was reassuring. “She kept telling me to look and focus on her, and I was doing it, but I couldn’t hold on any longer,” Julie recalls. 

Coastguards then arrived, including water rescue team-members Calvin Pickess and Hugo Chandor, and Officer in Charge Paul Ambrose. Paul said: “The swimmers were battling a ‘washing machine’ effect; being struck against the rocks repeatedly. I shouted to them as they held onto their floats, but I could see they were exhausted.”

 “I knew that with the waves, rocks and period in the water, we only had a small pocket of time to do a water rescue. Our officers could get in there to shield the casualties and stabilise the situation before other assets could get on scene.” 

 Officer in Charge Paul opted for a very quick ‘snatch rescue’ with Calvin going into the crashing waters while secured on a line. He got hold of Julie first and pulled her up the rocks and out of the water. She was quickly put in a warm Coastguard vehicle and assessed.

 He added: “It was obviously time critical, so Hugo entered the water for the other two casualties. He put his feet against the rocks and then kept hold of them, taking the full impact of the waves behind him.”

RNLI New Brighton lifeboat arrived but due to the conditions couldn't get in safely. They sent one crew person ashore to assist. With the rocks being so slippery, Coastguards used a basket stretcher to get the remaining two casualties out the water and onto the rocks. 

A Coastguard Rescue Helicopter arrived and winched both casualties off the rocks and onto the beach, where they were assessed by paramedics and taken to Arrowe Park Hospital. Both casualties are making a steady recovery.

“The swimmer from the group who got out of the water to call for help was crucial,” says Paul. “Had they swum out to assist, that 999 call might not have happened so quickly. It could have been a very different outcome. 

He added: “Seeing the casualties home safe for Christmas, it’s amazing.” Speaking about her coastguard rescuers, Julie says simply, “They’re absolutely marvellous.” 

 If you’re in trouble at sea or on the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

The timepiece has been installed at the Church of St Nicholas in Withernsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, to honour all members of HM Coastguard who are ready to turn out 24/7 for emergencies. 

The project was achieved with the help of Humber Coastguard Association which assists serving and former coastguards and their families in times of need as well as being involved in the local community with various projects. 

A ceremony in September marked the unveiling of the memorial by East Yorkshire Deputy Lieutenant Colonel David Fuller OBE, a former Principal Surveyor with the MCA. 

We are privileged and honoured to receive this memorial

The clock has been installed on a specially built section of brickwork adorned with commemorative plaques of HM Coastguard and the Humber Coastguard Association. 

There is a Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) based at Withernsea as well as at other nearby communities including Hornsea, Hull and Cleethorpes. 

Withernsea CRT Station Officer John Hickey said: “Withernsea has had a Coastguard Rescue Team for over 120 years, and we are privileged and honoured to receive this memorial dedicated to the past and present members.” 

The story of the memorial clock, built by Potts of Leeds, began in the early 1960s at Withernsea’s outdoor swimming pool. 

When the pool closed the clock was saved from demolition by former Coastguard Rescue Officer Terry Bearpark, changing hands as it was partially restored. 

Its last holder was Syd Rollinson, a stalwart lifesaver who had been a member both of HM Coastguard and Humber lifeboat crew. 

When Syd died in 2021 it was proposed the clock should find a home in the town – an ambition which was achieved in a joint effort between Humber Coastguard Association and Friends of St Nicholas Withernsea. 

Main picture: Withernsea CRT with East Yorkshire Deputy Lieutenant Colonel David Fuller (photo: Rachel Watkinson)

For Helena, meeting the family was the next big step. Originally from Brazil, she’d made London her home and for the past year she’d been dating James from Devon. “It was Christmas 2023 and he was keen to show me the beautiful places where he grew up,” says Helena, 41.

“We left London for a few days to spend some time in a holiday home and meet James’ parents. The weather was typically British – cold and grey, but it wasn’t stopping us adventuring.”

They explored a castle in neighbouring Somerset before deciding to go and see the outstanding natural beauty of Lee Bay in North Devon. It was a rocky walk but equipped with walking boots, the pair ventured on to a more secluded area where they set up for lunch.

“James said he really wanted me to see this beach he loved. We hadn’t intended to spend a lot of time there really; we just sat down and had lunch. It was around 2pm when I spotted the tide coming in. It was so fast that one minute our feet were wet and next the beach had disappeared completely.”

The pair panicked and decided to try and leave but they couldn’t. Buffeted by a craggy unforgiving cliff face and a beach consumed by a rising and very cold tide, it was Helena who broke first.

“Let’s call the Police,” she said, but just as the call connected, the pair had a wobble. After all, it wasn’t a real ‘emergency’. Perhaps they could just wait it out. Surely the tide would move back soon. They hung up.

The couple moved further up the beach below the imposing cliffs, but as the light began to fade and the cold set in, they received a call. It was the Police. “The Police had sent over our details and location, and the Coastguard were coordinating a rescue. They checked if we were OK and stayed in constant contact.”

Receiving the call at Milford Haven MRCC in South Wales, Search Mission Coordinator Max Hawkins deployed Coastguard Rescue Teams from Mullacott and Lynmouth, as well as RNLI Ilfracombe lifeboat.

“It was crucial that we reach the casualties as quickly as possible,” says Max. “Late December, the weather changes quickly and the sea is very cold. There’s every chance this could rapidly turn into a life-changing trip to the coast.”

Just as the couple contemplated climbing cliffs in the darkness, Ilfracombe lifeboat arrived on scene, illuminating the pair with their powerful searchlight. Rescue still seemed hopeless however, as they were separated from the lifeboat by cold, powerful tides.

But Max’s team at Milford Haven knew different, as they'd been busy directing in a team of Coastguard Rope Technicians on shore. Maritime Operations Officers Matthew Ford and Gregg Hayes sent the couple further along the coastline where Lynmouth Station Officer Ashley Clarke and his team were located, having rappelled down the cliff. 

“I went up first, followed by James. It was shocking to see the extent of the rescue operation from the top of the cliff, where various Coastguards, equipment and vehicles had set up. It was so impressive.

"The Officer in Charge was very experienced and so calm. The team seemed powerful and strong and were in really good spirits despite our mistake, even if one of the team had left his dinner on the table to rescue us!”

The rescue was certainly a bonding experience for the couple, but despite their ordeal they're still keen to visit the coast and enjoy it. “We can almost laugh about it now but at the time, it was scary,” says Helena.

“We’d been spontaneous, but that had been our mistake. I’d say do your research, check the tide times, and think about how you get into and out of areas of coastline. It’s not always as easy to leave as it is to arrive, as we found out.”

Read HM Coastguard’s coastal safety advice here.

Nineteen lives were lost when HMS Loyalty was destroyed by a German submarine while returning to the UK on 22 August 1944. The vessel had been supporting Allied minesweeping duties off the Normandy coast. There were 30 survivors.  

Its story was revived in 2010 when the wreck was encountered by a diver seeking to explore a sunken pontoon – known as a Whale Unit – designed to provide floating roads for the D-Day landings. 

Instead, he ended up locating HMS Loyalty, laying on the seabed nearby, and found its metal builder’s plate, a unique record attached to the vessel showing where and when it was built, the manufacturer, and other construction details. 

When people correctly report finds, we can identify the most appropriate home for them

The diver responsibly reported his find to the Receiver of Wreck, part of HM Coastguard. Deputy Receiver of Wreck Andrea Bailey picked up the report – known as a droit – and liaised with the finder and museum to find a new home to honour its memory. 

The builder’s plate was handed over by Andrea to Andrew Whitmarsh, curator of The D-Day Story in Southsea, Portsmouth, on 14 November. The museum intends to put the plate on display in the future. 

Deputy Receiver of Wreck Andrea Bailey said: “I’m very grateful for the cooperation of the artefact’s finder and The D-Day Story in resolving this case. 

“When people correctly report finds, we can identify the most appropriate home for them. That might be with the rightful owner or, like this case, a museum where the memory of HMS Loyalty – and the brave crew who were lost – can live on with honour.” 

The D-Day Story tells the story of 1944 D-Day Landings and the Battle of Normandy. It holds over 10,000 items – preserving, researching and acquiring objects to share with the public through exhibitions, workshops and other activities. 

HMS Loyalty is now protected under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986, which means that divers can dive on this wreck, but nothing further can be recovered. 

Main photo: Andrew Whitmarsh is presented with the builder’s plate by Andrea Bailey

As workplaces across the UK observe a National Workplace Day of Remembrance, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) remembers those who’ve lost their lives or suffered injury while at work. 

Since its beginning in 2019, teams from across the MCA have used the occasion as an important moment to pay tribute and come together to acknowledge important work that continues to be done to improve safety. 

A minute’s silence will be held at midday on Friday 12 December at the MCA’s headquarters in Southampton and in Marine Offices and Coastguard stations across the UK. 

MCA Seafarer Living and Working Conditions Manager Sophie Peacey, said: “National Workplace Day of Remembrance is a poignant occasion for myself and colleagues to remember those who’ve died while at work.

“Despite continuous efforts to improve safety standards and protect lives across maritime industries worldwide, these professions remain inherently challenging and, at times, dangerous. 

"From seafarers on merchant vessels transporting the goods that sustain our daily lives, to fishers working tirelessly to support global food security, and to the many land-based professionals including pilots, dockworkers and shipping companies whose roles keep international trade moving, each playing a vital part in the global economy."

She added: “Today, we not only remember those who have been lost but also recognise the dedication of individuals and organisations striving to make workplaces safer. Their commitment to reducing risks and enhancing safety measures is invaluable.

"On this day of remembrance, I want to express my deepest respect and gratitude to everyone working to protect lives and ensure that every worker, wherever they are, can return home safely.”

MCA Chief Executive Virginia McVea said: “I’m proud to stand with colleagues in remembering all of those who’ve died while at work during National Workplace Day of Remembrance. 

“Any loss is one too many; perhaps someone’s relative, family member or workmate, and we remember and thank them for their contributions during the time they spent with us.”

She added: “Each person adds immense value, to organisations like ours and to society, and we recognise and lament this incalculable cost.”

From HM Coastguard’s work to protect the coastline and seas, to those ensuring vessel compliance and effective maritime legislation in marine offices across the UK, MCA staff and teams are acutely aware of the efforts made to ensure safety. 

To date, eleven of the 16 containers lost from cargo ship BALTIC KLIPPER have been washed ashore in areas of West Sussex.

HM Coastguard continues to closely monitor the situation, working with local authorities that are responsible for the shoreline clean up operation, as well as the vessel’s owners who are responsible for recovering the containers.

As part of the operational response, an HM Coastguard aircraft continues to conduct offshore searches in an attempt to locate the outstanding containers.

Vessel operators and owners are encouraged to listen to Maritime Safety Information (MSI) broadcasts for the latest navigation guidance and warnings for the area. MSI is broadcast by NAVTEX (Navigational telex) out to 270 miles, VHF out to 30 miles, and MF out to 150 miles.

Please visit the West Sussex County Council website for information about the clean up operation as it becomes available.

Tuesday 09 December 2.30pm

The latest statement from Arun District Council, Chichester District Council and West Sussex County Council can be found on the West Sussex County Council website.

The councils will issue further updates on the clean up operation as soon as new information becomes available.

Monday 08 December 3.30pm

To date, eleven of the 16 containers lost from cargo ship BALTIC KLIPPER have been washed ashore in areas of West Sussex. Seven containers have so far been located in Selsey, two at Pagham Harbour and two at Bognor.

As part of the operational response, an HM Coastguard helicopter and fixed wing aircraft have been undertaking offshore searches in an attempt to locate the outstanding containers. All wreck material should be reported to the Receiver of Wreck, however this does not include perishable goods like foodstuffs.

Any additional sightings of containers should be reported to the coastguard on 0344 382 0560.

For more information on the clean up operation please read the statement provided by Arun District Council, Chichester District Council and West Sussex County Council. 

Sunday 07 December 8pm

Currently, five containers lost from the cargo ship BALTIC KLIPPER have washed ashore around Selsey, West Sussex. HM Coastguard alongside West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and Sussex Police have put cordons in place and are asking people not to go near the containers.

Other containers have been sighted adrift off the shoreline and an HM Coastguard helicopter and fixed wing aircraft have been carrying out searches. 

West Sussex County Council has contracted response teams, who will arrive in the morning to start clearing cargo that has come ashore.

Further information regarding debris recovery and disposal will be provided by the council in due course.

All wreck material should be reported to the Receiver of Wreck, however this will not include perishable goods in this incident, and members of the public should comply with the instructions provided by the Council.

Any additional sightings of containers should be reported to the Coastguard on 0344 382 0560.

Sunday 07 December 1pm

HM Coastguard is continuing to work with the relevant authorities after 16 containers went overboard from the cargo ship BALTIC KLIPPER in the Solent on 6 December.

This includes working with the vessel’s owners who are responsible for recovering the containers. 

Eight of the containers were reported as carrying bananas, two as carrying plantain, one as carrying avocados, and the remaining five as empty. 

Two containers have come ashore at Selsey, where a cordon has been put in place. Coastguard rescue teams from Selsey and Littlehampton, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and Sussex Police are all in attendance.   

The public are advised to avoid the area and are reminded that all wreck material found in the UK has to be reported to HM Coastguard’s Receiver of Wreck by completing this form: Report wreck material: What you need to report - GOV.UK

Those who fail to declare items within 28 days are breaking the law and may have further action taken against them. 

Any sightings of the containers should be reported to the Coastguard on 0344 382 0560.

Sunday 07 December 9am

HM Coastguard was informed that, at around 18:00 yesterday (06 December), 18 containers fell overboard from a cargo ship near the Nab Tower in the Solent.

No crew members were injured and the containers are carrying non-hazardous cargo.

HM Coastguard is closely monitoring the situation and working with the relevant authorities, including the vessel’s owners, who are responsible for recovering the containers.

Broadcasts are being sent to warn local shipping and Selsey Coastguard Rescue Team is on patrol.  

Any sightings of the containers should be reported to the Coastguard on 0344 382 0560.

 US Coast Guard Dr Cynthia Woodlock was visiting South Wales when she fell and sustained a serious ankle injury at Sully Bay in the Vale of Glamorgan last September.

The scientist and engineer, who works within the US Coast Guard’s Hazardous Materials Division in Washington DC, was visiting the UK for an annual International Maritime Organization meeting and had decided to use some of her free time to visit the coast.

 Cindy was rescued by Coastguard Rescue Officers from Penarth Coastguard Rescue Team, who removed her from the beach amid rising tides.

 “I want to thank the team for getting me off that beach. I’ll never forget the relief I felt at seeing the Coastguards' headlamps bobbing across the sand,” she said.

Cindy had sustained multiple ankle fractures and, breaking her tibia, fibula and heel bone. Requiring urgent orthopaedic surgery, she was operated on the same day and was able to return to the US after a week-long stay in hospital. Flying back to Washington, she was then non-weight-bearing for eight weeks and in a boot for a further six months.

A year after her ordeal, Cindy made plans to return to the UK and presented the team that rescued her with an official letter of thanks signed by her Commanding Officer Captain Jennifer Doherty, Chief of the Office of Engineering and Design Standards. 

 In the framed letter, Captain Doherty wrote: “I wish to extend my sincerest gratitude for your Coastguard team at Penarth and other assisting first responders. They provided comfort and worked with the utmost care to safely transport her over difficult terrain to the awaiting ambulance.”

 She added: “Your collective team of first responders were her heroes. I cannot properly express the gratitude that I have. Thank you.”

Cindy visited Station Officer (SO) Keith Smith and fellow rescuers at Penarth Coastguard Rescue Team with the letter of commendation and a special commemorative coin.

 Deputy Station Officer (DSO) Gemma Sawyer said: “We were called to rescue Cindy to a place of safety last year after she’d sustained a serious ankle injury at Sully.

 “It’s incredibly kind and thoughtful of Cindy and her senior officer to have written to us. We’re very touched and humbled."

 The team were able to spend some time with Cindy, who told them about her work in the US Coast Guard, and the group explored similarities and differences between themselves and their counterparts. 

 Gemma added: “It was great to spend some time with a serving US Coast Guard and talk about how, despite the differences between us, we’re both focused on one mission – protecting lives.”

The decision to close RYA SafeTrx has been made by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), in discussion with HM Coastguard, due to advances in technology since the app’s inception. HM Coastguard’s search and rescue services remain fully operational, alongside all other safety measures, equipment and resources. 

As always, we recommend you plan ahead and know what to do if there’s an emergency at sea: 

• To call for help when needed, please make sure you have a reliable means of communication onboard, such as a VHF / DSC radio, a personal locator beacon, or mobile phone in a waterproof pouch.
• Tell someone at home where you are going and when you expect to get back. If you are late returning, they can raise the alarm by calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard.
• While on the water always wear a personal floatation device like a lifejacket, and regularly check onboard and personal equipment.  

The RYA and HM Coastguard are working together to ensure that the data originally provided to RYA SafeTrx will be transferred to a secure database within HM Coastguard.  Users that do not want their data to be transferred to HM Coastguard are asked to delete their account prior to the service closing on 31 December 2025. 

Thereafter, you can update or remove your details at any time by emailing safetrxdata@mcga.gov.uk 

Mel Hide, RYA Director of External Affairs said: "We appreciate that the news that the tracking side of RYA SafeTrx will no longer be provided will be disappointing for active users of the app. However, we are pleased that ownership and vessel data held within RYA SafeTrx will be transferred to HM Coastguard and can continue to be referenced in an emergency."

Assistant Chief Coastguard Matt Leat said: “While we are sorry to see RYA SafeTrx come to an end, we want to reassure all water users that this change will not affect HM Coastguard’s ability to respond to emergencies and rescue those in distress. 

“Your safety remains our top priority. To ensure you can call for help when needed, please make sure you carry appropriate safety equipment, such as lifejackets, and have reliable means of communication, such as a VHF radio or mobile phone in a waterproof pouch.” 

This change only applies to the UK’s RYA SafeTrx. SafeTRX will continue to operate and is still being used in many other countries. 

For additional coastal safety advice visit the HM Coastguard website or the RYA Water Safety Hub. 

At about 5.30pm, as dusk fell, they called 999 and asked for the Coastguard, prompting a rapid response organised by the nearby Holyhead Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre. 

These two climbers did exactly the right thing once they realised the situation had got bad

Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRTs) were despatched from Moelfre and Holyhead; a helicopter from Caernarfon; and RNLI lifeboats from Trearddur Bay and Holyhead. 

There were no injuries but with the climbers trapped up to 50 metres below the clifftop, darkness rolling in and temperatures falling, the risks of hypothermia and rope trauma were rising. 

The rescue operation was centred on cliffs below Elin’s Tower, just south of the popular island climbing challenge of South Stack. 

Once the precise position had been identified from the sea by the Trearddur Bay lifeboat, rope technicians from Moelfre and Holyhead CRTs fixed their gear and sent a Coastguard Rescue Officer (CRO) over the edge to assess the situation. 

Ready to respond: the skills that save lives by the coast 

What he found immediately raised the stakes: the rope problems meant the climber stuck on the ledge had nothing attaching him to the cliff to keep him from falling at any moment. 

The HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter was called in to support, keeping its distance to ensure the rotorblades’ powerful downdraft did not dislodge casualties or rescuers. 

Hovering nearby and shining its light onto the scene, the illumination helped to guide a CRO as he expertly inched his way down the cliff to the first trapped man. 

Aeronautical control room officers 

The wind strengthened and the waves got rougher. The RNLI lifeboats below stood by to support, looking upwards ready to assist or have a casualty winched down. 

The higher of the two climbers was reached by the CRO first. He was made secure, attached to his rescuer, and then slowly walked up the cliff to safety.  

The second soon followed, to be reunited with his friend at the clifftop – ending their ordeal about two-and-half-hours after they had first called 999. 

Adam Bradbury, HM Coastguard Coastal Operations Area Commander, said: “These two climbers did exactly the right thing once they realised the situation had got bad – they called 999 and asked for the Coastguard. 

“Calling for help as soon as they needed it meant we could deploy the expertise of our Coastguard Rescue Officers, HM Coastguard helicopter and RNLI lifeboats to get them to safety as quickly as possible.” 

HM Coastguard is one of the UK's frontline emergency services. In an emergency by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 

Originally from London, Coastguard Rescue Officer (CRO) Ronnie Stowell joined the Coastguard after an old friend convinced him to have a look at his local Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT). 

He said: “When I first moved to New Romney from London, I’d been saying to my wife about how I’d like to give back to people in our community and a friend of mine suggested that I find more about our local coastguards.

“Since a younger age, I’d always wanted to be involved with the Coastguard, but living in London until about three years ago, it just wasn’t possible. I feel like I have a lot to offer, and I’m always willing to help in any way that I can.”

What is the most unusual incident you have attended?

“We were called to a humpback whale that’d washed up on shore. Who’ve thought that would turn up on Dymchurch beach. I don’t think that’s happened before?”

What is the most unusual place you’ve been when your pager has gone off?

For Ronnie, who usually covers beaches, cliffs and coastline in Kent, heading to emergencies in areas outside of his patch, like Hastings in Sussex, is a bit more unusual, but it’s not unheard of.

“The most unusual has probably been the village of Fairlight, which was my first proper shout as a CRO,” he says.

What is the most challenging part of being a Coastguard?

Being a Coastguard can put people in challenging situations where a positive outcome isn’t always the case, Ronnie explains.

“Dealing with family and friends on calls where someone’s been missing or has sadly lost their life can be really challenging. You feel the pain of people affected.”

Ronnie says it’s also the case that these difficult situations and ‘tricky calls’ can be tough to handle among coastguard families and loved ones.

Which local beach is your favourite and why? 

“Dymchurch beach in Kent is my favourite. It always seems to be a positive place where people interact and look out for each other.”

When you’re not working or volunteering as a CRO, what do you enjoy doing?

Ronnie enjoys fishing, playing golf, and walking his dogs.

What new skills have you learned as a CRO?

“I have learnt further leadership skills on top of what I already know, and I’ll keep aiming for more,” says Ronnie. It’s about having the confidence to ‘run a job’ (incident) and follow training, while using your own instincts and not being afraid to ask for help.”

“There’s always time to work on perfecting team skills, but I’ve got better at learning the strengths and weaknesses within our team too. I’m also keen to further my mapping skills.”

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team?

Ronnie says he enjoys playing his part, whether being ‘up front’ and in charge for an incident or playing a more supporting role within the team.

He says: “We all generally bounce off each other, and we have a laugh when we can, but we also know when to buckle down and get on with it.”

What do you do for a living?

“I work in the roofing and building industry, and I’m slowly building up my own company.”

The accolade was for a rescue at Newhaven, Sussex, on 4 July 2024 when the HM Coastguard helicopter and crew, provided by contractor Bristow, saved a sailor from his yacht as it was swept onto rocks below a sea wall. 

The lifesavers comprised Pilot Chris Trubshaw, Co-Pilot Mark Wielopolski, Winch Operator Andrew Catterall, and Winch Paramedic Chris Purkiss. 

Honoured for their skill, determination and bravery

The vessel was being broken into pieces by the time Winch Paramedic Chris could be lowered from the helicopter, by now running low on fuel, and dodge the waves to pull the sailor clear and lift him to safety. 

Newhaven Coastguard Rescue Team were supporting on the sea wall, lowering down a life-ring in case the winch attempt did not work. They received the sailor and winch paramedic on the ground, providing casualty care and then transported them both to safety and passed him into the care of an ambulance crew. 

The crew of the RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat from Newhaven were joint recipients of the award in recognition of their support during the incident. 

A truly exceptional emergency service committed to saving lives at sea

The annual International Ocean Safety Award recognises the most daring rescue of a sailor or crew anywhere in the world.  

Assistant Chief Coastguard Matt Leat accepted the honour on behalf of the crew. He said: “Congratulations to the crew of the Lydd-based HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter who are rightly being honoured for their skill, determination and bravery.  

“I am proud to work alongside Chris, his colleagues and the many teams, crews and individuals, including our partners at Bristow, that make HM Coastguard a truly exceptional emergency service committed to saving lives at sea.” 

It is the third time the Newhaven incident has inspired public recognition. In July Chris was awarded the Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy by the Air League at a ceremony at the House of Commons. 

And in October the whole team was presented with a Crew Commendation by the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society. 

The International Association of Cape Horners is an organisation for seafarers who have made the achievement of rounding Cape Horn under sail on a non-stop passage of more than 3,000 miles. 

HM Coastguard is one of the UK's frontline emergency services. In an emergency by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Main photo: the view from the helicopter as Chris Purkiss rescued the sailor from the yacht

On 30 September 1952, the idyllic Cornish fishing town of St Ives played host to an unexpected 1,000 tonne visitor, as Royal Navy warship HMS Wave broke her moorings during a heavy storm.

The Algerine-class minesweeper had been working as part of the Fishery Protection Squadron and following exercises in the Irish sea, she’d put down anchor in nearby St Ives Bay, around 200 metres from the town Pier.

Overnight, the vessel’s starboard anchor line had broken, and she was rapidly blown inshore. Townsfolk tried in vain to put a rope across from the pier to pull her, but the line snapped and HMS Wave met with the rocks, leaving a hole the size of a small car in her engine room and fuel tanks. 

Next it was the turn of Her Majesty’s Coastguard, who deployed their Breeches Buoy, a rocket-launched zip line carefully secured between the boat’s deck and the quayside.

Paul Moran, now 82, was a 12-year-old local schoolboy at the time. He recalls: “I was joining the other children bunking from school in order not to miss out on an adventure.  I remember a maelstrom of white surf, black clouds, and the ship heaving. It was all very exciting!”

“Coastguard Harry Barlow hailed the ship’s captain, shouting from the rocks, and after three attempts, the coastguard’s Breeches Buoy line was put into operation. Above the crowds holding the lines taut, I could see people’s heads bobbing as they were rescued.”

He added: “It was a very ordinary thing for people to help the Coastguard and RNLI in those days. Traditionally, local people had helped with hauling the lifeboat down to the beach. I still have lurid images of the scene and how it was a real anti-climax to go back to school and attend maths after!”

Neville Tubb, now 94, was a 21-year-old Royal Navy engineer on board. Nev stayed on the ship initially but recalls engineers being taken off in early hours of the morning, going across to St Ives via rope with the help of coastguard rescuers. 

He said: “It was very stormy that night, that’s why HMS Wave didn’t dock in the harbour. We dropped anchor in the mouth of the harbour, so the ship didn’t hit the walls."

Ernest Horscroft, 57, Station Officer for St Ives Coastguard, shimmied himself across the Breeches line to transport sailors to shore while Ernest’s son Jim, 26, was among the one hundred-strong St Ives people near the town’s Arts Centre pulling the line tight through the rough surf.

 Ernest’s grandson Stephen remembers: “Grandad was a St Ives Coastguard between 1940 and 1960. He was such a lovely man, awarded the British Empire Medal for his many rescues going up and down cliffs, even in his 60s, to save others.

 “Born on the Isle of Wight, he spent his career at sea after joining the Royal Navy at 14 and was even hit by shrapnel at the Battle of Jutland as an Able Seaman aboard HMS Attack. Serving in the Royal Navy, Ernest didn’t get to meet his newborn son, my father, until he was three years old.”

 62 sailors were rescued by Ernest, his colleagues, and townsfolk that day. Salvors later inflated a balloon in the vessel’s ruptured hull, where it was refloated on an unusually high spring tide and carefully towed for repairs. 

Speaking about his grandfather’s service, Stephen said: “Even though St Ives itself has changed in those 70-odd years, that iconic vista hasn’t. When I attended a meeting at the Arts Centre during stormy weather, I could hear the howling, rumbling, and crashing of the waves, which made me think of him and his lifesaving work that day.

 “I’m glad that the story of HMS Wave continues to be told, and I’m extremely proud of my grandfather and my dad, who came to help”.

 “I think there’s a common thread of public duty that runs through us. I’m not a Coastguard, but I’ve worked and campaigned for Cornish communities and I’m glad to be part of a Cornish story that’s also part of my heritage and family history.”

 Ernest Horscroft was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1955, living the rest of his life in St Ives, the town where he served until his passing at age 84 in 1979.

During 14-15 November, volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs) assisted more than 150 people, including welfare checks, responding to 999 calls, and evacuating at-risk households. 

HM Coastguard is ready to support our fellow emergency services

The CROs brought their flood training and equipment, including dry suits and liferafts,  to operate alongside South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Gwent Police, and the Welsh Ambulance Service. 

Senior Coastal Operations Officer Mark Parkin said: “HM Coastguard is ready to support our fellow emergency services wherever assistance is needed.  

“We were proud to have helped keep the people of Monmouth safe during this major incident. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the damage caused by the flooding.” 

Responding over several days, the CROs were confronted with deep flood water and cold, driving rain.  

Assistance included rescuing a bed-bound elderly man and his disabled wife as waters rose around them at their home in Monmouth. 

CROs also helped an engineer safely navigate through waist-high water to activate a pumping station that quickly helped bring local flood levels down. 

Preparing for the storm 

Before Storm Claudia arrived, preparations were underway. As the Met Office issued amber and yellow alerts, CROs assembled in Monmouth, predicted to be close to the centre of the worst affected area. 

The complement of nearly 40 volunteer CROs and full-time officers gathered at the town’s fire station to form Flood Response Teams, arriving from across Wales as well as Somerset, Dorset and Devon. Borth and Burnham Coastguard Rescue Teams also attended. 

Discover more about the skills of Coastguard Rescue Officers. 

All CROs have skills in water rescue, casualty care and essential coastal flood response. But some are also taught expertise in wider flooding incidents, inland as well as by the sea.  

When disaster strikes, they can be brought in from around the country to form specialist Flood Response Teams to support affected areas.  

Training, often alongside other emergency services, can include rescues from flooded vehicles; retrieving people from floodwater; and safe navigation of flooded streets to reach casualties.   

The training and familiarity with equipment vital for flood response, such as dry suits, lifejackets and two types of rescue rafts, makes the CROs especially effective working with helicopters and casualty care, on top of their skills in search. 

• HM Coastguard is one of the UK's frontline emergency services. In an emergency by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 

The RCIT are responsible for enforcing maritime shipping legislation and other maritime health and safety legislation. They will investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute criminal breaches. 

Find out more about the work of the RCIT. 

The CLUE Impact accolade recognises outstanding contribution to protecting society from harm; achieving exceptional results in tackling wrongdoing or implementing innovative preventative strategies. 

The award specifically praised the RCIT’s contribution to upholding and improving safety in the fishing industry by encouraging crews to follow regulations for wearing personal flotation devices (PFDs). 

The RCIT worked closely with MCA colleagues in Survey and Inspection teams, using data, aerial maritime safety compliance patrols, and structured processes to positively encourage compliance. 

I’d like to congratulate all my colleagues in the RCIT. This is a fantastic achievement

Deputy Head of RCIT Jay Staff said: “Knowing that we’ve helped fishing crews work safer and come home safe and dry is very rewarding in itself, so to be recognised with the CLUE Impact too is the icing on the cake. 

“Since we launched our initiative, operators have proactively come to us for guidance. They now understand the issues better and crews are going to sea more safely. 

 “There’s more to do but thanks to a proactive, organisation-wide approach we’ve made good progress, aligning with the MCA’s strategy of Safer Lives, Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas.” 

He added: “I’d like to congratulate all my colleagues in the RCIT. This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to your professionalism, dedication, and collaborative spirit.” 

Main photo: From left are Investigator Ken Crosby, Head of RCIT Neil Cunningham, Deputy Head of RCIT Jay Staff and RCIT Engagement Lead Sharon Williams 

Born in 1828 near Devonport, Devon, Rickard’s naval experience began at an early age. First serving as a Seaman at age 16, the sailor’s subsequent rise through the ranks showcased his skill and commitment to a lifetime at sea, culminating in his awarding of Britain’s highest award for gallantry – the Victoria Cross.

Rickard served as a Quartermaster aboard HMS Weser during the Crimean War, and was part of a small naval force operating in the treacherous lagoons of the Syvash and along the Salgir River in Northern Crimea. 

While sailing on the Sea of Azov near to Ukraine, HMS Weser’s commander, later Vice Admiral Sir John Commerell, called for volunteers for a daring night mission to scupper around 400 tonnes of enemy food and grain stores on shore. 

Rickard and three others agreed, landing a small boat on the Spit of Arabat, a thin sandbar separating the sea and the shallow lagoons of the Crimean mainland. They covertly pulled the vessel 300 yards over the spit and waded neck-deep through the ‘Putrid Sea,’ a foul-smelling maze of corrosive and largely impassable mudflats. 

The men successfully reached shore and burned the supplies to the ground, but the alarm had been raised, and the group were viciously pursued by Cossacks on horseback. Amid the ensuing chase and gunfight, Quarter Master Rickard selflessly dove deep into the toxic mud to retrieve a fallen comrade and make good their escape.

After receiving his Victoria Cross from Queen Victoria, and the French Legion of Honour medal, Rickard joined Her Majesty's Coastguard and was stationed at Robin Hood’s Bay as a Boatman on HMS Cornwallis, then serving on vessels Dauntless, Wivern, Invincible, and Audacious. 

The veteran’s leadership and dedication saw him steadily promoted, first to Commissioned Boatman in 1867, and then to Chief Boatman in 1869. In 1873, he attained the rank of Chief Officer of Coastguards on the Isle of Wight, reflecting his unwavering commitment to the safety and security of Britain’s coasts.

Throughout his service, Rickard was noted for professionalism and the respect he commanded among peers, playing a vital role in coastal defence and rescue operations, safeguarding local communities and mentoring younger sailors.

Chief Officer Rickard’s work was further recognised by the additional annual pension of £25 from Greenwich Hospital, an honour reserved for esteemed coastguards. 

After nearly forty years of service, Rickard retired in 1883 where he remained a respected member of the maritime community until his death in 1905 at age 77. Coastguards lined the route of his funeral cortege, alongside a contingent of 30 Portsmouth sailors and appreciative local people. 

Today, the Chief Officer’s Victoria Cross is displayed at the Imperial War Museum in London, celebrating one of the nation’s earliest naval recipients of the prestigious award.

Some of the Coastguard Rescue Officers, who can be called out 24/7, attended a ceremony where Deputy Station Officer Alex Bond accepted the accolade on behalf of the entire team. 

It's a huge satisfaction when we can help people in danger come home safe

Alex said: "Like HM Coastguard teams all around the UK, Mullacott CRT is ready to respond to an emergency on the coast at any time, in any weather, whoever needs help. 

"Our volunteers are members of the local community too, so to receive the Pride in Ilfracombe Award is a real encouragement for what we do. We're so grateful to be recognised – it's a spur to our mission to keep people safe by the coast." 

Ready to respond: the skills that save lives by the coast 

Alex added: "We love doing what we do and it's a huge satisfaction when we can help people in danger come home safe. In an emergency by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard."  

Among the incidents which earned Mullacott CRT their award was the three-day rescue of a dog which also involved CRTs from Lynmouth, Croyde and Bude, and the RNLI lifeboat crew from Ilfracombe. 

It's a huge satisfaction when we can help people in danger come home safe

Dog walking safety tips 

• Always keep dogs on a lead at the coast, especially near cliff edges.
• If they get stuck on a ledge, in mud or swept out to sea, don’t go after them - most dogs make it back safely, but you might not.
• Call your dog from a place of safety to keep them oriented and help them get back to you.
• In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Stay in a safe place so coastguard rescue teams can locate you. 

HM Coastguard is one of the UK's frontline emergency services. In an emergency by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 

For more advice about staying safe by the coast, visit https://hmcoastguard.uk/safety-advice 

To find out about volunteering or working with HM Coastguard, visit https://hmcoastguard.uk/join-our-team  

Main photo: Members of Mullacott Coastguard Rescue Team receiving their award

The primary commemoration will take place at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London. Representatives from HM Coastguard across all regions of the UK will participate, marching, observing, and joining the two-minute silence.

Among the hundreds supporting events in the capital will be Jon Oliver, a 29-year Royal Navy veteran and HM Coastguard Coastal Operations Area Commander in Cornwall. 

Jon said: “Remembrance Day is a time to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who served. For me, it’s not only about honouring colleagues and friends who never came home, but also those who gave so much and later lost their lives to illness.

“Having served 29 years in the Royal Navy and now continuing to serve as a Coastal Operations Area Commander with HM Coastguard, I feel a deep connection to those who put others before themselves. 

Their courage and commitment deserve our lasting respect. Standing at the cenotaph will be a powerful moment. It represents gratitude and remembrance, and it reminds us that the values of service and sacrifice endured across generations.

He added: “For the Coastguard, it is a chance to honour those who came before us and to reaffirm our own duty to protect lives today, ensuring that their legacy is never forgotten.Rhyl Coastguard Lucy Ratcliffe will be attending the parade at Whitehall on Sunday. She said: “My husband was selected to attend Remembrance in London for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, so I saw an opportunity to attend for HM Coastguard and did the same. 

“I'm very proud that our daughter will see us take part in this poignant and important national service. It’ll be quite emotional to be at the same ceremony together too. We’re both ex-forces and we attend the local parades every year which I love, but I think marching alongside colleagues from the Coastguard and representing my station will be a very different experience.”

Awarded an MBE for his services to the Coastguard in 2014, Stuart McNab is a CRO from Eastbourne. Speaking about attending the ceremony in London this year, Stuart said: “I’ve been a Coastguard for almost 35 years now and I’ve recently celebrated my 70th birthday, so I’m coming towards the end of my time with the service. 

“Being able to participate in the Remembrance Parade is a fabulous way of capping off that service for me and it’s something I’m delighted to do. It’s a very special event, and it’s something that we do in this country extremely well. 

He added: “At this time, I remember my grandfather and his service during the first world war, he and many others who’ve served.”

Dunoon Coastguard Ross Macdonald said: “Walking alongside Coastguard colleagues at the Cenotaph brings perspective. It is a reminder that public service, in any form, is built on shared purpose, community and duty. 

In a world still shaped by conflict, remembrance matters. It honours those who served and reminds us of the lasting cost of war - a message which still needs sharing.

Ross added: “For me, the day reinforces the importance of integrity, responsibility and respect for others. Whether in uniform or in the community, our work contributes quietly to stability and safety, and that is something worth standing for.”

Presented at London Guildhall during the Honourable Company of Air Pilots’ annual trophies and awards ceremony on Friday 24 October, R936’s crew were awarded for their “exceptional courage and professionalism”, during a mountain rescue under extremely challenging conditions. 

On 18 November 2024, Captain David Kenyon, Co-pilot Charlie Brown, Winch Operator Mark Tomblin, Winch Paramedic Neil Cooper and Winch Operator Under Training Geraint Morris were called to rescue a casualty amid heavy snow and blizzard conditions.  

The team effected an outstanding rescue that undoubtedly saved a life

The stricken walker had suffered head and spinal injuries at Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) in Snowdonia, with low cloud, fading light and poor visibility frustrating the efforts of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team and R936. 

The team, who were praised for their skill and teamwork, navigated the difficult mountain terrain to lower Winch Paramedic Neil Cooper to the casualty.  

Treacherous conditions called for precise and exacting airmanship to safely descend in zero visibility. Winch Operator Under Training Geraint Morris was praised for his consistent and instrumental work.  

With the helicopter grounded due to the weather conditions, Winch Paramedic Neil Cooper continued to deliver care in the cabin, while pilots David Kenyon and Charlie Brown headed out on foot to communicate with emergency medical services. 

HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter crews play a crucial role

Chief Coastguard Paddy O’Callaghan said: “It’s testament to the skill and professionalism of R936’s crew that they’ve been presented with the Prince Philip Helicopter Rescue Award a second time in two years.  

“Contending with extreme weather, zero visibility, and a casualty in a critical condition, the team effected an outstanding rescue that undoubtedly saved a life.” 

He added: “Supported by search and rescue colleagues, teams and personnel from across the emergency services, HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter crews play a crucial role, and we thank them for their contributions to this vital work.” 

The awards, including the Prince Philip Helicopter Rescue Award, are particularly admired among the industry as awardees are selected by peers with decades of aviation experience. 

Main picture, from left: Rt Hon The Lord Mayor Alderman Alastair King, Charlie Brown, Neil Cooper, and Master Air Pilot John Denyer (www.sharpphoto.co.uk)

The 2,283-tonne UK-flagged vessel operates to the north and west of Scotland and can tow ships in distress out of danger, reducing the possibility of a ship casualty becoming a hazard to safe navigation, or at risk of vessel grounding, which could result in cargo or oil pollution. 

Ievoli Black can also undertake other duties, such as salvage support, firefighting, search and rescue incident support and can assist with the agency’s counter pollution response. 

HM Coastguard’s ETV service, which has been run for more than 20 years, underlines the UK Government’s commitment to protecting the marine environment, particularly in challenging areas such as north and north-western Scotland where commercial tugs are scarce.

Stan Woznicki, Head of Counter Pollution at the MCA, said: “Our ETV provision is an essential resource; able to carry out a multitude of roles on behalf of HM Coastguard and the MCA. 

“In areas to the north and west of Scotland, there’s a critical lack of towage solutions available to vessels in distress during a maritime emergency. Ievoli Black ensures that we can protect vulnerable areas of the UK coast with a vessel specifically equipped to intervene.”

“When the boat rolled and I was under the surface, I thought that was it,” said Bruce (57). 

But he was wrong. Regular training, drilling and preparation ensured all six of them made it back home, safe and well. 

“It happened so quickly, from the moment we realised we were in trouble to it capsizing. My advice is to be as prepared as you possibly can. If it happens fast you need to look at things through a different pair of eyes. You’re scrambling for your life.” 

Out of the blue 

The night had begun well for the crew of the 23-metre Odyssey, based at Fraserburgh. They had just hauled up a good catch of prawns about 140 nautical miles from land, with Bruce in the wheelhouse. 

He said: “We had a good haul so we thought we would try again. Then out of the blue we were emptying the second net and the boat just felt heavier than normal.” 

Nothing they tried could regain balance. Water started gushing onto the decks.  

“It took a list to starboard – and I said, ‘Get the rafts ready’. It happened very fast. I slipped and fell into the starboard side of the wheelhouse. There was no time to grab the radio, I just needed to get out. I managed to climb out of the wheelhouse through the port door. 

“The crew got clear with the raft – there was no time to inflate it. The boat rolled and the lights blacked out. I got my hands on a port rail and scrambled down a ladder. 

“Then I was submerged, so I kicked off and up. It did not feel deep but it was deep enough. I just saw through the water the outline of the raft container and the crew’s faces in the lights of their lifejackets. I was so glad to see them.” 

There was no time 

He added: “I was not scared. It was just so weird. I remember thinking about the crew – they had to jump in with the raft uninflated.” 

With everyone accounted for, they triggered the liferaft to inflate, clambered inside and cut it away from the capsized Odyssey.  

“I let off a flare because there were a couple of boats in the vicinity but they never saw it. It was pitch black in thick fog.” 

Next they secured the emergency position-indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB) from the water, which was already automatically broadcasting their location to HM Coastguard, with an emergency contact and vessel details registered to it. 

Bobbing in their liferaft, the crew of the Odyssey waited for daybreak and rescue. 

“The light was starting to come,” continued Bruce. “I do not know what time it was, to be honest. We heard a chopper or plane so we set off a smoke marker. But it was really thick fog.” 

Rescue response 

Meanwhile, a rescue operation was swinging into action sparked by the EPIRB alert picked up at precisely 5.29am by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Aberdeen. 

HM Coastguard issued broadcasts for nearby vessels to help, and quickly got through to Wilma, Bruce’s wife, to secure a crewlist. An HM Coastguard fixed-wing aircraft was sent and, due to the distance, a rescue helicopter from Norway.  

Closer to the scene, Bruce’s friend Sandy Alexander, fishing a few miles away on the Lily Anna, was also aware something was wrong. Wilma had called him with the news and, thanks to Bruce having previously shared his location, he could see the Odyssey’s marker had disappeared from his chart plotter. 

I’ve got them, Wilma, I’ve got them

Even more concerning, however, was the appearance of a number of red crosses – marking where AIS (Automatic Identification System) signals were coming from Bruce and his crew’s lifejackets. Steaming to the scene as quick as he could, he spotted the liferaft when Bruce lit another flare. 

Bruce remembers the moment: “I saw Sandy in the wheelhouse and I could even hear him talking on the phone to my wife and saying, ‘I’ve got them, Wilma, I’ve got them’. 

“When Sandy reached the raft he came alongside and put down a ladder. We crawled up and took the EPIRB with us. I was holding onto it for grim death – that was going nowhere. The crew went down for hot showers and dry clothes to warm up. 

“We transferred to another boat and were into Aberdeen by 3pm the following afternoon.” 

Home and dry 

What made the difference to the crew all making it home safe and well? 

“One of the key things was the induction,” said Bruce. “The crew knew where everything was. They knew the procedure, the location of the rafts and what to do and how to get it, and where the hand flares were, escape hatches and life rings.  

“My advice is to be prepared. Definitely do your crew inductions – that’s a must. Learn the locations of equipment; we do man overboard and abandon ship training. Have a knife available if you need to cut straps in an emergency. It’s hard to prepare but it’s worth it." 

Boats can be replaced; people can’t

Despite his experience, Bruce will be back fishing. 

“I was still a bit stunned coming into the harbour. The Odyssey is gone now and I am totally gutted. She was in the best condition she had been for a long time. The gear was all good and new. It was a major setback. 

“But it was the best possible outcome, definitely. There are so many boats it happens to and someone loses their life, or all of them. 

“At least we have only lost the boat. Boats can be replaced; people can’t.” 

The famously "unsinkable" ocean liner went to the bottom in 1912 after crashing into an iceberg in the North Atlantic with the loss of more than 1,500 lives.  

Two years later in 1914 the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) was introduced for the first time – including the then novel requirement that passenger ships should carry sufficient lifeboats for all passengers and crew.  

SOLAS in its modern form is now the foundation for much of the MCA's work to ensure the highest levels of maritime safety. MCA surveyors are on the frontline working with vessel owners and operators so that people can go on the water with confidence.  

We work closely with operators with safety as a priority but often our ongoing work is not seen

Last summer, for example, more than 100 vessels were inspected in just two months around the UK, ranging from rowing boats to high-speed commuter craft.  

The focused activity involved teams of surveyors from the MCA’s nine marine offices making unannounced and pre-planned visits during July and August 2024. 

The busiest was Colchester Marine Office which has responsibility for the River Thames where fleets of domestic passenger vessels carry thousands of people every day. 

During the inspections, all areas of the vessel are covered including the wheelhouse, passenger areas, and crew and technical spaces. Paperwork, including crew certification and vessel checklists are also inspected. Equipment and systems are tested at random to check everything is working correctly.  

Mike Greenwood, MCA Technical Manager, said: “We work closely with operators with safety as a priority but often our ongoing work is not seen.  

“During the inspections, feedback from the operators was positive. They were happy to co-operate and welcomed the proactive approach of the MCA in checking compliance.” 

The Deputy Receiver of Wreck, Andrea Bailey, helped bring the artefact home from where it was found during survey work near Saltburn – about 260 miles away on the North Sea coast. 

It had been found and correctly registered by a maritime survey company as part of pre-construction activities on Dogger Bank Wind Farm. The team initially thought it might be unexploded ordnance.  

When brought to the surface, carefully conserved and inspected, it instead turned out to be a bell – bearing the word Masonic. 

Using maritime records and old newspapers, research by the Deputy Receiver of Wreck and archaeology consultancy MSDS Marine uncovered the story of how the bell ended up so far away from the town where its ship was built. 

• Find out more about the Receiver of Wreck

The 12kg copper-alloy object, only 21cm wide, had started life on board the wooden cargo-carrying ketch Masonic which was constructed and launched in Brightlingsea in 1876.  

But just 17 years later, in November 1893, the Masonic capsized in a hurricane and was smashed to pieces with the reported loss of the whole three-man crew. 

The fate of the Masonic and her crew was a tragedy

One of those to have perished is believed to have been a Mr W. Ainger, from Ipswich. He left a wife and children. 

The four-day storm was blamed for the deaths of 335 people at sea, with over 140 vessels abandoned or foundering. 

While no trace of the Masonic remains, the bell survived; encrusting on the seabed for well over a century until – in 2022 – it triggered a response on modern-day survey equipment and was brought into the light. 

The bell was correctly registered with the Receiver of Wreck, part of HM Coastguard, and its origins traced. With no one claiming ownership, it became property of the Crown and so it was agreed its final journey would be back to Brightlingsea for exhibition in the local museum.  

We are most grateful to all that have made this possible

On 21 October it was formally presented at an event attended by Deputy Receiver of Wreck Andrea Bailey. 

Brightlingsea Museum curator Margaret Stone said: “We are delighted to welcome the bell from the Brightlingsea-built barge, the Masonic, to the museum. 

“This is the first artefact for our collection which comes from an actual vessel built in the town during the Nineteenth Century.  

“What makes it even more special are the links the Masonic has to an organisation and families still in the town – and even the museum itself. We are most grateful to all that have made this possible.”  

Deputy Receiver of Wreck Andrea added: “The fate of the Masonic and her crew was a tragedy, far away from where it first set sail. So it feels right that the bell – the last surviving piece – is returned to where it was built. 

“Reuniting objects with their owners or finding a proper home is best done by registering maritime finds with the Receiver of Wreck. By doing so, you can help share history and ensure artefacts end up where they truly belong.” 

• Make a report to the Receiver of Wreck

Main picture: The bell of the Masonic after conservation (photo: MSDS Mariner and Dogger Bank Wind Farm)

The trio have gathered to tell their story having only just returned home from a safety check on an empty car swamped by the tide at Black Rock Sands, near Porthmadog.  

Anitria (57) and Wayne (63) live together in Criccieth, with 29-year-old Cedri’s home nearby at Pentrefelin. 

Alongside fellow Coastguard Rescue Officers, they are trained to respond to incidents  ranging from cliff rescues and searches for missing people, to assisting beach-goers and keeping watch from land on vessels in difficulty. 

• Find out how to volunteer with HM Coastguard 

Wayne was the first to join, 33 years ago in 1992. He served as Station Officer before passing the CRT leadership baton to Anitria. Cedri is Deputy Station Officer. 

Is it tough giving and taking orders from family? 

Anitria smiles: “We don’t have any fallouts. They have to listen to what I say. But we do sometimes have some discussions afterwards.” 

Wayne laughs: “We know who’s the boss at home and at work!” 

Cedri, a power station electrician, joined in 2018, to the pride of his parents. He said: “I have known nothing but coastguarding since I was a child. Mum and dad would race off on a call-out and I would be looked after by a friend or neighbour.” 

His dad Wayne’s dedication springs from a childhood memory of becoming lost on Blackpool beach before being reunited with his parents with the help of a kindly lollipop man. 

Wayne, a plumber, said: “Joining HM Coastguard is a way of saying thank you for that. We have found lots of missing children. 

“After your first job you will go home with a smile on your face, especially when you’ve found a little lost child and they’re running back to mum and they’re all saying thank you.” 

• Ready to respond: the skills that save lives by the coast

He and Anitria make a good team, particularly with some of the incidents in what is a popular location for visiting families. 

Wayne recalls how he identified a missing child on the beach who, scared of strangers, was calmed by Anitria’s gentle approach and soon after reunited happily with her parents. 

Wayne said: “The faces of parents are lovely when you find their missing child. And the little ones are running and jumping and grabbing their parents in a big hug. That always puts a lump in my throat.” 

As well as chatting about incidents, Wayne and Cedri – whose entries to HM Coastguard were 26 years apart – compare notes on how the service has changed between generations. 

We know who’s the boss at home and at work!

Cedri points to the deeper training and better equipment of the modern Coastguard Rescue Teams, compared to when his dad first started out with volunteers squeezing into a Land Rover. 

Wayne, who is now a trained cliff rescue technician, agrees: “It’s so much better – the equipment is second to none.” 

That capability has been on show to the nation recently with HM Coastguard making TV appearances on the BBC’s ‘SOS: Extreme Rescues’ and Channel 5’s ‘Coastguard: Search and Rescue SOS’. 

All three of the Roberts have featured in both programmes and were proud to be invited recently to a special screening of the BBC series to many of those involved. 

For anyone considering applying to be a volunteer CRO, Anitria says: “We have a great laugh. We pull each other's legs a bit. We have a very, very good team. We all get on and we’re all from different walk of life and backgrounds.” 

Wayne adds: “The biggest problem we have is getting a restaurant big enough for our Christmas get-togethers, with partners, husbands and wives – we have to book in August!” 

• Find out how to volunteer with HM Coastguard 

• HM Coastguard is one of the UK's frontline emergency services. In an emergency by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 

Main photo: From left, Cedri, Anitria and Wayne Roberts

The situation was serious: pumps were working to bail out water coming in through a hole in the bow, and the damage had caused the anchor to run out, impeding the yacht's ability to manoeuvre. 

The sailor, who was on his way from the Falklands to Chile, alerted the Falkland Islands Maritime Authority which swiftly updated HM Coastguard's Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Fareham. 

It’s a credit to all the search and rescue authorities involved

In turn, the JRCC informed counterparts at Ushuaia Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Argentina, with Spain’s MRCC Madrid lending a hand with liaison. 

With the drifting yacht's communications limited, the jurisdictions worked together to calculate its location about 108 nautical miles south-west of the Falklands.  

They established who would coordinate elements of the response and planned the rescue. 

Three of the nearest vessels in the area were requested to go to the aid of the sailor. He was eventually picked up by a fishing trawler which steamed to the scene from about 80 nautical miles away. 

Read more about keeping safe on board

The man was later transferred to another vessel and taken, safe and well, to Stanley on the Falkland Islands. 

Rob Priestley, Network Commander at HM Coastguard, said: “This was a good example of international cooperation that brought a yachtsman to safety from a dangerous situation, miles from land.  

“It’s a credit to all the search and rescue authorities involved and shows how HM Coastguard in the UK has the experience, skills and connections to react to all sorts of incidents where people are in distress – working with international partners across the planet to provide help to mariners." 

• HM Coastguard is one of the UK's frontline emergency services. In an emergency at sea or by the UK coast, use VHF Channel 16 or call 999 to ask for the Coastguard. 

Main picture: the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Fareham

Michelle Fitt joined St Ives Coastguard Rescue Team as a Coastguard Rescue Officer in 2018 after seeing a recruitment advert online. 

She said: “I’ve always been running on coastal paths, and I’ve always been on the water gig rowing or paddleboarding, so I knew how vital the coastguard’s work was in our local area.” 

“Volunteering felt like the perfect way to give something back to my community, while learning new skills and being part of something that really matters.”

What is the most unusual incident you have attended?

“It always makes me smile to think of when we were tasked to an individual on rocks, which wasn’t unusual, but when we were told we were looking for ‘King’, it wasn’t what we were expecting!” says Michelle. 

“Thankfully, the individual was absolutely fine, but it’s not every day you get called out to check on royalty in St Ives.”

What is the most unusual place you’ve been when your pager has gone off?

Michelle’s keen to point out that while it isn’t ‘wild’, she’s often pinged when she’s out in the wilderness, running paths and trails in Cornwall. “There’s nothing like the pager to suddenly pick up your pace,” she says. 

“There’s also a ‘running joke’ among my team that every time I dye my hair, we end up with a call out within 24-38 hours, so perhaps that’s the real pager trigger!”

What is the most challenging part of your role?

“Some incidents can be tough, especially when they involve mental health,” says Michelle. “But the support we give and receive as a team makes such a difference. 

“There’s always someone by your side and knowing that together we’ve been able to help someone in a difficult moment is what makes it all worthwhile.”

Which local beach is your favourite and why?

“That’s a tough one because we’re really spoiled here in St Ives. I’d probably say Carbis Bay or Porthminster. I spend so much time there with my dog Jake, he loves it as much as I do!”

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team?

“For me, it’s the camaraderie,” says Michelle. “We’re a proper close-knit crew, and everyone mucks in to get the job done safely, no one person is more important than the other.”

“Whether it’s a long night on the cliffs, a tricky search, or being deployed as part of the flood team, you know the person next to you has your back. That trust and support is priceless.” 

“And there’s always plenty of laughter; you go into situations as a team, you come away as a team, and you know you’ve made a difference together.”

What new skills have you learned as a CRO?

From first aid and radio communications to search techniques, cliff safety and flood response, Michelle’s picked up a raft of skills during her time as a coastguard. “I’ve learned so many new skills, and our training is second to none,” she says. 

It’s a particular mindset that’s proved most useful to Michelle, who’s learned to stay calm under pressure and above all, work as part of a team no matter what the challenge. “I’ve built confidence and resilience, and those skills spill over into everyday life too,” she says. 

When you’re not working or volunteering as a CRO, what do you enjoy doing?

“Running is a big part of my life. I’ve completed some ultra races this year and I’m training towards a 100km race in the Brecon Beacons in 2026,” says Michelle. 

 “I love the challenge and the freedom of being out on the coast paths. When I’m not running, I’m usually with my dog Jake, who makes sure I never sit still for long.”

What do you do for a living?

Michelle specialises in LinkedIn lead generation and runs a virtual assistant business called Your office Pixie, which supports business owners with administration and project work. 

“My work keeps me busy and creative, but it’s also flexible, which means I can balance running a business with volunteering as a Coastguard,” she says.

“I love that mix: helping businesses grow on one hand, while giving back to my community on the other.”

A fine Sunday afternoon and the deceptively calm waters at Carlingford Lough in Northern Ireland seemed like the perfect day for two boys to enjoy one of their regular trips out on their paddleboard. But the wind and the strong currents had less than perfect ideas, and the young brothers were quickly swept far out to sea as their anxious parents were forced to watch, wait and hope.

The two brothers aged eight and 11 set off from their regular sheltered spot on Sunday 21 September, watched by their dad. But as they got a little further out, the breeze picked up shockingly quickly and because it was blowing from the shore out to sea (offshore wind) together with a strong current heading in the same direction, they were soon in difficulties.  

Mum Sarah (name changed for privacy purposes) arrived and the worried parents did the right thing and called 999 to ask for the Coastguard. As they waited for the rescuers to arrive, they were left with no choice but to watch as their sons became harder to see as they were being taken away on the lough’s chilly waters.  

Sarah said: "I've never needed to call the Coastguard before and you always try hard to think it’s going to work out ok without calling for help. But this time it wasn’t ok, it was very frightening. As we waited, it was an enormous comfort to have the coastguard rescue team there and know that they would do everything possible to save our boys."  

Dangerously cold and wet

The Kilkeel Coastguard Rescue Team and RNLI lifeboat quickly assembled and the Coastguard Officer In Charge (OiC) was able to spot the boys and direct the RNLI lifeboat crew to their location.  The brothers had sensibly stayed with the paddleboard to help keep them afloat but when the lifeboat crew arrived, both boys were wet and extremely cold. 

Gary, a former coastguard and now a surveyor with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency also volunteers with Kilkeel RNLI. Gary was one of the RNLI crew that afternoon. He said: "By the time we got to them, they were a long way out and drifting into the shipping lane. We were so relieved to find them and we acted quickly to warm them up on the way back to shore as they were dangerously cold and wet."

The Kilkeel RNLI crew took the boys to Warrenpoint marina where they were reunited with their relieved parents and handed over into the care of the coastguard rescue team. The teams advised that both boys should be taken to hospital to be checked over.  

The ordeal did not end with the boys arriving on shore, added mum Sarah: "They were both exhausted with all the signs of hypothermia and our youngest son was unusually quiet. By the time we got home from hospital that evening, it was very late but we’re so grateful our boys are safe." 

I’d advise anyone to call 999 for the Coastguard if there’s any hint of someone in difficulty at the coast. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Read HM Coastguard's top tips on sea safety. 

“I guess I was always destined to join Beer Coastguard Rescue Team” – Roger

Roger and his brother Terry were lucky to grow up in the village of Beer, located on the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast in Devon. As children, they would race up to Beer Head, eager to watch Beer Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) in action. 

At the time, Beer CRT used a rocket and breeches buoy system, a rope-based method that brought seafarers safely to shore from stranded ships. Roger and Terry would later remember this as one of their earliest memories of the Coastguard. 

Years later, Roger married Lynne, whose father, Ron Russell, coincidentally was the Station Officer at Beer CRT. Inspired by Ron’s example, both Roger and Terry eventually followed him into the team. 

Soon after joining Beer CRT, Roger and Terry visited the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Portland. This inspired Roger to become a Watch Assistant and later, a Watch Officer at the centre from 2006 until 2014. 

What do you remember about your very first callout?

Roger: “During a callout to Sidmouth, I was thrown into the deep end and asked to manage Very High Frequency (VHF) radio calls. That was my first real experience with VHF communications.”

Terry: ‘Whilst on my first callout with the Auxiliary in Charge, I patrolled the area between Seaton and Lyme Regis. That was when I experienced my first blue light drive.”

What's the most unusual place you've been when your pager has gone off?

Roger: “We were moving house over Easter in 1987, though only down the road. I was very pleased to be paged as it gave me a much-needed break from all the furniture moving!”

Terry: “Being paged at family events is very common. One of the most memorable times when I was called out on 31st of December and didn’t return until 1st of January.”

What's the most memorable incident you have attended?

Roger and Terry’s most memorable callout took place in 2007, when MSC Napoli, a 62,000-tonne container ship was severely damaged in a storm which forced the ship to come ashore on the Jurassic Coast. The ship's cargo consisted of 2,300 containers and 3,800 tonnes of oil. 

Roger: “I was on duty with the Initial Response Team, we were paged early on a Saturday morning to get a look at the stricken vessel.”

Terry: “It was a huge salvage operation. The CRTs from Beer, Lyme Regis, Exmouth, and West Bay worked long shifts, especially in the first week, offering round the clock support to the security and salvage teams.”

This developed into a £120 million salvage operation that lasted 924 days, becoming one of the biggest salvage operations ever seen in UK waters. 

What do you enjoy the most about being a member of the team?

“The comradery of the team and making lifelong friends, the buzz when you know you have saved a life” - Terry

What's the most challenging part of your role?

Roger: “Being a rope rescue technician means every decision has to be carefully considered and accurate, which is a lot to manage while descending a cliff face to reach a casualty.”

Terry: “Dealing with fatalities is the most challenging part, particularly when a rescue is no longer possible and the work becomes about recovering the person for their grieving families.”

What's the most significant change you've seen at HM Coastguard?

Roger: “Modern PPE for Coastguards has given HM Coastguard a recognisable identity, which is especially important to us when attending multi-agency incidents.”

Terry: “We have a drone team in our area that has been used on many occasions. It reduces the need to walk miles along a beach, letting us search areas much faster, which is invaluable when every minute counts.”

What kind of new skills have you picked up recently?

Roger: “The Coastguard Emergency Responder Casualty Care Course (CERCC) has enabled us to deliver a much higher level of care to casualties.”

Terry: “Yes, the CERCC training has given us more ability, and more resources are available for us to help the casualty.” 

What advice would you give to someone thinking of volunteering with HM Coastguard?

Roger advises that becoming a member of HM Coastguard is a great commitment and he’s proud to be associated with the service.

“Serving as a coastguard rescue officer is one of the most rewarding aspects of my life” – Roger. 

Fast forward to today, Roger and Terry are still a part of the Beer CRT and giving their all to their community. Terry took over as Beer CRT’s Station Officer position in 2002, a role which he continues today and Roger continues to use his 40 years of experience as a rope technician to help those in trouble.

After studying Composition at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Joel’s path as a musician took a turn after a change in circumstances led him towards a new opportunity at HM Coastguard. 

Without any prior maritime experience, it was the satisfaction of knowing he’d make a difference that sent the budding bugler towards a Watch Assistant role at Great Yarmouth Coastguard. 

Joel jokes: “When I applied, I had to put ‘have read Swallows and Amazons’ down under Previous Experience, but the role looked and felt achievable and important, so I leapt at the chance.”

Swiftly sharpening his maritime knowledge and skills by volunteering for 12 months as a Coastguard Rescue Officer for Lowestoft Coastguard Rescue Team, Joel soon developed the experience and skills needed for a new operations role in Wales. 

“I moved to Holyhead Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre and became a Senior Maritime Operations Officer, and God willing I’d love to be able to do this until I retire,” he adds. 

What is the most unusual incident you’ve worked on or coordinated?

“Sometimes, you need good humour to get you through certain elements of our work,” says Joel, whose confident and cheerful disposition helps him handle some of the quirkier mishaps, accidents and unusual occurrences he’s seen.

By contrast, Joel also recalls a night rescue of two terrified people neck-deep in incoming tidal waters, located with the help of 999 call location data, and the dramatic medal-winning rescue of a surfer just seconds from death by an RNLI crew.

 What is the most challenging part of your role?

“I think it’s hard knowing that despite the best efforts of all of us emergency responders, there will still be people for whom help came too late,” Joel says. “Ultimately, we do the best we can for everyone that we get the opportunity to help, whenever that opportunity arises. Through our work, we know that we make a difference.”

Which local beach is your favourite and why?

As a Holyhead local, Joel’s been able to choose from many picturesque beaches, including Porth Trwyn Mawr, a stunning, wide (and often completely empty) sandy beach hidden at the end of a farm track. 

“Then there’s Newry beach, which is sheltered and good for a swim with plenty of sea life visible in the harbour’s clear waters, or the popular Porth Dafarch, with its rocky bay and scenery. Really, we’re blessed with an abundance of fantastic local beaches,” he adds.

 What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team?

Joel appreciates the teamwork and camaraderie that comes with responding to incidents, with each of his colleagues pitching in to ensure that casualty needs are met smoothly and efficiently – even if they aren’t at the scene themselves, they’re a huge part of saving lives. 

“It‘s great to be able to have absolute trust that every other person in the room is working towards the same goal as you, to be so ‘well-oiled’ and experienced together that if one of us answers a 999 call, there’s somebody else tasking assets, and somebody else looking up the mapping or the Standard Operating Procedures.”

He adds: “It’s also a beautiful thing to be part of training a new team member up and bringing them into our systems and ways of working.”

What does being a Coastguard mean to you – are there essential lessons, tips and skills you’ve picked up?

Joel’s wife would say that he’s very calm, these days, whether it’s an emergency at the coast, or an emergency in the kitchen! 

But for Joel, it’s about connections. “It’s being part of an organisation that brings thousands of completely otherwise unconnected people together around our coasts to perform hundreds of everyday miracles,” he says. 

“Being a Coastguard is knowing that I’m part of an elite group that has been saving lives for over 200 years and there’s value to the willingness and ability of our whole team, regardless of rank, to muck in and do the hard graft.”

“I’m very proud to wear the uniform each day. I love walking into my children’s bedroom at night to hear the regular question, “Did you rescue anyone today?"

When you’re not working, what do you enjoy doing?

Often passing the time with his music on, Joel plays trumpet and piano and is a church goer and self-confessed ‘unsuccessful angler’. When he’s not watching the coast, he’s reading science fiction, writing poetry and alongside his wife, handling a busy household of three (soon to be four) children. 

Tony, who is a member of Littlehampton Coastguard Rescue Team, said: “Over the last couple of years I have been asking schools, clubs and other groups if they would like water safety lessons.  

“I've been pushing the water safety campaign, as an ex-lifeguard and competition swimmer.  Water safety and keeping people safe around water is my first priority.” 

• Read about HM Coastguard’s Coast Clever campaign  

The last two visits before the summer holidays were in West Sussex, ranging across the ages: Barnham Primary School and St Philip Howard Catholic School, also in Barnham. 

The primary school is a regular stop for Tony and his fellow CROs who have visited twice a year for the last three years, spreading their coastal safety knowhow to hundreds of youngsters living near the sea. 

Tony said: “We always get a great welcome. All the children take everything on board and get hands-on experience with the kit we use. 

“They all learn that in an emergency by the coast you should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.  

• Read about how to stay safe by the coast 

“They also understand some of the dangers by the shore – like tidal cut-off, rip currents, and the dangers of tombstoning – as well as the important knowledge of beach flags and the role of HM Coastguard.” 

The visiting CROs even share with the older pupils some information about the range of jobs at HM Coastguard and the potential career opportunities. 

Everyone comes out full of everything they need to be safe and vigilant when around water and what to do in an emergency. 

• If you see an emergency by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 

Main photo: Tony Phillips (left) and Chris Dunn

In 2018, Zia joined the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) as a surveyor, inspecting vessels for safety and operational standards. Based in the Liverpool Marine Office, Zia's extensive maritime experience helps him build a strong rapport with seafarers.  

Surveyors like Zia enforce international safety conventions such as the International Safety Management (ISM) Code and the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), significantly improving safety and labour conditions in the shipping industry. 

"When I first joined shipping, the International Safety Management (ISM) Code was just coming into force, marking a major shift in how ships operated. Today, both ISM and the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) have significantly strengthened safety standards and improved crew welfare,” Zia said. 

However, not all operators comply with these standards, sometimes jeopardising crew and vessel safety in the pursuit of lower costs or faster operations. “I’m proud to be part of the MCA, where we uphold the highest standards,” he adds. 

“Having been a seafarer, I understand the seafarer’s background and mindset. Inspections can be a bit like doing exams, where you’re going through a process and you’re worried about whether you’re competent: you might be trying your best, but that still might not meet the standards,” Zia explained. 

"There are also excellent operators who go beyond the minimum requirements to ensure safety. Our role is to provide reassurance and support, confirming that a vessel is safe before it departs. 

“Of course, some operators attempt to conceal deficiencies, often relying on flag states with varying standards, but in most cases, crews genuinely want to cooperate. When they encounter issues they cannot resolve, an MCA surveyor can provide a written report that helps ensure the situation is rectified,” he said. 

Zia’s work spans from large tankers and cargo ships to smaller commercial vessels, but it is fishing trawlers that test his investigative skills the most. “Fishing is statistically one of the most dangerous occupations, but new regulations and codes of practice have brought huge improvements,” he said.  

"It’s not about making life difficult for the crew but about raising standards. Simple measures, like maintaining pyrotechnics and wearing life jackets, can prevent fatal consequences.” 

Over his career, Zia has witnessed major advances in ship technology, transforming maritime operations. Electronic chart systems, GPS, and digital equipment have made the seas safer, but he stresses that training remains vital.  

He warned: “Reliance on this equipment has increased and without proper training it can be dangerous and put a vessel at risk. That’s why we assess training, familiarisation, and understanding to ensure crews know how to use their equipment correctly.” 

Zia encourages those considering a career as a surveyor to view the MCA as an excellent platform for professional development. He has also worked with police and law enforcement, providing maritime insight for complex incidents and investigations. 

The daily work of a surveyor is unpredictable, ranging from routine inspections to extended surveys and emergency responses but ultimately, Zia enjoys a better work-life balance compared to sea-going positions.  

He spends more time on shore now, playing cricket, enjoying his hobby as an amateur radio operator, and spending time with his wife and four children. 

You can see Zia in action as he inspects vessels and ensures safety in the documentary series Coastguard, airing every Wednesday at 9 pm on Channel 5. 

Yorkshireman Cameron McAuley grew up alongside Coastguard stations of Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay, hearing tales of 18th century smugglers and their exploits.  

“I was always fascinated by the bravery of the local RNLI and coastguard teams and their many rescues off our rugged coastline in any weather the North Sea could throw at them,” says Cameron.  

Cameron moved to Dunoon on Scotland’s Clyde coast, where he saw an advert for HM Coastguard on social media. He says: “The Coastguard enabled me to fully balance home life, work life and protecting the community – what more could you ask for!” 

 What is the most unusual incident you have attended? 

“A call came through that suspected ordinance had been found on the shore of Loch Fyne. Ordnance calls are not unheard of in our area, but 30 or so miles up a sea loch is a bit more unusual,” says Cameron. 

“We arrived on scene to be greeted by the sight of a rather large Mk17 sea mine, the big spiky ones you see in the movies, happily bobbing about amongst the rocks.” 

Cameron and his team contacted Operations staff at HM Coastguard’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Belfast and secured the scene. A Royal Navy Bomb disposal team was sent and waded out to look for the mine.  

“After peeling decades of encrusted sea life off the object, they established that it was a training mine used to test submarine sonar capability and that one of their team would be down at some point to recover it!” 

What is the most unusual place you’ve been when your pager has gone off? 

“Any Coastguard would be able to tell you, the ‘always-ready’ nature of the role dictates that your pager can go off at any time in any situation,” says Cameron. 

“One of my proudest moments happened recently when my six-year-old daughter won a prize at school and had been badgering me to come to her awarding ceremony. 

“Secretly, I had blocked off my work diary to ensure I could get there, but I thought I’d surprise her. I was waiting in the reception of the primary school with my wife and some of the other parents when my pager went off. I looked at my wife in fear and she smiled and told me to crack on.” 

Cameron flew out of the door to manage his team’s response to a vessel perilously aground on rocks during a heavy swell. Getting home, he waited to hear more about his daughter’s disappointment. 

Cameron said: “My wife had told my daughter that it was a Coastguard call, and she ended up including this in her acceptance speech in front of the whole school. I was a very proud dad!” 

What is the most challenging part of your role? 

As Deputy Station Officer for Dunoon Coastguard Rescue Team, one of Cameron’s primary responsibilities is incident management, and he’s liaised with almost every resource available to help save lives at sea across the southwest highlands.  

He says: “On occasion, I’ve been using multiple radios on multiple frequencies, organising our team as well as directing the HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter and water assets from the RNLI, MOD and sometimes, Royal Navy! 

“Clear command and control is needed to do this effectively, as is the ability to be flexible and plan ahead. You can guarantee the job will change multiple times during an operation!” 

 Which local beach is your favourite and why?  

“Kilbride or Ostel Bay (Bàgh Osde in the Gaelic) is my favourite local beach, despite it being in our neighbouring flank team’s patch! 

“It’s beautiful white sands and sheltered, shallow waters are a tonic for the soul – out of tourist season. If you fancy a visit, go on a crisp clear day in February (if you can find one in Argyll!) and you’ll have the whole beach to yourself.” 

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team? 

Cameron feels like HM Coastguard attracts likeminded individuals and feels fortunate to have represented the Coastguard at the Cenotaph in London in 2023.  

He says: “Coastguards from all over the country convened in Southampton for drill practice before shipping to London and within an hour of meeting for the first time, we all behaved as if we had known each other for years. I love this about the Service!” 

“Our team’s camaraderie is exceptional! We train every Tuesday night and not only does this keep our operational skills in top shape, but it’s as much a social event where we get together and have a laugh.”  

“Cohesion is invaluable when you need to dig in on a call out,” he adds. “There is no substitute for good humour when you are eight hours into a missing person search during a very long west highland winter’s night (perhaps a cup of tea helps a little too!).” 

What new skills have you learned as a CRO? 

“Since starting with the Coastguard, I’ve been impressed with the level of training, both initial and continuous, that is provided to the Service.  

Cameron adds: “As Category 1 responders, we are as efficient and competent as any of the other emergency services in anything we do. A good example of this is the casualty care training we receive (CERCC), and constant improvements made to our capabilities.” 

When you’re not working or volunteering as a CRO, what do you enjoy doing? 

As a parent of small children, Cameron points out that ‘free time’ is a bit of a misnomer. But when he’s not at work or volunteering, family time is what’s important and the McAuley’s are blessed to live among an abundance of lochs, hills and coastline.  

“A favourite of ours on a Saturday morning is to get up early and take our canoe to Loch Eck, some 20 minutes from our front door,” he says.  

“Being the first on the water during the spring and summer months means you will likely spot otters, jumping trout, and kingfishers. During the autumn we like to listen out for the roar of the red deer stag on the hill getting ready for the rutting season.” 

What do you do for a living? 

“I’m a Chartered Environmental Health Officer working for Argyll and Bute Council. Argyll and Bute Council are an excellent employer, and they fully appreciate that the county couldn’t operate without the work of retained and voluntary responders, and our contract reflects this! 

He adds: “My public health function and our work here in the Coastguard complement each other well. At work, our aim is to protect the health of the people of Argyll, and at the Coastguard, we protect the safety of our people on our coastline.”  

Dunoon Coastguard Rescue Team actively engages with their local community to improve coastal safety knowledge, from school visits through to hosting a stand at the 8000-strong Cowal Highland Gathering every August.  

Click here to read more about becoming a Coastguard Rescue Officer.

From the life-saving work of coastguard rescue teams and maritime operations staff on the ground, to the skill of HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter crews in the skies above, the dedication, bravery and expertise of the teams is laid bare as the power of the sea is seen with devastating consequence.  

Maritime surveyors, investigators, and counter pollution officers are followed by camera crews as they respond to catastrophic incidents; including a head-on collision between a fishing trawler and a small angling vessel, and the inspection of a damaged German cargo ship aground off the Isle of Skye.  

MCA Chief Executive Virginia McVea said: “We’re extremely proud to share a powerful insight into our work across the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The documentary demonstrates the highly professional work of our staff and volunteers to enhance safety and protect lives at sea and on the coast.” 

From dramatic craggy Cornish cliffs to the storm-battered coasts of North Scotland, the series showcases the organisation’s skill, commitment and relentless dedication to safety.  

Coastguard series three will launch on Channel 5 at 9pm on Wednesday 24 September. To catch up on series two, visit: www.channel5.com/show/coastguard-search-rescue-sos.  

The 10-strong team is headed up by Neil Cunningham, a senior investigator with extensive experience in law enforcement and public protection.

 “Perhaps what a lot of people might not know about RCIT is that we’re also the National Enforcement Body (NEB) for passenger rights for people travelling by sea and inland waterways,” says Neil. 

“As the regulator, we’re here to ensure that passengers can access maritime travel fairly and that all travellers can access the booking process and travel safely and securely according to their needs.” 

The team also uses powers under the Merchant Shipping Act to hold non-compliant vessel operators and individuals to account.

“We’re looking at whether a criminal act has occurred,” says Neil, “and that can be quite broad: it could be two fishermen involved in an assault at sea, adherence to regulations or procedure, or the conduct of the skipper and their manoeuvring of a vessel.”

Neil’s team examines incidents involving UK flagged vessels and those of other Flag states travelling through UK waters – if there’s a suspected breach of merchant shipping legislation, RCIT investigates. 

The team works entirely separately to the Marine Accident and Investigation Branch (MAIB), which conducts safety investigation and investigates maritime incidents, but doesn't assert blame or culpability. 

Neil is particularly proud of his team’s role in establishing protocols for work-related fatalities in Scotland, where all deaths in the workplace require a mandatory fatal accident inquiry. Developed with the Procurator Fiscal and Police Scotland, this important agreement helps all agencies involved to liaise and work together effectively. 

Neil says: “We tend to work in parallel with other organisations, specifically looking at where there may have been breaches of maritime legislation. We don't have jurisdiction in foreign states, but we have international protocols in place, and we can work through mutual legal assistances treaties with international letters of request (ILORs).”

The team works similarly to police in their gathering and preserving of evidence, while securing potential crime scenes and carrying out interviews under caution. RCIT, however, doesn’t have powers of arrest and carry out their own prosecutions. 

The team appears in series three of Channel 5’s Coastguard TV series, supporting Dorset Police with a manslaughter investigation into the death of David Haw, killed after falling from a RHIB in Poole Harbour. The case is complex and RCIT’s work is crucial in providing expert analysis to the Police for a successful prosecution. 

“The remit and skillset of police is incredibly wide and varied – it has to be,” says Neil, a former police investigator with more than 20 years’ experience. “RCIT provides technical expertise and guidance for significant breaches resulting in serious pollution, fatalities or loss of life at sea.”

But it’s not always about enforcement. The team also encourages compliance through prevention and reassurance, and they’re keen to acknowledge a large majority of water users and industry professionals who are highly responsible and maintain compliant vessels.

Neil says: “We’re evidence and intelligence led, so if we start to see a trend where non-compliance occurs in the same area, for example fishing vessels deactivating their AIS (Automatic Identification System) transponder, we will engage with them as a group first and warn of the consequences of that breach.

“If a dangerous practice has been adopted and puts safety at risk, how would those responsible intend to justify a fatality? I’ve seen families devastated by loss of loved ones, often caused when commercial profit is put before safety and compliance.”

RCIT’s remit is international, and the team works hard to understand issues unique to regions and communities, including engagement work in areas that are surprisingly non-coastal. 

“Our intelligence shows that a large majority of non-compliant personal watercraft users, for example, are those that travel down to coastal areas and live more than 50 miles from the water.  But a trend could also be unique to a particular season or time of year.

“One of our longer-term strategies is to go faster from failure or breach to resolution or fix. In practice, that could mean we look at an early resolution if reasonable, justified and proportionate.”

The vehicle – one of 18 provided to each operational area of HM Coastguard in the UK – will be the centrepiece of its stand at the two-day event starting tomorrow (17 September). 

The all-wheel-drive large crewbus is designed and equipped with extra functions beyond basic transportation. 

As well as carrying rescue equipment, the OSV provides on-scene command facilities using on-demand satellite communications for reliable contact between commanders and teams in all conditions.  

It also provides welfare and logistical support for prolonged incidents, including hot water; kit washing, decontamination and drying capability; battery recharging; and seating for five people. 

Other important advances on display at the stand include up-to-date drysuits fitted for female Coastguard Rescue Officers, following last year’s debut of overalls also designed for women. 

Further improved protection comes in the form of new resistant gloves currently being rolled out to Coastguard Rescue Teams across the country, suitable for nearly all incidents.  

Visitors to the show will be able to see everything for themselves as well as ask questions of the experienced coastguards attending the stand. 

Assistant Chief Coastguard Richard Hackwell said: “We are always reviewing and developing our equipment. It means we can ensure the highest levels of protection and support for our officers so they can give the best response to the people who need our help. 

“We are very proud to show off the new support vehicle. Some incidents can be long and complex, and these units strengthen our capacity both to lead search and rescue responses and support our fellow frontline emergency services. 

“We look forward to the Emergency Services Show every year. It’s an important opportunity to engage with our volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers and UK search and rescue (UKSAR) partners.” 

Last year HM Coastguard exhibited zero-emission and low-emission electric response vehicles, plus “on-scene” drones to assist coastal search and rescue. 

HM Coastguard’s display will be at adjacent stands CZ85 and D250 of the Emergency Services Show from 17-18 September. 

The public acknowledgement by NHS Western Isles was made at a ceremony attended by Murdo Macaulay, HM Coastguard Coastal Operations Area Commander for the Outer Hebrides and Skye. 

He was joined by representatives from Coastguard Rescue Teams, Full Time Coastal Duty Officers and Operations Room staff based in the Western Isles. 

Murdo accepted the plaque, on behalf of HM Coastguard, from Frances Robertson, NHS Western Isles Nurse and Allied Health Professionals Director/Chief Operating Officer, at Stornoway Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre on 3 September. 

We all worked together for the greater benefit of all in the Western Isles

The award is a lasting recognition of the skills and dedication of CROs who joined the multi-agency response to support the NHS to deliver lifesaving services to the community of local islands. 

HM Coastguard helped with Covid vaccination clinics, patient transport and hospital transfers, and delivery of essential supplies and sample testing 

Ambulance crews were assisted by providing trained drivers, and there was support to the military aid logistics group, plus other contingency planning and preparation. 

Murdo said: “It is a great honour for our team to be presented with this plaque by NHS Western Isles. 

“The Covid-19 pandemic brought great challenges to all of us, and the geography and position of the Western Isles accentuated some of these.   

“We remember with great pride the one-team ethos that has always been a part of emergency response in the Islands, which was exemplified and strengthened during this time.   

“We all worked together for the greater benefit of all in the Western Isles. I would like to thank NHS Western Isles both personally and on behalf of HM Coastguard for recognising this today with this presentation.” 

We are so grateful for the strong partnership held between the NHS and HM Coastguard

Frances said: “This presentation is an opportunity for NHS Western Isles to say a big thank you to so many individuals and organisations who supported the response to the Covid-19 Pandemic across the Western Isles.  

“We are so proud to acknowledge and show our thanks to the invaluable contribution made by HM Coastguard by presenting them with a plaque to display with pride. 

"The first case of Covid-19 occurred on 8 December 2019; the virus rapidly spread across the world, reaching the UK on 29 January 2020 with the NHS mobilising its response in February 2020.  

“The ask of staff was huge, they turned up every day to continue to maintain our essential services, and for some they adapted and rapidly moved into new roles such as test and protect to support NHS Western Isles' response to the pandemic. 

"The game changer occurred with the development of Covid vaccinations. On 10 December 2020, the first Covid-19 vaccination was given in the Western Isles.  

“NHS Western Isles was the first Health Board in Scotland to complete Wave 1 of the vaccination programme and this was achieved through the efforts and dedication of so many organisations and individuals who worked tirelessly to support their communities including HM Coastguard – who worked so hard and tirelessly in partnership with us, behind the scenes.  

“The partnership working during the vaccination campaign, and as part of the wider response to the pandemic, was invaluable and we are so grateful for the strong partnership held between the NHS and HM Coastguard in the Western Isles.” 

The George Cross depicted on the HM Coastguard plaque is the premier award given for non-operational gallantry or gallantry not in the presence of an enemy. 

Main picture: Coastal Operations Area Commander Murdo Macaulay and NHS Western Isles Chief Operating Officer Frances Robertson with HM Coastguard officers at Stornoway Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre

Earlier that day, the two young men had climbed down a cliff below Upper Lynstone Caravan Park in Bude, below which there are narrow stretches of sand and rocks when the tide is out but are completely covered when the tide comes in. The pair were caught out by the tide and as they tried to climb back up the unstable, stony cliff to get away from the pounding waves, one slipped and both became trapped. To make matters worse, darkness fell and there was no-one in sight.

Luckily they had a mobile phone and called a parent who then raised the alarm just after 9pm by calling 999 for the Coastguard. 

Helicopter footage

The team at HM Coastguard’s nearest Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Falmouth quickly alerted the expert rescue resources. As they gathered, plans were swiftly put in place for a challenging and technical rescue, requiring closely coordinated teamwork to bring the pair to safety.

From top to bottom

Bude and Boscastle Coastguard Rescue Teams were sent to the top of the cliff and a search and rescue coastguard helicopter from Newquay was sent. Meanwhile from the sea at the bottom of the cliff, the RNLI lifeboat from Bude arrived, with the Padstow lifeboat arriving a short time afterwards, responding directly from another incident along the coast.  

Rescue complexities

At the scene, the teams worked together to assess the best way to get the casualties to safety. The many considerations included the steep and unstable nature of the cliff and the downdraft of the helicopter, with the risk that the casualties may be blown off the cliff. The evening’s light wind conditions also meant that more power was needed by the helicopter to hover. The added complexity was that the cliff overhang meant that the rescue teams at the top could not see the casualties below. 

Following consultations between the teams on the ground and with the operations room, a decision was taken that a technical rope rescue from the top of the cliff would be safer and preferable to a winch rescue by the helicopter crew.

Practical planning  

The helicopter crew located the casualties on the cliff with their fluorescent infrared camera and illuminated them with their searchlight. It meant that specialist rope rescue teams could be directed to the exact location of the casualties.  

Once lowered, the rope rescue technician was able to make a closer assessment of the position of the casualties. The first casualty was in a very precarious position, with a high risk of slipping, and the other was further away from the cliff edge on a ledge that stuck out from the cliff.  

The first casualty was recovered to the top of the cliff by a technical rope rescue and reunited with an anxious parent. The second casualty remained in a perilous position – on a small, crumbly ledge jutting out from a near vertical cliff.  

Careful assessments  

Another careful assessment of the risks was made by the teams. A rope rescue carried the risk of slipping, falling and creating a pendulum in the rope system which could cause potential swinging of the rescue rope the casualty and technician to hit the cliff face. A winch rescue from the helicopter was still considered the most effective option. However, due to the helicopter needing to refuel after hovering at the scene for an extended period, it took approximately another hour before the crew could safely winch the man to safety.

During the wait, the lifeboat crew illuminated the area while a coastguard rescue technician reassured the casualty and prepared him for the winch lift to safety at the top of the cliff.

Once the boys had been checked over and were reunited with their parents, all SAR assets were stood down and returned to their respective bases.

Alex Hart was on duty in the Falmouth MRCC that evening and recalls the concentration and teamwork.  

“Every rescue is challenging but this one was especially testing due to the terrain, local conditions and the location of the casualties on an unstable cliff. The fact that it was a success and two young men were brought to safety could only have been done through all the teams working together. Myself and all the colleagues in the ops room had a cheer when we knew that both young men were safe and well,” he said.

Sam Wilson, Coastal Operations Area Commander was the on-call officer during the incident, closely following every detail. Senior Coastal Operations Officer Robin Snuggs added:  

“This was a complex and technical rescue involving very close coordination between all the teams involved. Everyone did a fantastic job, sharing the same aim of a safe and successful rescue so a I’d like to add my thanks to all who assisted with this rescue.” he said. 

Be Coast Clever and follow our safety tips:

• Check tide times online before exploring the coastline and be aware of how these can create cut you off as the tide comes in.
• Take a fully charged mobile phone so you can call for help if anyone is in danger.
• Don't attempt to climb down cliffs to access the sea, they can be incredibly unstable and you can easily be trapped by the tide with no escape route.
• If you are interested in rock climbing or coasteering, find a watersports, rock climbing or activity centre provider where you can do the activity safely under supervision of a qualified instructor.
• Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back.
• If you are in trouble on the coast call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Learn more about our Coast Clever campaign.

He then served aboard several Royal Navy ships during the War of 1812, participating in raids near New Orleans and anti-piracy operations off the Cuban coast and the Gulf of Mexico.

By then a seasoned seafarer, Bulley passed his officer’s exam in 1819 aged 22 and was commissioned a Lieutenant aboard HMS Ferret in 1826. He married Sarah Louisa Pearce of Haslar, Isle of Wight, in 1828.

Though he’d seen action across the British Empire, it was the Isle of Wight’s rugged, unforgiving Southwestern coast, known locally as the ‘sailor’s graveyard’, that proved the officer’s most formidable post. 

In 1830, Bulley became Chief Officer of Atherfield Coastguard. There, the former naval officer traded combat and cannon fire for cliff rescues and nights pursuing smugglers through the coastal fog.

Bulley’s stretch of responsibility, grimly known as the ‘Back of the Wight’, was infamous for shipwrecks due to low visibility and poor conditions due to fierce tides, storms and treacherous sandbanks. The area’s remote landscape and limited infrastructure also made it a haven for criminal activity. 

According to the Hampshire Telegraph in 1836, Bulley was attacked with stones by 30 to 40 men. Armed with his pistol, the resolute Coastguard halted the mob and seized 150 tubs of spirits, 15 flagons, and two bales of tea.

Bulley’s bravery and dedication did not go unnoticed within the service, where he was twice commended by the Comptroller-General, a senior official overseeing both coastguard and customs operations. 

While enforcement was central to his role, it was Bulley’s skill in life-saving rescue work that would become his defining contribution. In 1838 and 1841, he was awarded Silver Medals by the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (now the RNLI), for rescuing eight crew members from the Norwegian brig Enigheden, and three from the Russian ship Castor.

Bulley’s ‘praiseworthy and gallant conduct’ was clearly demonstrated during a dramatic rescue in 1843. During a strong gale, the George, a brig travelling from South Shields to Grenada, was wrecked at Atherfield. 

Bulley and a fellow Coastguard, Lieutenant William Vicary, fired rocket lines towards the vessel. Through their efforts, the pair managed to recover a single crewman by the rocket line, who reported 10 men still aboard. 

The lieutenants quickly mustered two local fishing boats and with a crew of coastguards and fishermen, they headed out into the poor conditions to retrieve the casualties, who were rescued moments before the vessel was destroyed. 

Vicary and Bulley were awarded gold medals for their part in the rescue, with money and silver medals awarded to the nine other boatmen involved. 

In 1848, Bulley was again awarded, this time a ceremonial gold boat for saving 15 men from the ship Llanrumney, one of the Coastguard’s highest honours at the time. Three years later, Bulley was promoted to Commander for his good service, before reaching his final rank of Captain on 1 August 1860. 

The celebrated station chief spent his later years as Superintendent of the Royal Sailor’s Home in Portsmouth and died aged 68 at Carrisbrooke on the Isle of Wight. Captain Bulley’s medals are currently retained at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. 

HM Coastguard and the Cornwall Air Ambulance often work closely together during serious accidents around the coastline. 

If the helicopter cannot access the area near the patient, such as some spots below cliffs, members of its crew may need to be lowered down to provide emergency medical treatment. 

In the exercise, Newquay CRT helped the Critical Care Paramedics and Doctors descend over the cliff edge one by one to where a dummy had been placed.

Rob Farr, HM Coastguard Senior Coastal Operations Officer, said: “Throughout the summer we have many people on the cliffs and unfortunately, on occasion, people do get into difficulty, either cut off at the bottom or having fallen from height down the cliff.  

“For the Critical Care Team, it’s getting them used to the rope skills and being placed into our system, so they can be lowered to the casualty to then deliver care. 

“It’s good to be able to practice as a multiagency team, it gets people to meet other agencies, and once they’ve experienced the systems that we have, and we understand the capabilities that you have, on a real incident it makes the job a whole lot easier.” 

Dan Bawden, Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) Consultant at Cornwall Air Ambulance, added: “It’s important that our team know how to work with HM Coastguard, how to work safely together and how their equipment works.” 

• In an emergency by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard 

Main photo credit: Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust 

The response was coordinated by HM Coastguard’s Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) which sent Coastguard Rescue Teams from Polzeath, Boscastle and Padstow. 

The RNLI’s inshore lifeboat from Rock was also sent to support the operation from the water. 

After arriving on the scene and ensuring the two youngsters were not injured, Coastguard Rescue Officers set up the secure rope system and were ready to abseil down. 

In less than half an hour, the two boys had been carefully walked up the cliff to safety at the top to be reunited with their parents. 

• Discover more about the skills of Coastguard Rescue Teams

Robin Snuggs, HM Coastguard Senior Coastal Operations Officer, praised everyone involved for helping to ensure a safe outcome. 

Robin said: “Although it obviously wasn’t a situation anyone wanted, everybody did the right thing: the person who called 999, the boys who stayed put and waited for help, and the Coastguard Rescue Officers who brought them to safety. 

“It goes to show how easy it is to be caught out by the tide, particularly if you’re visiting a place you don’t know well and you’re by the cliffs. Tides can come in at different levels on different days. 

“Just a few small actions can make the difference. Our advice is always to check the tide times and stay aware of the state of the water. Take care around cliffs and carry a mobile phone in case you get into trouble. 

“We’re very glad the boys were recovered safe and sound, and hope they enjoyed the rest of their holiday in peace!” 

• If you see an emergency by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.   

Skills to be on the edge 

Clifftops are dangerous places, and visitors to the coast can very easily become casualties in need of rescue.  

In many coastal areas of the UK where cliffs are a feature, specialist coastguards are trained in rope rescue techniques and equipment, following rigorous safety procedures to protect themselves, their colleagues and the casualties.   

Additional skills are required by those who go over the cliff. These are known as Rope Rescue Technicians who can recover casualties using specialist techniques and equipment, including rescue slings, harnesses and stretchers.  

Rope Rescue is not confined to cliff incidents – it can be used in any situation where a rescuer needs to gain access or would be at risk, such as sea walls, rock armour, bridges and docks.

“It’s a simple trip out of town to get to Penarth. It was a sunny day, and our plan was to walk from one end down to the pier and back,” says George, a 19-year-old student from Telford in Shropshire.  

Wearing waterproofs, hiking gear and boots, the two friends made their way along the beach at late afternoon while taking in the sunset. But three quarters down the coastline, they discovered that tide was moving faster than they could.   

“It had started to come in completely and we knew we were getting cut off, but we thought we could make it to the other side. We ran back down the beach, but the high cliffs were trapping us from getting off. 

“We were stressing as it was getting dark, and the tide just came in so quickly. At times, we were having to scale the cliff face, and it wasn’t stable. We didn’t have a chance. If we’d have entered the water to swim for safety, there’d be nowhere we could go. I just said ‘this is it’ and dialled 999."

Max Hawkins, Team Leader at Milford Haven Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), remembered George’s call. He said: “George did exactly the right thing by calling for emergency help as soon as he needed it. 

“When people are stuck or in trouble at the coast or in the water, they need to dial 999 and ask for coastguard. Asking for the coastguard at the start of a 999 call ensures that the information provided goes straight to the right emergency service.” 

In George’s case, the coastguard was able to identify his position via the 999 call.  He said: “Obviously, the coastguard needed to know where we were but I had no idea – there were no immediate landmarks. We were in the middle of nowhere on a remote beach and it was dark."

Luckily, George had a smartphone app that he used to share his coordinates with Max’s team. The response was swift, and in a few moments coastguards reassured George that a rescue team was being assembled. 

“It was really quick,” says George. “I think I had about three calls with the coastguard who kept updating me with a plan. They called back again to let me know that a lifeboat was coming too.” 

Spotting the RNLI lifeboat in the distance, George and Alex put their smartphone lights on and started waving. The lifeboat saw the pair and quickly took them to safety.  

Speaking about wisdoms learned, George said: "If you’re going to go out on the coast, make sure you check the tide times for the area too – it’s something I’m very much aware of now.” 

Coastal trip must-do's from Max Hawkins, Milford Haven Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre 

• Check the tide times for the areas you visit before you embark on walks or activity at the coast.
• Always carry a fully charged mobile phone. If you’re going in the water, put it in a waterproof case.
• Look at the geography – could you be trapped or caught out by cliffs or inaccessible areas? Avoid mud and rocks. Keep clear of cliff bases.
• Consider geolocating apps, which can provide an accurate location and whereabouts for use by emergency services.
• If you’re in an unfamiliar area, tell a friend where you’re going and when you think you’ll be back. They could raise the alarm if you don’t return.  

His eight-metre vessel was soon dismasted, forcing Chris to abandon ship in his lifejacket and wait in the waves for rescue. 

Forward planning made the difference as he was able to broadcast his location with an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) – bought less than three weeks before the incident. 

Chris (71), from Porthmadog, is a retired firefighter and an experienced yachtsman with 40 years sailing under his belt. 

He said: “I had double-checked the chart and there was a course down the inside. I checked again and adjusted for the tide.  

“Then there was a thumping great bang. I knew what was happening immediately. I was being lifted by the waves and dropped. Bang! Bang! The mast went down and over the side.” 

Having installed his VHF antenna on the stern instead of the now collapsed mast, Chris was able to broadcast a radio mayday as soon as he got into trouble at about 4pm on 24 June, alerting Holyhead Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC). 

I just said a quick prayer not to let me die

Chris added: “I got a voice at the other end of the radio straightaway, so I had confidence knowing that someone had received the mayday. My training kicked in and I knew what I had to do.” 

Crucially, Chris could accurately show where he was with his EPIRB, which automatically began signalling his location as soon as it went into the water. 

With the vessel listing, Chris said: “A wave washed right through the cockpit and took the EPIRB and liferaft right out. It was obvious I would have to vacate!” 

He inflated his lifejacket and went into the churning sea, having grabbed his VHF radio from which he was able to hear the rescue efforts. 

He said: “I could hear them say they were receiving the EPIRB and it was in a similar position to mine. I just said a quick prayer not to let me die.” 

Just 30 minutes later – with the cold already setting into his body – Chris was pulled from the sea by the RNLI’s inshore lifeboat from Holyhead, directed there by HM Coastguard. 

He said: “I didn’t even see them come. I felt a bump on my shoulder and then an arm on mine and a voice saying, ‘You’re alright, mate. We’ve got you’. A hand came in and I was up and out. 

“I was so relieved. The moment I hit the bottom of that lifeboat I knew I was safe.”  

When I called my wife Pauline she said, ‘You have done what?!’

Chris was transferred to the all-weather sister lifeboat from where he was winched up by the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Caernarfon. It flew him for transfer to Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital in Bangor. 

Three nearby vessels alerted to the incident by a broadcast from Holyhead MRCC had stood by to offer support until Chris was confirmed safe.  

He was cold and had suffered a bang to the nose but was otherwise unharmed. His EPIRB had been picked up and was returned to him the next day. Even his glasses were still round his neck. 

“When I called my wife Pauline she said, ‘You have done what?!’” Chris recalled. “I said to her, ‘Is there any chance you could pick me up from the hospital and bring a complete set of clothes?’” 

Thanking HM Coastguard and the RNLI for the “textbook” rescue, Chris said: “I was not getting out of it on my own, that’s for sure. Without them, I would have bobbed around until I fell unconscious.  

“Then I would have simply sunk below the surface.” 

Being prepared, particularly with a registered EPIRB, makes all the difference to how it can end

Maritime Operations Officer Paul McGinness was part of the team that coordinated the rescue from Holyhead MRCC. 

On behalf of Holyhead MRCC, Paul said: “This rescue shows how even the most experienced sailors can get into a scrape. Being prepared, particularly with a registered EPIRB, makes all the difference to how it can end. We’re so glad Chris came home safe. 

“A thank you to the vessels in the area that also assisted.” 

Chris Cousens, RNLI Water Safety Lead for Wales, the North West and Isle of Man, said: “This was a real team effort between all the emergency services and Chris is incredibly lucky.  

“Thanks to Chris being able to give precise details of his position via the EPIRB and the fact he was carrying a handheld radio, he was quickly located by the Holyhead volunteer crew and pulled out of the water.   

“He was also wearing a lifejacket, which we know increases the chances of survival in man overboard situations.” 

For more sailing safety tips, visit hmcoastguard.uk/onboard 

• If you see an emergency by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 

Established by the United Nations, World Drowning Prevention Day highlights safety tips by shining a spotlight on drowning as a major global cause of preventable death, claiming more than 230,000 lives every year.  

Jon Payne, Senior Coastal Operations Officer for HM Coastguard, said: “Every summer, we respond to tragic incidents by the coast. Many of these involve young people, and many are entirely avoidable. 

“Today is a really good opportunity for people to understand the risks, know how to prepare, and be confident to enjoy the sea safely.” 

Currents and tide  

Strong currents and tidal flows can carry swimmers far from safe entry and exit points, sometimes into isolated and inaccessible areas.  

Jon said: "In many coastal areas there is a risk of being cut off by rising water, so always check the tide times make sure you're safely back on dry land well before high water. Take a quick look at the weather forecast too, so you don't get caught out. 

“If you can, choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags. Be aware of any safety signs around the beach too.  

“It’s good to swim with someone too so you can look after each other. Wearing something a brightly coloured, like a swim cap, will help people spot you if there’s a problem. A mobile phone in a waterproof pouch can be a confidence-booster too.  

“And finally: if in doubt, do not go out – the sea will be always there for a return trip. If you feel unwell or unsure of the conditions, do not risk it.” 

Cold water shock  

Cold water shock is how the body reacts to suddenly entering cold water; it can make you gasp uncontrollably and inhale water.  

Jon said: “Cold water shock from such a sudden temperature change can cause an involuntary gasp, hyperventilation or even cardiac arrest, even in warm weather.  

“Before you go in, let someone know where you’ll be swimming, just in case. Take your time and acclimatise – enter the water slowly, getting used to the temperature and get breathing under control.  

“You might consider a wetsuit appropriate for your activity too. And have warm clothes and a hot drink for after your swim to help you warm up.”   

Float to Live 

If you find yourself struggling in the water unexpectedly, instinct might tell you to swim hard – that's not the best way. 

Jon explained: “In cold water, a shock can make you gasp uncontrollably and thrash about – potentially breathing in water and exhausting yourself.  

“Instead, you should Float to Live. This means:  

• Relax and fight your instinct to thrash around.
• Lean back with your ears submerged.
• Extend your arms and legs, gently move them if needed.
• Float until you can control your breathing. 

“Once you’re calm you can think about waving for help, calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard, or swimming to safety where possible.” 

Tombstoning  

One of the most dangerous risks is from jumping into the sea from height – known for good reason as tombstoning.  

“You should never jump from a bridge or high point into water,” Jon said.   

“The sea often conceals strong currents, submerged debris, and rapidly changing depths. You’re unaware of what’s below you, and that could be fatal.  

“Even when people survive an incident involving a jump into water from height, injuries such as paralysis and spinal damage, broken bones or impalement can be life-changing, not just for casualties, but for family and loved ones too.”  

To find out more about safe swimming in the sea and enjoying a trouble-free trip to the coast, visit https://hmcoastguard.uk/safety-advice  

• If you see an emergency by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 

Weymouth beach is popular with families in the summer. During the day children are running about and in the evening people stroll along the sand after sunset. 

Deep holes can be hard to spot in the sand

The hole was found late on 30 June when the CRT was heading home after assisting with a search for a person. 

Senior Coastal Operations Officer Allan Norman said: “Enjoying the sand by the seaside is a Great British tradition and long may that continue! 

“Buckets and spades are a lot of fun – but most of us wouldn’t dream of digging a 5ft deep hole at a park where youngsters are running about and people walk in the evening. 

“It’s the same at busy beaches: deep holes can be hard to spot in the sand and pose the risk of someone falling in and being injured, particularly little children and older people. 

“There’s also the danger of the sand collapsing on top of you, causing injury and suffocation. These incidents require whole teams of rescuers. 

“We’d just ask people to stay aware of who else is on the beach and the potential risks of digging too deep.” 

Allan's safety tips:  

• Keep holes no deeper than waist height
• Avoid digging tunnels, which are more prone to collapse
• Fill in holes before leaving the beach to prevent injuries to others
• If you’re in trouble by the coast, call 999 and ask for Coastguard 

Farm machinery was brought in to make safe an eight-foot hole reported to Padstow Coastguard Rescue Team at Tregirls Beach in Cornwall on June 2024.  

And in June 2023 a father urged people to take care digging on the beach after his 14-year-old son became trapped when a pile of excavated sand collapsed on top of him at Anderby Creek, Lincolnshire. 

• If you see an emergency by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 

Main photo: Weymouth beach, not far from where the hole was dug (Image: Ian Woolcock/Shutterstock.com)

The team supports some 300 Coastguard Operations Bases, 11 Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres and nine Marine Offices, as well as an array of server space and remote radio sites across the UK. 

Mark says: “What attracts me to our work the most is some of the amazing locations that we get to visit. It’s a much more diverse portfolio than most organisations, and our expanding team have a continued presence over the farthest corners of the British Isles. 

“We are constantly disposing of and taking on properties, while fitting out locations to make sure they meet current standards and legislation, but perhaps more importantly we make sure that each is fit for purpose so that our Coastguard Teams and Marine Office operators can do their job.”

The remoteness of some locations is a challenge well-met by Mark’s adaptable team, who must remain flexible and agile to resource the complex ongoing needs of such a varied portfolio.

HM Coastguard’s estate is crucial to the operation of the service, and as a result, the Property and Facilities team works very closely with key stakeholders from internal teams like Health and Safety, IT and HR teams, and externally with local councils, private landlords and facilities management contractors. 

Head of Property Simon Welch said: “Our focus is to provide a property estate that is fit for purpose and meets the operational needs of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. 

“To do that, we’re out on the road, we’re on-site and we’re meeting and interacting with colleagues in various locations, and we’re working with a range of external property professionals.”

But it’s not just contracts, agreements and maintenance work that keeps the team motivated, says Property and Governance Officer Rachael Harman: “We build relationships across teams within the organisation and by visiting them, we’re able to visualise spaces, buildings and their uses. 

“It’s a great opportunity to grow your skillset by learning about other people’s roles, while also keeping in mind that our work supports the bigger picture by helping coastguards to save lives.”

Read more about vacancies within the MCA’s Property and Facilities Team

In July last year, Chris and his crew were sent to the scene of a wrecked vessel at Newhaven Breakwater. Amid gale conditions, Chris was winched aboard the yacht to rescue a lone yachtsman as the vessel broke up on the rocks. Chris recovered the casualty but was submerged in breaking waves and vessel debris. 

With such a deteriorating and urgent situation, the Winch Paramedic could not deploy his rescue strop. Using sheer strength, Chris grasped and held the seafarer until the helicopter could safely drop them both onto the breakwater wall. 

George Rawlinson MBE, Award Committee chair said: “This time critical, incredibly demanding rescue was completed despite considerable personal risk. Chris showed, skill, physical strength and mental resilience, risking his own life to save another, while being submerged in breaking seas several times.

“It is a richly deserved award in the best traditions of the maritime rescue service, and he is to be congratulated for his selfless meritorious act of gallantry.”

The Billy Deacon Award is named in memory of Winch Paramedic Billy Deacon, who was tragically lost after rescuing 10 casualties from the vessel Green Lily, which foundered off the Shetland Isles in 1997.

Winch Paramedic Chris said: "I'm enormously proud to receive this award, but this rescue was a real team effort with the guys on the aircraft and the Coastguard Rescue Team on the ground all working together.

 “The Winch Operator Andrew Catterall had superb timing and reflexes and saved me from severe injury more than once. He worked really well with Co-Pilot Mark Wielopolski calling timing on the waves to pull me clear and free from entanglement. 

“Pilot Chris Trubshaw held his nerve and ran the fuel low to make it all possible. It was a team effort the whole way.”

Assistant Chief Coastguard John Craig said: “Our congratulations go to Chris, who joins an esteemed group of awardees. The Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy is given to exemplary Winch Paramedics who demonstrate skill, determination and bravery through outstanding rescues. 

“We’re proud to work alongside Chris, his colleagues and the many teams, crews and individuals that make HM Coastguard a truly exceptional emergency service committed to saving lives at sea.” 

The award has been passed down from 2024 awardees Winch Paramedic Carlton Real and Winch Operator Jason Bibby from Newquay Coastguard Rescue Helicopter crew R924, who rescued a casualty in exceptional conditions at Basset’s Cove near Portreath in Cornwall.

Almost everyone was wearing wet suits and buoyancy aids, but a less experienced friend had joined the group in jogging bottoms and a t-shirt to try out their brand-new inflatable paddleboard.

“It’s probably quite naïve, but we didn’t really check tide and current, says Eve, being reminded of her ordeal.  “It wasn’t windy and I felt safe. My dad’s a boater and usually he’ll mention if conditions aren’t suitable.”

“It started off really relaxed,” says Eve. “We were having a really good time. We were taking photos, and we even had some music playing. Then soon, we were struggling.”

The group noticed the waters becoming harder to navigate as the waves picked up. It was as if they were at the centre of rough seas. “It was a while before we called the Coastguard because we didn’t want to waste anyone’s time,” she says. 

But it wasn’t long before Eve and her friends realised that they were in harm’s way. “Our less experienced friend was on her knees, and she’d drifted far. She looked like she was struggling.”

The situation soon progressed from bad to worse as the group paddled out to their friend, tethering their boards to hers and attempting to tow her to calmer waters. But the sea didn’t relent, and they didn’t move. 

“That was when I got scared. It wasn’t total fear, but it was building in the back of my mind.  I had a wetsuit, so I took my life jacket off and passed it to my friend who was wearing soaked clothes. It was just reassurance for her because she was really panicking”, says Eve. 

Tiring from the wave, the light began to fade as the group started to fall off their boards more frequently. Their friend had begun to struggle to get back aboard and wearing soaking wet clothes, she’d started to get very cold. 

“My dry bag cost about £5 online and it carried my water bottle and phone. While drifting, I managed to get out my phone and managed to call the Coastguard,” says Eve.

Within moments, RNLI lifeboats from Montrose and Stonehaven were dispatched, but that wasn’t the end of the ordeal. Amid choppy seas, it was proving harder for both lifeboat crews to locate the paddleboarders.

“It was half an hour before we were rescued, but it just felt never-ending. The Coastguard on the phone was amazing; she said that help was coming and kept telling us to keep calm.”

The group raised their paddles to direct the RNLI crew who were in communication with HM Coastguard Operations Room staff in Aberdeen. 

Eve was soon plucked from the water, with her three friends following shortly after. Waterlogged and cold, the group were all heaved aboard, but the ordeal had been worst for their least experienced friend.

“She was vomiting as she’d ingested water,” Eve adds. “On shore, we were checked over by Coastguards before the ambulance arrived – they were lovely. Our friend got taken to hospital as her blood pressure was very low and there had been a risk of secondary drowning.”

Secondary drowning is a medical phenomenon where fluid builds up in the lungs, a potentially dangerous medical emergency after an incident. 

“At that point, we were just so happy to be on dry land. We were there for about two hours as coastguards used warm air and blankets to warm us up.”

Sadly, Eve’s now reluctant to use her paddleboard. “It’s made me think about the risks really. Despite doing everything right, we still found ourselves in danger,” she says. 

“But if there was one thing I’d encourage others to do, it’d be to invest in a dry bag or waterproof mobile phone pouch. If you can afford a paddleboard, you can afford £5 for a case.”

Coastal Operations Area Commander Calum Christie said: “It’s clear that having a mobile phone and the correct equipment for water sports like paddleboarding is crucial. As Eve says, items like a mobile phone pouch are very inexpensive and can provide you with a means of contacting the Coastguard in an emergency.

“As with any watersport at sea, there is always the potential for a rip current or changing wind and weather conditions to push people beyond safe distances from the coast, putting them at risk of being knocked off or separated from their craft.”

He added: “Checking tide times and weather conditions to the best of your ability is a top tip before leaving the shore. Wetsuits and Personal Flotation Devices are also recommended to prevent the most severe effects of cold water and strong winds.”

Through posters, safety messaging and case studies, HM Coastguard’s Coast Clever summer safety campaign warns of coastal dangers and hazards, including cliff falls, tidal cutoffs, offshore winds and mud. 

The messaging comes as the UK enjoys a spell of extraordinary weather after the driest spring in a century, with the Met Office predicting the country is ‘twice as likely’ to have a hot summer, with an increased risk of heatwaves. 

According to the Water Incident Database (WAID), over the last three years most drownings occurred in July, with a majority of casualties being males in the 20-29 age bracket. Last year, HM Coastguard responded to over 600 tidal cut off incidents.

Chief Coastguard Pat O’Callaghan said: “Each year, HM Coastguard responds to reports of people in danger at the coast, but many of these situations can be avoided. Through our Coast Clever campaign, we’re aiming to provide essential tips and guidance to help keep people safe this summer. 

“We’d like the public to enjoy the warmer weather and our wonderful coastline, but they need to be aware of the risks. Mud, tides, cliffs and offshore winds can very quickly put lives in danger. If you need help during a coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for Coastguard.”

HM Coastguard recommends that those visiting the coast follow simple safety advice to avoid hazards. The guidance includes carrying a fully charged mobile phone and advising others of your whereabouts during your trip. Tide times and weather conditions should also be checked before arrival. 

Top tips to stay safe and have an enjoyable day at the coast

• Check the weather forecast and tide times before you set off
• Cliffs can be unstable, so stay clear of cliff edges and bases
• Watch out for mud and if you do get stuck, lean back to spread your weight
• Avoid water sports in an offshore wind, when the wind blows from the land out to sea
• Tell someone where you are going and when you’ll be back
• Take a fully charged mobile phone and consider taking a PLB (personal locator beacon) which alerts the emergency services from the remotest of locations

• In a coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard

  Read more about the Coast Clever summer safety campaign here.

Station Officer Connor James, Deputy Station Officer Gary Locke, and Coastguard Rescue Officers Alastair Wilson and Leanne Brereton were present to accept the award on behalf of the team.

The 12-member volunteer team covers an area extending from the Kenfig River to the vicinity of The Secret in Swansea. Thanks to their specialist equipment, they can deploy much further when needed, including as far as Chepstow to support regional operations.

What makes this recognition particularly significant is the team's diverse background. All members balance their rescue duties with full-time careers spanning management roles, the armed forces, and the NHS.

Their award acknowledges the team's high level of activity and dedication over the past year, which included saving the life of someone in crisis and performing two critical water rescues where team members swam out to carry out immediate intervention.

Every single coastguard officer who serves is a hero in our eyes

Station Officer Connor James said: "While none of us volunteer for recognition, the pride we felt simply being nominated - let alone winning - was incredible. It was a fantastic moment not just for our team, but for the service as a whole."

Port Talbot CRT maintains strong connections with the local community and was one of the busiest teams in the region for public relations events last year. They focus heavily on public engagement and sharing the key safety message: in any coastal emergency, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

The team hopes this recognition will raise awareness about the vital work of coastguard rescue teams across the country and encourage more people to visit the HM Coastguard website and social media channels.

Gary said: “This award is for every coastguard rescue officer who's had to leave a family event, walk away from a half-eaten meal, or get up in the middle of the night when the pager goes off - to be there when someone needs help. 

"Every single coastguard officer who serves is a hero in our eyes.”

For those considering volunteering with their local coastguard rescue team, the Port Talbot team encourages them to take the step. They describe the work as a privilege that offers the opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives, while building special bonds with teammates who become like family. 

Many team members serve for years, with some families contributing over 100 years of combined service to the Coastguard.

Their joint message to potential volunteers is simple: “It's a privilege to give back, to respond when people need us most, and to make a real difference.”

Watch more about Port Talbot's nomination and experience in a short video on the Nation Radio Wales' Facebook page here.

On 9 April 2024, in the aftermath of Storm Kathleen, a Major Incident was declared at Medmerry Park as extensive coastal flooding threatened lives. HM Coastguard teams from Selsey, Hayling Island, Portsmouth and Hillhead were deployed to the scene, with many team members having already responded to separate incidents earlier that evening.

Over six hours, working in darkness, coastguard rescue teams (CRTs) used specialist water safety and rescue techniques to bring 102 people to safety. The citation for their award noted that "coastguard rescue teams were at the forefront of these rotations being the first service deployed into the water."

Overcoming challenges through teamwork

What made the rescue particularly challenging was that many team members had already been deployed to other incidents prior to being called to Medmerry Park. Despite this, they demonstrated exceptional stamina and skill, working through the night in difficult conditions.

The response showcased remarkable inter-agency collaboration, with CRTs working seamlessly alongside HART (Hazardous Area Response Team) and Fire and Rescue Services. This effective partnership followed JESIP (Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles) protocols, with CRTs providing tactical advice to other responding agencies in addition to their rescue procedures.

Recognition of excellence

The teams' efforts were formally recognised on 18 June in a special ceremony. Assistant Chief Coastguards John Craig and Richard Hackwell presented the awards, with other senior officials in attendance including Coastal Operations Area Commander - Area 9 Tom Wright and Senior Coastal Operations Officers Andrew Woodford and Mike Kerley, and Karen Powell.

Roland Warmington, Portsmouth Station Officer, said:

Receiving the award from the Assistant Chief Coastguard was recognition of a challenging tasking. These awards are only given out for exceptional incidents.

I believe the four teams went back to their respective stations very proud, heads held high, knowing they did a good job in the highest traditions of HM Coastguard.

Commitment to community safety

The incident highlighted the vital role played by coastguard volunteers in protecting coastal communities. Senior Coastal Operations Officer, Andrew Woodford commented, "This incident, like so many others, demonstrated the huge positive impact we have on the local community."

"It highlighted the great work our volunteers do and the commitment they offer 24/7, 365 days a year. HM Coastguard continues to develop its procedures to ensure we are best equipped and trained to deal with a variety of scenarios, particularly our response to inland and coastal flooding."

The Coastguard currently has recruitment campaigns open in Area 9 for those interested in joining this life-saving service. For more information, read Volunteer as a coastguard: What the Coastguard Rescue Service does - GOV.UK.

As the summer season gets into full swing, Vanessa Abbess has joined with her late son’s best friend, Joe Green (19), and HM Coastguard to make a difference in his memory. 

See Vanessa and Joe speak on the MCA’s YouTube channel here: Mum and best friend of rip current victim Joe Abbess share their grief and safety hopes - YouTube 

Vanessa said: "Joe was incredibly loved by his family and friends, and I feel it is so important to tell his story. He was being so sensible and safe. He was healthy. He was strong. He could swim.  

“It is so shocking that Joe died and shows you’re never entirely safe in the sea – but there are ways to reduce the risk, which we want everyone to know.” 

Joe Green was at the beach with Joe and other friends on the day of the tragedy. He and Vanessa are sharing how the loss still affects their lives as well as some easy-to-remember advice to enjoy the sea safely this summer. 

A 12-year-old girl also died that day in a separate group hit by the same rip current. Eight others were rescued. 

Rip currents are powerful movements of water, not always related to the tide, that can drag even strong people off their feet, under the surface or out to sea. 

Vanessa and Joe’s safety tips: 

• Choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the flags
• Go into the sea with a buddy
• In a rip current, don’t struggle and exhaust yourself. Instead Float to Live: float with your head back and ears submerged
• If you see an emergency by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard 

‘It is so important to tell Joe's story’ 

Vanessa, from Southampton, said: “Even two years on, the world doesn't feel quite right because there's a great big Joe-shaped hole in our lives. Joe is, and will always be, loved and very missed every day. 

“We live on an island; people should know the dangers. You wouldn't cross the road without thinking about it – don't enter the sea without thinking about it. You need to think, what could happen? What do I do in an emergency? 

“Joe was a very caring young man – he would want people to know what happened that tragic day. And if by telling his story I can prevent this heartbreak happening to another family, that has got to be a benefit, in a strange way, because it's absolutely awful to lose somebody you love like this.” 

We just want to get the message across that this can happen to anyone

Joe Green, also from Southampton, added: “It 100% has affected my life. I mean, you just never think this would happen to your best friend. 

“I miss him loads. Somehow after more than two years, it still doesn't feel real. It still feels like he's going to come into my life whenever I turn a corner. 

“I think he'd be very proud. I think he'd be very happy that I'm doing this for him, and his mum is doing this for him, because we just want to get the message across that this can happen to anyone.”

HM Coastguard Divisional Commander James Instance said: “Vanessa and Joe have shown real bravery in reliving their loss to highlight hidden risks at the beach and how you can stay safe. 

“As we approach the summer holidays and our seaside gets busier, it’s a perfect time to remind everyone of a few simple tips to ensure your fun trip ends with good memories.” 

• For more guidance on staying safe by the coast, visit the HM Coastguard Safety Advice page.

Main picture, top: Joe Green and Vanessa Abbess

As well as fundamental skills, such as searching, casualty care and water rescue, the volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs) that make up the CRTs are specially trained and equipped for their particular local conditions. 

These capabilities are joined by HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopters, lifeboats, and fellow emergency services, among others. 

How they respond will depend on the situation, the environment, and how many people are involved. The safety of both the public and CROs is always the priority. 

Read on to discover how these volunteer lifesavers are trained to be ready for anything. 

• If you see an emergency by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 

Water  

Emergencies in water close to shore might be someone who has got out of their depth, fallen in, been swept in by a wave, or been caught by the tide or currents.  

The solution is just a case of hauling out the casualty, right? Wrong.  

Different situations require different responses to recover the casualty safely from water, but always involve specialist training, rescue equipment, protective kit and teamwork. 

Someone struggling in water close to shore might be saved by a CRO using specialist techniques to reach them from a pier or harbour wall, or involve wading or swimming out, tethered to rescuers on the shore, to bring the casualty to safety. 

• Swimmer saved in dramatic rescue 

The CRO will always don protective equipment, such as a water rescue lifejacket or a personal flotation device (PFD), helmets and protective outer layers. 

• Two pulled from harbour in double water rescue 

It’s strength in numbers against powerful conditions such as strong waves, currents or flood water. In these conditions CROs form a stable group, holding onto one another in a variety of secure formations to wade out and retrieve a casualty safely. 

Other rescue techniques are land-based including throwing a lifeline; securing CROs to a fixed point to reach into the water; or using lines to extricate a trapped person. 

All these techniques take skill from training and practice to get right. 

Mud, soft ground and quicksand 

Without the right training and equipment, attempting to rescue someone stuck in mud is likely to end up with another casualty trapped and also facing the dangers of incoming tide, cold and exposure, and the effects of entrapment.  

In areas where mud is a risk, CROs have a variety of methods depending on the type of ground, distance to rescue, and how tightly the person is stuck. 

Key equipment includes a drysuit, gloves and helmet, personal flotation device, and weight-spreading kit to resist sinking, such as mudders (mud shoes) worn over boots, mud stretchers, and inflatable platforms (sleds) – securely connected with a safety line to their shoreside colleagues. 

• Rising tide sets clock ticking for pair trapped in mud 

CROs will always go to the casualty as a pair, for safety. They might walk out or, if the mud is particularly treacherous, use the Pepper Pot technique of switching between the stretchers and inflatable platform moved forward in turn, like mobile stepping stones. 

Once with the casualty, extraction is always carried out from the stretchers to avoid the CROs getting stuck. In severe cases, a probe is used to inject compressed air or water into the mud to loosen its grip. 

Once freed, the casualty can be carefully pulled back to safety on the sled or stretcher – by hand, by the rest of the CRT waiting on firm ground, or by mechanical winch. 

Cliffs 

Clifftops are dangerous places, and visitors to the coast can very easily become casualties in need of rescue. People can fall, get stuck, or – with help from HM Coastguard – need help to escape up a cliff when cut off by the incoming tide. 

In many coastal areas of the UK where cliffs are a feature, specialist coastguards are trained in rope rescue techniques and equipment, following rigorous safety procedures to protect themselves, their colleagues and the casualties.  

Additional skills are required by those who go over the cliff. These are known as Rope Rescue Technicians who can recover casualties using specialist techniques and equipment, including rescue slings, harnesses and stretchers. 

• Clifftop rescue for fishing trip youngsters in Antrim 

Rope Rescue is not confined to cliff incidents – it can be used in any situation where a rescuer needs to gain access or would be at risk, such as sea walls, rock armour, bridges and docks. 

• Birdwatcher’s tide warning after cliff rescue by HM Coastguard rope team 

To be an effective member of any Coastguard Rescue Team, a CRO must understand and employ the principal objectives of casualty rescue. All rescue team members are fully trained through HM Coastguard’s competency-based training system before becoming involved operationally. 

Sand collapse 

It’s not unusual for CRTs to be called to rescue someone – often a child – from under sand that has collapsed during play-digging of a hole or tunnel at the beach. 

One of the main risks is suffocation, so sand rescues must be carried out quickly and effectively to clear the airway and avoid further collapse of the hole onto the casualty or rescuers. 

The focus is on freeing their airway and chest to ensure they can breathe.  

A first ring of rescuers sweeps back the sand by using their hands to avoid the risk of injuring the casualty. They are aiming to reach the casualty while making the hole shallower and less likely to collapse.  

To prevent sand falling back in, the first diggers are backed up by a second and third line moving the excavated material further away using rescue tools and hands. Time is of the essence so rescuers may organise others to assist using whatever they can: buckets, spades and even frisbees. 

• Dad’s safety appeal after son trapped under collapsed sand 

The best guidance for beach-goers is to be aware of the potential risks while digging. Do not dig holes deep enough or into dunes which could trap someone. Fill holes in before going home so no one injures themselves or becomes trapped falling in. 

Casualty care 

All Coastguards are trained in Coastguard Emergency Responder Casualty Care (CERCC), so they can stabilise and treat injuries, manage illnesses while awaiting paramedics or Emergency Doctors. 

They can also package and move casualties to where they can be treated or taken to the next level of care. 

Coastguards use Casualty Check Cards, similar to those used in other emergency services, to operate quickly and effectively with a high level of casualty care. 

CERCC is non-diagnostic and symptom-based, enabling coastguards to preserve life, prevent deterioration and promote recovery.  

CROs are also adept at securely “packaging” a casualty, onto a stretcher for example, and safely extracting them from difficult or dangerous areas. 

Sometimes they will need to ready them for transportation to hospital via an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter or an ambulance. 

Rescue Teams can also assist on the ground with airborne medical support by setting up and making safe Helicopter Landing Sites, which are used to convey casualties to onward specialist medical care.  

Floods  

When major floods hit, HM Coastguard is ready to respond as one of the UK’s four statutory emergency services, whether by the coast or inland. 

All CROs have skills in water rescue, casualty care and essential coastal flood response. But some are also taught expertise in wider flooding incidents – including inland. When disaster strikes, they can be brought in from around the country to form specialist Flood Response Teams to support affected areas. 

• Coastguards from across the UK supporting flood response to Storm Babet 

Training, often alongside other emergency services, can include rescues from flooded vehicles; retrieving people from floodwater; and safe navigation of flooded streets to reach casualties.  

This involves specialist training and techniques such as working as a team to move through floodwater, using a wading pole to check for underwater dangers, and using rafts to bring people to safety. 

• Flood exercise tests emergency crews’ rapids reaction 

CROs’ training and familiarity with equipment vital for flood response, such as dry suits, lifejackets and two types of rescue rafts, makes them especially effective, on top of their skills in search, working with helicopters and casualty care. 

Operations might include helping to evacuate people from their homes, setting up landing sites for HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopters, or looking for people missing in the floods. 

Search 

People often become lost or go missing at the coast, and coastguards can draw upon their training, experience and expertise to find them.  

As part of that capability, every Coastguard Rescue Team has specialist training in Lost and Missing Persons Search (LAMPS) which includes people who are overdue, injured or despondent, or survivors from a distressed vessel or aircraft. They are also able to search for vessels or people missing in the water. 

Though most of their work is coastal, coastguards are search and rescue professionals using specialist skills that are often called upon by emergency service colleagues, such as police forces.  

• Rescue and relief for missing girl’s family 

In busy areas, there can be several missing people at the same time. On one such occasion, Exmouth coastguards were called to multiple reports of missing children at a single beach. 

• Missing children spark string of searches at Exmouth 

On the scene 

Coastguards can be called upon to provide an initial ‘eyes on’ response to incidents on the coast: from the supervision of whales washing ashore, to safety cordons around suspected ordnance or pollution, and checking reports.  

CROs are also ready to assist fellow emergency services respond to serious incidents, offering casualty care, their rescue capability, on-scene support, and communications.

Examples where CROs responded include two serious collisions between trains: one at Talerddig in Wales on 21 October 2024, and another between Andover and Salisbury in Wiltshire on 31 October 2021. 

In heavy snow CROs have been deployed in 4x4 vehicles to assist other emergency services, supplies, and workers to reach care home residents and other vulnerable people. 

Coastguards have also provided support for civil contingencies, such as in 2021 for the G7 Summit in Cornwall and COP26 in Glasgow, and in 2023 with waterside safety patrols for the Eurovision song contest. They also regularly represent HM Coastguard at key national commemorations and services such as Remembrance Day. 

And now for something completely different... 

In particularly unusual situations, it’s time for CROs to think outside the box. 

That’s what happened when a road blockage near a popular coastal beauty spot caused traffic to back up onto a tidal causeway, trapping vehicles on the route with the water coming in. 

Using their local knowledge, CROs arranged to open up a field to release the congestion and allow cars to escape the rising tide. When the road was later cleared, everyone was able to go safely home. 

• If you see an emergency by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 

Victoria Cummock, widow of Pan Am 103 passenger John Binning Cummock, is the Founder & CEO of the Pan Am 103 Lockerbie Legacy Foundation (PA103LLF), established to maintain public awareness of the bombing, to honour the memory of the 270 victims and to advocate for stronger aviation security standards and more effective assistance for bereaved families.     

HM Coastguard recently responded to PA103LLF’s request for eyewitness accounts of the incident, as recalled by retired Sector Manager for the Solway coast, Tony Wood. Tony was on duty at the time and as one of the first on scene, helped to establish a helicopter landing site and co-ordinate subsequent aircraft activity near the small Scottish town.

In response to PA103LL’s invitation for HM Coastguard to provide its crest for the Wall of Honour, Divisional Commander Susan Todd visited Lockerbie, where she joined Tony Wood and his wife Jen for a tour of the former Dryfesdale and Trinity Church, which will become the new Lockerbie Memorial Church Museum. 

The HM Coastguard plaque was received by Victoria Cummock, UK Director Mike Thomson, and UK Community Engagement and Development Manager John Palser. 

Susan said: “Meeting Victoria and hearing of her personal loss, but also her drive to provide a legacy to the 270 people who lost their lives, gave us cause to reflect upon the true cost of the bombing, to Lockerbie and to communities on both sides of the Atlantic.” 

“It was an honour to represent HM Coastguard at this important occasion where Coastguards were acknowledged for the part they played by responding to the incident that December night in 1988.”

She added: “It was especially poignant to see and hear Tony discuss his recollections, thoughts and feelings in this very significant place.”

Victoria Cummock said: “I was overwhelmed with joy to meet and put a face to one of the thousands of nameless saints who responded to the deadliest terrorist attack in UK and US history until the attacks on 11 September 2001.

“I was honoured to be able to personally express my gratitude to one who personified a beacon of hope, humanity and inspiration for the victims’ families and the world. It was a privilege to hear Tony’s story of service and of its’ lasting impact on him, his colleagues and family. 

She added: “Our aspiration is to add Tony’s story into our Legacy Story Archive, which will ultimately become part of the permanent Wall of Honour Exhibition in the Lockerbie Memorial Church Museum.”

Commenting on the royal recognition for his services to maritime safety, Peter Brown said: “The volunteers all do a brilliant job and I’m so proud to be part of the team.”

 Originally from London, it was in 1970 that Peter moved to the Essex and joined the RNLI as volunteer crew for the RNLI Clacton-on-Sea lifeboat. In 1975, Peter also joined the Volunteer auxiliary coastguard.  Three years later, he joined HM Coastguard as a full-time officer in East Sussex, leading teams of volunteers responding to emergencies by the coast.

Peter’s coastguard career then involved stints at Dover, Isle of Wight, Lee-on-Solent, and Aberystwyth, where he became a Section Manager.   He then became a training instructor at HM Coastguard’s training centre in Dorset, teaching courses in cliff and boat rescue, search planning and management.

Peter’s career later took him as a civil servant to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency where he held various safety roles, including Head of Research & Planning, Accident Prevention Policy Manager, and UK Search and Rescue Aviation Manager.

 When Peter retired in 2008, he rejoined as a volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officer with Lymington Coastguard Rescue Team, alongside his position as volunteer coxswain with the independent Hamble Lifeboat where he has been since 1986.

 Peter said: “I am delighted and so very honoured to be recommended for the British Empire Medal. It’s amazing and completely unexpected.

“In the UK we are so lucky to have such capable and willing coastguards and lifeboat crews promoting maritime safety and rescuing those in need. It is my absolute pleasure to continue to volunteer with the very best of them.

 “They are prepared to dash away from anything at a moment’s notice to bring their skills and knowledge to help others in difficulty or distress around the coast.”

 He added: “I think any honour should really be going to my lovely wife, Alison, who often gets woken up in the middle of the night by emergency pager calls and then is normally awake to make certain I get back home safety.”

From water rescues to major incident response, Coastguard Rescue Teams are always ready to respond and support those in need.

This Volunteers Week we’re looking back at just some of the different ways Coastguard Rescue Officers have come to the rescue recently, sometimes alongside their emergency services family, in an unwavering commitment to keep their communities safe. 

NORTH SEA VESSEL COLLISION

In March, HM Coastguard coordinated the response to an allision between the vessels Solong and Stena Immaculate off the coast of East Yorkshire.

Following the incident small pellets of plastic resin – nurdles – were detected across the Norfolk and Lincolnshire coastlines, and Coastguard Rescue Officers were quick to assist with the clean-up effort and protecting the environment.

BAD WEATHER AND FLOODING

In January, Coastguard Rescue Officers were quickly deployed to support fellow emergency services responding to major flooding in the Somerset town of Chard as it was struck by heavy wind and rain. 

As part of the multi-agency response around 150 properties were evacuated, including two care homes, and welfare checks were carried out on affected residents. 

ORDNANCE

Weird and wonderful items are always washing up on our shorelines and, once suspected ordnance has been reported to HM Coastguard, the local team is able to provide safety cover and work with the relevant authorities to reach a conclusion. 

In just a few months volunteers have responded to reports of ordnance all across the country, including beaches in Teignmouth, Littlehampton, Canvey Island, Clacton and Worthing. 

SAFETY AND TRAINING

When they’re not responding to an incident or providing assistance with partners, Coastguard Rescue Officers may engage with local events and schools, providing safety advice and answering questions about coastal safety and the role of HM Coastguard.

To make sure our Coastguard Rescue Officers are always ready to respond to lifesaving situations they also undertake a range of training.

Thank you to our volunteers for everything you do.

The JRCC is the place where 999 alerts for maritime emergencies come in; and calls go out to send search and rescue units such as lifeboats, helicopters and Coastguard Rescue Teams. 

The youngsters were allowed into the viewing gallery to watch the hi-tech control room in action as real-life incidents were coordinated by teams of HM Coastguard operations officers. 

We are looking forward to helping more young people keep themselves safe on the coast

They had lots of questions, answered by their hosts for the day, Senior Aeronautical Operations Officer George Belcher and Maritime Operations Officers Megan Gately and Katie Mooney. 

The Scouts also enjoyed activities including throwing rescue lines, creating their own beach flags, and practicing the phonetic alphabet. 

They came away with important safety information too such as about cliffs, beach flags, mud and rip currents.  

It included the Float to Live message: If you find yourself in trouble in the water, relax and float with your head back and your ears submerged. 

They also learned what to do if they see an emergency: how to contact HM Coastguard and what information to pass on. 

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far

George said: “It was such a pleasure to host the members and parents of 2nd Itchen South Scouts, which is run specially for young people with autism. They went away well prepared to keep themselves, friends and family safe by the coast. 

“We have hosted a Brownies group and two Scout groups so far. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far, and we are looking forward to helping more young people keep themselves safe on the coast.” 

Each visitor went away with a goodie bag filled with fun activities, safety information, and wristbands for children to wear by the seaside with their parents’ phone number. 

To find out more about organising a youth group visit to the JRCC, email both George.Belcher@mcga.gov.uk and Megan.Gately@mcga.gov.uk 

Main photo, from left: Scout leader Ann Edmeades, Maritime Operations Officer Megan Gately, Scout Owen Ponsford, parent Lisa Dibden-Chan, Scout Megan Dibden, parent Alaya Ponsford, and Senior Aeronautical Operations Officer George Belcher

Volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers Shaun Wright and Jack Cole were on hand to explain how they respond to emergencies and remind youngsters how to avoid getting into danger. 

Key lessons in the playground were how to ask for the Coastguard in an emergency by the coast – which involved loudly shouting “999” at the head teacher’s office. 

Pupils also practiced the Float to Live tip if they get in trouble in the water: relax and float with your head back and your ears submerged. 

Shaun said: “It’s so important to pass on these safety tips to youngsters who live near the coast and spend a lot of time at the seaside. That knowledge keeps them safer as well as their family and friends. 

“We like to make these sessions fun and engaging with lots of water, shouting and hand-on activities. It’s important the lessons sink in and they feel confident to call 999 and ask the Coastguard for help, if they need it.” 

Sessions were delivered for pupils in Reception and Years 1 and 2, with the content targeted for each age range. 

Teacher Simone Rowe said: “The children thoroughly enjoyed the visit which was not only extremely educational but engaging and interactive. Shaun and Jack were fantastic with the children.  

“Living so close to the sea, it is incredibly important that the children recognise and understand the potential dangers which was highlighted during the talk, but they were also taught effective strategies.” 

Main photo: Miss Mills gets a drenching

But a combination of rough weather, engine failure and bad luck instead put him through a two-day ordeal from which he was rescued by RNLI lifeboats in an operation coordinated by HM Coastguard and assisted by a fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter. 

Richard (74) recalled: “I was not overly worried at the time but it was clear from the reactions on the faces of the lifeboat crew that I was in slightly worse nick than I had realised.” 

Richard spent the next nine days in hospital recovering from injuries including five broken ribs. 

The vessel Richard was delivering had been used as a live-on boat by its old owners. Repairs caused delays so that when he came to leave, his timetable and navigation plans had been thrown out.

• Register your beacon here: https://www.gov.uk/register-406-beacons  

The vessel’s battery died by the time he got as far as Weymouth – almost halfway – so when he then fell and injured himself too badly to work the sails, he was at the mercy of the elements. 

“I was imagining I was about 20 years younger,” said Richard, a retired local authority finance director. He has sailed since he was a boy, taught the ropes by his father at Langstone, the very harbour he was trying to reach. 

Winds strengthened to a Force 8 gale and the tide was against him, buffeting him south-west. Injured, exhausted and hallucinating after 40 hours of sailing, he activated the PLB and took shelter below. 

Richard’s safety tips 

• Carry a registered personal locator beacon (PLB) and a registered emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRB) to alert HM Coastguard and give access to your details if you get into trouble
• Look at the battery and expiry date on your PLB and EPIRB and don’t forget to check it with the test function
• Take the sea seriously: double-check the weather and tide to ensure your plans fit the conditions. If risky, consider setting out another time
• Make sure your vessel is shipshape, especially the batteries if it’s been moored for a while
• Before a long voyage, nominate a shore contact to hold departure and estimated arrival times. If possible, log the passage plan with the HM Coastguard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre covering the destination 

The alert giving Richard’s location within 60 metres – 14 nautical miles south-east of Berry Head, Brixham – was picked up by HM Coastguard’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Fareham at about 9.55am on 8 February.  

Because he was overdue, the team at the JRCC had already begun searching for Richard, and with his beacon being correctly registered, the team had access to accurate contact details. Richard was soon met by RNLI lifeboats from Torbay and Dartmouth. The sight of them was a “tremendous relief”, he said. 

By about 3.30pm he was brought safely into Torquay harbour where he was met by Torbay, Paignton and Brixham Coastguard Rescue Teams. They passed him into the care of South Western Ambulance Service and he was taken to hospital. 

Praising the “fabulous people” who rescued him, Richard advised: “Regardless of how many miles you have done, take it seriously. I think I was complacent.  

“I should have double-checked the conditions – if I had, I would have realised it would have been better to leave it for another day. Time was ticking by and I thought I could make it up but I was deluding myself.” 

• For guidance about staying safe at sea, visit: https://hmcoastguard.uk/onboard  

PLBs broadcast a location on the same 406MHz frequency as bigger EPIRBs but are designed to be worn on the body, rather than on a vessel or liferaft, and are always manually activated. 

Heidi has gained a wealth of experience from a professional life spent working in maritime, boosted by her love for the sea and all that comes with it, including sailing, surfing and swimming. 

Her career has taken her everywhere: she’s travelled the world and toured every African coastal nation, while battling locust swarms in Sierra Leone and dangerous pirates off the Horn of Africa. She’s even edged through Arctic pack ice while on ‘polar bear watch’.

“There’s been a huge amount of change in maritime over the last 10-15 years, since I was at cadet college. There’s much more awareness of women at sea as well as in the maritime industry,” says Heidi, HM Coastguard’s Head of Technical Infrastructure. 

“When I started my cadetship, I think I was one of maybe seven women out of about 130, but things seem much better. Perhaps where you once felt that you could only work towards a career on the bridge, following just one career path, there are many other areas you can go into within the industry now.”

From Control Rooms for autonomous vessels to roles in technology, safety and welfare, women are a growing force and key part of a changing professional maritime environment. And for Heidi, that means all opportunities, not just those for women, should be keenly promoted to all people. 

“Being at sea for four months, then home for a month can be quite off-putting, especially for a woman who’s potentially thinking about things like family, and that’s tricky to work out. 

“But it might also be that you have a disability or you’re unable to gain your seafarer’s medical certificate and can’t work on a ship at sea. So then, you could work in an operations room, or on a remote vessel… It’s a step in the right direction to see people can work in a role they love and are passionate about. 

“It doesn’t have to be eight months at sea and that opens a lot of different opportunities, particularly for women.”

Beginning her career as a Cadet and Officer on cruise liners, Heidi worked her way up to the role of Chief Mate for a ferry operator, before embarking on operational roles at HM Coastguard, including Senior Maritime Operations Officer, Staff Officer in Vessel Traffic Management, and four years as VTS manager of the Dover Strait.

“I think HM Coastguard and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency really commit to equality, and that’s obvious to see. We have a female director of HM Coastguard, for example, and loads of other roles where women work at every level.

“It’s great to see such transferability of skills here and there’s so much that can be brought in to so many roles at HM Coastguard. A deeper understanding of the maritime industry, for example, can inform our work in Policy or legislation.”

Heidi’s keen to point out that women currently entering the industry do so at a time of great change and innovation, where exciting new opportunities in groundbreaking new roles are within reach of others who share her passion – whatever their gender or physical capability. 

“Working in a maritime environment is really positive, and being open to all different opportunities is one of the main things. It’s brilliant. It’s inspiring to see that there’s so many different avenues you can take and so much experience that can be useful to your maritime career."

Read more about International Day for Women in Maritime on the International Maritime Organization website.

Coastguard operators had received 999 calls for a possible crash or fire involving a light aircraft, or possibly fast jet, in the Upper Solway. It was entirely feasible, given military low flying exercises often occurring in the area. 

“As soon as I got the call, I liaised with Dumfries Police Control,” Tony says. “I advised our Maritime Rescue Sub Centre at Ramsey on the Isle of Man to scramble a rescue helicopter 177 from HMS Gannett at Prestwick, and I told them I’d be mobile into the area for communications.”

Tony instructed Kirkcudbright Auxiliary Coastguards Roger Docherty and John Johnson, already on patrol that evening, to collect their Station Officer Peter Hunter, and proceed together to the scene. 

Due to the terrain inland communications with the MRSC were intermittent, but not long after reaching Castle Douglas, Coastguards received a concerning update from Liverpool MRCC. The incident involved a Boeing 747 in the vicinity of Lockerbie. 

West of Lockerbie as they entered the town, Tony’s team found that traffic at a standstill, as two or three miles of people left their vehicles, staring in shock at the extent of the disaster. 

Once Coastguards made their way through and reached the town, they were met with scene of utter devastation.  

“As we came over the top of the hill by Dryfesdale Cemetery, we could see around a mile or so ahead… It looked like a war film of London during the Blitz. It was an inferno that was just horrific to look at; just fire, flames and smoke,” says Tony. 

Reporting to Lockerbie Police Station, Tony liaised with Senior Police Officer, attempting to locate and establish an area suitable for an emergency helicopter landing pad. 

Air support felt essential, and as the only emergency service with the capability to liaise directly with rescue helicopters, the Coastguards set up their landing site at a local primary school playground’s oblique sports field. 

Tony’s intuition was later proven correct, as nine rescue helicopters were variously called to the scene that night. 

“That's what my three auxiliaries were doing with me: working alongside the Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary and Strathclyde Traffic Police to put up boundaries and lighting all around the area. 

“From the outset, it had been a search and rescue operation. But about an hour or so in, one of the helicopters landed and a Winchman handed me a body bag – he passed me the bodies of a young girl and baby. They were put into the care of my team, then the ambulance service and police. 

"From that moment, everything stopped. The whole of Lockerbie had effectively become a crime scene.”

After working throughout the night, Tony and his team were relieved of duties by the RAF at around 7am the next morning. The Auxiliary Coastguards would return to their stations to maintain an operational readiness on the coast.

Retiring in 2007 after a storied Coastguard career of more than 30 years, Tony Wood MBE still remembers his years of service fondly. He says: “I look back now with pride. I'm glad I was there. I'm glad I was able to serve.”

The full-time and volunteer Coastguards will march from Whitehall alongside fellow emergency services personnel from the police, fire and rescue, and ambulance services. 

Alongside them will be people from the Royal Voluntary Service, St John Ambulance, Red Cross, HM Prison Service, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Merchant Navy.  

The event is ahead of VE Day on 8 May when the Allies declared victory in Europe. Commemorations will pay tribute to the millions of people across the UK and Commonwealth who served in the Second World War. 

The war in the Far East did not end until 15 August 1945 with VJ Day (Victory Over Japan). 

In their own words, some of the Coastguards taking part explain the special meaning this day has for them and their families. 

Richard Brighton, Maritime Operations Officer, Holyhead Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, Wales 

It is an honour and privilege to be selected to represent HM Coastguard at the VE Day 80 parade. It gives me immense pride to wear the uniform at this historic event, where the eyes of the nation and world will be on us. 

I look forward to marching side by side with people from many different services and organisations who are proud to celebrate VE Day and to remember the bravery and sacrifices made by so many in the course of freedom.  

Having served in the RAF for 22 years I fully understand the importance of remembering this event.  

I’ve been a Maritime Operations Officer at MRCC Holyhead for five years now and in that time have had the pleasure of working with many talented people who show just what a great organisation this is. 

Hayley Douglas, Deputy Station Officer, Isle of Tiree Coastguard Rescue Team, Scotland 

I feel humbled and privileged to be asked to represent HM Coastguard at the 80th anniversary of VE Day. It is incredibly important to me to remember those involved in past conflicts in all the various roles across the armed and civil services. 

Remembrance events have always been poignant times through my connections with the Army Cadets, Officer Training Corps, and fundraising activities for military charities.   

The majority of my family have served in the Army, mainly with the Royal Engineers but also the Royal Signals. I recently found out that my great-grandad on my dad's side was evacuated at Dunkirk and fought on D-Day. He survived.  

I've been in the Isle of Tiree CRT for four years; first as a CRO and now DSO. When not out with the team I'm the island's Countryside Ranger. 

Kevin Moran, Coastguard Rescue Officer, Portsmouth Coastguard Rescue Team, England 

I began volunteering with HM Coastguard in 2017 and fit this around my current work as a Ministry of Defence Civil Servant. I have been fortunate enough to be selected, included in and support numerous state occasions to represent HM Coastguard. It is a duty I have immense pride in. 

I had a full career in the Royal Navy and have served in operational theatres so understand the sacrifice that many make on behalf of the nation. It is easy to remember those that gave so much in the armed services, but many forget all those non-military individuals that made the ultimate sacrifice so that our freedoms were maintained.  

HM Coastguard helped save many lives during the Second World War but so many also paid the price for that heroism. Being able to represent HM Coastguard at the 80th anniversary of VE Day and remember those that gave so much fills me with pride to a part of such a valuable service. 

Bill Nixon, Station Officer, Newcastle Coastguard Rescue Team, Northern Ireland 

I am honoured and humbled to be chosen to represent HM Coastguard at this momentous commemoration and to pay respect to the millions of men and women in the services who gave their lives for the freedom and values we have today.  

It is particularly poignant for me as many generations of my family have served in uniform throughout the years, including in the RAF, Royal Navy and Merchant Navy, Army and Home Guard.  

These sacrifices should never be allowed to be lost in history, so I will be extremely proud to say I attended this event in honour of everyone. 

Bex Owen, Senior Coastal Operations Officer, Wales  

I am extremely honoured to have been selected to represent HM Coastguard at the 80-year VE anniversary. 

For me it is a personal tribute to my grandfather who served in the Second World War. He became a prisoner of war but survived and made it home.  

I feel it is extremely important that we take part in these events to educate our children, ensuring they learn about the sacrifices that men and women made to give them the freedom that we have today. 

Main image: Kevin Moran, Coastguard Rescue Officer at Portsmouth Coastguard Rescue Team

The esteemed event celebrates local community champions and volunteers across the Northeast and saw Graeme nominated in three categories: Volunteer, Emergency Services and Hero of Heroes.

Graeme, who joined HM Coastguard in 1985, was recognised for his longstanding work to save lives across the region at an exclusive ceremony, held on Friday 25 April at The Banff Springs Hotel.

For 38 years, Rope Technician Graeme has headed up the Burghead Coastguard Rescue Team as Station Officer, effectively leading and managing the team’s training and emergency response. Over the past two years, the team has attended over 110 incidents, from rope rescues and assisting missing person searches, to rescuing casualties from the water.

In the early 2000s, Graeme became one of the members of the Moray Flood Response Team and is still deployed across Scotland to assist partner services, most recently for Storm Babet in October 2023 where he took part in rescues in Brechin, Angus.

Graeme said: “Winning these awards was a total surprise to me – I’m so chuffed. But to be quite honest, when I spoke to my fellow nominees, I said that I’d be so happy if they’d won! I’ve had congratulations in local shops and cards through my door, but really I’m just a working-class lad from Burghead doing the best that I can.

“What’s important is our work as a team as emergency responders – and that includes my wife, who’s seen me miss many important family events over the last 40 years. It’s just a great team and I’m proud to be part of it.”

The veteran volunteer has seen a huge amount of change over the course of his time with the Burghead team, including improvements in training, skills, and equipment.

He says: “I joined the service because my boss at work had been involved, and I’d seen breeches buoy being used for training off the headland. I began my career by training as a joiner before working for Diageo distillers, up until about three years ago when I retired.

“I’m still fit and healthy, and I enjoy being outside all the time – either Coastguarding or paddleboarding. I’ll carry on working for the service until I can’t any longer, so here’s to the next five years!”

Colin Wood, Senior Coastal Operations Officer for Area 3, nominated Graeme for one of the awards. He said: "Graeme was nominated as he exemplifies the qualities of a good Coastguard Rescue Officer. He’s reliable, honest, hardworking and motivates those around him to perform at their best.

“Our Coastguard Rescue Teams are part of the communities that they operate in, and Graeme is a very important part of his local community, both within and outside of HM Coastguard.

“Our volunteers are the backbone of our service, providing an invaluable Search and Rescue response to their local area.”

Peter’s not sure how in those brief moments he’d gone from freeing a couple of slightly snagged lines to being trapped beneath his sailing boat. “Everything just happened in seconds”, he says. 

“Perhaps it’d been a sudden and unexpected gust of wind threw me out… I still don’t know what caused it, but something had clearly knocked the boat over and thrown me beneath the water and under the hull.”

Conditions seemed fine when 69-year-old boating enthusiast Peter Thomas took to the water in Starcross, East Devon. Sailing solo along the River Exe, Peter was enjoying his 21-ft sailing boat, Kittiwake, a gaff sloop-rigged centreboarder built in 2021.  

“Kittiwake is reasonably quick for a gaff-rigged boat, it’s got light carbon spars and a good set of sails – a good modern boat, really,” says Peter, a boating enthusiast from West Dorset. 

“I suppose the objective for me has been getting on the water every other week. But the last few years, the weather hasn't allowed me to go as frequently as I'd hoped.”

Just after reaching the river’s mouth near Dawlish Warren, Peter spotted that his vessel’s reefing lines were a bit tight. “I headed the boat up into the wind to bring the mainsail towards the centre of the boat so that I could un-cleat and adjust the lines. The next thing I knew, I was in the water!”

“Very quickly I needed to decide which way to swim, and being tethered, I was surprised to find myself stuck beneath the boat. Luckily, I swam in the right direction and reached the surface. By then, the boat had righted herself and headed off. 

“The boat was quite happy with the way I’d set the sails once I wasn’t aboard and headed off on her own course without me!  Normally it’s impossible for the boat to sail a straight course for long without a hand on the tiller to stop her luffing up but unfortunately, not this time.  I tried to get back over the side, but I just couldn’t get aboard.

“The boat had one safety ladder, but it was on the wrong side! I decided to unhook and try to grab at the aft mooring cleat as I floated past the rudder – I’d hoped to bring the boat into the wind to stop it, and then use the ladder.”

But Peter had already missed his chance and in typical fashion, the vessel did exactly what it was designed to do, sailing off with gusto under a fair wind. 

“I quickly realised that the next opportunity for help was with my Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), which was activated automatically from within my lifejacket. The aerial had released and popped out, but I thought I should check that it was functioning properly.”

While checking his PLB, Peter spotted several sailing boats passing about 100 metres away but they sailed past without noticing him.

“Suddenly I had a thought... My mobile phone. There it was under water in my jacket pocket! I had a look and to my amazement it was still working, so I called 999 and asked for the Coastguard.

“It was difficult for the operator to hear me and as each wave went over me, I had to put the phone in the air to try and keep it dry. I could only manage a couple of words at a time.”

While speaking with the Coastguard, Peter noticed a large motorboat heading towards him at pace. Passing close, the skipper heard Peter’s shout and stopped to pull him aboard. 

Soon after, Exmouth RNLI arrived, and Peter was transferred to the all-weather lifeboat and they set off to recover Kittiwake.  Having checked that Peter was fit and well, the crew accompanied him and Kittiwake back to the boat’s mooring.

Reliving the experience is difficult for Peter, who feels that being prepared saved his life. He says: “My biggest concern at the time was being hit by a vessel but for any boater, I’d say pay attention to signals and alerts that suggest someone’s in trouble.

“It’s very easy to think that when you hear an AIS distress message, it’s not happening nearby, but it could be! When I got back to the Sailing Club, there was someone else who’d been out for the day and he said, “I heard two Mayday relays on my radio while out.

“To be fair he was a bit preoccupied with his own vessel’s engine problems but, perhaps like the two boats that sailed past, he assumed that the event was happening somewhere else!

“Both my PLB and my lifejacket played huge part in my rescue. Once I’d decided to un-tether from the boat, I felt secure in my lifejacket, which held my chin above the waterline, and my PLB was brilliant. 

“It was so reassuring to know that the Coastguard could see the alert and match up my details. They straight away knew who to search for and where.”

Because Peter’s PLB was fully registered and his data was accurate and up-to-date, coastguards could immediately gather his name, address and important vessel details and launch a rescue. 

Though he still considers himself a keen amateur, Peter says it’s important to continually check that everything is in place for if things go wrong. 

Several years ago, a fellow club member carried out an RYA boat safety inspection of one of Peter’s previous boats and the advice learned that day is something he still uses today.  

“I still follow the guidance and tips I picked up back then, and I’ve made improvements to my safety provisions since the incident – I’ve added another ladder on the other side of the vessel, I’ve attached my VHF radio to my belt, and I carry a set of personal flares when I’m sailing. 

“Part of me wants to forget the whole episode, but at the same time I feel I have a responsibility to repay my debt to the lifeboat crew and HM Coastguard. I’d like to do whatever I can to help others prepare, should the worst happen!”

Reduce the risk and boost your skills

• Wear a lifejacket and ensure that it is regularly serviced
• Purchase a 406MHz Personal Locator Beacon and keep it with you while on the water
• Let others know your plans, where you’re going and when you’ll be back
• Check over your vessel before putting it back into the water for summer
• Consider a training or skills refresher course to boost your knowledge
• Test out your man overboard drills and emergency plans
• Request a free printed boating safety checklist to keep on board
• If you’re in danger at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard

Specialising in Above Water Weapons, Jon proudly reached the rank of Warrant Officer 1st Class, a role which demanded a high level of technical expertise and the ability to manage complex operations while under pressure.

Throughout his service he had the opportunity to travel the world, experiencing diverse cultures and gaining a broad perspective of life. So how did Jon find the transition to civilian life?

Coming from a highly structured and disciplined environment, Jon said that adapting to a different pace and culture took some time. Luckily, many of the skills he had developed in the Navy could be applied well to his new role with HM Coastguard.

"After nearly three decades with the Royal Navy, the transition to HM Coastguard and civilian life was both exciting and challenging.

"It was an adjustment moving away from the camaraderie and shared experience of military life, but the Coastguard has a strong sense of purpose and teamwork which has helped to fill that gap."

Managing a team of Senior Coastal Operations Officers and over 200 volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers has given Jon the opportunity to adapt his leadership style, where he says he fosters a balance between authority and approachability.

On his role as Coastal Operations Area Commander, Jon said: "With HM Coastguard, I'm incredibly proud to be part of a great team of full-time officers who work closely together to train, manage equipment, and prepare for emergencies.

"Supporting and working alongside our fantastic volunteers, people who give up their time to help protect our coastline, is truly inspiring."

At the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), our Veterans' Network provides support, community, and advocacy for veterans who are transitioning to civilian life and beyond. 

The network offers a dedicated space where veterans can connect, share experiences, and access resources that are tailored to the unique challenges they might face. Jon said: "It has been a real blessing. HM Coastguard has been a great source of support throughout my recruitment and integration.

"Knowing there are people who understand the military background and transition to a civilian role has made a real difference."

With a growing Veterans' Network, it's easy to connect with others who understand the transition and share similar experiences. 

For those seeking a rewarding role where experience is valued and there is an opportunity to make a positive impact, HM Coastguard and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency are a great fit.

Jon personally recommends roles with the Coastguard to veterans.

"HM Coastguard and the MCA offers veterans a strong sense of purpose, teamwork, and the chance to continue serving in a meaningful way.

"Skills from the military like leadership, decision-making under pressure, and adaptability translate well here and the structured environment feels familiar."

If you are a veteran interested in a career with us, you can meet with Jon and other colleagues at the Veteran UK Career Fair in Bristol on the 24th April to learn more.

Thanks to the fast, life-saving decisions at the coastguard operations centre at Milford Haven and a rapid response from the rescue teams, Sally and Clayton made it safely home after their ordeal last spring. But they both admit it was a shockingly close call and an experience they never want to live through again.  

They know they are incredibly lucky and are sharing their story to encourage anyone visiting the coast to always check the tide times, so a nice walk does not turn into a nightmare. 

Prepare for coastal walks and tides 

Retail assistant Sally and bus driver Clayton have known each other for 40 years and they are the firmest of friends, with a shared love of walking in the Welsh mountains. But although they prepare carefully for mountain walks, they found out to their cost that the coast has other dangers. 

They’d planned a circular walk around their local coast at Llansteffan near Carmarthen which sits on a coastal estuary with big tidal range of about eight metres. Once or twice they’d slipped on rocks and Sally remembers joking about Clayton’s clean boots being covered in sticky mud.  

A joke that became serious 

“He doesn’t like getting his boots dirty and getting our feet stuck was a bit of a laugh at first. But it was a warning that turned serious when I stepped on the sand. It just looked like sand and was a bit soft in parts. The next minute though I was up to my knees and completely stuck,” she recalled.  

Sally could not move, the suction in the sand had her legs firmly gripped. A keen watcher of the Coastguard Channel 5 TV series and Saving Lives at Sea, she knew what to do. 

"The sand was really tight round my legs. I knew to stay still and shouted to Clayton to call 999 for the Coastguard" Sally recalled. 

That was at three minutes past 12 noon. Clayton remembers every minute from then. 

Time stood still as water rose shockingly quickly 

“I called the Coastguard and Matthew in the Operations Centre was so reassuring. He kept me on the line the whole time, telling me that a whole team were working together to get help to us quickly. Time seemed to stand still and I needed to stay where I was so I didn’t get stuck too. 

"The tide was coming in, I’d never seen anything like it. Just 10 minutes after my call, the water was up to Sal’s knees and the sand that had been between us was covered in water. It was shockingly quick. To stay on the rocks and watch and wait was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life" said Clayton. 

Back in the Milford Haven Operations Centre, as Matthew took the call and gathered the vital information, a whole team led by Pete simultaneously sprang into action to send the best rescue services to help. They included coastguard rescue teams, RNLI lifeboats, Ferryside lifeboat, and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue plus a search and rescue helicopter.  

It was time-critical now that Sally was in the water. First to be alerted was the nearby Llansteffan Coastguard Rescue Team. Volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers Chris and Gwyn live in the village and because there was no time to lose, they set off first, with the other team members following closely behind.  

A brisk response and rescue 

On seeing the situation for themselves and with Sally now chest deep in rising water, their training kicked in and both agree their response was 'brisk'. They called out to a relieved Clayton and Sally that they would do a tethered snatch rescue – using ropes to secure the rescuers together, with one person remaining in a safe location. 

Gwyn waded into the water, first walking then swimming, reassuring Sally that he’d fancied a swim that day. Within moments, he’d used his flotation support to take her weight so she was able to wriggle both legs free. As quickly as physically possible, Chris hauled them both back through the water and mud and as the tide was still rising, they all made haste towards safety across the soft sand and rocks.  

Sally was freed within about 20 minutes of Clayton’s call for help. Although chilled, wet and a little shocked, she and Clayton were unharmed and very thankful. 

"I can’t thank them enough and we’re incredibly lucky. They all saved us that day and it was amazing to know that although we only initially saw two rescuers, there was a whole team working together behind them. I may have lost my hat and my map but I didn’t lose my life," said Sally.  

Following the rescue, the Llansteffan Coastguard Rescue Team was presented with the prestigious Chief Coastguard’s Commendation for their life-saving actions. 

Don't let it happen to you 

Reduce the risks:

• Check the weather forecast and tide times before you leave home.
• Look out for and follow the advice on warning signs.
• Avoid crossing estuaries and walking through mud where there can be hidden channels of fast-flowing water.
• If you do get trapped, sit back to spread your weight evenly across the surface.
• Stop others from trying to help you, as they might get stuck too.
• If you get stuck, call 999 immediately and ask for the Coastguard.

• 

The lists include reminders to check the weather forecast and tide times, onboard safety equipment and making sure the crew are wearing appropriate clothing for the conditions. A crew briefing card is included which encourages people to discuss the passage plan and expected weather, check for any medical conditions amongst the crew and check lifejackets are fitted correctly. 

There’s also a checklist for when a vessel is underway, as well as an emergency action plan should things go wrong including the emergency VHF radio calling procedure. 

Derrick Jones, Assistant Chief Coastguard for HM Coastguard, said:

"Through this important campaign, we’re pleased to work alongside partners from the RNLI and RYA to raise awareness of the risks involved in recreational boating.  

"We hope that everyone has a safe and enjoyable time on the water, but it’s essential that all levels of boater, from beginner to experienced, are properly equipped to handle emergency situations that can occur at any time of year, and in any conditions.  

"From the effective use of Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) to lifejackets, essential checklists and crew drills such as man overboard procedures, we want to highlight that safety should be the first consideration before taking to the water this season."

Sarah Pennicard of the RNLI Water Safety Team said:

 "We always want people to enjoy our coastline, but things can quickly go wrong at sea, which is why it’s so important to be prepared. 

"By keeping our essential checklists onboard, you’ll be reducing the risks of incidents occurring or increasing in severity."

Richard Falk, RYA Director of Training, said: 

"We’re delighted to join forces with the RNLI, HM Coastguard and Irish Sailing through this campaign. No matter how long you’ve been boating, an element of planning is required for even the simplest and shortest of journeys. The start of the season is also a great time to refresh your knowledge and expand your skills with an RYA training course whether on shore or on the water."

Find out more about onboard safety.

• Note: The RNLI is working with the MCA, HM Coastguard and the RYA to deliver the campaign in the UK. Irish Sailing are supporting the campaign in the Republic of Ireland. 

Friday 11 April, 6pm

Chief Coastguard Paddy O’Callaghan said: “The STENA IMMACULATE has now arrived and safely berthed at Port of Great Yarmouth to undergo further damage assessment.

“The SOLONG safely berthed at the Port of Aberdeen on 28 March."

Future decisions in respect of the STENA IMMACULATE are now commercial matters, so this will be the final MCA update in relation to this vessel.

Wednesday 9 April, 8.30pm

Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: “The transfer of cargo from the STENA IMMACULATE to the FURE VYL has been successfully completed. Preparations are now ongoing to prepare the vessel to enter the Port of Great Yarmouth safely under tow, later this week.

“HM Coastguard continues to support local authorities in their response to onshore pollution from the SOLONG as a result of the collision, including plastic nurdles, in both Norfolk and Lincolnshire. The clean-up operation has now moved from a proactive to reactive response. HM Coastguard will continue to keep the overall situation under close review.”

Plastic nurdles or suspected pollution along the Norfolk and Lincolnshire coast or surrounding areas should be reported online at north-norfolk.gov.uk/plastic-nurdles. If possible, please provide an exact location using a grid reference or What Three Words.

Friday 28 March, 1pm

Chief Coastguard Paddy O’Callaghan said: “The SOLONG is now safely berthed at the Port of Aberdeen where further salvage operations will be undertaken.

“Salvage of the STENA IMMACULATE continues to be progressed. This includes the transfer of its cargo to another vessel that may begin as early as this weekend.

“HM Coastguard continues to support local authorities in their response to onshore pollution, including plastic nurdles, in both Norfolk and Lincolnshire. HM Coastguard will continue to keep the overall situation under close review.”

Future decisions in respect of the SOLONG are now a commercial matter, accordingly this will be the final MCA update in relation to this vessel.

Tuesday 25 March, 1.40pm

Chief Coastguard Paddy O’Callaghan said: “Salvage of the SOLONG has progressed to enable its relocation to the Port of Aberdeen for safe berthing.

“SOLONG will be under tow by one tug and accompanied by another tug, plus a vessel with counter pollution measures should they be required. Tug and tow are scheduled to arrive at Aberdeen later this week.

“The STENA IMMACULATE remains in a stable condition with salvage ongoing.

“HM Coastguard continues to support local authorities which are leading the onshore response to pollution, including plastic nurdles, in Norfolk and Lincolnshire. HM Coastguard will continue to keep the overall situation under close review.”

Background:
Nurdles are small pellets of plastic resin used in plastics production, sized between 1-5mm in size and weighing less than a gram. It is likely that the nurdles entered the water at the point of collision. Nurdles are not toxic but can present a risk to wildlife if ingested.

Thursday 20 March, 10.30am

Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: “The SOLONG and STENA IMMACULATE remain stable with salvage operations continuing.

“The counter pollution retrieval operation remains ongoing, with HM Coastguard and other specialist counter pollution assets continuing to assist this response. This includes supporting local authorities who are leading the onshore response in both Norfolk and Lincolnshire.

"Aerial surveillance flights continue to monitor both vessels and the retrieval operation.

"HM Coastguard will continue to keep the overall situation under review."

As the incident has now moved into the recovery phase this is the final regular update. We will release future statements only in the event of significant new information.
 

Wednesday 19 March, 5pm

Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: “The SOLONG and STENA IMMACULATE remain stable with salvage operations continuing.

“The counter pollution retrieval operation remains ongoing, with HM Coastguard and other specialist counter pollution assets continuing to assist this response. This includes supporting local authorities who are leading the onshore response in both Norfolk and Lincolnshire.

"Aerial surveillance flights continue to monitor both vessels and the retrieval operation.

"As the incident has now moved into the recovery phase, HM Coastguard has downgraded the assessment of the situation and no longer considers this to constitute a major incident. HM Coastguard will however continue to support the salvage and multiagency retrieval operations while keeping the overall situation under review."
 

Wednesday 19 March, 10.15am

Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: “The SOLONG and STENA IMMACULATE remain stable and salvage operations are ongoing.

“Fires on board the SOLONG have been extinguished and salvors are now accessing all parts of the vessel.

“The counter pollution retrieval operation is ongoing, with His Majesty’s Coastguard and other specialist counter pollution assets continuing to assist this response. This includes the local authorities who are leading the onshore response in both Norfolk and Lincolnshire.

"Aerial surveillance flights are monitoring both vessels and the retrieval operation daily."

Tuesday 18 March, 5.15pm

Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: "Both the SOLONG and STENA IMMACULATE continue to remain stable and salvage operations are ongoing.

“Fires on board the SOLONG have been extinguished and temperature monitoring continues today.

“The retrieval operation of plastic nurdles continues both from the water and at disparate locations along the shore between Old Hunstanton and Wells-next-the-Sea. Coastguard Rescue Teams and other specialist counter pollution assets are assisting with this response.

“Regular aerial surveillance flights continue to monitor both vessels and the retrieval operation."

Tuesday 18 March, 10am

Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: "Both the SOLONG and STENA IMMACULATE remain stable and salvage operations are ongoing.

“Fires on board the SOLONG have been extinguished and temperature monitoring has been set up.

“A retrieval operation continues today (18 March) after plastic nurdles were sighted in waters just off The Wash and at disparate locations along the shore between Old Hunstanton and Wells-next-the-Sea. Coastguard Rescue Teams and other specialist counter pollution assets are assisting with this response.

“Regular aerial surveillance flights continue to monitor both vessels and the retrieval operation."

Monday 17 March, 6pm

Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: "Both the SOLONG and STENA IMMACULATE remain stable and salvage operations are ongoing.

“The locations of the vessels are unchanged - the STENA IMMACULATE remains at anchor and the SOLONG continues to be held in a safe location connected to a tug.

“There are now only small periodic pockets of fire on the SOLONG which are not causing undue concern.

"A retrieval operation is underway after plastic nurdles were sighted in waters just off The Wash and at disparate locations along the shore between Old Hunstanton and Wells-next-the-Sea. Coastguard Rescue Teams and other specialist counter pollution assets have been sent to assist with this response.

“Regular aerial surveillance flights continue to monitor both vessels and the retrieval operation."

Monday 17 March, 12.30pm

Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: Yesterday (16 March) the RNLI advised the MCA of a sighting in waters just off the Wash of a sheen that we now know to be plastic nurdles. This was confirmed by aerial surveillance flights and other assets have subsequently been deployed. Some nurdles have now also been identified on the shore.

"Retrieval has started today.

“This is a developing situation and the Transport Secretary continues to be updated regularly.”

Background

• Nurdles are small pellets of plastic resin used in plastics production, sized between 1-5mm in size and weighing less than a gram.
• It is likely that the nurdles entered the water at the point of collision. Salvage operations at the Solong and the Stena Immaculate have been continuing.

• Nurdles are not toxic but they can present a risk to wildlife if ingested.

  

  

Friday 14 March, 2.45pm

Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: “Both vessels remain presently stable with salvors boarding both the STENA IMMACULATE and the SOLONG today to continue carrying out comprehensive damage assessments.

“The locations of the vessels are unchanged - the STENA IMMACULATE remains at anchor. The SOLONG continues to be held in a safe location connected to a tug.

“There are now only small periodic pockets of fire on the SOLONG which are not causing undue concern. Specialist tugs with firefighting capability remain at both vessels’ locations.

“Regular aerial surveillance flights continue to monitor the vessels and confirm that there continues to be no cause for concern from pollution from either the STENA IMMACULATE or from the SOLONG.

“The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is also assisting in the response, and continues to advise that any public health risk on shore is deemed to be very low. The UKHSA will keep risk assessments under continual review as further information becomes available.”

Thursday 13 March, 5pm

Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: “Both vessels are presently stable and salvors have been on board to carry out initial damage assessments to secure future safe access to both ships.

“The location of the vessels remains unchanged - the STENA IMMACULATE remains at anchor. The SOLONG continues to be held in a safe location connected to a tug.

“Small pockets of fire are still reported to be on the top deck of SOLONG, these are being contained and monitored closely. Specialist vessels are present to support the firefighting effort.

“Aerial surveillance flights continue to monitor the vessels and confirm that there does not appear to be any pollution from either the STENA IMMACULATE or SOLONG.”

Thursday 13 March, 12.35pm

Chief Coastguard Paddy O’Callaghan said: “The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), working with other partners, continues to support the joint response to the collision between the SOLONG and the STENA IMMACULATE.

“The STENA IMMACULATE remains at anchor. The SOLONG continues to be held in a safe location by tug. Small pockets of fire are still reported to be on the top deck of SOLONG and specialist vessels are supporting the firefighting efforts. Salvors will only board the vessels when it is safe to do so.

“Aerial surveillance flights will continue today to monitor the vessels.

“HM Coastguard’s Counter Pollution and Salvage team has a comprehensive counter pollution response in place should it be required."

Images below taken on 12 March 2025 of the SOLONG and STENA IMMACULATE for media use. 

Please credit to Maritime and Coastguard Agency in all use.

Wednesday 12 March, 8.20pm

Chief Coastguard Paddy O’Callaghan said: “The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), working with other partners, continues to support the joint response to the collision between the SOLONG and the STENA IMMACULATE.

“While no fire is visible on the STENA IMMACULATE there are still small pockets of fire on the top deck of the SOLONG.  Specialist vessels with fire fighting capability continue to provide support to this aspect of the operation.

“The SOLONG has now been towed to a safe location with the STENA IMMACULATE remaining at anchor at its original location.

“Three aerial surveillance flights have taken place today and these have not indicated any pollution on the surface of the water attributable to either of the casualty vessels.

“HM Coastguard’s Counter Pollution and Salvage team has a comprehensive counter pollution response in place should it be required.

“Salvors will conduct on-board assessments of the vessels as soon as they are safe to board."

Wednesday 12 March, 2pm

Images taken from an HM Coastguard fixed-wing aircraft on 11 March 2025 of the SOLONG and STENA IMMACULATE for media use. 

Please credit to Maritime and Coastguard Agency in all use.

Wednesday 12 March, 11.30am

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Chief Executive Virginia McVea said: “The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is continuing to coordinate the response to the collision between the SOLONG and the STENA IMMACULATE.

“There have been no further reports of pollution to the sea from either vessel beyond what was observed during the initial incident. HM Coastguard’s counter pollution and salvage team has a comprehensive counter pollution response in place should it be required. Salvors also have equipment and personnel ready to respond to any pollution.

“The MCA is working with the salvage companies who are responding on behalf of the vessels’ owners and are working in full co-operation with all commercial and government partners. The overarching objective is to protect the public and the environment to the best of our ability, during this ongoing incident response.

“The SOLONG is being held in a safe position offshore by a tug and further support vessels remain in the ship’s immediate vicinity. This morning’s (12 March) assessment shows the fires on board the ship have greatly reduced in their extent and intensity.

“The STENA IMMACULATE remains at anchor, with safety tugs in position should they be required. There are no visible flames on board and an on-board assessment may be carried out later today.

“Salvors will only board the vessels when it is safe to do so. Only then will it be possible to carry out comprehensive damage assessments.”

Tuesday 11 March, 6pm

Assistant Chief Coastguard John Craig said: "The Maritime and Coastguard Agency continues to coordinate the response to the collision between the SOLONG and the STENA IMMACULATE which took place yesterday morning (10th March) to the North East of the Humber Estuary.

"The vessels were interlocked and held in place by the anchor of the STENA IMMACULATE, before the SOLONG detached and drifted south overnight. A tow line has now successfully been put in place and a tug is holding SOLONG offshore in a safer position. There are still some flames visible on the main deck of the SOLONG and firefighting is focusing on this area. A salvage plan is being developed with the appointed salvors on scene. 

"A second salvage company has been engaged for the STENA IMMACULATE, which remains at anchor, with safety tugs on scene. The fire on STENA IMMACULATE is greatly reduced with no flames visible.

"A comprehensive counter pollution response is in place and HM Coastguard continues to make preparations for any pollution that may occur as a result of the damage to the vessels.

"The MCA's concern in relation to tanks on the SOLONG has reduced with tugs now able to work in close vicinity.

"The threat from the previously identified Dangerous Goods on board has reduced significantly. Air quality sampling onshore has shown no toxins and modelling from the Met Office indicates no threat to the public.

"We continue to engage actively with Humberside Police, salvors, the port authorities and other agencies to protect the public and the environment as far as possible while continuing to respond to the developing situation."

Tuesday 11 March, 12.06pm

Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: "His Majesty’s Coastguard is supporting the Secretary of State's Representative (SOSREP) in the response to the collision between two vessels, the SOLONG and STENA IMMACULATE, that occurred yesterday morning (10 March) off the coast of East Yorkshire.

"The SOLONG is still alight and the fire on board the STENA IMMACULATE has greatly diminished. Safety vessels and other vessels with firefighting capabilities are still on scene with more arriving today.

"At 11.20pm last night the SOLONG separated from the STENA IMMACULATE and began to drift southwards, this is being monitored by HM Coastguard. An exclusion zone of 1km radius has been put in place around both vessels.

"The Counter Pollution and Salvage Team is assessing the situation and is developing a plan ready for implementation as soon as the situation allows.

"The SOSREP is working with ship owners, salvors and insurance companies.

"The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is monitoring the situation closely and has confirmed that air quality at ground level is currently within normal levels for the weather conditions. 

"The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is also assisting in the response, and has advised that any public health risk on shore is currently deemed to be very low.

"UKHSA risk assessments are under continual review as further information becomes available."

Correction from statement issued at 9:30pm (10 March): One person was not taken to hospital as previously reported, they were treated on scene and declined further medical assistance. To confirm 36 people were brought safely to shore, sadly one crew member of the SOLONG remains unaccounted for. 

Monday 10 March, 9.30pm

Matthew Atkinson, Divisional Commander for HM Coastguard said: “HM Coastguard has been coordinating the response to an incident reported at 9.48am this morning (10 March). The incident involved a collision between vessels SOLONG and STENA IMMACULATE off the coast of East Yorkshire.

“Fires were reported on both vessels, two HM Coastguard helicopters, a coastguard fixed wing aircraft and RNLI lifeboats from Skegness, Bridlington, Mablethorpe and Cleethorpes were sent, along with several nearby vessels with firefighting capabilities.

“36 crew members were taken safely to shore. One crew member of the SOLONG remains unaccounted for, after an extensive search for the missing crew member sadly they have not been found and the search has ended.

“The two vessels remain on fire and coastguard aircraft are monitoring the situation.

“An assessment of any required counter pollution response is being carried out by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.  The Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention is working with the salvors and insurance companies.

“The incident remains ongoing and updates will be provided throughout.”

Monday 10 March, 12.30pm

HM Coastguard is currently coordinating the emergency response to reports of a collision between a tanker and cargo vessel off the coast of East Yorkshire resulting in fires aboard both vessels. The alarm was raised at 9.48am.

A Coastguard Rescue Helicopter from Humberside was called, alongside lifeboats from Skegness, Bridlington, Maplethorpe and Cleethorpes, an HM Coastguard fixed wing aircraft, and nearby vessels with fire-fighting capability.

The incident remains ongoing and an assessment of the likely counter pollution response required is being enacted. 

Main photo: SOLONG pictured on 11 March 2025 (Photo: Maritime and Coastguard Agency)

She has flourished ever since she “fell in love” with the organisation in 1994 when, at the age of 17, she became the first female volunteer with Port Talbot Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT). 

Later she did it again as the first women to take on the full-time post of Sector Manager, now known as Senior Coastal Operations Officers (SCOOs), who lead emergency responses, deliver training, and manage local groups of CRTs. 

Embodying the “Accelerate Action” theme of International Women’s Day today (8 March), Nicola has risen through the ranks and is now Head of Operational Assurance at HM Coastguard – using her 30 years’ experience to ensure standards are met. 

Recalling her Sector Manager debut in Cardiff in 2000, Nicola says: “I was not aware I was the first woman until I got the job. At that time women in operations rooms wore skirts. Women in the outdoor workplace had not been considered at that stage! I was having to put overalls over a skirt.” 

Nicola's elder daughter, 20-year-old Emily, is now following in her wake as she trains to launch her own maritime career, driving cruise ships around the world. 

Nicola says: “My mother was a stay-at-home mum. Whereas now my daughter could still have a family and go to sea because other people have paved the way and the supports are in place for her to able to do that.” 

I have never felt that anyone has judged me as a woman. They see me as Nic the coastguard

Nicola’s path through the MCA led her to become one of the few women at the old Swansea Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) as a Watch Assistant before being promoted to Watch Officer at Tyne Tees Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre.  

Her time later as a Sector Manager was paused to have children. Without the support that is now in place at the MCA, she went to work elsewhere but adds: “I always knew I would come back to HM Coastguard. I loved it. 

“In 2000 they had never experienced a woman in those roles before. Things have improved massively. It was not sexist – but women had just not been considered in those roles.”  

Now women are represented in senior positions across the MCA, such as Chief Executive Virginia McVea, Director of HM Coastguard Claire Hughes, and Executive Director of Corporate Services Chloe Bowes. 

Nicola returned as a SCOO in 2016 before another promotion to Maritime Commander at Milford Haven MRCC. She then became a Counter Pollution and Salvage Officer, before taking on her current role in 2024. 

Nicola adds: “I have never felt that anyone has judged me as a woman. They see me as Nic the coastguard.” 

Would daughter Emily have considered a maritime career without her example? 

Nicola says: “Although she went away and found it herself, she might not have looked at it at all without seeing me. Maybe I opened the door to her? 

“And my younger daughter is into Formula 1 and racing. She’s seen women in those roles. It’s everywhere you look. For women now there are no restrictions. That’s what I have always told my girls.” 

• For more information about how to enrol as a Coastguard Rescue Officer, visit https://hmcoastguard.uk/volunteer-as-a-coastguard  

Main picture: From left are Emily, Nicola and Barbara Pearson

As part of this HM Coastguard was shortlisted Blue Light Emergency Service of the Year.

The nomination demonstrates HM Coastguard’s commitment and dedication to public safety and welfare, as well as the significant impact of the service’s emergency and operational response. 

Talking about the nomination, Coastal Operations Area Commander Robert Steventon said: “It is brilliant to be recognised and highlight all of the important work the coastguard does, both independently and with our emergency service partners."

The Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme (JESIP) team is also celebrating, receiving an award under the Resilience and Learning From Major Incidents category.

This team is made up of individuals from across the emergency service sector including HM Coastguard Senior Coastal Operations Officer Ed Rusk, who said “this role is all about being prepared for multi-agency working, so it is great to be recognised for just doing our job and wanting to be the best we can be”.

The shortlist was created by an independent judging panel including names like olympian Dame Kelly Holmes, former Grand Prix motorbike road racer Jeremy McWilliams and former chairman of the Police Federation Northern Ireland and Police Care UK Mark Lindsay. 

Robert added: “We don’t do what we do for awards or praise, but it is great to put the coastguard on the map and raise more awareness about our work. We hope there are more events like this in the future, the teams should be really proud.”

Alison Leighton, Overseas Strategic Policy Manager, was one of the team from the UK facilitating the activities, as part of the Overseas Territories SAR Capability (OTSAR) Project. 

She said: “One of the aims of the workshop is to share experience, recognise common challenges and learn from each other.   

“HM Coastguard is dedicated to saving lives on the coast and at sea. By spreading our knowledge – while also learning from others – as a search and rescue community, we can keep even more people safe around the world.” 

Collaboration for mass rescue operations was the focus of the workshop, where a tabletop exercise was run involving a cruise ship on fire.

We can keep even more people safe around the world 

Presentations were also given by the RNLI, Lost & Missing Persons International, and the Global SAR Hub. 

Updates on SAR matters were provided by the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Regional Office, and the Joint SAR Working Group of ICAO and the International Maritime Organization. 

Attendees included SAR specialists, airport and aviation authorities and disaster managers from Anguilla, Ascension Island, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, St Helena, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and Turks and Caicos Islands. 

Others were from the Dutch Caribbean, French and US Coast Guard covering the regional response mechanisms and a number of Caribbean neighbouring states: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.   

The OTSAR Project has been running since 2016 and began with reviews of SAR capabilities within the UK Overseas Territories. Since then, the project has provided equipment and training for SAR operations, operators and frontline responders. 

Bud started his time with HM Coastguard as a 17-year-old auxiliary, as the volunteer title was then, and went on to become Station Officer. His grandfather, father, uncle, brother and son have also served. 

“There was a lot of satisfaction, I thoroughly enjoyed it,” said Bud, who will keep up his work with the Coastguard Association support charity, where he is Vice-Chair of the National Committee. “I am proud but I’m not one to make a fuss.” 

His teammates had other ideas, however, and held a farewell reception at Hastings Coastguard Station. A valedictory certificate and letter from the Chief Coastguard were presented by Divisional Commander Matt Pavitt and Assistant Chief Coastguard Channel Operations John Craig. 

• For more information about how to enrol as a Coastguard Rescue Officer, visit https://hmcoastguard.uk/volunteer-as-a-coastguard 

Rewind to Bud’s first day on 20 March 1970, and he remembers the team mainly being trained in the use of Breaches Buoys – rope systems fired by rocket to connect rescuers to people in distress, such as between land and a stricken vessel. 

Bud said: “I remember when we were training and one of the coastguards fired the launcher but it hit some railings by mistake and went flying. Twenty coastguard auxiliaries hit the ground. He did not live that one down! 

“Now – you name it, we do it. That’s what I have told people for the last few years. We get involved in everything you can imagine. We are trained far more regularly than we ever were years ago.” 

Two incidents stand out for Bud. The first was when his intuition prompted him to keep a search going: “I can’t remember any details but for some reason I was convinced he was alive and there to be found. I said, I want to carry on searching – and we found the bloke. It was a success.” 

The second involved a terrifying experience for a couple who had taken their young son on a walk under the cliffs. 

“He was three or four years old and he got his head stuck in the rocks,” explained Bud. “The tide was gradually reaching him but, with my local knowledge, I could tell him he was only in danger of getting his feet wet – that relieved the tension.”

The boy was eventually given a sedative which caused him to relax and he was safely eased out of the hole. 

Bud, a retired fisherman, said: “I pass on my share of the local knowledge. If I’m quite honest, I do not give it a second thought. I do not think afterwards, what a great job I have done. We were told it was just part of the job.  

“HM Coastguard is one of the most important services there is. They are on a par with all the other emergency services. The job we do is very specific – no one else does it; no one else can do it. It the specific job of being a coastguard. If an incident happens on our patch, the chances are that it’s the coastguard that can do it. 

“What the public does not know is that it’s often HM Coastguard running the show. The lifeboat goes out but it’s the coastguard on the cliff with the radio, or the officer at the maritime rescue coordination centre, who is running the show. That suited me – I did not want the fuss! 

“When you’re on a job every team is a true team. You get to know each other, there’s bonding – you’re a professional team.” 

Bud is now a regular gym-goer to make up for the activity he’s retired from, including searches that sometimes involved walking up to 20 miles in a day. 

But there’s one thing he definitely won’t lament: “I will not miss the pager going off at 2am in the morning!” 

• For more information about how to enrol as a Coastguard Rescue Officer, visit https://hmcoastguard.uk/volunteer-as-a-coastguard  

Main photo: Paul 'Bud' White (centre) with Divisional Commander Matt Pavitt (left) and Assistant Chief Coastguard Channel Operations John Craig (right)

The couple had recently relocated to North Scotland to escape the ‘rat run’ of city living near London, and with aspirations of setting up a business nearby, the area’s many bays and beaches provided the perfect appetiser. 

“We’d been exploring the stunning coastline a lot and that day we’d decided to take the dogs for a walk on Farr Beach, about an hour and a half away. It’s a beautiful bay that was entirely new to us. 

“The beach was empty and despite the waves, we could see the tide coming in. When we set off the weather was fine and still, but conditions had started to change,” says René, a 48-year-old businesswoman from Aberdeen. 

As they walked, Ged and René came across a rucksack and pair of shoes in the dunes. It felt strange, given the deserted beach and dwindling time before dusk. 

“Something just didn’t feel right.”

Clothing, a wallet, a phone and a sandwich. It seemed the owner had planned to come back, but something just didn’t feel right. The couple’s concern was heightened further by their fear of potential rip currents which Ged had been researching. 

“We scanned the beach and water. After a few minutes we could make out a surfer bobbing about in the distance and it felt like they were too close to the rocks. Within a few moments, the surfer had attempted to clamber onto the sharp outcrop and was waving for help.”

Being a retired Police Officer, René’s partner Ged immediately sprang into action. He called the Coastguard and headed along the coastal path to get closer.

Aberdeen Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) dispatched Melvich and Durness Coastguard Rescue Teams to the scene, along with an HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter from Inverness. 

René stayed on the beach where she could provide a second view, and it wasn’t looking good. The surfer was being washed out as they struggled to contend with vicious waves lashing the rocks.

Riding the whitewater

The 25-year-old surfer, who's asked to remain anonymous, considers himself a beginner. Being from an island community, he’s no stranger to the water, but surfing Scotland’s North Coast is a new pursuit. On this occasion, it was the first time his new foam board had hit the waves. 

“I was definitely lucky, in particular to have had René’ and Ged watching from the beach – I knew I was in a proper emergency, and I could see them both looking at my gear,” he says. 

“I’d been recommended the area by a friend at work who’s a big surfer. I’d only really been planning to stay in the water at chest height and ride the white water, but I’d been caught in a rip current and couldn’t get back to shore.”

Before long, bystanders were also helping to spot the surfer and relay information. An HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter soon swooped into view and winched the casualty to safety.

“In hindsight, I shouldn’t have gone in those conditions,” says the surfer. “The swell could’ve turned, and I didn’t know the beach very well. After my rescue, I think I’ll heed advice not to go in without someone knowing where I am and when I’m due back.”

Trusting your intuition

Area 2 Coastal Operations Area Commander Fiona Hastie said: “We’re enormously grateful to people like Rene and Ged. They’d clearly spotted that something wasn’t right and trusting their intuition, they called HM Coastguard.

“Conditions can change in an instant, and we’d like to remind people that they should always either have a spotter with them when entering the water or should make people aware of their entry time and location. 

“That way, if something changes, the alarm can be raised. Entering the water alone without a watchful eye could have fatal consequences.” 

“If you see something dangerous at the coast, always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

Since joining the MCA in 2002, Helen has had an incredible journey, working on inland waterway safety, maritime research projects, offshore renewable energy consenting, oil and gas decommissioning, and mapping the seabed through the UK Civil Hydrography Programme.

But the most exciting part of her role is space and Helen’s enthusiasm for how the worlds of maritime and space connect is truly inspiring. “Rocket launches are my favourite! It’s fascinating. But if you’d asked me 20 years ago whether space would become a large part of my work, I’d definitely have said no,” jokes Helen. 

Helen began her career at the MCA straight from university.  She initially planned on teaching, but her ‘gap year’ at MCA turned into a passion for maritime safety.   

“At MCA I’ve been lucky to have worked in a variety of areas which really interest me.   I studied Geography at university, but with MCA I’ve been involved in offshore renewable projects, worked with HM Coastguard and the Receiver of Wreck, to name just a few.”

Helen now manages the MCA’s role in responding to marine licensing and offshore consenting applications from the shipping, safe navigation and emergency response perspective. This includes being consulted on the marine licensing of rocket launch deposits to and from the UK.   

“As an Air Cadet at an early age, I loved aeronautics. I really enjoyed studying the principles of flight, and now I get to understand the science behind rockets launches, trajectories, payloads, hazard area identification, splash down calculations and most important assessing the risk of planned rocket activities on other marine uses”.

MCA’s role in Marine Licensing is a crucial aspect of maritime safety. In basic terms, a marine licence is required for any deposits, removals or constructions within the UK Exclusive Economic Zone.   

Whether it’s a new mooring, an outfall or intake for a nuclear power station, oil and gas installations, cables and pipelines, a seaweed farm, or even rocket launch deposits - below the Mean High-Water Spring, it will likely need a marine licence from the relevant regulator in the UK. 

“We always look to work with applicants at early concept and aim to support new ideas, and technology to progress Government targets.  We will only object to applications when we really must, after exhausting all options, and where safety at sea is compromised.”

While the UK’s position as a maritime leader is long-established, it’s also the case that the nation plays a pivotal role in pioneering new space technology. 

In January 2023, the UK made history with its first ever orbital launch attempt at Spaceport Cornwall. Helen was invited to join the launch via teleconferencing and is excited for how the UK could progress more pioneering space projects. 

“The UK has the supply chain, the right geography for a range of polar and sun-synchronous orbits, popular for communications and imaging satellites, and the infrastructure well-suited to space technology.

“We fully expect to see the MCA’s role in Marine Licensing grow to accommodate an increased presence in this area. Multistage rockets will likely deposit fairings and boosters along their trajectory, and complex calculations are required to establish where this will fall and when. Safety is key, and assessments are made to mitigate risks to people, property and the environment.   

“Mariners must be notified in advance of rocket activities, and hazard areas monitored with appropriate communications in place to ensure launches take place safely or are stood down as required.”

The MCA works with spaceports and launch operators on their Navigation Risk Assessment, to support their marine licence application, and with regulators. 

Helen sees immense potential for women and girls and is keen to highlight the opportunities in the emerging field of space technology too.   “I hope the industry will continue to grow in the UK with many more opportunities emerging for young people.   

“There are so many science-linked roles within the maritime sector, and of course in space technology, from space ports, launch operator and supply chain, to those involved in regulations and licensing.  The sector opens new opportunities, and it’s a great time to work in the field with fascinating science and technology that’s advancing at pace." 

With passion, dedication, and a pioneering spirit, Helen Croxson is inspiring the next generation of women to reach for the stars.

This National Apprenticeships Week (10-16 February), the MCA is celebrating making strides to encourage professional learning to boost careers and become more effective. 

Emma Clark, Head of Talent, Development and Engagement, said: “Our mission is to keep people safe and save lives, so it’s vital that we keep ahead of changing technology and ways of doing things. 

“Although we don’t currently offer new-starter apprenticeship roles, the learning opportunities for people once they start a career in the MCA are huge and are a major draw to applicants.” 

Apprenticeships include the areas of business administration, digital, finance, human resources, management and leadership, operational delivery, policy, and project management. 

Recent apprentices to have completed their studies included Pete Summers, HM Coastguard Head of Technical Training and Development. He gained a Level 7 Senior Leader qualification – equivalent to degree-level. 

Pete said: “I was very proud to gain this new qualification after a lot of hard work and with the support of my team.   

“It’s strengthened my skills and, more importantly, has added fresh expertise and knowhow to assist everyone I work with. By improving competence, we can enhance operational processes and deliver an even better service to the public, keeping more people safe by the coast.” 

Juliet Dowrick achieved her Level 3 Data Technician qualification – equivalent to a double A-level. 

Juliet said: “The apprenticeship has given me invaluable skills to make data-driven decisions to support our strategy. This has already assisted with campaign planning – helping us to share messaging at the right time and places to make our safety messages even more impactful. 

“I have also gained confidence with presenting our own data in a more visual and meaningful way, enabling us to share additional insights with the wider agency and provide background knowledge and further understandings.” 

Discover more about working with the MCA at https://careers.dft.gov.uk/mca/

Ben Lovell (45), from Reading, recalled how a relaxing fishing trip to Hayling Island, Hampshire, turned into a traumatic ordeal on a dark, rainy night from which he might never have returned. 

He was rescued in an operation coordinated by HM Coastguard with the help of an RNLI inshore lifeboat, quick-thinking with his phone, and smart advice from his wife. 

Ben was taking a few days’ break on the south coast away from his busy job as director of a software company. Wearing waders, he was angling in the water on the afternoon of 16 October 2024. 

With the tide coming in, Ben explained what happened next: “I can feel myself sinking. It’s starting to rain and get dark but I’m catching fish and getting distracted. I reeled in a fish and as I put it back I realise: I'm stuck fast. 

“I’m not panicking – I’m thinking I can get out of this. But as the water is coming in, the more stuck I am getting. In about five minutes I was panicking. I thought to myself I am not getting out of this. 

“I’m struggling and getting tired and the more I move, the more of a vacuum I’m creating around my leg. Then I twisted my leg and, where I was encased in the mud, I pulled a muscle.  

“It’s getting darker and darker and the water keeps coming in – it's now up to my waist and the mud is not far below it.” 

Ben’s safety tips 

• Fish with a friend or tell someone where you are and when you’ll be back
• Check the tide and assess the risks where you are fishing
• Pack a torch, emergency inflatable belt, and appropriate, legal knife to cut yourself from a tangle
• In an emergency call 999 and ask for the Coastguard 

Ben continued: “I thought, what’s the next step? I phoned my wife, Rebecca, and I knew she could hear the panic in my voice. She can do nothing at all but she said, ‘What are you doing? You need to call the Coastguard’.” 

But he can’t. The rain on the screen of Ben’s phone makes it unresponsive. Thinking quickly, he instead uses the voice command function to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 

“The woman on the line stayed on the phone with me for a while because she could tell I needed to be steadied,” he said. 

From the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Fareham, HM Coastguard officers send the RNLI’s inshore lifeboat from Hayling, as well as Hayling, Portsmouth and Selsey Coastguard Rescue Teams and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service. 

With the water now up to Ben’s armpits, his headtorch helps his rescuers locate him. Soon the lifeboat arrives and the crew ease him out of the mud to safety. He’s brought back to land where an ambulance crew confirms he’s okay and gives him a warm drink. 

“It was a wave of relief,” Ben said. “Hopefully most people never find themselves in that situation where you feel your life is in the hands of others. If it was not for them I may never have got myself out. 

“I was due to stay for two nights but I left as I was in a daze and just wanted to see my wife and kids. They were beside themselves with worry. I was in shock and it took me a few days to get over what happened.” 

Ben added: “I'd like to thank the RNLI who picked me out of the mud, and the emergency services, including HM Coastguard. I really do feel I owe my life to all of them and I'm enormously grateful that they continue to put themselves in danger to protect us.” 

• For more tips about staying safe around mud, visit hmcoastguard.uk/coast  

• In an emergency by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.  

They were joined by three full-time HM Coastguard officers to lead on the ground, as well as a drone team. 

The HM Coastguard contingent joined in the multi-agency response from 26-27 January by assisting in the evacuation of around 150 properties, which included two care homes, and carrying out welfare checks on affected residents. 

Senior Coastal Operations Officer Robin Snuggs said: "With our trained volunteers and full-time officers, HM Coastguard stands ready 24/7 to support our fellow emergency services wherever they need assistance.  

"We are proud to have done our bit to help keep the people of Chard safe. Our thoughts are now with people having to salvage their properties damaged by the flooding." 

HM Coastguard was requested to help by the Avon and Somerset Local Resilience Forum, made up of local public agencies that come together to respond to emergencies. 

When major floods hit, HM Coastguard is ready to respond as one of the UK’s four emergency services, whether by the coast or inland. 

All CROs have water rescue and first aid skills. But some are also taught expertise in flood response. When disaster strikes, they can be brought in from around the country to form specialist Flood Response Teams to support affected areas.  

Training, often alongside other emergency services, can include rescues from flooded vehicles and retrieving people stranded in water. 

Among the Littlehampton team is 47-year-old Coastguard Rescue Officer Paul Gill. 

Beginning his career in London as Press Officer at one of the capital’s most popular tourist attractions, it seems unlikely that almost 30 years later Paul would become one of West Sussex’s longest-standing coastguards. 

“After beginning my career in London, I realised I wanted to experience life a bit more: to go travelling and work a ski season somewhere. That was 27 years ago!”

Returning from his travels, Paul wanted to get into something new and began teacher training. Education soon became a passion, and 20 years on Assistant Headteacher Paul’s love for teaching young people with special educational needs is second only to his family and work with HM Coastguard. 

“When I was younger, I worked several seasons as a beach lifeguard at Littlehampton, collaborating closely with the Coastguard Rescue Team. I loved it, so I decided to join HM Coastguard officially in 2004. 

“I still get the buzz for the job! It’s fair to say that we’re a lot busier these days, and our training and skills have increased quite a bit across those 20 years.” 

In 2009, Paul and his wife welcomed their first son Henry into the family, and their world changed forever. 

“Henry was born with a heart condition, spotted in his 22nd hour. We ended up driving an empty car seat home, while Henry was prepped for open heart surgery and blue lighted to a specialist hospital.

“When you have a child who’s born with a condition, there's usually no book for it, and about 15 years ago there was no real guidance. Since then, Henry’s had three open heart surgeries and overall, he’s had 15 additional heart operations. 

“Henry has a feeding port in his tummy, which is supplied by an electric pump overnight, and he’s got a special mask that helps his breathing at night and provides data directly to the hospital.”

Continued support from specialist hospitals, NHS staff and charitable foundations has been a huge part of Henry's life, enabling him to work towards completing his GCSEs and enroll in college to study Engineering or 3D Product Design.

“Henry is so resilient, and he's got an incredible work ethic. He's physically different to his peers but what he lacks in physicality he makes up for with a brilliant strength of character and sense of humour.”

Paul tirelessly trains and fundraises to thank those who care for his son, completing the Great South Run and so far raising more than £3,000 for an upcoming London marathon attempt in April this year. 

So how does Paul handle fundraising, a busy home and professional life and being a coastguard? 

“Well, my marathon training’s been put back because I’ve been unwell over winter, but I’ll be taking the dog out and getting a few miles in,” he says.

“It's the NHS’s research and technology, their support, guidance and resources that have helped us get through. I want to pay it back.

“And the coastguard?  Well, it’s just in my blood. When I’ve had a challenging day teaching and I get home, go to bed, and then I get a shout, I’m programmed for it! Volunteering keeps me sane, and it’s so great being part of the HM Coastguard team. It’s a fascinating role.

“The Littlehampton team have always been incredibly supportive like a family. We’re all very like-minded here and we’ve just taken on some new recruits, so I’m looking forward to mentoring them! 

“The team have been there for me so I’m there for them. I just do what I do. I enjoy it, and invariably it involves helping people.” 

Paul’s kind-heartedness also saw him pen a booklet for parents of children with infant heart disease, which was picked up by a hospital foundation charity.  

When wind-down time comes, it’s a special family affair for the Gill household, who enjoy camping holidays in Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. “Travel abroad isn’t easy for us so we invested heavily in camping kit, and we just love it. Time with our sons Henry and Teddy is so precious.”

It can’t ever be easy for coastguards to leave the safety of those they love and head towards danger, but Paul’s sons couldn’t be prouder of their dad. 

“I'm quite careful with what I say to my boys; if I go to a job that was particularly challenging, I'll put it in a way to them that makes them feel at ease. But they always know that I am out there helping. 

“Remembrance Day this year was the first opportunity to wear my new long service medal and my ‘number ones’ [formal uniform]. The boys were asking me about whether I could visit their schools! It was my proudest moment.

“When Henry hears my pager, he’s like, ‘Alright daddy, love you, be careful’. But even if I go out at 10pm, he'll stay up and wait for me to come home safe.” 

Coastguard Rescue Officer Paul Gill runs the London Marathon on Sunday 27 April 2025. 

During his eight-minute drive to the station, Nick considered how a casualty might have become stuck crag fast on the steep and unforgiving 80-foot cliff. Who are they with, what are they hanging onto, and how long would it hold? 

His mind settled for a moment on his team's seven rope technicians trained for such dangerous circumstances, and the incoming tide that could quickly submerge an incapacitated casualty at the bottom of the cliff. 

“On the way to the scene, we’re already thinking about planning a rescue; who’s going to do what and when. Cliff rescues are fast-paced, and there are dangers for our team. The situation changes moment to moment,” he adds. 

On scene, the 13-strong team of coastguards from Sunderland and South Shields immediately confronted the situation. Around 15 feet below the clifftop, a young adult male had gotten stuck after attempting to scale the cliff in search of his dog. 

Not being from the area, he’d underestimated the height of the cliff, and its vertical face. Soon becoming stuck, he’d called for assistance, as his friend waited above helplessly.

With support from local police and the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade, the Coastguard Rescue Team sprang into action, effecting a rope rescue to retrieve the casualty and their dog, who’d fallen even further down. 

“It’s incredibly unusual for someone to survive a cliff fall in this area; it’s not something I’ve seen in my 11 years’ service. With the cliff face now being very unstable due to coastal erosion, people should consider their safety - especially those who don’t know the area or the danger.”

Though he walked away unscathed, the casualty later got back in touch with the team to offer his thanks and acknowledge the danger he’d faced.

“We did hear back afterwards and in hindsight, I think the pair wanted to share that scrambling down unfamiliar cliffs at night had been a bad idea. As for the casualty’s dog, it had ultimately been a happy outcome,” says Nick. 

“The animal is always secondary to the safety of the casualty because it is usually located safe and well. But the same cannot be said for those chasing it into water or down cliffsides.  Keep your dog on a lead and never follow any animal away from safety.” 

From coastal walks in unfamiliar places, to adverse weather conditions and fast-moving tides, coastguards are quick to share that a range of unexpected circumstances could turn a relaxing walk into an emergency.

“Whether it’s taking shortcuts in dangerous conditions, entering cold water without being adequately prepared, or walking close to dangerous cliff edges, several things can and do go wrong. 

“Know the dangers and prepare yourself for risks that come with unfamiliar areas or activities.”

But did you know the Shipping Forecast has a life of its own beyond its more famous incarnation on the radio? 

In fact, what is now the Shipping Forecast was first called Weather Shipping. It aired on 1 January 1924, a year earlier than the BBC’s debut broadcast, and instead of the radio was picked up by ships over a telegraphic messaging system.

A Shipping Forecast by any other name...

Weather Shipping was so popular among seafarers that in order to reach more ships the broadcast moved to the BBC in 1925. 

These days, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) is ultimately responsible for the provision of Maritime Safety Information (MSI) to ships at sea, which includes the broadcast of warnings and forecasts.  

The MCA works closely with the Met Office, which prepares and issues routine forecasts and initiates weather warnings for dissemination by HM Coastguard as well as the BBC. 

At its most basic, the modern Shipping Forecast is a set of data: 24 hours of meteorological information calculated four times a day to assist safe shipping in and around UK waters. 

Congratulations to the BBC for 100 years of broadcasting the Shipping Forecast 

It is broken down into 31 different sea areas giving conditions of wind, sea state, weather and visibility. 

The Shipping Forecast itself is produced by the Met Office on behalf of the MCA as part of the UK’s statutory obligations to provide Maritime Safety Information (MSI) to seafarers via approved broadcasting methods. It is shared with the BBC for its own broadcast, as an abridged version.  

Despite not being a legal requirement for the BBC to relay the information, the Shipping Forecast as a radio broadcast has become a traditional and hugely popular fixture on the airwaves. 

MCA Chief Executive Virginia McVea said: “Congratulations to the BBC for 100 years of broadcasting the Shipping Forecast. Seafarers' lives across the globe have depended upon this lifesaving link. 

“The MCA is proud of its key role in the Shipping Forecast’s past – and its future. We will continue to meet our international duty to ensure information available to mariners in UK waters is accurate, timely and accessible.” 

With advances in maritime communications technology, the number of seafarers relying on the BBC’s Shipping Forecast has reduced.  

But its place in the Radio 4 schedules maintains another source for a regulated and standardised marine forecast to help keep people safe on the waves. 

The bigger picture

The bigger picture of providing Maritime Safety Information (MSI) to ships at sea is the responsibility of the MCA.  

In addition to the Shipping Forecast, this includes broadcasting High Seas Forecasts, Gale and Storm Warnings, and Navigational Warnings. 

The most common ways seafarers obtain the Shipping Forecast is through the international NAVTEX (NAVigational TelEX) service, coordinated in the UK 24 hours a day by HM Coastguard. This is supplemented by regular MSI broadcasts using marine VHF and MF radiotelephony. 

The MCA is proud of its key role in the Shipping Forecast’s past – and its future

The delivery is provided by HM Coastguard working closely with the Met Office and UK Hydrographic Office. The Shipping Forecast is also published online by both the Met Office and the BBC. 

This statutory obligation to provide MSI has its roots in the Safety of Life at Sea Convention, first drawn up in 1914. 

Known as SOLAS, it stems from the International Maritime Organization, a specialised agency of the United Nations, of which the UK is a leading member and sets the standards for global shipping. 

Worldwide flow of information

It led to the founding of Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) in 1999, creating a standardised, worldwide flow of information provided by signatory nations. Many now have their own version of the Shipping Forecast for their sea areas, all transmitted in English. 

SOLAS requires at least two forecasts to be broadcast daily. In the UK, the Met Office produces one every six hours. 

So, although the UK’s Shipping Forecast is not unique, its place in British culture, thanks to its fond adoption by the BBC, is very special. 

Rewind 101 years and Weather Shipping was broadcast over a telegraphic messaging system first developed in 1861 by Vice-Admiral Robert FitzRoy to issue weather warnings to ships. 

Vice-Admiral FitzRoy’s work was motivated by the sinking of the steam clipper Royal Charter, with the loss of over 450 lives, in a violent storm off the coast of Anglesey on 26 October 1859. 

Heartwarming evidence that the UK remains a truly maritime country

Today, the maintenance and future development of this safety critical activity is overseen by Matt Sheldon. He works at the MCA as the UK MSI Lead and regularly liaises with the Met Office and the BBC. 

Matt said: “The fact that we’re celebrating 100 years of the Shipping Forecast on the BBC is heartwarming evidence that the UK remains a truly maritime country. 

“It is a testament to our continued commitment to providing MSI above and beyond the required standard and an inspirational demonstration of cross government collaboration. 

“The centenary is a wonderful opportunity to highlight how the MCA’s partnership work gives seafarers the knowledge they need to make good decisions, stay safe at sea, and save lives.” 

JANUARY

• The year started with the familiar coastguard uniform spotted on SOS Extreme Rescues. The dramatic documentary series is based in the stunning and wild landscape of Eryri, more commonly known as Snowdonia, capturing emergency services response to dangerous call outs and those in urgent need.

Look out for HM Coastguard in new Snowdonia rescue series

• The National Water Safety Forum, of which HM Coastguard is a member, launched a powerful film about the dangers of open water. The film centres around Robbie Jones, telling the story of losing his dad to the sea in January 2021. 

Safety advocate Robbie shares story of losing his father to the sea

FEBRUARY

• Coastguard Rescue Teams in the Western Isles were celebrated by Police Scotland with a Bravery and Conduct Award, for their “brave, decisive and courageous actions” within the community.

Coastguard teams recognised with bravery and conduct award

• HM Coastguard joined forces with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service for mud rescue training – helping equip local firefighters with the skills and resources they need to, like coastguards, be able to travel up to 400 metres away from solid ground.

‘Huge step forward’ for multi-agency mud rescues

MARCH

• With Easter holidays around the corner HM Coastguard reminded walkers to stick to coastal paths and follow safety signage, after two dog walkers ended up stuck in mud on the Isle of Wight. 

Stay safe this Easter - Coastguard deals with two mud rescues in same spot

• To mark International Women’s Day we spoke to the Deputy to the Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP), who highlighted the importance of creating a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone.

‘Times have changed’ - Inspiring a generation for both men and women

APRIL 

• Birling Gap, Eastbourne and Newhaven Coastguard Rescue Teams were awarded the Department for Transport Rescue Shield at a special ceremony, for their outstanding dedication and courage responding to multiple and particularly challenging emergencies on steep and dangerous cliffs.

HM Coastguard teams hailed with Department for Transport Rescue Shield

• The hit Channel 5 documentary Coastguard: Search and Rescue SOS returned for another eagerly anticipated run - sharing the real-life stories of people who work for the MCA and the public who found themselves in danger by the coast and at sea.  

Maritime and Coastguard Agency documentary ready to return to TV screens

MAY

• Coastguard rescue officers who played their part in saving two young people swept into a cave on the Cornish coast were presented with an official thank you to mark the one-year anniversary of the extraordinary operation.

Sea cave rescuers honoured on anniversary of ‘inspirational’ operation

• From successful rescue missions to working with their “second family”, members of HM Coastguard, from all over the UK, celebrated their roles and experiences within the maritime industry as part of International Day for Women in Maritime.

Celebrating importance and impact of women in HM Coastguard

JUNE

• A fisher rescued as part of a coastguard response shared his experience to encourage fishers to be prepared and safe at sea, and know what to do in an emergency.

Fisher rescued from water shares key safety tips

JULY

• The ‘Meet Your Coastguard’ series was relaunched, introducing Coastguard Rescue Officers from all across our wonderful coastline. Teams featured (so far!) include Fleetwood, Littlehampton, Seaham, Arnside, Southend-on-Sea, Barry, Port Talbot, Hornsea and Kilkeel. Coastguards have been telling us all about their highlights and challenges during their time with the service.

Meet your Coastguards: Fleetwood Coastguard Rescue Team

• HM Coastguard launched its latest ‘Coast Clever’ summer safety campaign to remind people how to stay safe and avoid the dangers and hazards at the coast. This year’s campaign included a new film with singer and comedian Arthur Hill, who found out that it’s not funny to get cut off by the tide or caught out on cliffs. 

HM Coastguard launches new ‘Coast Clever’ summer safety campaign

AUGUST

• The busiest time of year for HM Coastguard is the summer, with teams called to a vast range of dangerous incidents both in and out of the water. Members of Coastguard Rescue Teams in Newquay and Falmouth shared their top safety tips following an exceptionally busy weekend.

Everyone’s got an adventurous spirit… for many, it’s why they visit the Cornish coast…”

• HM Coastguard responded to a collapsed yacht in the middle of the night leaving three people adrift. They were found with the help of lifesaving safety equipment onboard.

Locator beacons bring rescue to crew of dismasted yacht drifting in the dark

SEPTEMBER

• It was a race against time for Coastguard Rescue Officers stabilising a stricken kitesurfer with serious injuries at Norfolk’s Old Hunstanton Beach following a 20-foot fall. A Senior Coastal Operations Officer shared what happened and essential safety tips. 

A kitesurfer’s 20-foot fall is a race against time and tide for North Norfolk coastguards

• HM Coastguard returned to the Emergency Services Show where staff were ready to eagerly share developments towards the next generation of search and rescue, including zero and low emissions electric vehicles, 'on scene' drones and new Personal Protective Equipment for women.

HM Coastguard showcases drones and electric vehicles at Emergency Services Show

OCTOBER

• To highlight International Control Room Week we spoke to one of HM Coastguard's Senior Aeronautical Operations Officers, shining a spotlight on their team’s role handling aeronautical assets across the UK. A Vessel Traffic Service Officer told us more about what they do to ensure vessels travel safely through the English Channel.

Inside the Control Room: Aeronautical Operations Team

Inside the Control Room: Vessel Traffic Service Officers (VTSOs)

• After around 40 years in the same station, Needles Coastguard Rescue Team on the Isle of Wight secured a new home. The new coastguard station offers a spacious, modern and well-equipped space to prepare for search and rescue missions. 

New Coastguard station is 'great news for both the team and the island'

NOVEMBER

• On Remembrance Sunday representatives from HM Coastguard attended the Cenotaph in London to march, bear witness, and join the national two-minute silence. Coastguards taking part explained the special meaning this day had for them and their families. 

Remembrance Sunday: Why I’m proud to march at the Cenotaph with HM Coastguard

• Winch Paramedic Jason Bibby and Winch Operator Carlton Real, from Newquay-based HM Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter crew, were awarded the 2024 Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy for their outstanding rescue work. The trophy is issued to winchmen and women and winch operators for "meritorious and selfless acts of courage". 

Newquay Rescue Helicopter crew scoop prestigious Billy Deacon Trophy

DECEMBER

• From training to equipment and kit, across November and December the ‘Diary of a Coastguard Rescue Officer’ has been giving its viewers a behind-the-scenes peek at what it’s like to be a coastguard volunteer.

Interested in learning more about what it takes to become a coastguard rescue officer?

• International Volunteer Day pays tribute to the amazing people who give their time to help others. This year we showed our thanks to HM Coastguard through sharing messages of appreciation from members of the public. 

Volunteers are amazing. But don’t take our word for it...

Fortunately, it was not a live ordinance. But the incident demonstrated our teams of volunteer CROs are ready to respond at any time. 

It was just one of dozens of Christmas calls last year to HM Coastguard which every day keeps watch round-the-clock for people in trouble by the coast and at sea.  

Here’s a flavour of some real-life festive 999s... 

07:56:35 

Stockings have barely been opened when Folkestone CRT are sent to a report of concern for four people in the water. The Littlestone RNLI lifeboat joins the search. It’s concluded to be a likely group of early Christmas swimmers with no one found to be in difficulty. 

09:54:42 

Two hours later, on the other side of the country, Newquay CRT are called out to assist South Western Ambulance Service with a man who has slipped on the rocks and twisted his knee at Watergate Bay, Newquay. The CRT assist him back to his vehicle and he is taken to hospital by his wife. 

12:17:37 

While some are preparing to put on the sprouts, Lyme Regis and Beer Head CRTs are on the cliffs above Pinhay Bay, Devon, to recover a dog which has gone over the edge. It is reunited with the owners, safe and uninjured. The RNLI’s Lyme Regis lifeboat supports.  

16:17:48 

It’s a painful Christmas for an unlucky woman who has suffered an ankle injury at Weir Point, Falmouth. As darkness falls, Falmouth CRT and the RNLI’s inshore lifeboat are called out and she is helped to safety and passed into the care of an ambulance crew. 

20:18:20 

At the other end of the country, an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter takes off from its base at Sumburgh, Shetland, to evacuate an injured worker from an offshore installation about 110 nautical miles away. They are picked up, flown to an ambulance waiting on land, and driven to hospital in Aberdeen. 

20:35:29 

There’s a car stuck on the sand at Benone beach, near Coleraine in Northern Ireland. Coleraine CRT gets the call to assist the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service respond. Thankfully, the occupants are already safe when the CRT arrives. 

22:06:33 

Christmas is nearly over but in Wales there’s one last job for Llandudno CRT who are sent to check the report of a suspected torpedo at Deganwy Beach. It’s found, determined to be a stanchion, and reported to local authorities to clear. 

HM Coastguard is ready round-the-clock to respond to calls for help. For an emergency at sea or by the coast, call 999 and ask for Coastguard. 

Happy Christmas! 

Held at Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre, the ceremony saw volunteers and HM Coastguard staff praised for their partnership working and collaborative approach throughout the year. 

Station Officers Jillian Penman and Steven Miller, from Inveraray and Oban teams collected the award, alongside Campbeltown Coastguard Rescue Officer Neil Carey and Senior Coastal Operations Officer Adrian Kay. 

Adrian said: “It's been great to celebrate the end of the year by seeing our coastguards’ work being recognised with this prestigious award. It was a really powerful reminder of why we do what we do.”

HM Coastguard’s Area 17 covers Argyll and the Islands, stretching across the mainland to the Inner Hebrides. The area consists of 16 Coastguard Rescue Teams, with 11 of these based on the islands. 

In such remote areas, collaborative work between emergency services is routine and essential, from missing people to storms, landslides, floods and medical evacuations, often in difficult and challenging weather conditions. 

Adrian added: “We've worked very hard with our partners, particularly over the past few years, to deliver the best service we can for those visiting, working and living across the area- from the mainland towns to our remoter islands like Tiree and Jura.

“When an incident occurs in these locations, it's often a partnership response involving multiple agencies, so it's been very important to forge close links with fellow emergency services. The logistics and resourcing involved in responding to emergencies here can be intensive and protracted.

“Enhancing our response to missing persons searches has found us working more closely with police colleagues, both on the coast and supporting incidents further inland. Improvements in how we provide casualty care have also been recognised by NHS and ambulances services.”

Chief Inspector Lee Page, who nominated the team, said: “His Majesty’s Coastguard is an invaluable partner, supporting many operations in the area, and I have no doubt the contribution of Area 17 has helped save lives. 

“Volunteers regularly assist with missing person investigations, which can be large scale, complex searches, and we rely on their expert knowledge and resources alongside our own.” 

He added: “But it’s not only the contribution to operations which makes them our Partner of the Year. The team has also been proactive in strengthening local partnership working relationships and knowledge sharing. 

“The volunteers go above and beyond to help meet the needs of our rural, isolated communities and deserve recognition for their work.”

Area 17 is currently recruiting for Coastguard Rescue Officers. You can find more information about joining the Coastguard Rescue Service here. 

The MCA is on watch to keep people safe at sea and by the coast around the clock, every day. Emergency at the coast? Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 

Meet the people ready to respond at Christmas. 

Max Hawkins, Team Leader, Milford Haven Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC)  

I’ll be working with my team from 6.30pm on Christmas Day, taking emergency calls and coordinating the response to incidents. The day shift will go home to see their families and we will pick up, just like any other day.  

I have a very understanding other-half; she knows it comes with the job. 

But for those with families it can be difficult and, if possible, we'll try and see that those with children get the chance to spend time with them while they’re still young enough to enjoy the Christmas magic.  

I’m fortunate that I’ve never had to manage a complex incident over Christmas. One year I did take a distress call from a cargo ship with what initially seemed a serious incident onboard.

We have to be available to help, no matter what time of year

But thankfully no one was hurt and the vessel made it safely to port without requiring assistance from us. A good reminder that commercial shipping does not stop over Christmas. 

You do have people going out for a walk on the coast for Christmas or Boxing Day, and they can slip and injure themselves or get caught out by the tide.  We have to be available to help, no matter what time of year. 

Paul Tunstall, Counter Pollution and Salvage Officer (Scottish Islands and Northern Ireland)  

Funnily enough, I don’t mind being Duty Counter Pollution and Salvage Officer over Christmas – there’s a variety of calls that can come in, although it’s usually quieter as people take time off over the holidays.  

I’ll join the morning HM Coastguard conference calls from home and keep my phone close by in case there’s an incident. It might be a vessel breaking down or sinking, a substance reported on a beach or something totally unexpected. 

It’s not always quiet; some major incidents have unfolded through Christmas Day. In 2011 the MCA was part of the multi-day response that safely removed a cargo of vacuum gas oil from a damaged vessel at Belfast Lough. 

It’s not always quiet; some major incidents have unfolded through Christmas Day

If a call does come in, my job is to assess the risk and coordinate the response to incidents, liaising with organisations to ensure prompt and appropriate action to protect the public and the environment.  

I also manage the operational deployment of the Ievoli Black, HM Coastguard’s Emergency Towing Vessel, based in Scotland. The on-duty crew will be on board for Christmas, away from their families. 

They’ll celebrate together with a dinner but will be ready to respond if required. We hope the call won’t come. 

Shane Neill, SEO Surveyor – Naval Architect, Belfast Marine Office 

Working over the Christmas holiday period is not ideal for me with a very young family at home. However, being part of the MCA team here in Belfast, everyone plays their part when their time comes, and this year is my turn.  

By doing so, as a team, we fulfil a vital role in ensuring the safety and compliance of vessels, both domestic and international, even through winter conditions which normally deteriorate around this time of year and during a time when many might assume that operations have slowed down. 

Port state control inspections are essential for maintaining high standards of maritime safety. Vessel movements are monitored throughout each day, and depending on a particular vessel profile, or some unforeseen circumstances, some vessels will be required to be inspected.  

Everyone plays their part when their time comes

Inspections assess whether the vessels entering our local waters adhere to international conventions such as SOLAS and MARPOL, and local regulations, which means inspecting everything from safety equipment to hull integrity and machinery.  

Despite it being the holiday season, my other colleagues on duty throughout the rest of the United Kingdom remain dedicated, and if inspection/survey is required, it is reassuring to know that they are there on hand to help if advice is required. 

Our work is key to minimising risks and ensuring that maritime activities continue safely through the holidays and winter months ahead. 

Claire Hall, Station Officer, Lowestoft Coastguard Rescue Team 

It can be difficult when families are together, unwrapping presents, having their Christmas dinners when we might be called out to a shout. 

We’re here on standby as there are always risks when people are on holiday, while out walking or enjoying our coastline. 

From tidal cutoffs to dogs stuck in the river and Christmas Day swimmers in difficulty, we see a variety of incidents over the festive season. 

People should be very careful walking in coastal areas or visiting beaches that are unfamiliar and should always check the tide times. 

At this time of year, storms move in and erode cliffs, potentially making them unsafe, while weather conditions can deteriorate rapidly.   

We’re here on standby as there are always risks

On Christmas Day, I really, really enjoy watching my grandchildren open their presents. 

For me, cooking Christmas dinner for guests is truly nerve-wracking so when I’m responding to Christmas Day callouts, I’ll happily hand over the reins!  

You just really try to enjoy Christmas as much as you can. The pager might never go off but, if it does, it’s for something very worthwhile. 

Emergency at the coast? Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 

“I was visiting our cliff rescue training area when a group of young people alerted me to a suspicious object down by the shore,” says Paul Holdsworth, Station Officer for Croyde Coastguard Rescue Team. 

Paul rushed back to his coastguard station nearby to retrieve torches, equipment and the team’s Coastguard Rescue Vehicle. He called Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) to advise them of the situation and hailed his Deputy Station Officer. 

“It’s entirely possible that a suspicious object could just be a rusty old tin can, but we need to be certain. We'd much rather be called for absolutely nothing! Heading to the scene with our Deputy Station Officer, it became clear that what had been found was a handheld flare.  

“We marked the area, spoke to the local landowner, and called out the Coastguard Rescue Team. Members of our team are Time Expired Pyrotechnics (TEP) trained, so we were able to recover the item safely.” 

Flares contain explosives, and once they pass their expiry date, the owner is responsible for their safe disposal. It is illegal to dispose of flares at sea, at land or by discharge in anything other than an emergency. You can visit the Green Blue website to find the nearest disposal centre.  

“In the wrong hands, they could be deadly. These young people did exactly the right thing: they stepped away from the flare, warned others, and called for help,” says Paul. 

“As a team, we’re very visible in our local community, and we’d like to think that this helps us with members of the public who know who we are, what we do, and aren’t afraid to come to us for help.” 

Just a month or so earlier, the team were called to a suspected hand grenade where again, children had made the discovery on a beach and dialled 999. As a serving member of the armed forces, Paul knew exactly what he was looking at, and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was called. 

Discarded WW2 munitions can become more dangerous, as they are more sensitive to movement and impacts as they deteriorate over time.  

Paul says: “The last thing that anyone wants is for items like these to be removed from the coastline.  

“Even if they’re in poor condition and have been submerged for a long period of time, explosive items can be very dangerous. Our advice is to leave any suspicious items well alone. Stand clear of the area and call 999.” 

The seven people had been exploring waters west of Fishguard, near Strumble Head, on 30 November. But a shift in conditions forced them away from the open water to seek shelter by land. 

There they became trapped between cliffs on one side and the gathering waves and wind on the other. 

In such an isolated spot mobile reception was poor. But the group had a Plan B up their sleeves to summon help: three Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs). 

The kit can be a lifesaver. Manually activated and worn on the body, it broadcasts the user’s location to HM Coastguard. For those who have registered their PLB with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the contact details and watercraft identity can also be checked. 

The first of the kayakers’ three PLB alerts was received at about 3.30pm by HM Coastguard’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre at Milford Haven, where Team Leader Max Hawkins oversaw the response. 

Max’s tips for watercraft safety  

• Carry a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch 
• Wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) and suitable clothing 
• Check the weather forecast and tide times  
• Paddle in a group so you can look after each other 
• Tell someone where you’re going and when you’re likely to be back. 
• If you get into difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 

Fishguard and St Davids RNLI all-weather lifeboats were immediately sent to the area, and the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter took off from St Athan. 

On land, Coastguard Rescue Teams were on their way from Fishguard, St Davids and Dale. A Mayday broadcast was issued requesting nearby vessels to help.  

With rescue approaching, a 999 call from a kayaker finally made it through to Milford Haven MRCC giving more details and their precise location, near the bay of Pwll Deri.  

The group was spotted by the helicopter and soon an RNLI vessel was in view, heading their way. 

By about 4.30pm – just an hour after the first PLB was triggered – the group was recovered safe and well onto the lifeboat from Fishguard.  

They were brought back to the harbour and welcomed onto dry land by Coastguard Rescue Officers who checked their welfare. 

The group was praised for their preparation by Max Hawkins, Team Leader at Milford Haven MRCC. 

Max said: “The PLB activations were key in this incident. Not only was the mobile signal in the area very poor but the kayakers were still on the sea so their ability to use their phones was hampered. 

“Despite the challenges, however, within an hour they were safely on board a lifeboat, thanks in large part to their PLBs.  

“The kayakers did really well – they were prepared, had their safety kit, and called for help when they needed it. It goes to show how the right equipment can get you out of a tricky situation.” 

PLBs broadcast a location on the same 406MHz frequency as bigger EPIRBs but are designed to be worn on the body, rather than on a vessel or liferaft.  

For more safety tips, visit hmcoastguard.uk/sea   

For the MCA, the date is an occasion to pay tribute to people working across the maritime sector to improve seafarer safety – from those working in HM Coastguard Operations and Search and Rescue, to ship surveyors, Coastguard Rescue Officers and enforcement teams.

MCA Chief Executive Virginia McVea said: “National Workplace Day of Remembrance memorialises those who’ve tragically lost their lives during employment, or while at work. 

“The date also highlights the importance of work taking place across the country to improve safety. There are many roles across our industry that specifically focus on and tackle maritime risks and dangers, but it’s a job for all of us. 

“Through being strong supporters and advocates for safer working practices, clear advice, guidance and messaging, and where necessary, strict enforcement, we can all play a role in shaping safety policy and minimising danger.”

On National Workplace Day of Remembrance, the public is invited to observe a minute’s silence at midday to honour those who have lost their lives at work.

The Clinical Governance Team deliver, maintain and update the Coastguard Emergency Responder Casualty Care course, or ‘CERCC’. CERCC is delivered by around 75 instructors across the United Kingdom, who then train circa 3000 volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers. 

Through a newly implemented annual revalidation process, the Clinical Governance Team has been provided with increased face-to-face engagement, offering a greater insight and opportunity to reinforce what standardised good practice looks like. 

The team can now evaluate and understand, in real time, the challenges of operational delivery of care and rapidly support changes in national pre-hospital care practice and innovations.  Key to this are planned quality control visits from members of the Clinical Governance Team, to assure and support the quality of care being delivered. 

“Through annual revalidation, we have the opportunity to gain more feedback than ever before,” says Paul Browne, HM Coastguard’s Clinical Governance Lead.

“As an experienced healthcare professional, our Clinical Tactical Lead engages with stakeholders to form a crucial link by attending skills and drill sessions and exercises across the UK. 

They’ll really delve into the feedback provided, engaging with all, from our CROs to the Chief Officers Group, to improve our CERCC training and service.”

“They’ll also have clinical input into all sorts of different things, from the Coastguard Rescue Service, to Search and Rescue, Maritime Operations and to some extent Aeronautical Operations.”

The Clinical Governance Team is also responsible for work to draft, develop and provide quality assurance across all content supporting casualty care. For example, HM Coastguard’s Casualty Care Check Card resource of flash cards, used by coastguards to rapidly assign appropriate care strategies to casualties ‘on the ground’. 

Paul adds: “Traditionally, HM Coastguard only delivered basic “carpet” first aid, before we set up formal clinical governance and appointed a Medical Director. 

“Since these advancements, our quality of training has improved considerably, with notable developments, such as the introduction of Patient Report Forms, which are reviewed by our working group and Clinical Tactical Lead.”

The newly created Clinical Tactical Lead role will offer a higher level of clinical advice and oversight, working with HM Coastguard’s Medical Director Dr Paddy Morgan.

Dr Morgan says: “HMCG Clinical Governance supports all areas of HMCG business delivery from the coast to the co-ordination centres and maritime environments. 

“The aim is to ensure the highest level of care is consistently delivered to our casualties in the remote and austere situations they find themselves in, irrespective of where that is in the UK, whilst ensuring the wellbeing of our people responding.”

“The Clinical Tactical Lead is a key role in the clinical governance system, ensuring there is consistent, high quality, and up to date standards of Casualty Care delivered by HMCG responders.”

The Medical Director has direct input into several processes and implementations across the service and wider UKSAR partners, from UK Second-Generation Search and Rescue Aviation programme (UKSAR2G) to resuscitation, submerged casualty procedures, clinical risk management, and interaction with external partners. 

The Clinical Governance Team also oversees and reviews the performance of the Telemedical Assistance Service, which provides HM Coastguard with specialist medical advice for vessels at sea and support for offshore incidents requiring clinical direction and/or prioritisation of medical evacuation. 

Integral to the development of clinical governance for operational delivery of casualty care by the Coastal Rescue Service has been the benchmarking of CERCC to level D on the Faculty of Pre-hospital care’s Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine (PHEM) framework, says Naomi Davies, UKSAR Liaison and Clinical Governance Manager.

“There's great work going on through the UKSAR Medical Working Group to look at how we're benchmarking our UK search and rescue standards against pre-hospital emergency medicine framework (PHEM) and looking at how we line up It's recognised across the health sector and helps to better professionalise our work, alongside other emergency services.”

“Every time you look at something, there is usually a clinical component to it. For example, when you're undertaking rescue, our personnel need to make sure that that casualty pathway is delivered effectively. 

Naomi adds: “From procedure to the post-incident, from the ‘what do we do’ to the ‘how did it go’ at every level, there is usually clinical involvement, and we engage very well at the strategic level with the other departments, including standards, training, resources and equipment.”

Forming 300-plus Coastguard Rescue Teams, they are based all around the UK coastline, from Scilly to Shetland, Ballycastle to Berwick, and Cardigan to Clacton. 

They are trained in search and rescue techniques in a variety of environments: cliffs, mud, tidal and shallow waters. 

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

They can also deliver casualty care, support helicopter landing sites and assist other agencies. They will even check the shoreline for stranded whales or reports of pollution. 

We think our volunteers are amazing.  

But don’t take our word for it. Read the thoughts of people who saw them in action. 

Julie  

I was walking the coast path at Abbotsbury when I fell getting over a stile and injured my knee which caused me great pain and was subsequently found to be fractured.  

My husband called the emergency services. As I was located in an inaccessible area I was rescued initially by the Coastguards from Wyke Regis.  

I want to thank Duncan and his team (some came also from West Bay) for their dedication and professionalism. I am so grateful for their help and want them to know how very grateful I am.  

They helped move me from the field along a narrow track to a waiting ambulance where I was treated for my injury and then on to hospital for X-ray.  

The kindness and care was outstanding and I have the utmost respect for these marvellous people.  

Nigel Clarke  

I had to call the Coastguard out at Lyme Regis for a Canadian elderly woman who had collapsed near the beach at Lyme Regis. 

The Coastguard arrived and provided an excellent service and I would like to send my thanks for responding so quickly and efficiently. 

David and Elizabeth Baines  

I cannot commend highly enough the two Coastguard teams who were nothing but spectacular, professional, empathetic and always positive. 

We would like to be able to make sure that others appreciate the support that you provide for the community and how you respond with positivity even when some teams turned up having travelled from Barmouth to support us. 

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 

Darren Roddis  

Just want to express my gratitude and respect to your brilliant work and rapid response time after calling about the lad that was in the river tonight. Unbelievable how soon you got to the lad and how professionally the situation was dealt with. 

I have nothing but admiration for the service. Well done to all of you. Hope the lad is ok and in a better place. 

• If you want to enroll as a volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officer, you can find out more here: https://hmcoastguard.uk/volunteer-as-a-coastguard 

Philippa (62) and David O’Brien (71), visiting from Andover, had done nearly everything right before heading out: checked the tides were safe, put on hiking boots and downloaded a digital map.  

But not long after setting out at about 10.30am on 7 November, the terrain became unexpectedly difficult and Philippa, recovering from a broken ankle, started to worry how much further she could go. 

“The pebbles became big rocks, and the rocks became boulders,” she said. “I was starting to tire and my ankle was weakening. There was no way we could walk the two miles back on that surface or reach Seaton.” 

Seeking relief on the less arduous coastal footpath at the top of the cliffs above Charton Bay, Philippa and David ascended into a warren of routes hemmed in by woodland and brambles.  

Tips to stay safe by the shore: 

• Give yourself extra time to reach your destination 
• Carry some food and water 
• Check the tides to ensure you don’t get cut off 
• In trouble by the coast? Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard 

With the help of the map on David’s phone, after about an hour they found the main path – only to discover their escape was blocked in both directions by landslips. All the other routes led back to the beach. 

Philippa’s anxiety grew further when her phone battery died, mobile reception disappeared, and the midafternoon daylight started to fade and the temperature fell.  

“At that point, I said, ‘Enough. We’re going to need help’,” recalled Philippa. “I knew if it was 3.30pm, it would take us a few hours to retrace our steps. I did not fancy going over those boulders in the dark.” 

David knew that a 999 call can sometimes still be made even if the phone doesn't have coverage from its network provider. An outgoing 999 call will still connect if there is another network with coverage in the location.

He got through and, using a geolocation app, passed on their position to the emergency call-handler. 

“They told us, ‘Stay where you are. Help will come’,” said Philippa.  

And it did. HM Coastguard picked up the incident and dispatched Coastguard Rescue Teams from Lyme Regis and Beer, as well as the RNLI’s inshore lifeboat from Lyme Regis. It located the couple by about 4.40pm, spotting them by the torch on David’s phone. 

“Oh, the relief!” said Philippa. “I did not cry but I wanted to. I knew that once someone said they knew where we were, eventually we would be picked up.” 

With support from the crew, they waded out to the lifeboat which ferried them back to Lyme Regis where Coastguard Rescue Officers were waiting to make sure they were safe and well. 

Philippa said: “I just think the whole operation was amazing. The Coastguard and the RNLI both came out and even the call handler was great. I’d like to thank them all.” 

Main Picture: David and Philippa O'Brien

• What sort of incidents count as ‘pollution’? 

The CPS Team defines “pollution” for its work as “any substance that could be damaging to the marine environment”. 

That includes lumps of wax washed onto a beach; plastics, timber or other substances lost from shipping containers or lost overboard from a vessel; or an oil tanker running onto rocks.   

Sometimes pollution reports come to the CPS Team from a witness or the polluter themselves, normally via an HM Coastguard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre. Other times they are reported to another agency which then shares the information. 

• Whose job is it to respond to maritime pollution? 

The UK is responsible for overseeing counter-pollution within its Exclusive Economic Zone which reaches up to 200 nautical miles from land. HM Coastguard should be the first call for the public reporting incidents by the coast.   

If there’s a big incident at sea where the UK has a duty to react, the CPS Team are available 24/7. They will be at the frontline and will lead the response to in order to control and minimise the impacts of any pollution.  

Which organisation takes the lead in other situations depends on exactly where it has happened and how. Public agencies will often work together to respond but, no matter who has primary responsibility, HM Coastguard is always ready to act, monitor and support.  

• So, who else might deal with a maritime pollution incident? 

A local port or harbour authority will have a duty to respond within areas they control. They usually have their own counter pollution equipment to deploy, sometimes with the help of an oil spill response contractor with the right expertise and additional equipment. 

Commercial companies have a legal obligation to act if they cause pollution, with their responses closely scrutinised by the CPS Team and monitored by HM Coastguard. 

In situations where the pollution is coming from the land onto the coast or sea, it might be an Environmental Regulator such as through the Environment Agency; the Scottish Environment Protection Agency; Natural Resources Wales; or the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. 

Local councils might also get involved when the incident is on their land, such as pollution that has reached the shoreline. 

HM Coastguard will always log, monitor or react to reports of maritime pollution. The CPS Team will swing into full-scale action when there is a serious risk of pollution at sea, and where a rapid response is required.   

• An incident has been called in. What happens next? 

Imagine a vessel has grounded on rocks off the coast and its crew safely evacuated. But now oil has been spotted in the sea close to a nearby beach. A Coastguard Rescue Team would likely first be sent to the scene to report back. 

If the location or source of pollution meant it was for another organisation to respond, they would be informed with an offer of advice and support from HM Coastguard and the CPS Team. 

Further data could be obtained from images provided by orbiting satellites; by manned reconnaissance aircraft and drones sent up to check the area; or vessels sent to assess how it looks from the water. 

Where the pollution is too great for the vessel crew or owner to handle, then it will be for the CPS Team to ensure that a response is mounted, sufficient to remove the threat to the public and the environment. 

Other specialist agencies such as nature conservation bodies and fishery regulators can be called upon to assist and provide additional information to understand what impact the pollution may have on public health and the environment. They will also advise on any impacts the response itself may have to help guide the best approach. 

• How does HM Coastguard and the CPS Team react when there’s pollution? 

The first step would be to find out the source of the pollution. In the imagined scenario of a grounded vessel leaking pollution into the sea, that would be quickly apparent.  

Key questions would be: What’s been spilled? Where will it go? What will it hit? What damage will it cause? Some of these questions can be answered by using computer models. 

The most important next goal is to stop the pollution spreading and reaching land where it can cause further damage to public health, the environment, communities and economy.  

To achieve this containment and begin the recovery phase, the CPS Team has a whole toolkit at its disposal: 

• Booms: These are inflatable tubes hundreds of metres in length that come in a variety of sizes to suit the type of pollution and conditions. They are laid on the surface of the water to stop pollution spreading, and to make recovery of the oil possible. They may be fixed in position or towed by vessels. Some can be made of an absorbent material to soak up substances like diesel oil. Booms can be used on the shoreline to assist with recovery of oil or to protect areas by preventing oil from impacting the land. The efficiency of booming is constrained by the sea state; as it gets rougher, their efficiency rapidly decreases. 
• Recovery: Recovery is achieved by using specialised mechanical devices called skimmers. As with booming, skimmers come in all different shapes, sizes and capabilities.  They are designed to float on the sea surface and pump contained oil into waste storage units. As with booming, a rougher sea state diminishes the efficiency of the skimmers.  
• Containment and recovery systems: Combined containment and recovery systems provide a more integrated capability, with boom and skimmer operating as a single unit.  They come in different sizes and capabilities and can be matched to the operational environment. In general, they are more flexible in their uses and can cover shallow to deep offshore waters. All are towed by vessels. 
• Chemical dispersion: One way to speed up the process of oil breaking up is to spray specially formulated dispersant from modified aircraft or boats. The effect is similar to the effect of washing up liquid on grease: it helps break-down the oil into very small particles which, over time, become more and more diluted, and eventually are eaten by bacteria. These chemical solutions are designed not to cause more harm to the environment than the oil would on its own if left untreated at sea. There are strict rules around the use of these chemicals which responders, including the CPS Team, must follow. 
• Degradation: In smaller quantities, some oils are light enough to be significantly broken up through the technique of driving a boat through them, or by other means, to mix up the surface layer of the sea, scattering the oil into smaller drops away from the sea surface. The aim is to speed up the natural action of the waves, wind and tide. Equally, lighter oils will be quicker to degrade through evaporation and wave action. 

• Why can’t you just scoop pollution out of the water? 

Sometimes pollution can be collected using the types of tools described above. But that’s usually when the amounts are easily contained and readily recoverable. 

Serious incidents might involve thousands of tonnes of thick oil. That happened in 1996 when, in the last major spill in UK waters, the Sea Empress tanker ran aground at Milford Haven, Wales. 

It released 72,000 tonnes of crude oil cargo and 480 tonnes of fuel oil (that would have the equivalent volume of 29 Olympic swimming pools full of oil), which required the whole toolkit to be deployed.  

About half of this spilled oil was chemically dispersed; another large portion naturally degraded; and about 3% was recovered at sea. Less than 7% (about 5,000 tonnes) came ashore – but it had a significant impact on the Welsh coastline involving hundreds of responders working for months to clean up the beaches over a 125-mile stretch of coast. 

It’s just one of the reasons why maintaining the safety and seaworthiness of vessels is so important.  

• Is a rainbow sheen on the water always a sign of serious pollution? 

Preventing damage to the environment and communities is the priority of HM Coastguard’s CPS Team. But appearances, like those of a rainbow sheen on the water, can sometimes make incidents look worse than they are. 

A relatively minor leak of 300 litres of commonly used diesel oil, for example – enough to fill a 4ft children’s paddling pool – can spread over an area of more than a square kilometre (equivalent to 150 football pitches) in a layer as thin as a human red blood cell: 0.0003mm. 

Being lighter than water, diesel oil does not sink but instead remains on the surface to break up and evaporate – usually within days or sometimes in hours. Windy conditions speed up the process. 

This scenario is not good for wildlife and surface habitats but, depending on the surroundings’ sensitivity, would be unlikely to cause long-term or significant harm. 

• Who’s who in HM Coastguard’s Counter Pollution and Salvage (CPS) Team? 

On standby round the clock, the CPS Team contains specialist officers who analyse the incident alongside environmental experts, assess the response required, ensure the deployment of the right resources, and manage the overall response.  

When a large-scale response is required, the team calls on its dedicated pollution response stockpile and response contractor. Stockpiles of equipment and dispersant are located at sites around the UK ready to respond with a wide variety of capability which can be brought to a forward deployment site anywhere on the UK mainland within 15 hours. 

• Can pollution be stopped from happening in the first place? 

HM Coastguard and its CPS Team are part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) which has hundreds of people who work every day on keeping the waters around the UK safe.  

HM Coastguard keeps a 24-hour watch, monitoring shipping traffic in order to avoid dangerous situations and can, where necessary, assist vessels that might be in trouble. They can send out support vessels when needed and may use the UK’s Emergency Towing Vessel, the Ievoli Black, based in the north of Scotland. By catching problems early, escalation can often be avoided and the risk of a pollution problem reduced. 

MCA surveyors up and down the UK regularly check an array of vessels – from water taxis to oil tankers – to ensure they are in the proper condition to sail safely and cleanly. 

The MCA’s Regulatory Compliance Investigations Team has the power to enforce safety laws by prosecuting significant breaches of the Merchant Shipping Act. 

Policymakers are always updating the regulations to help vessel owners keep up with safety requirements for new technologies, risks and conditions. 

UK Government representatives are influential at the International Maritime Organization, based in London, which agrees global conventions of the seas, including the issue of pollution. 

• What can be done when a vessel gets into serious trouble? 

Where significant incidents involving ships or oil and gas infrastructure occur, it is likely that the Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Intervention and Salvage (known as SOSREP) will be informed.  

The SOSREP will maintain oversight of what is being done to resolve any problems on the vessel, platform or pipeline in order to reduce the situation worsening, which includes the potential risk of pollution.  

The SOSREP has the powers to make independent strategic decisions acting in the overriding public interest.  He will work closely with the CPS Team and other involved public agencies when an emergency incident occurs that involves pollution, the risk of pollution and where the expertise of a salvor is needed. 

“Chemical, biological, explosive… collapsed buildings, urban search and firefighting…I always wanted to be the guy that could do it when no one else could. When a role came up to become Search and Rescue crew, it just seemed a brilliant fit.”

Speaking about the HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter team, Abi says: “Our team is like a family, you know, we live together for 24 hours at a time and work together. We couldn’t do what we do without our Winch Op being a ninja at their job, and without the incredible skills of our Pilots, we’d not even be airborne. 

“Meanwhile, our engineers can take the whole aircraft apart and put it back together again. It's bonkers! I feel like we have the easiest job as winchmen, but it’s probably also the most dangerous. It can be scary, and it keeps me awake at night sometimes.”

It was a trial by fire that cemented Abi’s role in the team, when a crucial rescue just three months into the job saw her win the Billy Deacon Award for the courageous rescue of a stricken vessel’s crew, stuck on rocks and engulfed in waves near Salcombe Harbour in August 2021. 

“I’d already been to a few rescues on fishing boats in big seas by that point and they’d absolutely knocked me sick! For this incident, the yacht was on rocks, so I remember thinking that at least I wouldn’t be seasick. Little did I know...”

At considerable risk to herself, Abi winched aboard the violently rolling yacht, helping the two crewmen to safety despite looming cliffs and the dangers of her winch wire becoming tangled in rigging.

Abi’s often asked whether she feels a sense of terror or fear about the incidents she attends, and the answer is simple: she does. She says she just doesn’t have time to let it affect her work. 

What’s it really like to be ‘on base’, sometimes being woken by blaring alarms at all hours of the day and night? Rescue helicopter crews are on 45-minute notice to be airborne and it's the earliest hours of the morning that hit hardest. 

“You're in your deepest sleep and then at 3am, the alarms go off and within 20 minutes you could be in the air. It could be raining, storming, dark, and you could be winching down to an oil tanker or a casualty on cliffs. 

“You’ve got to be thinking straight and keeping yourself, your crew and your patient safe at the same time.”

But thankfully, Search and Rescue crews are adept – it's highly skilled work that becomes second nature, almost muscle memory. “Boom, boom, boom, do all that and then actually think about it later on”, as Abi says. 

“At the briefing I’ve found out what the job is and I’m thinking about the patient’s condition, what I'm going to need kit-wise, how I'm going to get there, how I'm going to get the patient off, what I'm going to take with me, what can stay on the aircraft and what I can use later, and finally, what hospital we might use and what critical care they can offer.”

There’s something inherent to the human condition that helps a casualty cling to hope of rescue, and Abi's seen it first-hand. But with the sight of a Rescue Helicopter that endurance quickly begins to fade. 

“I saw it during the Salcombe rescue. Once I’d arrived, I really had to keep up the adrenaline and the sense that danger doesn’t just end when I arrive – I'd just jumped into it. They needed to keep going until we were all safe.”

The risks for crews are considerable, and even with state-of-the-art technology, equipment and training, it’s something that’s always on the Winch Paramedic’s mind as they descend into the unknown. 

“If the wire snaps there’s a secondary aboard, but if the helicopter has to leave without me I could be left at sea for hours. I’m very aware that I could end up being the one being rescued!”

For Abi, Billy’s legacy sits alongside the courageous acts of winchmen past and present: an unseen force or feeling that digs deep. 

“When we begin our training at HQ in Aberdeen, we sit in the Billy Deacon Briefing Room, and we talk about Billy’s loss. It’s so important that we remember him and what he did for others – he's a hero. 

“I do think about the risks and bizarrely I’m quite OK with it: I know that I’m fully living by doing something useful. I’m so lucky to be helping people every day. 

Speaking about the Awards ceremony at the House of Commons in 2022, Abi recalls: “I really felt like a celebrity for a day. I'll never forget it! It was once in a lifetime. The most incredible thing was meeting Billy's son and family.

“There’s something about joining such a special group of award winners. It just feels a bit like ‘coming home’; you can talk about what happened here or there, how a job went, or what you felt at the time. It’s something that you can’t possibly get at home or speaking with your family – they just haven’t experienced it. 

“At the awards, it was said that we’d remember the day forever, not for the job we won it for, but for the jobs that will be done in the future. I’ve held that in my mind and I really get it.”

But it’s the incidents that are so very avoidable that alarm Abi the most, such as when beachgoers unwittingly become casualties as the tide rapidly comes in around them, or when paddleboarders find themselves drifting to sea. 

“Paddleboarding looks dreamy, and it absolutely is! But what happens if your paddleboard deflates. Where’s your lifejacket? Or your mobile phone? It’s basic water safety, but it saves lives," says Abi, who's a watersports enthusiast. 

“I attended a rescue where a sea swimmer had been wearing bright colours with a bright pink float. She raised the alarm, and when we arrived on scene it was really easy to see her, but it could have been very different. Do whatever it takes and do whatever is most effective to be safe at the coast.”

Looking to the future of SAR crews, Abi turns to how more women can come towards the service, and how that change can be fully embraced without compromise. “Women who are right for this job don’t need to be told that, you know. They know they can do it. 

 If you have a dream, you just have to work hard. You have to figure out what you need to do to be a good candidate to achieve the dream and just go for it. And it doesn't matter if you're female or male, that goes across the board. If you're good enough to do the job, it doesn't matter.”

On the evening of 22 May 2023, R924 was tasked to reports of two casualties cut off by tide and swept into a cave at Bassetts Cove near Portreath in North Cornwall. Arriving on scene in just six minutes, the team were met by a challenging situation.

 Coastguard Rescue Officers had thrown a lifejacket and line into the surf, but powerful swells made access to the cave impossible. Despite attempting to pull themselves free from the white-water with the line, the casualty lost his grip and was left struggling in the swell.

Seeing the situation escalate, R924’s crew swung into action. Winch Paramedic Carlton Real was lowered towards the casualty, while the nearby cliffs, thrashing surf and poor weather conditions made winching a difficult ordeal. 

Carlton was repeatedly engulfed by the waves and submerged in the surf but managed to grip the casualty and pull them further out of the cave. Amid pounding waves Carlton’s grip was soon broken but thankfully the casualty was grabbed by coastguards and pulled to safety on rocks nearby.

 Upon returning to the aircraft, exhausted Carlton was provided with oxygen. As he tried to regain his breathing, reports came in that the casualty was deteriorating rapidly. Carlton immediately volunteered to be lowered down so that the person flown to hospital for emergency care.

 Despite his own condition, Carlton carried out a textbook winch transfer and soon both he and his casualty were en-route to hospital. Meanwhile, the crew of Rescue 924 were replaced at the scene by another coastguard helicopter and a four-hour long operation, the remaining casualty was rescued from the cave.

 The Billy Deacon Search and Rescue Award Trophy is issued to winchmen and women and winch operators in the UK and Ireland’s Search and Rescue region (SRR) for ‘meritorious and selfless acts of courage’. 

Winchman Billy Deacon tragically lost his life while rescuing the crew of cargo ship ‘Green Lily’, which foundered off Shetland in 1997.

 Alongside fellow crew members Captain Jörg Brunner and Captain Debdash Bhattacharya, Carlton and Jason received the award from Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence during the Air League’s Annual Reception Ceremony, held at the House of Commons on Tuesday 19 November.

 Interim Chief Coastguard Pat O'Callaghan said: “Through Billy’s tragic loss, we remember the sacrifices made by those working in Search and Rescue to keep our seas and coastline safe. Billy died saving lives, and through their winning of the award, Carlton and Jason join an esteemed group of professionals recognised for such important work.

 He added: We congratulate them both for their outstanding rescue, and we thank them for their continued commitment to saving lives.”

 Award Committee Chair George Rawlinson MBE said: “Carlton did an amazing job, risking his own life to save a distressed casualty in a turbulent and ferocious sea. Jason, while operating the helicopter winch, displayed great skill, which directly contributed to a successful outcome.”

“You’ve got to wait until exactly the right moment: when you’re at deck edge and you’re ready with a signal from the aircraft. Hook on and winch clear," he says. It’s a tactic well-practised by winchmen keen to avoid being pulled across stricken vessel decks.

But in the years since Stephen’s award-winning rescues a lot has changed; most notably in communications technology. “When I started in Search and Rescue (SAR), there was no electronic communication between aircraft and winchmen. 

“We had hand signals and taps on the wire! On the back end of a trawler bobbing up and down up to 100ft, those signals mean absolutely everything.”

Stephen is uniquely placed to comment on every single role aboard a rescue helicopter – he’s done them all. First as a Rescue Diver, then as Advanced Resus Winchman, Winch Operator, and finally as a Rescue Helicopter Pilot. 

On 31 March 2001, Stephen was winchman aboard “Mike Uniform”, HM Coastguard’s Stornoway-based Rescue Helicopter, when disaster struck aboard Fishing Vessel Amadeus. 

Battered by 50-knot winds, the helicopter crew rushed to the aid of the vessel’s seriously injured seaman, effecting a daring rescue and lowering Shiner onto the ship’s deck. 

Suddenly, stormy seas and swell plunged the aircraft downwards, throwing Stephen down a well deck. Without time to detach from his hook and line, the winchman was slung violently against the ship’s sides, causing serious injuries to his legs, chest and head. 

Despite drifting in and out of consciousness, Stephen’s instincts took control to cloak the agony, disconnect his winch line and stumble to the ship’s bridge. With a cracked helmet, broken foot and bruised ribs, he located the casualty and tended to the fallen sailor’s dislocated shoulder, putting him in the helicopter’s double-lift harness.

Returning to Stornoway, the extent of Shiner’s injuries soon became clear. He was taken to hospital, where he ended up being cared for longer than his casualty. But around six weeks later, he was back at the winch wire.  

Recounting the steely determination of Winchmen past and present, Stephen says: I remember our SAR Diving Instructor saying that you will end up putting your life on the line – when everyone else runs for cover, you do the opposite. If you can’t, you’re not suited to it.”

For Stephen, being awarded the Billy Deacon Trophy takes on a special significance, as he worked alongside fellow winchman Billy prior to his tragic loss in Shetland. Billy died while rescuing ten crew members from cargo vessel Green Lily.  

And his loss is still a difficult thing to reconcile but through the Billy Deacon Award, Stephen recognises that he joins an elite group of people. “Billy’s death was a tragic loss, but it’s a great to honour his memory with an award bearing his name. More than 20 years on, Billy lives on through all of our work.  

“It’s no secret that those working in SAR are often scared too, but we’re trained to run towards the danger. What compels us is that people rely upon us, and the fear that if we aren’t there, someone could die.”

Stephen’s had a few ‘close shaves’ over the years, but the one that sticks in his mind best is the 1989 rescue of 40 people aboard the MV Murree, an 18,000-ton cargo vessel wrecked off the Devon coast in a force 10 storm. 

“By that point we’d rescued 36 people, but there were still four stuck aboard. The plan was to winch up two together, and then between us we’d take the final two. But this slowed things down and casualties were our priority – we decided that all four would go up before us, and we’d be left as the final pair to leave.

“I ran to the bridge to use the ship’s radio to explain the situation, but as vessel’s nose tipped sharply into the surf, her bulkheads gave way. My diver colleague and I put the last two people up to the aircraft, and we thought we’d just about gotten away with it when, as the vessel submerged, containers broke free from their fastenings, rising to the surface.

“Stuck at the back end of the ship with no time to spare, there was only one way off. We swung onto a bollard over the side of the ship as her stern rose out of the water. We looked at each other thinking that was it and said “See you on the other side…” 

The 90ft drop crushed tendons in Stephen’s shoulder and ruptured his bursa. As he clawed at the water to get to the surface, he couldn’t hold his breath any longer. Taking his last gasp, it fortunately transpired that he’d reached the surface. 

The incident and its aftermath greatly affected Stephen, who is glad that access to mental health support has improved greatly over the years.

“When we reconstructed the incident for a TV show called ‘999’, all the nightmares that I’d had since the rescue disappeared. I think that sharing my story and sharing my feelings helped to release me from it – seeking help and sharing with others was exactly the right thing to do.”

Speaking about the role of Search and Rescue, Shiner adds: “Be it Cook, Cleaner or Ops staff, everyone in SAR has a crucial role to play. A crewman aboard the Murree wrote on his lifejacket and gave it to us. His words resonate with me as much today as they did 35 years ago, and I believe they belong to Billy Deacon and all those who save lives.”

The lifejacket still sits on display at RNAS Culdrose. Its inscription reads: “To the angels who come in the guise of men, the lord hath chosen thee to perform the most profound of his miracles: saving life. You are what the world was made for.” 

A group of Coastguard Rescue Officers have received long service medals from HM Coastguard, in recognition of their longstanding service and commitment over the past 30 years. 

HM Coastguard Divisional Commander James Instance presented awards to the group during a special dedication ceremony held in Weymouth on Saturday 2 November. 

During citations for the award, Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs) Mark Fagg, Don Barnes and Richard Legg were recognised for their emergency service work over the years, including during Storm Babet, the 2012 Olympics and The Dart Race. 

The volunteers have spent hours responding to incidents across the south coast, from high profile missing person searches to clifftop rescues and storm response, also resulting in coastguard awards for meritorious service. 

Wyke Station Officer Mark Fagg, who joined the service in 1993, said: “We’ve seen a lot of change over the years, including kit and procedural improvements. Long service is very important to us, as our team has a combined service of more than 230 years. We’ve gained a lot of insight and experience over that time!

“The local search and rescue community in our corner of Dorset is very close, and we have great relationships with our flank stations, local RNLI lifeboats and the HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter. 

“I was immensely proud to be stood in front of all of those mentioned, and those I’ve served alongside over the years, who’ve all done amazing things during their service. Above all, these occasions aren’t just about us receiving the award, they’re a great excuse to get everyone together and celebrate!”

Coastal Operations Area Commander Tom Wright was also among those receiving awards at the ceremony. Tom joined the coastguard as a CRO in 2004 after following his father, a volunteer of more than 40 years, into the service. 

“These awards recognise so much, and I am keen to mention that they are as much for the families of those who serve, as they are the coastguards we serve alongside. Without the support of families, friends and loved ones; from childcare to missed events and occasions, we couldn’t do what we do. 

He said: “For me, these awards are particularly poignant, given that I’ve served alongside officers receiving longstanding service awards this evening - it’s incredibly humbling. 

"Being volunteers, our coastguards come from just about every profession, and the skills and experiences that they bring to the service are fundamental to our work.”

Speaking about innovations made within the service, Tom added: “I joined the coastguard full time in 2008 and even over those 16 years, we’ve seen huge innovation and change.

“Technology has had a hugely positive impact, and we’ve moved from quite traditional methods, to pioneering new water rescue resources, skills and training.”

Read more about joining HM Coastguard as a Coastguard Rescue Officer

In their own words, some of those coastguards taking part explain the special meaning this day has for them and their families. 

George Belcher, Senior Aeronautical Operations Officer, Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC), Fareham, England  

This year is especially poignant for me because I recently lost my grandfather on my mum’s side, who was a radar operator in the Navy towards the end of the Second World War. He was always so proud of my work and being part of the Act of Remembrance. He’ll very much be in my thoughts. 

My other grandad was in the RAF in the years following the war, and my  father was in the Royal Navy on the Arc Royal before meeting my mother, so I have always been regaled with stories of his Navy days.  

I was fortunate enough to be selected to represent HM Coastguard at the 2023 Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph. 

It was a big honour to be included in such a huge national event that means so much to so many people. 

I joined HM Coastguard in March 2021 as a Maritime Operations Officer. 

In October 2022 I joined the Air Rescue team as a Senior Aeronautical Operations Officer where I have been working ever since. 

Alick Bergman, Maritime Operations Officer, Aberdeen Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Scotland  

I'm proud to have been selected for this Remembrance cohort, as a tribute to relatives who fell in combat. 

The opportunity to represent the MCA on a stage where the eyes of the nation (and further afield) are on us is not one to be taken lightly, and I am sure the HMCG representatives will discharge this duty with the professionalism we are renowned for. 

John Bettes, Coastguard Rescue Officer (CRO), Portaferry Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT), Northern Ireland  

Remembrance to me means to pay tribute to and honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. 

It will be an honour for me to remember my grandfather who served most of his early life in the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards and also my great-grandfather who served in the Coastguard Ballywalter. 

It gives me so much pride to have been chosen to represent both my CRT and HM Coastguard at the Cenotaph Remembrance parade this year. 

I am a CRO based in Portaferry, Northern Ireland. I am tech-trained in water and mud rescue as well as being a qualified search team leader and officer-in-charge. 

Tammy Blick, CRO, Burnham-on-Sea CRT, England  

Remembrance has always been significant to me, shaped by my work at places like HMS Belfast and the Imperial War Museum. 

I now run a coastal school teaching young people about the coast and its history. 

It's an honour to represent HM Coastguard and pay tribute to its vital role in safeguarding our nation. 

I’ve been a CRO at Burnham-on-Sea for about six years. 

I've been involved in various rescues, including mud, cliff, and water, and I am a search team leader. 

Becca Burghall, Staff Officer for Vessel Traffic Services, JRCC, Fareham, England  

I am proud to have been selected to represent HM Coastguard at the Cenotaph. I believe it is important to remember the sacrifices made by so many people in the past to try and encourage future generations to consider the effects of such actions before taking similar paths. 

I started with HM Coastguard as a Maritime Operations Officer in 2020 after serving in the Royal Navy, which included an operational tour and appointments in a variety of other locations.  

I currently work at the JRCC in the Technology Team, specifically focusing on Vessel Traffic Management and the Automatic Identification System (AIS) system.  

Steve Dawson, Maritime Operations Officer, Humber MRCC, England  

Having family members serve in the Army and Royal Navy, I have always understood the importance of Remembrance. I also had a four-year career with the Arm

y Cadet Force (ACF), parading at Remembrance every year since 2017, showing my respect to those fallen and those serving.  

During my time with the ACF, close friends would sign up to different regiments and begin incredible journeys. Remembrance is my way of showing respect, appreciation and love to those who give everything.  

I will be fulfilling a dream to parade in London and representing HM Coastguard makes me proud of myself and thankful to everyone in my life that helped me along my journey. 

In my role at Humber MRCC, we have a multitude of responsibilities to ensure safety on the sea and shore. This includes distributing safety messages and warnings from the Met Office, documenting and reporting counter-pollution and salvage operations, monitoring of vessel traffic and, most importantly, assisting to coordinate search and rescue operations. 

Katie Pattison, Maritime Operations Officer, Holyhead MRCC, Wales  

I am incredibly proud to be selected to represent HM Coastguard at this year’s Remembrance Day parade. 

I recently lost my grandmother who served in the Women's Royal Army Corps.  

My grandad, who had a full military career in the Army, served as a medic during the Second World War and still attends the Remembrance parade each year.  

I am proud to honour both my grandparents, and all those who have served, by marching on behalf of HM Coastguard this year. 

Callum Peplow, Maritime Operations Team Leader, JRCC, Fareham, England  

It is an honour to represent an agency which I am so proud to be a member of at such a prestigious event. 

I look forward to marching side by side with people from all manner of backgrounds who are just a small sample of the amazing people we all work with. 

I’ve been with HM Coastguard for five years now and in that time have had the pleasure of working with many incredible people who show just what a fantastic organisation this is. 

Kevin Taylor, CRO, Berwick-upon-Tweed CRT, England 

I have always taken part in Remembrance services at a community level but I never had the opportunity to parade at the Cenotaph before. 

Being selected to represent HM Coastguard in London on Remembrance Sunday means a lot to me, and I am very grateful to be able to parade at such an important event. 

It enables me to show my kids how much it means and how important it is that we never forget. 

I've been a Coastguard Rescue Officer at Berwick-upon-Tweed for almost six years. Before joining HM Coastguard, I spent 12 years in the RAF. 

Main photo: Coastguards marching for Remembrance in 2023

However, a devastating naval attack closer to home was to lay bare the significant threat posed by Germany's state-of-the-art underwater war machines. Over the course of a dark and fateful day in September 1914, more than 1,400 were to lose their lives aboard three vessels defending the North Sea.

Among those lost were a substantial number of coastguards, drawn into military service at the start of war with Germany. The tragedy was to be the greatest loss of personnel in the coastguard service’s history. 

A threat to Naval supremacy

At the turn of the 20th century, Britain’s naval fleet - one of the most impressive and powerful in the world – had begun to feel the pressure.     

Growing German naval power, fuelled by Kaiser Wilhelm II’s desire to rival the British fleet, had provoked demand for bigger, better and more powerful ships among the Admiralty.

 This challenge to British supremacy was no more acutely felt than in British corridors of power, where dangers to the island nation’s vital imports posed a considerable risk to economic survival.  

Between 1900 and 1914, huge advances were made in naval shipbuilding and engineering, rendering ships built at the earlier end of the period outdated and outclassed by faster and better-armed German Destroyers. 

Cruiser Force C – 'the Live Bait Squadron'

To counter the threat of German incursions to the English Channel, the 7th Cruiser Squadron, ‘Cruiser Force C’, was established, comprising five Cressy class armoured cruisers recalled from reserve service to patrol shallower waters off the Dutch coast – the ‘Broad Fourteens’. 

But who would board and man the ageing patrol, perhaps forebodingly referred to as ‘the Live Bait Squadron’? 

A cadre of naval cadet officers, some as young as 15, were taken from the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth, and with its members drawn from retired and discharged Royal Navy personnel, HM Coastguard seemed to offer invaluable maritime skills and sea-faring experience as crew, having upkept their military service with ‘drill service’ aboard Naval ships. 

The fate of HMS Aboukir, Cressy and Hogue

Unbeknown to them at the time, an even greater threat to patrolling 12,000ft armoured cruisers HMS Aboukir, Cressy and Hogue lurked silent, deep beneath the waves – German ‘U-Boat’ U-9.

 Although initially dismissed by both the German and Royal Navies, who’d experienced more submarine losses than successes at the outset of war, submarines were soon become a lethal new naval predator.

And when U-9’s first torpedo found its mark on the morning of 22 September 1914 to make an immobilising strike on Aboukir’s Engine Room, it set in motion a calamitous turn of events made worse by a costly underestimation of submarine warfare. 

Initially believing the vessel had collided with a mine, both HMS Cressy and Hogue rushed to the capsizing flagship’s aid. It was a fateful decision. Capitalising on the confusion, German U-Boat Captain Otto Weddigen then directed his 29 crew to unleash torpedoes at HMS Hogue, which met the same fate just ten minutes later. 

Spotting the surfacing U-Boat, HMS Cressy opened fire alone and attempted to ram the submarine, which was able to release a salvo of torpedoes at even closer range. After a huge explosion in the ship’s boilers, Cressy was capsized and lost beneath the water in less than half an hour.  

Men toiled in the freezing waters as would-be rescuers from two Dutch sailing trawlers in the vicinity were paralysed to respond: a fear of mines blighting their willingness to respond. 

Dutch steamers Flora and Titan and Lowestoft sailing trawlers Coriander and J.G.C were first on scene, before the arrival of British Destroyers some two hours later. 

The brutal cost of war

Despite the rescue of 837 seamen from the three vessels, 1,459 men perished in the attack with 560 sailors lost aboard HMS Cressy, 527 aboard Aboukir and 377 aboard Hogue. 

With a majority of crew being retired Royal Navy personnel, the incident represents the single greatest loss of coastguard personnel since the service’s modern incarnation in 1822. The catastrophic loss of life was to change naval warfare forever, demonstrating the immense power -and danger – posed by the submarine. 

With such devastating losses so close to home weighing heavily on British morale at the time, the Admiralty was duly prompted to relocate a majority of coastguards back to mainland coastal duties. 

Remembering the fallen, 110 years on

Director of HM Coastguard Claire Hughes has paid tribute to those lost to armed conflict as members of the armed forces. She said: “This month, we remember all of those who fought and died to afford us the freedoms that we enjoy each and every day. In times of war, HM Coastguard has been called upon by our nation to serve in the armed forces. 

 “Of particular poignance is the tragic loss of more than 1,000-crew serving aboard HMS Aboukir, Hogue and Cressy in 1914 which included many members of HM Coastguard. Their bravery, sacrifice and selfless devotion to the cause is something that all coastguards feel great affinity towards.”

 She added: “We’re proud to see our coastguard colleagues representing the service at remembrance ceremonies across the UK, as the nation offers its gratitude to all those that serve in our armed forces. 

“Through Remembrance, we come together to ensure that the sacrifices of those injured and killed in service are not forgotten.”

Some of those making the trip to London explain how it feels to represent HM Coastguard and why it was important to be there. 

Peter Bailey, Senior Maritime Operations Officer, Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC)

It is a profound honour to represent HM Coastguard at the Field of Remembrance in Westminster Abbey this year. To stand alongside fellow servicemen and women, paying our respects to the veterans who sacrificed everything, will be a deep reminder of my own family’s connection to this legacy.  

Both of my grandfathers proudly served during the Second World War: one in the Merchant Navy and the other in the Parachute Regiment. Their bravery and dedication have inspired my own path of service. 

I have had the privilege of serving in the Royal Navy as an Engineer and now find myself in my 10th year as a Senior Maritime Operations Officer based at Milford Haven MRCC, ensuring the safety of those at sea.  

For me, to attend the Field of Remembrance opening is not only a reflection of their legacy but also a tribute to the ongoing efforts of the Emergency Services and Armed Forces, and all those who work tirelessly to protect and serve both in times of peace and conflict. 

Neil Blewett, Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Tactical Commander (Aeronautical), Fareham 

This is not about us, it’s about others.  It was therefore an honour to be one of those chosen to represent HM Coastguard in London at this year’s Remembrance events.   

For me, wearing the uniform is a tangible link to those who have gone before us and, in particular, those called-up and those who stayed behind to continue their work saving lives.   

At this time of year, it is also poignant as I remember those who lost their lives fighting in Afghanistan alongside my nephew in the 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment. My own time in Iraq and Afghanistan is also brought sharply into focus at this time. 

Matthew Reynolds, Maritime Operations Officer, Milford Haven MRCC 

I come from a family that have served in both wars: my grandfather was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross after evacuating soldiers from Dunkirk during the Second World War, and my great-great-grandfather is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial. His ship was sunk by a German submarine off Shetland in the First World War. 

I joined HM Coastguard in 2019, following 12 years in the fire service. I currently serve as a Maritime Operations Officer at the Milford Haven MRCC, with six years coordinating search and rescue.  

It is a great honor to be selected to represent HM Coastguard at the Field of Remembrance. This moment allows me to pay tribute not only to those who sacrificed their lives but also to honor my own family members who served in the two world wars. 

Maisy Woodcock, Maritime Operations Officer, Milford Haven MRCC 

I feel very honored to be selected to represent HM Coastguard at the Field of Remembrance in Westminster Abbey this year, specially so as this is my first year with HM Coastguard.  

I share a great legacy, coming from a very dedicated Service family with my great-grandfathers serving in the Second World War and a great-uncle receiving the Military Medal for extreme bravery whilst serving in Italy. 

My grandfather served for 35 years in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and my grandmother served with the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service. Both of my parents have also dedicated themselves to public service as police officers.   

Recognising how proud my family have been in service, I have always been determined to follow in their footsteps and was delighted to begin my own journey with HM Coastguard as a Maritime Operations Officer. I am also extremely proud to serve as a volunteer with the RNLI.  

I am thrilled to be able to attend the opening of such a poignant ceremony and stand alongside others who also wish to pay tribute to those who have passed, who left such a legacy and to those who work tirelessly for others now, in conflict and in peace. 

Members of Coastguard Rescue Teams based along the coast from Somerset to Cornwall took part in the activities held at Cardiff International White Water, just over the Bristol Channel in Wales. 

Exercises in October included rescuing casualties from a submerged car, safely navigating floods on foot or in a boat, and recovering people to dry land. 

The event was hosted by the Avon and Somerset Local Resilience Forum (LRF), made up of emergency services and local public agencies. 

As well as rehearsing vital skills in a flood scenario, such as first aid and inter-agency communications, the activities helped each team to understand better how the others work and abilities that can be shared in an emergency. 

Senior Coastal Operations Officer Kieran Nolan-Jones: “When responding to flooding, it is imperative that multiple agencies can work together effectively and have knowledge of each other’s capabilities.  

“This was a brilliant day attended by a variety of agencies. It really allowed us to understand the other teams’ skills and practice working together."

He added: “Not only does this help raise the awareness around HM Coastguard and our flood capabilities, but it also emphasises how important the LRF is. Many thanks to all agencies involved for a great day of training.” 

Joining the flood exercise were Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue, Surf Life Saving GB, Avon and Somerset Search and Rescue, Exmoor search and rescue, Wessex Rescue and South Western Ambulance Service’s Hazardous Area Response Team.  

The Honourable Company of Air Pilots’ eagerly anticipated Prince Philip Helicopter Rescue Award was presented to the crew of the Caernarfon- based aircraft in October, praising the dedicated and brave response during an extremely challenging rescue. 

Just before 11pm on 7 May, 2023, the crew – made up of Captain David Kenyon, Co-pilot James Stewart, Winch Operator Richard Taylor and Winch Paramedic Steven Thomas – was sent by HM Coastguard to assist Mountain Rescue with two climbers stranded on Tryfan, a 3,000ft peak towering over Snowdonia.  

The climbers were stuck on a heavily sloping grass ledge among vertical cliffs, at around 2,700ft.  

Despite increasing turbulence and deteriorating weather conditions, with powerful gusts threatening to push the aircraft into the cliff, the winch paramedic was able to conduct the rescue and recover the two casualties, transporting them to the helicopter and to safety.  

Meanwhile the pilots were working hard to control the aircraft and maintain its position in the air.  

Behind the scenes, HM Coastguard’s Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre was busy communicating with the crew throughout.  

Without the R936 helicopter and its crew, the climbers would have remained on the cliff for hours as weather and conditions worsened.  

The crew received the Prince Philip Helicopter Rescue Award during the HCAP’s annual Trophies and Awards ceremony, held in the Guildhall in London.  

Praising the crew, interim Chief Coastguard Pat O’Callaghan said: “This was a very challenging rescue for all involved, requiring quick thinking, bravery, and skill. Against all odds, two climbers in a tricky location during treacherous conditions were saved. 

“This incident reflects that, together with other colleagues in the emergency services, His Majesty’s Coastguard remains ready to respond around the clock to keep people safe and save lives. This award recognises the remarkable and heroic work undertaken by this dedicated crew and is truly deserved.” 

• Photo caption: James Stewart, Richard Taylor and Steven Thomas at the award ceremony. Dave Kenyon was unable to attend due to operational commitments.

The Carentan – also known as the Chasseur 5 – was part of Operation Dynamo in 1940 which famously brought thousands to safety from the beaches of France during the Second World War. 

The Carentan had started the conflict in the Royal Navy but was later turned over to the Free French Navy, operating from Cowes. 

Just three years on from the Dunkirk evacuation, on 21 December 1943 she was capsized by a wave during a storm off St Alban’s Head, near Swanage, while escorting a British submarine from Brixham to Portsmouth. 

A lifeboat from Swanage skillfully picked up three men clinging to the upturned hull but not all could be saved. Seventeen lives were lost: three British and 14 Free French crewmen. 

Decades later in 1984 the ship’s bell and other items were brought back to the surface by diver Anthony Reed who wanted them to find a home in France. 

He declared the finds to the Receiver of Wreck and now, with coordination by Steve at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, a collection is on display to remember the proud story of the Carentan and its tragic end.  

It was presented by Steve in a ceremony at the Normandy Victory Museum attended by director Godefroy Beaussire and Mayor of Carentan Jean-Pierre L’Honneur. 

Steve said: “It was with great pride that I was able to facilitate the donation of the Carentan’s ship’s bell and motto to the Normandy Victory Museum in Carentan-les-Marais.  

“The finder was determined to return the item to France and I was delighted to arrange it on his behalf. For me it is the ultimate outcome, preserving pieces of history for future generations and to tell the stories of those brave men and women of the Second World War.” 

Anthony, a diver of over 55 years’ experience, recalled the moment he made the discovery: "The general area of the Carentan was known but lost. 

"I rediscovered her. I was actually looking for another wreck when I drifted across the Carentan in about 30metres of water.  

“While rummaging around I could just about make out a tiny portion of a buried bell: a diver's dream and I was living the reality! It was about three metres inside the wreck on the seabed. 

“By laying flat and extending my arm fully and using a long nail bar I eased it out. Bingo – a bell in perfect condition!  

“Later I came across the ship's motto. It was bent and mangled, hardly recognisable for what it was. Later a friend using heated rollers was able to straighten it out.  

“I discovered tiny fragments of paint which I was able to match. Red for the indented letters CH-5, and 1939 on the bell. Prussian Blue for the background of the raised polished brass letters ‘Valeur et discipline’ of the motto.  

“I am very grateful that with the assistance of the Receiver of Wreck, Steve White, the artifacts are now in a suitable home." 

Godefroy Beaussire, Normandy Victory Museum director, added: “The museum was honored to receive these two historical artifacts from the ship Carentan.  

“These items hold not only symbolic significance due to the ship's namesake, but also historical importance as they allow us to delve into the French campaign of 1940 and the unwavering commitment of some French military personnel to continue fighting alongside British forces after the defeat, and even to the ultimate sacrifice.” 

Main photo, from left: Steve White, Godefroy Beaussire (Museum Director) and Jean-Pierre L’Honneur (Mayor of Carentan).

So when their pagers bleeped at about 5pm for an urgent situation at Folkestone harbour, they were ready to go. Quickly arriving on the scene with Langdon CRT, they faced a complicated situation.  

A man and woman had got into difficulty while rowing a tender out to a moored vessel. He was in the water caught by a rope with his head only just above surface; she was struggling in the tender as water came in over the side. 

Dover Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre had sent an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter as well as the RNLI's inshore lifeboat from Littlestone. 

But with the situation serious, a crowd gathering on the quay, and help still on its way, the teams made their judgement: Coastguard Rescue Officer (CRO) Tom Nunnen-Wills would go in for a water rescue. 

Tom’s tips for boating safety 

• Wear a lifejacket or personal flotation device at all times, even before you get on the boat. 
• Carry an appropriate marine or boating knife so you can cut away any tangled ropes. 
• Wear a personal locator beacon (PLB) and make sure to register it. If you end up in the water it can be activated to summon help and HM Coastguard will have your details. 

Tom (33) said: “We decided that given the helicopter and lifeboat were not there yet, we needed to do an immediate rescue as the casualties were not far from the harbourside. 

“It’s a bit of a cliche to say your training kicks in, but it really did. All of a sudden you go into autopilot. We practice often and everybody knew their position and what to do.” 

Tom donned a lifejacket over his Coastguard overalls with a line attached so he could safely swim out with the other end held securely by the team.  

Approaching the man slowly and explaining the plan to avoid him panicking, Tom released him from the tangled ropes before his fellow CROs pulled them both safely in. 

With the man securely on land, Tom returned to the woman in the tender. Still on the line, he grasped the little boat while the team carefully hauled him and the second casualty to safety. 

The man and woman were passed safe and well into the care of the South East Ambulance Service. 

Tom said: “The adrenaline was running, like any incident, and we had to make a quick decision. Afterwards, I was feeling like we had accomplished something, and it was rewarding to be able to put our training into effect. 

“It was a happy ending – it could have gone south. It was lucky we were out at the time so we could get there so quickly. 

“Things can escalate so fast. We did not expect to have to go in the water but circumstances can change in an instant.” 

With a dedicated training room and washing and drying facilities, and located in the heart of the community, the team of 11 volunteers will be even more ready to respond to those in need. 

“This is great news for both the team and the island, as we are now in a much better place to respond to call outs and undertake training activities,” said Senior Coastal Operations Officer Andrew Woodford. 

“The station is future-proof so it will be there for officers for years to come, it looks the part, and has all the facilities we need in a much more suitable space. 

“A fit-for-purpose station is such an important part of coastguard training and response, so this is a brilliant addition to the service which will have clear benefits.”

After 12 months of planning and costing more than £200,000, the building and fit-out took around three months to complete, with the final touches added in October, marking its operational status. 

An official opening ceremony for the new station will take place later this year. 

“Essentially, we supervise activity in the English Channel to ensure that vessels are aware of all relevant information and comply with routing and regulations as they pass through the world’s first ever Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) at the Dover Strait.”

Keith’s team collect, record and provide information to ensure safe navigation across the English Channel and deep-water tracks near to the Thames Estuary, promoting the safety of all vessels and preventing risk of collisions or running aground. 

“Globally, all vessels must comply with international collision regulations – it’s sort of a Highway Code for the sea. These are simple rules that began use in the 1970s and are still in use today,” he adds. 

Supervision of vessels in this incredibly busy maritime stretch is shared between the UK, which maintains the South West lane, and France, which oversees vessels travelling in the North East Lane from its MRCC at Gris-Nez in Audinghen. 

With teams of eight staff at Falmouth MRCC and 16 at Dover, VTSOs play a crucial role in managing this finely tuned arrangement, which comes with a multitude of complications and configurations. Bad weather, vessel surveys and maritime incidents all pose significant risks to the running of the lane, where situations arise quickly, and a prompt and effective response is critical. 

“On the open seas, there’s space and room to manoeuvre away from other smaller vessels, but through the Channel, it’s more like a very busy motorway where all vessels are in close proximity.

“The area we cover is around 136 miles, and we’re often tracking more than 1,000 vessels, so there’s a lot to watch at any one time, and that’s done by two of us working on shift together.

“Throughout cross-channel swim season, you’ve also potentially got 12 swimmers and support vessels cutting across the narrowest part of the lane at Dover – so you need to be acutely aware of where vessels are and what dangers might be present.”

Then there’s ‘The Sunk’, a deeper entry point into London and Felixstowe for large vessels. Keith and his team will ‘stack up’ vessels waiting to enter the Thames Estuary here, as pilots board 400-metre-long container ships looking transit the route with less than a metre of water between themselves and the sea bed. 

 “It’s a huge responsibility, and it’s very strictly controlled because as you can imagine, the risks of collision or running aground here could have catastrophic consequences,” says Keith, who began his maritime career as a Merchant Naval Officer at 16.

“As VTSOs, we go through a lot of training and we develop our skills in areas of radio comms, nautical and maritime knowledge, but it’s been great to see new people joining the coastguard with hugely varied cross section of specialisms, not just those from the maritime sector. 

“This isn’t really work for me! I love my job, and it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do. I think that it’s so important to celebrate the work of all Control Room staff. We’re one team and through 12-hour shifts, Christmases, Bank Holidays, we’re here. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

Running a fleet of state-of-the-art air assets is neither simple nor easy, but the job falls to a group of skilled aeronautical professionals based in Aeronautical Rescue at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Fareham, Hampshire (JRCC-AR), HM Coastguard’s Senior Aeronautical Operations Officers. 

SAOOs are headed by four Team Leaders, and the team’s constant work ensures that Coastguard Helicopters are ready to respond to a huge breadth and variety of callouts, from search and rescue taskings to counter pollution surveillance. 

Team Leader Casey Foot says: “In the Ops Room, we liaise with stakeholders including Police, Fire, Ambulance, Maritime Coastguard and Distress and Diversion (D&D), who’re based in National Air Traffic Services at Swanwick. We receive both civilian and military requests for air support within the UK search and rescue region (UKSRR), which covers the UK EEZ and out to about halfway across the Atlantic.” 

Taskings could be as varied as ambulance service colleagues requesting assistance with a road traffic collision in a rural area, or a Mountain Rescue Team requesting a medical evacuation in a remote area such as Ben Nevis in poor weather conditions. 

“People always imagine us responding to maritime incidents, a boat sinking for example, but our remit is far wider and can also include surveillance taskings for fixed wing aircraft in our fleet that could be looking for instances of pollution at sea, or even missing persons in remote inland areas.”

During an incident, the aeronautical team liaise with officers across the Operations Room itself, including Maritime Operations colleagues, who coordinate HM Coastguard’s emergency response. 

The team are on hand to provide detailed aeronautical support, including essential ‘endurance’ updates: the amount of time that aerial activity can be sustained before crews must return to base.

Casey’s work with HM Coastguard began after a stint working in a Police Control Room, where she built up a raft of communication skills. After hearing about a friend’s work at the JRCC-AR she kept a keen eye on coastguard roles, until one came up: Senior Aeronautical Operations Officer (SAOO).

“Working for the Coastguard just sounded amazing from the start, and I really loved being a SAOO, but six years on, I’m now a Team Leader. I just adore my job! We have four watches, which are 12-hour shifts and for me, the work-life balance is fantastic and can’t be beaten. 

Speaking about International Control Room Week, which recognises the work of herself and colleagues at the JRCC-AR, Casey says: “The awareness week is so important because people get to see how our work plays into HM Coastguard’s emergency response, and we really love having people see what we do! 

Paying tribute to fellow colleagues in control rooms across the emergency services, Casey says: “We’re constantly in awe of all professionals that answer emergency calls from those needing help.

“As a team, we don’t interact with the public directly, but we see the work of talented colleagues who’re able to keep people calm while gathering crucial information that can be used to plan and action an emergency response.  

“While we might not be ‘in the field’ or on the helicopter, Control Room staff deploy and support professionals that could very well be rescuing you on your worst day.”

Over the course of an hour, two students, a female in her seventies and a middle-aged man were helped by coastguards, as changes in tidal conditions caught out the experienced sea swimmers, who were wearing hats, gloves and wet suits.

Steve Davey, Deputy Station Officer for Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) says:

It’s very rare that we see rip currents at Gylly Beach, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. Rip currents can happen almost anywhere and can catch all levels of swimmer by surprise.

Two students had been enjoying sea swimming at Gylly Beach when they’d gotten into difficulties. One of the swimmers had started to ingest water and was pulled to shore by their friend. A passing off-duty coastguard had seen the pair on the beach and was able to provide casualty care for water ingestion before the coastguard team arrived on scene. 

But the day was only just beginning for Falmouth team. After advising a local beach business of the unusual and challenging conditions nearby, the team had started to make their way back to the coastguard station when another call came in. 

“We’d travelled about half a mile down the coast, when we initially thought we’d received a duplicate call,” says Steve, who works for Royal Cornwall Hospital outside of his coastguard role. 

“We headed to the incident scene where we were frantically flagged down by an emergency caller. The sea was pumping and a lifeguard on his holiday had pulled another casualty from the water. This time, it was a female in her 70s who was drifting in and out of consciousness.  

While Coastguard Rescue Officers Shaun Campbell and Mark Mansfield were working to clear the casualty’s airways of ingested water, Steve spotted another incident unfolding around 30 metres from shore – a man bopping in and out of water just beyond the breaking waves. “There was just no time to change into our dry suits, so I quickly donned my water rescue jacket, which is an inflating flotation device, and headed out on a line.”

“In the worst case, I’d prepared for losing my tether and drifting further out to sea with my casualty to be rescued. Fortunately, after I’d swam about 25 metres, I reached the casualty, and I was pulled to shore by the team.”

Time and conditions are everything in making successful rip and water rescues. “With such a poor sea state and multiple casualties, there’s very little time to prepare, operate and provide crucial care,” says Steve. 

“It’s incredibly unlikely that a lifeboat would’ve been able to reach the bay to help. If we hadn’t made a rescue when we did, there’s a possibility that the casualty could have been swept further across the bay and pushed onto a reef to the West.”

Speaking about the popularity of water-based activities like sea swimming, Steve adds: “We’ve got some lovely beaches and coastal waters in Cornwall, and we don’t want to stop people enjoying the benefits of being outdoors and in the water. 

“But there’s a balance to be had between taking part and deciding that conditions are too dangerous. As we reach the end of the year, the water’s colder and less predictable. Conditions change in an instant. 

“Read the conditions and look at the swell and sea state. If you think it’s unwise to enter the water, don’t. You might’ve made a very sensible decision."

In some areas, more rainwater fell in 36 hours than in half a year, while rivers in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire broke their banks to exceed record levels and powerful winds of between 70-110mph battered parts of Scotland. 

HM Coastguard’s Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRTs) and specialist flood rescue technicians were a crucial part of the major incident response, which was deemed a ‘risk to life’ by the Met Office, who issued a rare red severe weather warning. 

More than 10,000 people were evacuated from homes and properties, with hundreds being made homeless as towns and cities across the country were ravaged by Storm Babet, causing at least £500million of property damage.

As one of the four emergency services, HM Coastguard can be called to support with inland flooding, as well as coastal emergencies, and all coastguard rescue officers are trained and equipped in water rescue, which includes first response to flooding. 

Areas worst hit included Brechin in Angus, Scotland, which became largely inaccessible, and Aberdeen, where several major roads became impassable due to high waters overtopping food defences on the river South Esk. 

Railways and roads were also closed in Leeds, Sheffield and York, while flooding forced the evacuation of parts of Retford in Nottinghamshire, and caused widespread damage in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. 

Trained in flood response, specialist coastguards were also in called to provide regional and national expertise, with many volunteering to help support police and fire and rescue service colleagues.

Tragically, the storms were not without loss of life, as at least seven people were killed by the storm’s devastating impact. Director of HM Coastguard Claire Hughes said: “A year on from Storm Babet, our thoughts continue to be with the families and friends of those lost. 

“The damage caused and the level of emergency response required serves as a reminder of just how powerful storms can be, as well as the impact they have on lives and communities. 

“HM Coastguard continues to stand ready to respond in all situations, and we remain thankful to all those working alongside our teams to help save lives in the most incredibly difficult and challenging circumstances."

MOOs and SMOOs work on shifts within teams, managed and led by a Team Leader, to handle emergency calls, gather information and provide safety information.  

From requesting RNLI lifeboat assistance and seeking air support from HM Coastguard’s Rescue Helicopter fleet, to liaising with a volunteer force of more than 3,000 Coastguard Rescue Officers across the UK, MOOs and SMOOs are a vital part of the UK emergency response.  

“I started my career in the Merchant Navy at 18, where I became an Officer of the Watch. I served four years and then decided to work ashore when my daughter was born,” says Max Brewster from Tenby. Max has been a MOO at MRCC Milford Haven for just over two years.  

“I saw a Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) advert for the role of MOO at Milford. It included some things I’d never done before, but it was the sense of teamwork that really shone through and appealed to me – that’s what convinced me to apply.” 

Norman Bridges has worked as a SMOO at Belfast MRCC for more than 11 years. He says: “I started in the Ops Room at Belfast after working as a fisherman and as voluntary RNLI lifeboat crew in Kilkeel.” 

“When an incident comes in to us, we start by gathering up as much information as possible. It could begin with a 999 call, a maritime mayday, alerting beacon or transponder or through concerns raised by volunteers at a Lookout Station.” 

“I love HM Coastguard. We’re such a close-knit team and we do great work. Above all it’s good to know that there’s always friendly people to talk to if you’ve had a stressful, long or challenging shift.” 

Speaking about his shift pattern as a MOO, Max says: “It’s definitely not a nine-to-five job, but I really enjoy that aspect of our roles! It’s two days and two nights in the Ops Room per week, which is brilliant. It’s very flexible and hours go by in minutes because each day is so different – I really enjoy being busy, and being a MOO keeps me on my toes!” 

MOOs qualify after 12-18 months of training, some being on-the-job and some being through an extensive modular programme at MCA Headquarters in Southampton. There’s additional training in specialisms for progression opportunities to senior and Team Leader roles.  

“People in the Ops Room often explore career progression at HM Coastguard and MCA, and there are many ways to better yourself here. 

"For me, I’m concentrating on my current work. I’d like to specialise in key areas of my role through Continuing Professional Development,” says Max.  

“Senior Officers tend to have additional responsibilities and sit in on responses, search pattern planning and co-ordination actions. It’s great to draw upon their knowledge and wealth of experience for my role.” 

Roles aren’t restricted to the Operations Room either, as colleagues can work across the MCA, including in areas of Policy, Counter Pollution, and Survey and Inspection.   Norman is also a Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator (SMC) and Associate Trainer, qualified to plan out search activity to support a rescue operation. 

Hearing about Norman’s two decades of experience volunteering with the Coastguard Rescue Service, alongside his role in the Ops Room, Max says that he’s also exploring how he can become a Coastguard Rescue Officer or CRO.  

“At HM Coastguard, such a big part of our work is helping people and giving advice, and I just find that incredibly fulfilling. I’ve always done a lot of charity work, and having seen first-hand how our coastguards work to save lives, I’m also exploring how I can volunteer to become a Coastguard Rescue Officer too."

Read more about current Maritime Operations Officer vacancies

The UK’s counter-pollution response contractor Ambipar were on site, alongside partner agencies including Falmouth Harbour and port operators A&P Falmouth. Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRTs) also conducted searches of nearby beaches to investigate, assess and track the results of simulated contamination.

A small flotilla of vessels positioned equipment and mobilised response teams for the three-day event. Hundreds of metres of floating spill containment booms were deployed, alongside specialist equipment which skims the water surface to remove contaminants.

The exercise was developed by the MCA’s Counter-Pollution and Salvage team, who provide a UK-wide counter pollution response, from large-scale incidents involving extensive national resources, to smaller incidents requiring specialist expertise. 

MCA Head of Counter-Pollution and Salvage, Stan Woznicki, said: “Large-scale training exercises ensure that our teams, partner organisations and colleagues can put their expertise to the test in a simulated ‘real world’ scenario.

“Our response is designed to protect people, the offshore, near shore and coastal environment, and property. It will field test our pollution containment and recovery equipment, our flexibility in response and our ability to manage the logistical complications that often arise when multiple organisations and resources work together closely.”

A spokesperson for A&P Falmouth said: “A&P Falmouth was delighted to work with the MCA and wider authorities and play its part in delivering such a worthwhile drill.

“A&P Falmouth has strong connections with the MCA and is experienced at supporting ship owners, insurers and the authorities with marine casualty situations, most recently an incident in which A&P tugs towed a vessel to A&P facilities for assessment and repair.  

“Other examples have included shifted cargo re-storing, collision damage repairs and propulsion and steering repairs to vessels alongside and in dock.”

Representatives included Kevin Moran, a Portsmouth Coastguard Rescue Officer (CRO); Dan Foster, Maritime and Coastguard Agency Liaison Officer at the Joint Maritime Security Centre; and George Belcher, Senior Aeronautical Operations Officer.  

Dan first joined HMCG in 2018 as a Maritime Operations Officer following service in the Royal Navy. He said: “I was privileged to represent HMCG at this event and make history with it being our first time marking this very solemn occasion. 

“I am immensely proud to work for and represent the MCA and have a longstanding love of ceremonial work, including November ceremonies. I look forward to future events and I hope this begins a longstanding attendance at the national service for seafarers.” 

For CRO Kevin Moran the service was particularly meaningful having joined the Sea Cadets aged 12 and served in the Royal Navy for 26 years. He has also represented HMCG at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles III. 

The event represents so much to those who work, volunteer and spend any time on the water

Kevin said: “Being a part of the service was a great honour, especially to be part of the first team to represent HM Coastguard and to carry our colours at the event. It was good to meet and speak to so many different users of the sea and forge new friendships.” 

Senior Aeronautical Operations Officer George has the navy in his blood as his father served on HMS Ark Royal and his maternal grandfather was a naval radar operator in the Second World War. 

He said: “I was honoured to be asked to represent the coastguard at the Annual National Service for Seafarers this year. The event represents so much to those who work, volunteer and spend any time on the water.” 

The Annual National Service for Seafarers has been held every year since 1905 as a reminder of the importance of seafarers to the island nation of the UK, including the Merchant and Royal Navies, fishing fleets, workboats, cruise liners, commercial shipping, yachts, ferries and anyone who makes a living working at sea.  

The service also welcomes maritime welfare charities, nautical schools, maritime youth groups, veterans’ associations, and people of all faiths and nationalities. 

Main picture: From left are Dan Foster, Kevin Moran and George Belcher 

But her name has now been remembered with the help of international efforts by the Deputy Receiver of Wreck, Andrea Bailey.  

Andrea has found a new home in Denmark for an important artefact brought up to the surface by a diver exploring her wreck many years later. 

The maker's plate, which carries the date and location of the SS Birgitte's construction, has joined the exhibits at the Maritime Museum of Denmark in Elsinore – back where the ship was built in 1930. 

Andrea played a key role in helping the story of the vessel to be told to the public by establishing ownership and enabling the diver to donate his find. 

Originally a Danish vessel, the SS Birgitte was seized during the Second World War by the British in Gibraltar when Denmark fell in 1940. She was put to work carrying vital supplies.  

On the night of her sinking, she was part of a convoy on its way to Swansea to pick up cargo, having left Southampton two days earlier on 17 November. She never reached her destination. 

Her story emerged again in 2008 when a diver exploring the wreck brought up the maker's plate. Following the rules, he declared the find to the Receiver of Wreck's office. 

Investigations showed the article was the property of the British state, as formal owner of the ship, but its Danish links inspired the piece to be donated. 

The Covid pandemic interrupted the final presentation but on 24 September 2024 – 82 years since the SS Birgitte was lost – her maker’s plate was safely delivered to the Maritime Museum of Denmark. 

The Receiver of Wreck Steve White said: “It’s a great result to be able to return a part of the SS Birgitte to the town where she was constructed back in 1930. 

“This example helps to show how the role of the Receiver of Wreck is not just about awarding salvage fees.  

“It's often also about protecting maritime heritage and putting artefacts on display for the public to appreciate and enjoy for generations to come." 

Curator Thorbjørn Thaarup: “At the M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark we’re happy and humble to receive the maker’s plate from the SS Birgitte. The story about the ship, its crew, and thousands of men like them is important in Danish history and integral to our museum. 

“It feels right to have the maker’s plate back at the very site, where the ship was built back in 1930 as an homage to the sailors who, themselves, would never return.” 

Main photo: From left are Curators Jannik Hartrup and Curator Thorbjorn Thaarup, and Museum Assistant Mette Ebbesen in front of a model of the SS Viola, sister ship to the SS Birgitte. 

John Carrigan, Chris Whittington, Nam MacLeod and Michael Hennelly (Pictured above with Shipwrecked Mariners' Society President Admiral Sir George Zambellas) have all been recognised for their bravery during a daring operation to rescue two injured fishermen at sea last year. 

The coveted awards included a Crew Commendation from the Shipwrecked Mariner's Society at their annual Skill & Gallantry Awards event in London, and a Brave@Heart award from the Scottish Government at a ceremony in Edinburgh.

A surprise individual award was also issued to Winch Paramedic Norman ‘Nam’ MacLeod for his role in the rescue. Announced by the First Minister of Scotland John Swinney, the St Andrew's Award was received by Bristow Helicopter’s UK Search and Rescue Director Graham Hamilton on Nam's behalf, and is reserved for exceptional acts of bravery and gallantry.

“When I touched down on that deck I can honestly say I encountered the 'startle phenomenon'” said Nam. “I've been a paramedic for almost 30 years and this was the most challenging scene I've ever had to deal with. For the first few seconds it was hard to take everything in and understand what I needed to do first.

"Thankfully it didn't last. My training and experience kicked in and I got to work. I spent an hour on the boat and it was the quickest hour of my life!”

On Wednesday 29 November, Rescue 948 received an urgent call to assist Spanish fishing vessel Lodario, where an accident left one fisherman with severe leg injuries, and another fisherman trapped in the ship’s fishing gear mechanism with similarly critical injuries. 

Arriving at the vessel within an hour, the crew faced difficult weather conditions and heavy seas, while Winch operator John expertly manoeuvred Winch Paramedic Nam onto the chaotic deck to find the casualties.

With language barriers adding to the confusion, and a second helicopter still an hour away, Nam quickly assessed both individuals. He prioritised stopping the bleeding for the most critically injured man and, with the assistance of the team on the aircraft, the first casualty was safely winched on board. 

He then returned to the second casualty, applying tourniquets to both legs and, with the crew’s assistance, the second injured man was successfully evacuated. During the extended transit to Stornoway, Macleod and Carrigan provided vital medical care and both casualties were delivered to safety.  

Virginia McVea, Maritime and Coastguard Agency Chief Executive, praised the crew’s efforts. She said:

“We’re exceptionally proud of the work of colleagues across HM Coastguard, who exemplify the highest levels of professionalism while committing to save lives both on the coast and at sea. 

“Rescue 948’s commendations acknowledge a particularly arduous and challenging operation, during which the lives of two fishermen were saved. Every day, we are enormously grateful to all our emergency services, and we applaud their life-saving work. It is especially heartwarming to see our colleagues and their work honoured with such esteemed awards. 

 “Congratulations and thankyou to the crew of Rescue 948.”

 Bristow Helicopter’s UK Search and Rescue Director Graham Hamilton added: 

“The awards were presented on 1 October at separate events in London and Edinburgh. And, while the Stornoway crew are an impressive bunch, even they couldn't be in two places at once, so while the crew were receiving the award in London, I was honoured to represent them, and Bristow, at the Brave@Heart event in Edinburgh.”

The 999 call was picked up at Belfast Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre which swiftly sent Bangor Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) and the local RNLI inshore lifeboat. 

First on the scene was Senior Coastal Operations Officer Ryan Gray who, taking in the situation, quickly donned a personal floatation device attached to a line. 

As the sea surged, Ryan shouted a warning to the man before, seconds later, a wave picked the figure up and threw him to the shore. 

The powerful surge carried him up the beach where Ryan was able to step forward and seize him out of the foam before he could be dragged out.  

Rocks can look deceptively safe places – before a water surge comes in and the situation suddenly changes to danger.

With the assistance of a passerby securely keeping hold of Ryan’s line, they pulled the casualty to safety. 

The man suffered cuts and bruises but was otherwise safe and well. He was passed into the care of paramedics from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. 

Ryan, who oversees CRTs at Bangor, Kilkeel, Lough Erne, Newcastle and Portaferry, said: “Speed was of the essence in this situation as the waves were strong enough to carry the man out to sea or severely hurt him on the rocks. 

“At HM Coastguard me and my teams train regularly for these types of incidents. Safely equipped, I was able to be in the right place at the right time to recover the man to dry land, with the help of a passerby. 

“Our advice when there is rough water is always to steer clear. Rocks can look deceptively safe places – before a water surge comes in and the situation suddenly changes to danger. If you see anyone in danger by the coast call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.” 

For safety advice when visiting the coast, go to hmcoastguard.uk/safety-advice

Just like Police, Ambulance, and Fire and Rescue Services, HM Coastguard is an emergency service that operates across the UK. If a person dials 999 and asks for Coastguard, they will be speaking with Duty Officers at one of our co-ordination centres. 

As well as 999 calls, HM Coastguard receives requests for assistance in a variety of ways, from mayday calls to satellite, VHF and DSC radio distress alerts. HM Coastguard can also be requested by other emergency services to attend or assist incidents. 

When are teams sent to a search and rescue (SAR) incident?

HM Coastguard provides an emergency response for incidents where someone is in danger at sea or the coastline of the UK; whether that's at the beach, near the shore or cliffs, or in the sea or onboard a vessel.

At sea, that involves incidents within the UK Search and Rescue Region (SRR), an internationally agreed area where HM Coastguard leads the response. The UK’s SRR covers approximately 2 million square miles and extends west of Ireland into the Atlantic, as well as all round the UK.

Our teams can also respond to incidents in other locations where their expertise can assist with incidents that are not necessarily in coastal locations – for example, in mountainous terrains, waterways and remote areas where access is challenging. 

HM Coastguard Operations Room Duty Officers coordinate emergency responses for a variety of incidents, from missing people and suspected ordnance to vessels missing at sea and alerts transmitted by beacons and radios.  

HM Coastguard has a wide range of emergency response assets at its disposal, including HM Coastguard helicopters, Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRTs), and RNLI and independent lifeboats.  

How does the Coastguard decide what response to provide?

Incidents can and do change very rapidly and our level of response can be scaled according to need. 

For coastal and inshore incidents, our Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs) are usually a first line of response. These are skilled volunteers trained in capabilities such as casualty care, cliff top rescue, search and rescue and water rescue. CROs work closely with other emergency services, either leading or supporting an emergency response. 

Incidents that occur at sea, in remote locations, or requiring paramedic care, can often call for a response from an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter.  

These are specialist aircraft crewed by highly trained personnel. Our SAR helicopters are able to rescue casualties from vessels, the water, cliffs, mountains and other challenging environments, and provide those casualties with critical care while transporting them to medical facilities or other places of safety.

What else does HM Coastguard do?

In addition to Maritime and Coastal Search and Rescue, we also oversee: 

- Maritime security: responding to maritime security issues in the UK.

- Vessel traffic management: monitoring vessel movements and ensuring compliance with relevant and necessary legislation, policies and procedures.

- Counter pollution and salvage: organising a frontline response and liaising with key maritime partners to protect our seas, shoreline and marine environments.

- Receiver of Wreck: managing and responding to wreck incidents in UK waters and ensuring goods and property are correctly directed into the right hands.

- Civil emergency and disaster response: functioning as the co-ordinating authority for maritime emergencies and major incidents.

- International work: working closely with international emergency organisations for overseas incidents and/or incidents requiring specialist assistance from UK emergency services. 

Are all people working for the Coastguard volunteers?

HM Coastguard consists of a mixture of volunteers and employed staff. Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) members are volunteers, consisting of Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs), Deputy Station Officers (DSOs) and Station Officers (SOs).  All have a range of experience, skills and expertise.

Our Volunteers come from all walks of life; from the retired to self-employed tradespeople, emergency services and social workers, retail staff and armed forces veterans. Our teams are often recruiting new members. Read more about becoming an HM Coastguard volunteer here. 

Supervising and providing support and training to CRTs is the responsibility of HM Coastguard’s Senior Coastal Operations Officers (SCOOs). SCOOs are salaried staff members who can also attend incidents. Many of these officers have previous coastguard experience as volunteers themselves, but it’s not mandatory. 

Why does HM Coastguard sometimes provide statements to media?

When HM Coastguard responds to media enquiries or requests for comment, we do not provide confidential information or details that could identify someone involved in a particular incident.Incident Media Briefings provide reporters, media and news outlets with accurate information about HM Coastguard’s emergency response.

HM Coastguard also provides proactive messaging through public safety campaigns led by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), Department for Transport, and fellow emergency service organisations like the RNLI, ambulance services and fire and rescue services. 

How much does an emergency response cost?

HM Coastguard never puts a price on human life. If we receive a 999 call, we respond and treat each incident as a potential emergency. Search resources are always ready for deployment to incidents where people report seeing someone in trouble. 

We would always urge people to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard if they’re in danger or think someone else might be in distress. Calling 999 in these cases is always the right thing to do. 

“I was putting a rope over a buoy to moor up while waiting for the marina to open. It’s something I’ve done many, many times. I do not know what happened, I’ve not fallen in before. I must have overreached, it’s still a mystery to me.” 

Once in the water, however, retired engineer Tony (66) quickly realised he could not climb back on board: he was sailing solo, the current was flowing, the stern ladder was out of reach, and his VHF radio was inaccessible beneath his auto-inflated lifejacket. 

“I was in a bit of a pickle,” he said. “Shock takes over because you do not often find yourself in that situation and it would be difficult to get back on board. I am glad I was not in the North Sea. 

It was a dangerous situation but one Tony was well prepared to survive with a registered Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) attached to his lifejacket. 

He said: “When you’re in the water you know it’s a serious situation, especially when there’s no one else around – hence setting off the PLB. I am very pleased I had it.” 

Once activated, it immediately alerted HM Coastguard with his position and, because he had registered it, also sent details including his identity, vessel and emergency contact numbers. 

HM Coastguard was quickly able to request a Mersey Fire Service rescue boat which recovered Tony back on board the Triple D so he could get into dry clothes, make a hot drink and warm up. 

Safely on his yacht, he was escorted by the RNLI’s inshore lifeboat from New Brighton into the marina where Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team helped him moor up. 

Tony said of the emergency services: “They were brilliant. They were spot on. The fire service got me back on board but they also kept an eye on me before the lock gates opened. The RNLI kept asking questions to make sure I was compos mentis. 

“The coastguards took the trouble to come into the marina and take my lines as I came in. I was still in a state of shock.  

“They also had a first responder that gave me the once over and checked my pulse and oxygen levels to make sure I was okay and wasn’t in need of a hospital visit.” 

He added: “I have not fallen in for 50 years and I do not intend to fall in again for another 50!” 

Tony’s tips:  

• Invest in a PLB and emergency position-indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB) for your vessel and register them with the MCA 
• Keep equipment in pockets that are accessible even when your lifejacket expands 
• Have a penknife to cut away tangled rope or material 

PLBs broadcast a location on the same 406MHz frequency as bigger EPIRBs but are designed to be worn on the body, rather than on a vessel or liferaft. 

Michael Buratti, Coastal Operations Area Commander for HM Coastguard, said: “Tony was unlucky to end up in the water and it could have turned into tragedy. But this incident ended well because he did everything right. 

“He had a Personal Locator Beacon and a lifejacket and they were the key things that kept him safe until rescue assets were able to get to him. 

"It is a perfect example of how important a lifejacket and PLB can be – the sea and rivers can be dangerous places if you aren't prepared." 

For more safety tips, visit hmcoastguard.uk/onboard  

“Rope rescue, three youngsters…” recalls Norman Bridges, Senior Maritime Operations Officer at Belfast MRCC. “I remember it well. Initially we were responding to a single call from a member of the public at Ramore Head, who’d seen a person with bad injuries at the foot of the cliffs.

“The moment we tasked an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter, RNLI Portrush lifeboat and Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRTs) from Coleraine and Ballycastle to attend, we received a second call reporting another casualty stuck midway up the cliff."

Call-outs to Ramore Head happen a few times a year, but on every occasion it puts Coastguards on edge, explains Alistair Simpson, a Station Officer leading Coleraine’s 19-strong Coastguard Rescue Team.

He says: “Ramore Head is a 100ft high cliff. These three young people had been fishing on the beach below and had become trapped by an incoming tide. They were cut off and decided to climb the cliff. They’d climbed about 30ft up when two of them fell, with one sustaining a serious injury.

Stuck 'cragfast' 

“Another became stuck or ‘cragfast’ halfway up the cliff – he couldn’t climb upwards, and he’d just seen his friends fall to the rocks and tide below, so he couldn’t go down either."

And it’s not just the precarious clifftop that’s difficult for coastguards called to the popular County Antrim viewpoint. It presents a special challenge for coastguards at Coleraine and Ballycastle. 

“The cliff’s geology itself is a challenge,” says Alistair, a coastguard with more than 30 years’ experience. “It’s a difficult location to get a reliable anchor point that holds well. In this case, we had to locate stakes quite far from the clifftop beyond a public footpath, due to the area’s unreliable and rocky ground.”

Ramore Head, a renowned beauty spot with clifftop access, is highly visible and easily reached. Crowds soon gathered to watch the situation unfold, recording footage with their smartphones and posting it to social media. 

“It’s always a concern for us, both on the ground and here in the Operations Room,” says Norman, who also volunteers as a Deputy Station Officer (DSO) at neighbouring station Kilkeel.

Gathering crowds and social media

“In many cases, rapid social media coverage can cause issues with crowds. We don’t let anything distract us from saving lives and our sole focus is on the rescue at hand. But we’re also aware that parents, family and relatives could be seeing an incident involving their loved ones unfold through social media on a mobile phone.”

While RNLI Portrush sent their lifeboat out to retrieve the pair on rocks below the cliff, Coastguards’ attention quickly turned to the casualty stuck halfway up. 

“We weren’t really sure what condition they were in, or even what age they were,” says Alistair, who sent a member of his team to assess the situation from the clifftop. 

“There’s always an additional element when you’re dealing with children and how they’ll react. It was getting dark, and they’re scared. In this case they’re also starting to get cold, stiff and sore from holding themselves in such a precarious position.

“We train to make rescues as safe as possible for ourselves, our casualties and bystanders, who are moving closer to a dangerous cliff edge to take pictures.”

Safety advice and a positive outcome

Police were called to help with bystander safety, and a rope technician lowered himself down to the casualty, who was retrieved from the cliff side. Once the casualties were brought to safety by coastguards and the RNLI lifeboat crew, officers contacted the Ops room team, who were keen to emphasise the dangers of climbing on cliffs.

“I asked coastguards to issue some safety advice to our casualties,” says Norman. “But they reported back that parents were ‘giving much better advice than we ever could’... As you can imagine, we left them to it!”

Alistair adds: “It’s always a good feeling when the team puts its training into practice. Afterwards, you drive away from the scene knowing that, in this case, you’ve used those skills to provide a positive outcome for everyone.

“Stuck on a sheer cliff with sharp rocks and water below, there would’ve been no way to get off the cliff safely without our help. It happens very easily, as people can be scared by an incoming tide or worsening weather and be tempted to climb cliffs, thinking they see a safe or easy route to the top. 

“There’s always a very real risk that such decisions might prove fatal. With this rescue, it’s very fortunate that our casualties had a positive outcome. We’d urge people to stay away from cliffs and be aware of the dangers.”

Alistair and Norman’s top cliff safety tips

• Know your local tide times. Look for exit points that can be cut off or made inaccessible by an incoming tide and give yourself time to leave. 
• Always take a fully charged mobile phone. Being able to call the Coastguard for help might save your life, or the lives of others.
• Don’t climb on cliffs. There are so many dangers, from slips and tidal cutoff to falling cliff debris. 
• Don’t delay calling for help. If you or others are in danger at the coast, dial 999 and ask for Coastguard. 

The town is also home to the most southerly Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) in Northern Ireland, which provides flank support to fellow CRTs at Erne, Newcastle and Portaferry. 

Being a popular holiday destination, Kilkeel coastguards respond to a wide variety of incidents, from ordinance discoveries to missing people and mountain rescue assistance.  

Here we speak to Kilkeel's Deputy Station Officer (DSO) Norman Bridges, who’s also a full-time officer at the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Belfast.   

Why did you join HM Coastguard?

With a father in the Merchant Navy and having worked as a fisherman and volunteered as RNLI lifeboat crew, the maritime world seems second nature to Norman Bridges, Deputy Station Officer with Kilkeel Coastguard Rescue Team, and Senior Maritime Operations Officer at the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Belfast.

“I first volunteered for HM Coastguard on 1st January 2004,” he says. “I’d been lifeboat crew for about 15 years, and at that time, you had to retire at 45. A friend of mine at the Coastguard recommended that I join, and here I am, still enjoying it 20 years on! I’ve also been a Senior Maritime Operations Officer at MRCC Belfast for 11 years now, which I really enjoy.”

“At Kilkeel we respond to a variety of incidents, from washed up ordnance to clifftop rescues. Our area includes one of Northern Ireland’s biggest caravan sites, so we also see missing children, people in the water, rescue helicopter landings, even incidents involving the Mourne mountains, which we’re situated just below.”

What is the most unusual incident you have attended?

“This is a strange one – we had a search for a missing paddleboarder. A caller had seen him coming in across the shore and going around the point, but not emerging the other side,” says Norman. 

“Two Coastguard Rescue Teams and a lifeboat were sent, and we used our social media channels to raise awareness. About an hour and a half later, we heard from another caller: “This paddleboarder you’re looking for, I think it might be me! We asked where they were, and they said they were walking beside the Coastguard Rescue Team! 

"They’d only joined the search and eventually figured out that they were looking for themselves!!”

What is the most unusual place you’ve been when your pager has gone off?

“Oh, many a time I’ve been sat beside my wife for tea, or we’ve been at a party, and I’ve had to head out,” says Norman. “The pager goes, and you go, you can’t turn it down. 

“I do remember one year, we ended up having call outs both before and after midnight on New Year’s Eve, which made us the only team in the UK with both the first job of one year, and the last job of the previous!”

 What is the most challenging part of your role?

Dealing with fatalities has always been a very challenging aspect of the role, says Norman. “And sometimes family members are on scene when you’re taking part in a recovery. 

“Serving with my son Steven, I’ve been able to prepare him for more difficult times like these, but it is very emotional and can be very intense,” he adds. 

Which local beach is your favourite and why?

“Well, our whole coastline from Kilkeel down is beautiful,” says Norman. “But I’d say Cranfield is a really nice beach that I like to get down to. In summer, our area swells by around 5,000 people so our whole stretch of coast suddenly becomes very busy indeed!” 

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team? 

 “It’s a hard question! There are the usual answers about giving back to the community, and it’s a real bonus to be helping people, but I just love the Coastguard!” says Norman. “There just aren’t ever days where I drive down the road and think that I don’t want to be doing this anymore.

“There’s a real buzz when you’re responding to a call, and everything just clicks in. When you’re the team that brings someone back to their loved ones, it’s unbelievable. Later, I go home and thank the Lord that I’m able to make a difference.”

What new skills have you learned as a CRO?

“The new Coastguard Emergency Responder Casualty Care Course (CERCC) gives CROs a really good standard of training in casualty care and first aid,” says Norman. “I’m also a Community First Responder for Northern Ireland Ambulance, so I put a lot of my skills to good use across both voluntary roles.”

“As a Coastguard, there’s often a need to talk to and manage the public, and our role can be made more challenging by the public’s response to incidents, which now often includes videos being put on social media. Giving safety advice is a bit of an art, because many casualties don’t know quite how close they’ve come to further injury – we’re not here to tell people off, but we also need to be realistic about dangers at the coast.”

When you’re not working or volunteering as a CRO, what do you enjoy doing?

“I’ve got my dogs to walk, and my son and I are currently restoring a fishing boat that I hope to use in retirement, if that comes along! I also love my motorbike, which I rode across Belgium and France last year,” adds Norman. 

What do you do for a living?

“In 2014, I joined HM Coastguard full time as a Senior Maritime Operations Officer at the MRCC in Belfast, so I’ve worked for HM Coastguard in a paid full-time role for nearly 11 years! No two days are ever the same, and we’re a very close-knit team, so we really confide in one another,” he says.

Colin joined what became the Stonehaven Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) in May 1983, going on to lead the group for 26 years when he became Station Officer in 1994. 

In recognition of his efforts over four decades he was awarded a British Empire Medal this year in the King’s Birthday Honours. 

His farewell ceremony in August was attended by Lord-Lieutenant Alastair Macphie as well as Assistant Chief Coastguard for Scotland and Northern Ireland Pat O'Callaghan and Divisional Commanders David Sharp and Matt Mackay. 

The gathering at the Stonehaven Sea Cadets’ base, where Colin was presented with an HM Coastguard Long Service Award, included members of Aberdeen and Montrose CRTs, Stonehaven RNLI and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. 

Colin said: “I’m very proud of my four decades with HM Coastguard, helping to keep people safe on the coast and at sea. It was an honour to be waved off by my team and fellow emergency services colleagues.  

“Things have changed a lot since I enrolled in 1983, especially the technology which has gone from wellies and cork lifejackets to the modern service it is today. I'm pleased it remains in very good hands.” 

One of Colin’s most unusual callouts was to recue a cow from the bottom of a cliff, which required a vet and tranqiliser dart.  

Despite his retirement, it’s still a Moir who leads Stonehaven CRT as Colin’s son, Stuart, is the current Station Officer having picked up the mantle in 2020. 

Coastguarding runs in the family as Colin’s wife, Susan, had a short stint in 1989 until becoming pregnant with another son, Glen, who is also a Coastguard Rescue Officer in Stonehaven CRT. 

Phil Skingle, Senior Coastal Operations Officer, said: “We’ll miss Colin hugely, but his dedication and skills have been passed to the current generation of coastguards who will continue in his footsteps.” 

(Main photo credit: Craig Masson)

In 1864, the town was expanded with the opening of the Hull and Hornsea Railway, and during the First World War, the town was home to a Royal Naval Air Service seaplane base.

Hornsea’s 11-strong Coastguard Rescue Team covers the immediate Hornsea area, as well as providing support to flank teams at Bridlington, Withernsea and Hull. The team’s service experience ranges from under one year to more than 45.

Here we speak to Hornsea Station Officer Jonathon and Coastguard Rescue Officer Tim. 

Why did you join HM Coastguard?

Being interested in maritime and with aspirations for a career in the Royal Navy, Jonathon thought that working with HM Coastguard would be a good fit. And 45 years on, he’s still volunteering at Hornsea where he’s a Station Officer. 

“I was encouraged to join by my dad, who was then the Volunteer in Charge of the Rescue Company at Hornsea,” says Jonathon. “This was in 1979, when Hornsea had a General Purpose Boat, which was a big attraction for me.”

Tim hadn’t realised that Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs) were volunteers until he was rescued by Coastguards at Bridlington beach following a paragliding accident. When Hornsea put out a call for willing volunteers, he signed up!
 

What is the most unusual incident you have attended?

“Probably the most unusual or interesting has been working alongside the Air Accident Investigation Branch or the folks from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD),” says Tim.

Jonathon adds: “Years ago, the team was called out to a report of a young heifer that’d gone over the cliff at a place south of Hornsea called, wait for it, Cowden. Turns out the beast had fallen from the cliff top onto a wide ledge a couple of metres below.”

 What is the most unusual place you’ve been when your pager has gone off?

“Probably while paragliding over the Yorkshire Cliffs,” says Tim. “I landed and rejoined the team to carry out the job! Very James Bond I know, but it so happened my kit was in my car at the same location as the incident.”
 

Jonathon was on holiday in Greece when he was alerted to an incident, as he’d forgotten to update the Alert & Tasking system. “I think I’d have struggled to make the 20-minute response time!” he jokes.
 

What is the most challenging part of your role?

“Without doubt, it’s climbing out of bed in the early hours after a couple of hours sleep to lead the team in response to an incident, the full extent of which may not become apparent until you arrive on scene. It’s often in the foulest of foul weather,” says Jonathon.

Tim’s more wary of the unknown nature of incidents and conditions – day or night. As he says, “It can be challenging, but it’s what makes being a CRO all the more worth it.”

Which local beach is your favourite and why? 

Jonathon favours the north end of Hornsea, with memories of spending school summer holidays there as a boy. “We were often huddled behind a windbreak, frequently braving the cold North Sea to swim, surf or catch shrimps,” he recalls.

As a keen paraglider, Tim’s view is a little more unique: “It’s really any cliff or beach that I can fly from, to be honest! I do love the Yorkshire coast, particularly Bridlington, where I fly past Humber and give them a wave!”
 

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team?

“I think that it’s being among a group of like-minded individuals coming together with a common purpose to help people in difficulty on the coast,” says Jonathon.

Tim adds that through the coastguard, he’s been lucky to have worked with “so many fabulous, likeminded people of all ages and backgrounds, all focused with a selfless attitude to provide search and rescue regardless of time, challenge, day or situation”.

What new skills have you learned as a CRO? 

Jonathon and Tim recognise the technical skills that come with joining the coastguard. Throughout Jonathon’s longstanding emergency service work, he points to a range of skills learned, from Officer-in-Charge (OIC) to Rope Technician, Search Team Leader, Casualty Care and Water Safety and Rescue (WSAR). 

He adds that life skills gathered during his career in the police have often complemented and enhanced his technical skills with the coastguard.

Tim says: “My previous background lends itself to coastguard competencies. I’m a not-so-young 50-year-old, but I enjoy the challenge of expanding knowledge. I’ve been applying my background as a CI (Continuous Improvement) coach to help the team develop ways of working based on innovation and development.”
 

When you’re not working or volunteering as a CRO, what do you enjoy doing?

“Family life is very important to me,” says Jonathon. “We have a camper van, which allows us to travel and explore. Fresh air and exercise make me happy, especially when enjoyed walking for miles off the beaten track in the North Yorkshire Moors area.
 
“I’m very much an outdoors kind of guy all aspect of land, sea and obviously air,” says Tim. “Canoeing sailing, climbing, and did I mention paragliding or paramotoring?”

What do you do for a living?

Jonathon is currently an officer with Border Force, having served 30 years in the police followed by a short stint as a seafarer. Tim’s professional background is in telecoms. 

HM Coastguard zero emissions and low emissions electric response vehicles are at the event, showcasing the service’s push towards a greener fleet. The coastguard’s first electric vehicle was unveiled at the Emergency Services Show last year, so coastguard staff will be reflecting on a year of testing a more sustainable version of transport.  

‘On-scene’ drones also feature on the display, which are part of an ongoing trial evaluating their ability to assist HM Coastguard search and rescue missions.   

Visitors can learn the way drones have been used to support missing person searches, water rescues and counter pollution and salvage operations, as well as how they can locate and monitor technical rope and mud rescue incidents.   

HM Coastguard will be displaying new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for women on the stand this year, with staff on hand to explain the significant features and bespoke design.  

Visitors can learn about the benefits behind the two-piece overalls, including how it is designed and positively enhancing the search and rescue experience for female coastguards.   

At the Emergency Services Show HM Coastguard has been joined by stakeholders from across the United Kingdom Search and Rescue family (UKSAR), including Mountain Rescue, Cave Rescue, National Independent Lifeboat Association, RNLI and HM Coastguard’s helicopter operator, Bristow.  

Assistant Chief Coastguard Richard Hackwell said: “The Emergency Services Show is always a brilliant opportunity to engage with partner organisations, stakeholders, the public and coastguard staff and volunteers. In our line of work it is rare we can all be in the same room like this, so this event is always special to see what our partners have been up to and get inspired.   

“HM Coastguard is always keen to look at evolving technology and identify its potential uses to further enhance search and rescue. The Emergency Services Show is our chance to really share more about what we do and how technology can help us to achieve it.” 

Coastguards from Hunstanton, Wells and Sutton Bridge raced to stabilise the unconscious casualty, who had been picked up and hurled around 20 feet to the ground by a strong wind.

“The incident happened about five minutes from the HM Coastguard Station at Hunstanton,” says duty Senior Coastal Operations Officer Christon Iliffe. 

“The casualty required an urgent response, so our team was tasked to maintain their condition and keep them safe and comfortable until a paramedic arrived. 

“Our observation checks are repeated at regular intervals depending on severity. We test pulse, breathing rate and capillary refill, which measures blood flow through body tissues. 

“Coastal situations can change rapidly, so we’re also aware of tide, weather and conditions which could provoke us to move a casualty with such injuries to safety if there was a further risk to life.”

Once the casualty was stabilised, the wait for a safe means of extraction had begun. With an air ambulance tasked to the incident, the team’s role also included identifying and clearing a safe landing site for the helicopter and crew. 

For beach-based helicopter landings, there are numerous dangers, including other beach users, and Foreign Object Debris (FOD).

“There could be other kites being flown nearby, and with a downed kitesurfer, it’s very possible that they could’ve lost grip on their kite or craft. An untethered kite could pose a very real danger to a crew attempting to land,” says Christon, who offers some safety advice for others enjoying windier days on the Norfolk coastline.

“We’re very pleased to have helped the casualty safely into the care of a responding air ambulance. I’m a sea and beach enthusiast and I know how much fun watersports both on coastal and inland waters can be, but local sandbars, low tides and changing wind directions can make for very challenging conditions which can change at a moment’s notice.”

“It’s always very important to know the area you’re visiting and to understand the dangers. In Norfolk, the tidal variation is quite large and can see beachgoers stuck on exposed sandbars and islands as the tide floods in behind them.  

“Whether you’re a pro or a beginner, get to know and respect your abilities, and think about doing water sports alongside others in case of an emergency. Share your start and finish times so that people will know when to expect you back on land. 

“Mark up your equipment and board, so that if it drifts off or is lost on waterways or the coast, we can get in touch to make sure that you’re safe and don’t need our help.”

Sports like paddleboarding, windsurfing, kitesurfing, foiling and kayaking, should always see enthusiasts wear personal flotation devices (PFDs), while carrying a fully charged mobile phone in waterproof pouches or other devices such as Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) and VHF radios.

Read more about HM Coastguard’s top sea safety tips here. 

The town and island grew substantially in the 19th century, whereby it became linked to the mainland with the opening of Barry Docks in 1889. 

Barry continues to be very popular with tourists and locals alike, who enjoy pretty parks, promenades and sandy beaches. Barry has also gained a cult following, after the iconic backdrop was used as a setting for several hit TV shows.  

Here, we speak to father and daughter Barry Coastguard duo, Station Officer Chris and Coastguard Rescue Officer Hannah Fletcher. 

Why did you join HM Coastguard?

“We all have busy work and home lives, but I joined HM Coastguard because I wanted to give something back to the local community,” says Chris, Station Officer at Barry Island. 

“My Daughter Hannah joined the Barry Island team as a Coastguard Rescue Officer (CRO) last year, and I am very proud that she has followed my desire to help others.”

Hannah adds: “I joined HM Coastguard because I’ve always seen how passionate my dad is about the service, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps to give back to the community. It’s such a rewarding role, and it’s a pleasure to ‘learn the ropes’ from my own dad, helping people when they need it the most.

What is the most unusual incident you have attended?

“The most unusual incident I have attended was when a truck drove on to a pebble beach and couldn’t get off,” says Hannah, “they called their own recovery truck, and after several failed attempts, and the recovery truck almost sliding down the rocks, they eventually got the truck off! The driver thought it would be a good place to drive!”

 “Very similarly, the most unusual callout for me was when someone drove a car with a boat on a trailer on to the beach and waited for the tide to come in to drive the boat off,” says Chris, “it obviously ruined their car!”

 What is the most unusual place you’ve been when your pager has gone off?

It’ll come as no surprise to many that both Chris and Hannah share a memory here, as Chris recalls: “The most unusual place I have been when the pager has gone off was at an ice hockey game with my family. I had to run off mid game to attend. 

Hannah adds: “Mine was as I arrived at the ice hockey game! The match hadn’t even started when I left to attend!”

What is the most challenging part of your role?

Being Station Officer, Chris’ primary concern is about keeping a calm head and planning a response for what to do and how to ensure everyone’s safety. He says: “It’s hopefully also going home knowing we have made a difference and helped those in need. It’s a challenge for us all in terms of training to be the best we can be, while helping others to learn new skills.”

Hannah adds: “The most challenging part of my role is dealing with people in a mental health crisis, as we always want that person to get to a place of safety for help. Sometimes it may take hours to get that person to safety. It’s always the unknown of what could happen, but when they’re safe there’s always a big sigh of relief.” 

Which local beach is your favourite and why?

“We have three beaches local to us, Jacksons Bay, Whitmore Bay and The Old Harbour in Barry,” says Chris, “they’re all lovely, with huge areas of sand, and they get very, very busy on nice sunny days.”

 Hannah’s favourite beach is the Knap. She says: “It’s a lovely place to have a BBQ with family and friends and watch the sunset in summer while listening to the waves.”

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team?

“The thing I enjoy most about being part of an amazing team is knowing that we can all rely on each other to stay safe. With there being so much knowledge on the team, I’m always learning,” says Hannah. 

 Chris adds: “It’s just a fantastic thing to do, being part of such a great team. It’s always a good feeling when you have helped someone on a bad day.”

 What new skills have you learned as a CRO?

“I started 10 years ago as a CRO and knew very little about the Coastguard,” says Chris, “but I’ve learnt so many new skills in this time, from water rescue and search skills for missing people, to becoming a qualified rope rescue technician. Plus, I’m now the Station Officer after taking on the role three years ago. I love it, and I love working with our team of 12 volunteers.”

 For Hannah, there’s also a raft of new skills to put into practice. She says: “I’ve learnt so many new skills as a CRO, such as many different knot techniques to how to complete a rope rescue, and how to perform water rescues and first aid. I am constantly learning new skills and it’s helped me a lot in my day-to-day life too!”

When you’re not working or volunteering as a CRO, what do you enjoy doing?

Both Chris and Hannah share similar interests, as their family loves to be outdoors. For Chris, it’s running, cycling, and kayaking, and for Hannah, a fun afternoon usually involves riding her horse through the countryside and taking her dog for a walk.

What do you do for a living?

Hannah works as a Police Officer, while Chris is a self-employed plumber. 

That capability involves a vast range of activities, from search and rescue to counter-pollution and ship safety – but also a wide variety of people. 

We spoke to one of HM Coastguard’s youngest, 16-year-old Felix Palmer fresh from a week of work experience, and seasoned veteran Coastguard Jonathon Cliff, who has more than 40 years of service under his belt. 

On Emergency Services Day, here’s what being part of the blue light family means to them. 

Felix (16) 

Felix’s face lights up when he recalls the visit to see HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopters at their base during his week of work experience. 

His ambition is one day to be a pilot or an engineer for one of the iconic red and white aircraft. Some of his friends are considering a medical or military career. 

“I think people definitely respect the emergency services” says Felix. 

“I am really interested in pursuing a career in the aeronautical area. If I get the skills, I would like to use them for good – to help rather than for commercial use.” 

He would be following in the footsteps of his mum, Henrietta Palmer, who works at HM Coastguard as Learning Solutions Manager, Technical Training. 

As well as the helicopter base, Felix’s week with HM Coastguard included witnessing the operations room at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Fareham, mud rescue practice, vessel traffic management, and work with data science and engineering. 

Felix said: “The coastguard is so wide-ranging – there's pretty much a job for everyone. There’s such a range of things to do. 

“The systems that they use – I did not realise how in depth they were and how complex they were. I did not realise HM Coastguard operates all the way up the UK to the Shetlands. 

“My mum tells me about HM Coastguard and it always fascinates me, especially the operations rooms – how they work, the systems they use to track the ships, and how the Coastguard fits into the other emergency services.” 

Felix adds: “I definitely have a lot more respect for what goes on at HM Coastguard.” 

Jonathon, Station Officer for Hornsea Coastguard Rescue Team (62) 

From daring cliff rescues to searches for missing people, award-winning veteran Coastguard Jonathon Cliff has a lifetime of experience keeping people safe at the coast in Hornsea, Yorkshire.  

Starting with HM Coastguard at the age of 16 in 1979, Jonathon’s 45 years of experience have seen huge changes within rescue technology and coastal safety, but as he’s keen to point out, the core aspects of the emergency service remain the same.  

“We’ve definitely got far busier at Hornsea, as technology has advanced and enabled people to report incidents more easily,” says Jonathon.  

“Throughout my time with the Coastguard, I’ve seen just about everything, from the humorous to the routine and sadly the tragic. But HM Coastguard is all about helping the community, making a difference, and making sure people are safe, and that's never changed.” 

Being part of the emergency services family is a lifechanging commitment, and it’s often something that families make great sacrifices to support. As well as his work as a Coastguard, Jonathon worked for the police for 30 years. 

“Family is key to making our volunteering a success. If lives are at risk, that’s the focus. Families can and do understand, and without my family’s support, I wouldn’t have been able to do this.” 

Offering some friendly words of advice and encouragement to those looking to follow in his footsteps, Jonathon says: “When I was just starting out, there were very wise ‘older’ Coastguards who were ex Royal or Merchant Navy, probably younger than I am now!  

“Rinse every drop of advice, learning and knowledge from the more experienced people around you. Be confident, do your best and focus on what you’re there to do. As emergency services, we’re here to help. Never forget that you’re a very important part of that machine.” 

Coastguard rescue teams from Bangor and Portaferry were sent along with the RNLI lifeboat from Bangor and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

When the rescue teams arrived, they could see there was no time to lose. While waiting for the rescuers, the tired and chilled swimmer had done the right thing and adopted the Float To Live position.

He was about 50 metres off the shore and the highly trained coastguard rescue teams decided the swiftest and safest way to get him to shore was via a snatch rescue. The snatch technique is when a coastguard officer who is tethered to others, enters the water with minimal protective equipment to get the casualty out of danger.

Ryan Gray, a Senior Coastal Operations Officer lives nearby and was already wearing the correct personal protection equipment so he was the first choice to go into the water to help.

There was no time to lose and it was time-critical to get the swimmer out of the water and into the care of the ambulance service. The teams all worked together to get the man to safety and today’s rescue is a prime example of how our training helps ensure we work as one to make the right decisions quickly and help save lives. We wish the casualty a swift recovery, said Ryan.

Belfast Coastguard co-ordinated the rescue and has praised the actions of the public for quickly dialling 999 and asking for the Coastguard.

If you see anyone in difficulties at the coast, always call 999 without delay and ask for the Coastguard.

If you find yourself in trouble in the water remember Float To Live, relax and float with your head back and ears submerged, and spread your arms and legs out for stability. 

Located in the historic county of Glamorgan on the South Wales coast, Port Talbot is an industrial centre and popular seaside resort. The town’s three-mile sandy beach at Aberavon is popular with surfers, swimmers and kayakers, and offers tranquil views over Swansea Bay. The nearby Margam Country Park and renowned Afan Forest Park are popular stops for cyclists and walkers. 

The Port Talbot Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) consists of 12 Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs), including Deputy Station Officer Gary Locke, who’s here to tell us more about the Port Talbot team.

Why did you join HM Coastguard?

"Our team shares a range of reasons for joining the Coastguard, from growing up close to the beach to giving back to the community. My family has served for more than 160 years and counting, so I’ll often say that it's ‘in my blood’. Fellow team member Gary Lowe’s father has also served."

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team?

"Definitely the comradery between our team; it plays a vital part in being able to rely on each other when needed. Also, giving back to the community by being there when that person needs you. Being there to help really makes the 3am pager tone worth it."

What is the most unusual incident you have attended?

"Two years ago, we had a woman going into labour on the beach. She was very close to giving birth, but luckily we managed to get her to an ambulance and off to hospital in time."

Which local beach is your favourite and why?

"It must be Aberavon. There’s no bias of course, it’s just a beautifully underrated beach."

What new skills have you learned as a Coastguard Rescue Officer?

"Lost and Missing Person and Coastguard Emergency Response Casualty Care skills have been nothing short of invaluable to learn, as these embed confidence in the team to search safely at night in difficult terrain, as well as having that friendly communication with any casualty."

What is the most challenging part of your role?

"Dealing with fatalities can be challenging, but the system HM Coastguard has in place is very helpful for some of us during these difficult taskings."

What is the most unusual place you’ve been when the pager has gone off?

"One of the joys of being in the service is that the pager could go off at any given time. From family meals out, to a shop at the local supermarket. While being fast asleep is probably the most popular one."

When you are not working or volunteering as a Coastguard, what do you enjoy doing?

"We all agree that quality time is about spending time with our families, but we have quite a few gym goers, as well as a football coach and a golfer."

What do you do for a living?

"We have quite a range of jobs here at Port Talbot CRT - CEO of a charity, contracts manager, nurse, police, and ex forces. It's these jobs and former job roles that bring invaluable skills to the team."

The coastal city has hosted one of the biggest annual air shows in Europe, and with the UK’s most hours of sunshine per month, it’s a popular destination for holiday makers.

Most importantly, Southend is home to the Southend-on-sea Coastguard Rescue Team. The group of five Coastguard Rescue Officers, a Deputy Station Officer and Station Officer, cover around 70 miles of coastline and inlets of the Thames Estuary, from Benfleet to Battlesbridge. 

Here, we speak with Station Officer Del and Coastguard Rescue Officers Alan, David and John. 

Why did you join HM Coastguard?

Station Officer Del joined HM Coastguard after seeing the team step in to help people in need along the coast. He knew that the team was made of volunteers and felt that he wanted to be among what he affectionately calls "his kind of truly selfless people".

For Coastguard Rescue Officer and City of London worker Alan, HM Coastguard was an opportunity to give something back. Alan’s father spent more than 30 years in Essex Fire and Rescue Service and having grown up in what he fondly refers to as the "999 family", it just felt like the right thing to do.

David, an armed forces veteran and MBE holder, also has a connection to the emergency services too, having previously worked for the fire and rescue service. Now self-employed, he says that HM Coastguard felt like a natural progression for someone with his skillset – even if he initially knew very little about the seaside he’d lived next to for so long. 

Lifelong seafarer John, meanwhile, has sailed the oceans and raced extensively across UK waters, when not working full time as a Chartered Surveyor. After entering retirement, he joined HM Coastguard to put back into the community and share his knowledge of weather, tides, and safe coastal activities.

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team?

Alan says that the team is like a second family. Being a team player is important when supporting a front-line emergency service. Trusting your colleagues, being calm under pressure, and communicating are all vitally important in helping those in need. 

Del agrees, with David adding that the team are a great bunch: they’re well-led and professional, yet patient and supportive too. There are a lot of dynamics at play, while working as a team to resolve incidents. 

John appreciates the sense of belonging that comes from being part of a UK-wide organisation with a common purpose. He points out that, as well as the team being there to save the lives of total strangers, they also protect their colleagues too. “Constant training and the application of new skills gives a strong sense of satisfaction for a job well done,” he says. 

What is the most unusual incident you have attended?

“I once hiked two miles to rescue a stranded sheep on a saltmarsh,” says Del. To his surprise, he soon discovered that sheep can swim! Reaching the area, he found that the woolly casualty had swiftly self-rescued itself to land and walked back to their field.

For David, the devil lay in the detail, as he recalls the amount of paperwork needed in the sad event of recovering a dead porpoise that had been washed ashore. “I never imagined I’d be studying and counting how many teeth a porpoise had,” he jokes. 

Meanwhile, Alan’s chase of a small (and very naughty) dachshund dog lasted more than 12 hours, across mudflats and marshland. The incident concluded happily, though not before various news outlets and regional TV programmes had gotten hold of the story.

John’s discovery of a fully armed Victorian explosive set hares running after it was found to be in a precarious position next to Southend Pier. After a swift emergency response, the team playfully gave the story a headline of its own: ‘Oldest pier in the world saved by oldest Coastguard in the world…’.

Which local beach is your favourite and why?

Del’s favourite beach is Thorpe Bay, where the tide stays in longer and it’s perhaps a little quieter than the city’s main beaches. It's a great place for engaging in his love of water sports, paddle boarding, kayaking and cold water dips.

Alan and David prefer wilder stretches of coastline from the fishing village of old Leigh to Two Tree Island, while John thinks that beaches east of the Pier are ideal. He’s also got fond memories of West Beach at Shoebury from his school years.

What new skills have you learned as a Coastguard Rescue Officer?

For David, new skills learned include working safely and more confidently both in and around water. After he finished his CRO training, he went on holiday to Cyprus where all the coastal activities he saw took on a different perspective, he says.

Advanced first aid is among the skills Alan considers most important. Having been on secondment to the East of England Ambulance Service for three months over the COVID-19 pandemic, he says it was invaluable to have learned even more from being on the frontline during such a crucial time.

Station Officer Del has picked up many skills over the years, but those that stand out most are search skills; from behavioural understandings to map reading. 

While keeping casualties alive and providing critical Casualty Care have been among the biggest skills increase for John. 

“When all emergency services ‘talk the same language’, information is standardised, more reliable, and acted upon,” he adds.

What is the most challenging part of your role?

“Without doubt, there are times when the outcome of an incident is not what we’d hoped,” says Alan, "but training kicks in and the team do the best they can for anyone affected or involved. 

"HM Coastguard has a great support mechanism in place to support colleagues, and it's actively encouraged to take part," he adds. 

Alan is close to finishing his Officer-in-Charge (OIC) training and is expected to officially go live end of the summer. He is also kept busy as the Southend Coastguard Media officer, and is proud to have built a following so Southend-on-Sea is one of the most followed CRT accounts in the UK. This helps the team get important safety messages across the community.

The theory elements of the training were tough to begin with for David, who’d been unfamiliar with the acronyms and terminology often used by people on the coast or working at sea. He says that he adapted by ‘unlearning’ some former habits, while adjusting to new policies and protocols.

Meanwhile, John has recently passed his OIC training, received after a year of rigorous testing and assessment. The role entails mitigating risk and protecting bystanders, the rescuer, and the team from danger. 

As Station Officer, Del's observation are different – he’s looking at the team’s strengths and weaknesses, helping to build confidence across the team’s varied skillset.

What is the most unusual place you've been when your pager has gone off?

A multitude of answers come back from the team, including being halfway down the pier, out shopping, showering and even up a ladder fixing a roof!

When you're not working or volunteering as a Coastguard, what do you enjoy doing?

Alan holds a private pilot’s licence, but he tends not to fly so much now, instead keeping fit with obstacle course races and triathlon events. Del enjoys adventuring on the water, as well as summer barbecues. He is also the owner of two very energetic dogs.

As Chair of a Community Interest Company, David looks after a heritage and community building in Shoebury, and helps at events like Remembrance parades and military shows, and supports the Poppy Appeal. When not volunteering, he also rides a 20-year-old Harley Davidson motorbike which he says helps to "relive his youth!".

A keen seafarer, John sails and maintains his own boats. He’s got two dogs, which he enjoys exercising, and he’s now the proud owner (and builder) of an eco-house close to the seafront. His campervan, children and grandchildren also keep him busy.

What do you do for a living?

Alan has worked in the City of London for more than 35 years, but nowadays he’s looking to take it easier as he nears retirement and continues with his volunteering work for HM Coastguard. It’s a similar story for John, who is now retired as a Chartered Surveyor in London, after 45 years in practice.

But for David, however, there’s no sign of stopping, as he owns and manages a property portfolio in the UK and Cyprus. 

Del is a coach and joint owner of an outdoors activity company, which he says keeps him active, while he manages group paddle boarding, kayaks and cold-water swims. 

But inevitably amid the buckets and spades, sunscreen and sunglasses, there are coastal dangers for those in the wrong place at the wrong time, as Senior Coastal Operations Officer Rob Farr explains. 

“Everyone’s got an adventurous spirit and a thrill for seeking out new things. For many, it’s why they visit the Cornish coast, and we’d never want that to stop. 

"But you’ve often got two kinds of explorer; one who’s informed about the sea, tides, and dangers on rocks and cliffs, and the other who’s far less equipped and far more willing to take risks. 

“That’s usually a person that sees or hears of activities, opportunities or sights that just seem ‘too good to miss’, even when they come with significant dangers.” 

Of course, even those with great insight can still come into danger at the coast, as the variety of incidents across one busy Cornish weekend in August proves.

“We’d heard from a colleague at the MRCC that this was potentially one of the busiest weekends that they’d seen in more than 20 years, and the influx and variety of incidents certainly demonstrates that,” says Rob.

“Whipsiderry beach in Newquay is surrounded by cliffs on all sides. It’s accessible from other nearby beaches when the tide is low, but as the tide pushes in, it gets cut off. With unstable cliffs and difficult boat access, it can be a particular problem for coastguards. 

"These ‘hidden’ locations get loads of social media coverage, which convinces people to visit, but neglects to mention the dangers. On the Sunday, we saw more than 100 people visit Whipsiderry, many of them being young people enjoying the weather and sharing their experiences on social media. 

"When we see the tide starting to push in on the beach it’s potentially a major incident, with dozens of people at risk of being caught out by the tide. Our officers headed down to move people to safer areas.” 

Meanwhile, fellow Senior Coastal Operations Officer Matt Rogers was on duty for mid and west Cornwall, overseeing 17 coastguard teams and responding to incidents. 

Matt says: “Among other things, we responded to a cliff incident involving a 15-year-old, a protracted medical job at Porthcurno, a young person missing in the sea at the River Camel, and two young people stuck in a cave at Fistral beach.”

Together with a raft of tide-related incidents, coastguard teams responded to reports of an incapacitated casualty lying on a beach amid incoming tides, a casualty with a spike impaled in their foot, and two unconscious women at Porth. 

Speaking about the crucial work of his fellow coastguards, Rob adds: “The role of Coastguard isn’t for everyone – some people walk away from danger, and some people walk towards it to help someone when they’re having a dire time. Coastguards are the latter.”

“Our teams are very much part of their local community. Working closely alongside emergency services colleagues in Fire and Rescue, Ambulance, RNLI and Police, they gain immense satisfaction by keeping people safe at the coast.”

Rob and Matt’s top coastal tips

• Be adventurous (in the right way). Don’t take unnecessary risks while exploring and carry a charged mobile phone. If you’re visiting the coast or going in the water, tell people where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
• Learn about local tides. Read tide tables and times for the area you’re in, understand that tides change and differ according to beach and season.
• Don’t sit underneath cliffs. Aside from the danger of falling rocks and debris, objects can detach from the cliff face and fall onto the beach. You could sit or stand on something sharp or dangerous.  
• Enjoy lifeguarded beaches. Lifeguards keep people safe. They alert beachgoers to potential dangers, and they’ll be on the lookout for changing conditions.  
• Don’t take someone else’s word for it. Social media posts might not share hidden dangers. Check that you can leave beaches safely and read up on dangers that might occur in areas that might otherwise look inviting or safe.  
• If a coastal path is closed, don’t ignore it. Don’t take risks with shortcuts or use coastal paths access points that have been closed – it’ll be for a good reason.

Disaster struck late on 17 August when the mast came away leaving the vessel, Glad Eye Moody, powerless in the dark on choppy waters. 

Mike, who has a decade of sailing experience, said “there was no warning” when the mast went down.  

Using the engine ran the risk of fouling the propellor on the wreckage hanging over the port side, but with debris flailing around it was too dangerous to go on deck to cut the rigging away. 

The situation facing the crew of the sailing vessel was bleak

The radio appeared not to work, due to the aerial being underwater, but a Pan Pan broadcast for help was sent “in the blind” – not knowing whether it had been received.  

But the call was picked up by a nearby freighter which approached and, via handheld radio, was able to relay messages to HM Coastguard’s Belfast Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC). 

Mike said: “It was a bad situation but all three on board held RYA Day Skipper qualifications, so were confident of the safety procedures and there was no panic.” 

Crucially, the yacht was carrying an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) and the crew having a personal location beacon (PLB) on board.  

For the sake of a few hundred quid, I would recommend everyone to get at least one

When the EPIRB was triggered at about 1.30am on 17 August, it alerted Belfast MRCC to Mike's position midway between the Isle of Man and Strangford Lough on the east coast of Northern Ireland.   

That was followed up by the PLB, adding another signal to guide rescuers through the darkness towards their location. 

Both were registered with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, so Mike and his vessel could be instantly identified by the signal. 

Mike said: “I would say the EPIRB and PLB were a key feature, and the only hope given the apparently not working radio. They send out the distress signal and give the exact position of the device.  

“For the sake of a few hundred quid, I would recommend everyone to get at least one. It’s essential and must be up to date and with its batteries tested.” 

Now it’s all finished, I am more conscious of the severity of the situation

The RNLI's all-weather lifeboats from Peel, on the Isle of Man, and Donaghadee were sent, supported by the HM Coastguard helicopter from Caernarfon and an Irish Coast Guard helicopter.  

Peel lifeboat was able to find the vessel and safely bring Mike and his two crew, all wearing lifejackets, back to Peel harbour – just seven hours after the alarm was raised.  

Mike said: “Now it’s all finished, I am more conscious of the severity of the situation we were in. But at the time it was about taking logical steps.” 

From his experience and training, Mike knew to use the full range of communications at his disposal to raise the alarm: 

• With poor reception on his mobile phone, he managed to make a short 999 call to HM Coastguard  
• The radio system was unable to receive but could still broadcast a Pan Pan which was relayed by a nearby cargo ship 
• A strobe light and flare were used to attract the attention of a nearby vessel and lifeboats. 

Coordinating the rescue operation from Belfast MRCC was Norman Bridge, a Senior Maritime Operations Officer with HM Coastguard.  

Norman said: "The situation facing the crew of the sailing vessel was bleak: difficult communications, a badly damaged mast, and choppy conditions in the darkness of the Irish Sea miles from land.  

"But they were kitted out properly with an EPIRB and PLB, which made a big difference to how quickly we were able to find them and bring them to safety." 

PLBs broadcast a location on the same 406MHz frequency as bigger EPIRBs but are designed to be worn on the body, rather than on a vessel or liferaft, and are always manually activated. 

For more safety tips, visit hmcoastguard.uk/onboard 

Why do we need a SOSREP? 

The SOSREP provides strategic oversight of a maritime incident on behalf of the UK Government.  

The individual role holder has ultimate control and legal power to make a final decision during national maritime emergencies. It is a powerful and unique role within the UK Government’s maritime emergency response system. 

What’s its aim? 

The SOSREP’s objective is to reduce the risk to safety and marine pollution, and they may also become involved directly in operational oversight, giving reassurance to the UK Government that all necessary steps are being taken relating to salvage or pollution containment. 

Time-critical decisions can be made without delay, as the Secretary of State’s powers are delegated to SOSREP and decisions that are in the overriding UK public interest can be made quickly.   

What sort of maritime emergencies involve SOSREP?  

Maritime emergencies can be complex, involving multiple agencies, specialists, authorities, and stakeholder groups. 

Emergencies can include significant shipping and offshore incidents, such as collisions or ship groundings, that may cause pollution.  

SOSREP steps in at an early stage to oversee incident response management, from the emergency’s outset to long-lasting wreck removal operations. 

When was the role created and why? 

The role was created after the Sea Empress oil tanker disaster in 1996. After the incident’s response, a government review recommended that one individual should be given ultimate control and influence in making the final decisions during national maritime emergencies. 

Who is the current SOSREP and who do they report to? 

Stephan Hennig has been SOSREP since 2018. The Deputy SOSREP is Lisa McAuliffe.     

SOSREP is an employee of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, reporting to the Director of HM Coastguard and the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning.  

What organisations does SOSREP work with? 

SOSREP works with multiple organisations depending on the nature of the incident.  

These include HM Coastguard, Environment Agencies, ship owners and operators, protection and indemnity and hull and machinery insurers, local authorities, marine consultants, lighthouse authorities, specialist rescue contractors, statutory nature conservation bodies, lawyers, emergency services, cargo owners, and communications through the media.  

What does a typical incident look like for the SOSREP? 

SOSREP will act and oversee the response to an incident from start to finish. Firstly, the risk to safety is assessed and evaluated, along with the risk of actual or potential pollution.   

The remit ensures that all steps are taken to prevent or respond to any escalation of the incident. Once the incident is resolved, SOSREP will take the lead in reviewing the overall response and making any necessary recommendations for future improvements. 

Does SOSREP have international authority? 

The SOSREP’s legal powers extend to the limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone for shipping incidents and to the limits of the UK Continental Shelf for offshore installation incidents. 

SOSREP is listed as an emergency contact for the UK and close working relationships are held with international authorities so that international incidents can be swiftly resolved.  

By the time it hit the streets, it had generated enough momentum to smash inside homes and businesses, wash away cars and fell huge trees. 

HM Coastguard played its part that day in the rescue response alongside the rest of the emergency services and local residents. 

Villagers and tourists stranded by the flooding were helped by Boscastle’s own Coastguard Rescue Team as well as those from Port Isaac, Bude, Polzeath and St Austell. 

Airlifts were carried out by a fleet of seven military and HM Coastguard helicopters, in partnership with RNLI lifeboats from Port Isaac, Bude and Padstow, plus police, fire and ambulance services. 

Members of the public joined the rescue operation too, pulling people from stranded cars and helping them to higher ground. 

The joint effort by the community and its emergency services prevented any loss of life that day – although £2m of infrastructure damage was caused and 60 properties were flooded. 

It was an event that will live long in the memories of local people, said James Instance, who is now HM Coastguard Divisional Commander based at Falmouth but who was then Watch Manager. 

He witnessed the wreckage first-hand when he came on shift the next day, and recalls the reports from Coastguard Rescue Officers at the scene.  

James said: “What started as a fine morning for Boscastle, with villagers and tourists going about their business, turned into a scene of devastation with pictures broadcast all around the world. 

“Anyone who was part of that day will never forget the power of the water or the bravery and collaboration between the public and emergency services, including HM Coastguard, who worked together to ensure everyone was saved. 

“To have seven helicopters and excellent co-operation from all the blue lights on scene was a great example of the UK emergency services at their best.” 

Located on the North East coast, Seaham is around six miles south of Sunderland. With its sandy beach, the lively harbour is a popular spot for those walking Durham’s Heritage Coast.

The town is also home to one of the UK’s oldest surviving churches, and a captivating 9ft tall sculpture "Tommy" by artist Ray Lonsdale that depicts a World War one soldier.

Within County Durham, Seaham’s Coastguard Rescue Team of six oversee an area from the River Wear to the River Tees flanked by Sunderland and Hartlepool CRTs. 

We joined Seaham Station Officer Paul to find out more about his work as part of the Seaham Coastguard Rescue Team.

Why did you join HM Coastguard?

Joining the Coastguard had been a life goal for me for several years but work commitments had always been in the way. In 2022, I was lucky enough that I was able to join and give back to the Coast I have enjoyed visiting my whole life. 

What is the most unusual incident you have attended?

Probably a tasking to a mysterious sighting of a black parachute entering the water in darkness 300 metres off the beach, but nothing was found.

What is the most unusual place you’ve been when your pager has gone off?

It’s less of a question of being in an unusual place, but it always seems to be just as I pick up a knife and fork!

What is the most challenging part of your role?

We respond to a lot of mental health incidents which can be difficult to deal with, especially when the casualty does not necessarily want to be helped in the first instance.

Which local beach is your favourite and why?

Seaham’s Glass Beach is great for sea glass picking and a peaceful walk wave watching. 

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team?

The team camaraderie and working together in challenging environments to help people is what I enjoy most.

What new skills have you learned as a CRO?

Where do I start? The training within the Coastguard is fantastic, from rope and WSAR, to search techniques. Learning is a constant, and being a CRO there is always a new situation or technique to take on board, be it a training session or a live job.

When you’re not working or volunteering as a CRO, what do you enjoy doing?

Spending time with my family and exploring the North East coastline 

What do you do for a living?

I’m a General Manager at Warden Law Motorsports Centre in Sunderland

The area is also home to the Arnside Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT), a crew of 12 who operate between the coasts of the South Lakes and the Lake District, including Windermere and Coniston.

Among its many unique features, Arnside’s tidal bore, one of 20 across the UK, is a popular spectacle for visitors and locals. This fast-flowing wave is powerful and impressive, but also causes dangerous and extreme tides. 

For this week's Meet Your Coastguard, we speak with Alan Firth, Deputy Station Officer for Arnside CRT.

Why did you join HM Coastguard?

After serving more than 30 years with Greater Manchester Fire Service as an operational firefighter, I relocated to Arnside and decided that the skills I’d gained at work could be put to good use.

What is the most unusual incident you have attended?

We attended an incident where it appeared that one person was stuck up to their knees in the mud with another person waving frantically while running about. It turned out to be a dancer filming himself with a camera perched on top of his rucksack.

What is the most unusual place you’ve been when your pager has gone off?

I hadn’t been with HM Coastguard very long and was shopping with my wife in a DIY store when my pager went off. At first, I thought it was a smoke alarm, and it wasn’t until my wife pointed out: “It’s your pager going off” that I responded! I have responded on a train coming back across the bay and was able to get “eyes on“ for an incident as I came back into Arnside.

What is the most challenging part of your role?

It’s realising that we are all volunteers, after working in the fire service full time for 30 years. Also, arriving at an incident knowing that backup might not arrive for a while.

Which local beach is your favourite and why?

The beach in front of our Coastguard Station is stunning and sees fantastic sunsets. But for me, the iconic Arnside Viaduct on the beach is a favourite as I have drawn and painted it several times.

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team?

 We have a great, friendly team, which is always there to pick you up if you are feeling a low. There’s lots of encouragement and we are all very keen team members.

What new skills have you learned as a CRO?

I am now K38 qualified to use a rescue watercraft or RWC (jet ski) which is based at Arnside. This was put to great use at COP26 in 2021 in Glasgow, when myself and another team member from Arnside patrolled the River Clyde for two weeks on the RWC. I have also trained as a mud technician for mud rescues. I recently became Deputy Station Officer and have gained additional skills in incident management, team welfare and leading training sessions.

When you’re not working or volunteering as a CRO, what do you enjoy doing?

I spend a lot of time drawing and painting and I spend at least three days a week cycling – I even cycled from Land’s’ End to John O’ Groats for charity last year!

What do you do for a living?

Having retired as a firefighter, I’m now an artist and coastguard.

But it turned into a nightmare in the morning when wet weather made the way back up impossibly slippery – with the very real danger of skidding off the rocks and plunging into the sea. 

The pair had initially parked nearby on the afternoon of 19 July in calm conditions and carried their gear down a dry route to a broad flat area, within easy reach of the water. 

Tom (24), from Dumfries and Galloway, said: “The plan was to go skate fishing and fish through the night, when they are best to catch. We set up camp and started fishing. 

“At about 8pm it started raining. We’re more used to sandstone where we’re from; even in the rain there’s always some grip. But here it was like walking on ice. We were trying to stand up on the rocks and it was just like ice.  

“We decided not to risk it but to go back to the tent. The next morning everything was still so wet and slippery.” 

With their one way out also covered in rainwater, they were trapped.  

Tom continued: “We had a lot of stuff. I think we maybe could have done it with nothing to carry, but we had a good 200kg of gear with us and it would have been several trips. There was the risk of falling or slipping and hitting your head.” 

Realising that attempting to climb back up would be foolhardy, the pair called 999 and asked for the Coastguard. 

Support was soon on hand with Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRTs) sent from Oban and Crinan, as well as the RNLI all-weather lifeboat from Oban, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. 

With exit by air and sea unavailable, the CRTs used their technical rescue skills to fix a secure ropeway across the rocks.  

With the lifeline in place, one by one Tom and his friend were fitted into a lifejacket and harness, clicked onto the rope, and assisted back up to safety. 

For others planning a similar trip, Tom advised: “I didn’t think to consider the type of rocks we would be fishing from. We knew that rain was coming but where we usually fish it’s safe to keep going. 

“The big thing is not to be afraid of asking for help. I have never been afraid to do that and I’m very glad.” 

Alec Wallace, Senior Coastal Operations Officer with HM Coastguard, said: “This incident shows the speed and severity of how conditions by the coast can suddenly change: from safe and dry to wet and treacherous. 

“They did exactly the right thing: they stepped away from the danger, stayed put and called for help. Their decisions that day might well have saved their lives. 

“Our advice for visiting coastal areas is to check the weather and tides, watch out for changing conditions, and avoid cliff edges. Keep your exit routes in mind too. If you do get into difficulty by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.” 

For safety tips when visiting the coast, visit hmcoastguard.uk/safety-advice.

Steve was in a kayak and Alyssa on a paddleboard about 300 metres from shore when without warning the situation changed: Alyssa’s paddle went astray, the rain fell, visibility dropped, and the wind and waves suddenly strengthened, irresistibly blowing them out into deeper water. 

Steve said: “We were in the shallows to start off with when my granddaughter dropped her paddle. I kayaked over to get it and she started quickly drifting. Then the wind caught us and took us out to sea.” 

The pair had given themselves the best chance of being found safely having gone out fully prepared wearing wetsuits, personal flotation devices, and carrying a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch. 

Back on land, Sharon was watching them with growing concern when she got a call from Steve, whose 24 years’ experience in the Royal Navy had kicked into gear. 

Steve said: “I phoned Sharon to ask for help and she called 999 for the Coastguard. We kept drifting, so I got Alyssa into the kayak and we lashed it together with the paddleboard.” 

Keeping calm, they sat back-to-back to watch out for rescue and held Steve’s bright orange paddle in the air to catch attention. 

By this time, they were nearly out of sight to Sharon. But HM Coastguard’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Fareham was soon able to call Steve direct to check his location and reassure him help was on its way. 

Just 50 minutes after the alarm had been raised at about 1pm, the RNLI's inshore lifeboat from Eastbourne had found the pair. They were brought back to shore chilly, but safe and well, where they were met by Eastbourne Coastguard Rescue Team. 

Steve said: “We did the right thing. Everyone knew where we were, and someone was on the beach able to keep a lookout. 

“I was used to the currents but the wind just overtook us. Once we were beyond the sandbar we were in deeper water and we dared not get out.”  

He advised others using watercraft: “I’d say just that the key thing is to make sure they have a phone on them to make contact and that people know where they are. If you’re in trouble, call 999 and ask for Coastguard.” 

For more advice about staying safe on watercraft visit https://hmcoastguard.uk/sea 

Ian adds: “I’d just gone to put some equipment in the back of our rescue vehicle and fellow coastguard rescue officer Andrea had come out with me. Our vehicle was parked backing out to the beaches and sea, and as we were chatting I could see something that just didn’t look right.”

Amid the darkening evening skyline, Station Officer Ian made out something strange. Jutting out into the rising tide was a young person clinging to a marker post at the end of one of the wooden beach groynes.

 “At first, it looked like a child above the water with what seemed to be a family member wading in towards them. The more I looked, the more it felt like an emergency." 

Andrea and Ian both sprang into action, shouting the rest of the team and calling the ops room to update on the situation. Meanwhile, the person who’d started heading towards the youngster seemed to be struggling, and Ian instructed his team to get suited up for a double water rescue.

“The team were putting on their dry suits and lifejackets and grabbing throw ropes, while I was in the coastguard rescue vehicle, ready to head about 300 metres to the beach. One of our team ran down to speak to a person on the coast who was watching the scene unfold and he turned out to be a friend of the man in the water.

Dylan says: “The wader made it to the young person but he’d become in danger too, balancing and stuck on the end of the groyne, with the teenager trying to find higher ground on a narrow peak of sand bank while waves crashed around her."

Getting down to the water’s edge, the two coastguards, held secure by rope lines, waded and swam for the youngster first, pulling her back to shore, then going back in for the man.

“It quickly occurred to us that the girl was actually on her own,” says Ian, “we'd been wrong because the man going in was actually a bystander who’d seen the girl in distress. It turned out that she’d been on the beach with her friends, who’d dared her to go onto the sandbank. When she got into difficulty, they’d ran off without seeking help and left her there.”

 “Had we not seen them, it could have been a very different situation, couldn’t it?” says Dylan, who's volunteered with HM Coastguard for the past 10 years.  “It takes some of the team 15 minutes to get to the station, and had we been called in from home that night, I really think she’d have been taken out by the tide before we’d have gotten on scene.”

Getting the young casualty’s contact details, police officers visited the child’s address to find parents deep in panic and unaware that she’d gone to the beach. Coastguard officers also discovered that the rescued adult was in possession of a mobile phone, but he hadn’t dialled 999 and asked for the Coastguard.

 “It was brave but ultimately also short-sighted - he’d not thought of Plan B and he'd become a second casualty. We offered to take him back to the boathouse to get dry and thank him for his efforts, but he wanted to be on his way and didn’t want any further help,” says Dylan. 

The topography of Rhyl contributes to its volume of coastal incidents, with a tide of around three quarters of a mile making the busy tourist town no stranger to call-outs for Ian’s team. “The inflatables, Ryhl's sandbanks and mud, its wind, and missing children. After being in the team for 15 years, there are still only three or four incidents that I recall so vividly. This is one,” he says.

“Seeing the girl’s micro scooter near the beach reminded us of her young age and the amount of danger she’d been in. We really made a difference that night – we were in the right place at the right time and we saved lives.”

The emergency response practice near Claremont Pier in Lowestoft involved the town’s Coastguard Rescue Team, RNLI lifeguards, and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service. 

They came together to rehearse the communication, steps and techniques required for locating and rescuing someone trapped under sand, quickly and safely. 

Christon Iliffe, Senior Coastal Operations Officer, said: “Buckets and spades, digging holes and playing in the sand are all part of the fun at the beach – and long may it continue. 

“But there are hidden risks of serious injury from falls when deep gaps are left unfilled, often where children are running around.  

“Sand is also unstable and can suddenly collapse on top of you if you’re digging a hole, tunnel or piling it up beside you. It can cause crushing or suffocation. 

“Our exercise at Lowestoft was a valuable opportunity to collaborate with partner agencies and to remind the public of the dangers and simple ways to stay safe.” 

Christon's advice: 

• avoid digging tunnels or holes deeper than waist height; 
• fill in holes before you leave the beach to prevent injuries to others; 
• if you’re in trouble by the coast, call 999 and ask for Coastguard 

Sand rescues must be carried out gently to avoid adding pressure around the trapped casualty and ensure they can breathe.  

A first line of rescuers sweeps back the sand by using their hands to avoid further injury to the person trapped.

They are backed up by a second and third line moving the excavated material further away using whatever they can: buckets, spades and frisbees. This is to prevent the sand collapsing back into the hole.

In June, an eight-foot hole reported to Padstow Coastguard Rescue Team was filled in at Tregirls Beach in Cornwall with the help of farm machinery. 

And last year a father urged people to take care digging on the beach after his 14-year-old son became trapped when a pile of excavated sand collapsed on top of him at Anderby Creek, Lincolnshire, in June 2023. 

“It was by far the most awful moment I have ever experienced,” said Rachel, who had only taken up boating a year before. 

She was sailing with her partner, Mike Burge, from Portsmouth to Cherbourg when, feeling seasick by the stern, she suddenly went over the side into the cold water. 

Rachael (51) said: “I was thinking, what the hell’s happened? And when I got to the surface I was panicking. I was shouting but there was no way Mike could hear me over the noise of the engine.” 

It was her preparedness that put her on course to be rescued.  

With the automatically inflated lifejacket keeping her afloat with her head securely above the water, Rachael was able to call 999 for HM Coastguard on her mobile phone hanging in a waterproof case round her neck. 

Without my phone they would have found a dead body

“If I did not have my phone, I think the length of time I would have been in the water means hypothermia would have killed me. The lifejacket kept me afloat but without my phone they would have found a dead body,” she said. 

Once Rachael had raised the alarm at about 1.45pm, HM Coastguard coordinated the search and rescue operation, sending two helicopters and a fixed-wing aircraft.  

The RNLI's all-weather lifeboats from Bembridge and Yarmouth were also sent alongside the Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat and two nearby vessels. 

Rachael kept talking to the HM Coastguard operations room, passing on clues to her location such as describing two large vessels she could see and estimating how far she was drifting from land. 

She recalled: “The fact that I could talk to someone who could give me a live update made the difference to stopping me freaking out. I knew they were looking for me and they would find me. That was hugely comforting. 

“When I was near the Isle of Wight I caught a very fast current and drifted miles and miles very fast, so that the Island looked like a rock far away. I found it terrifying being that far from land and not being in a boat. I knew it was far too far away to try and swim. 

HM Coastguard were amazing, such an asset

“I was listening to the voice from the operations room. I was getting hysterical but he was telling me to breathe and to let the lifejacket do the work of keeping me afloat. HM Coastguard were amazing, such an asset.”  

At about 3.50pm the good news arrived: Rachael had been sighted on the surface by one of the helicopters. 

With intense cramp setting in from the cold, she recalled hearing the rotors and feeling the spray: “The next thing I knew, an arm was coming round me almost out of nowhere – it was the winch paramedic – and really quickly they got me into the helicopter. 

“When the helicopter did start to get close it was a massive relief: they're going to get me, I am going to be alright! But relief is the wrong word – it was so much more than relief.” 

Less than three hours from when she raised the alarm, Rachael was flown straight to St Mary's Hospital, Newport, for a check-up. Despite arriving cold, sick from sea water and exhausted, she recovered strongly to go home after a night’s stay. 

People are overconfident of their skills

Rachael, from Hayling Island, hoped her experience would encourage seagoers to make sure they were ready for the worst, including wearing a lifejacket. 

She said: “I have since heard people saying things like, ‘I’m only going over to the Isle of Wight’ or ‘I’m a strong swimmer’. But you get cramp from the cold water; my whole body started to cramp and I could hardly hold the phone. People are overconfident of their skills.” 

Rachael’s advice: 

• Keep your mobile phone to hand in a waterproof case on a lanyard 
• Always wear a lifejacket with the straps correctly fitted 
• Have a location phone app or carry a registered Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) 
• Check equipment is in date, such as lifejacket gas cannisters 
• Agree a process to regularly check on crew members when at sea 

Network Commander Samuel George, based at HM Coastguard’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Fareham, said: “The happy result from this incident was due in large part to Rachael going properly equipped. 

“We always advise anyone going out on the water to wear a lifejacket or personal flotation device, and to carry a means of communication such as a mobile phone in a waterproof case and a registered personal locator beacon.  

“As this incident shows, it can make all the difference.” 

Trained in Water Rescue, the team is fully- equipped to manage this very popular stretch of coastline, which can include support taskings to Brighton, The Witterings and Pagham.

We spent some time with Coastguard Rescue Officers Darren, James and Doug, to hear more about their brilliant work.

Why did you join HM Coastguard?

Many of us enjoy being part of local communities and either have a connection to the coastline or the emergency services. Some of us are into sports, like Doug and James, and other have grown up beside the sea, like Darren.

What is the most unusual incident you've attended?

Our team isn’t short of unusual incidents! These include pushing a plane up a beach near Shoreham when it ditched in the sea after losing power, being called out to a 2,000lb WW2 mine which was detonated by the Royal Navy at sea, and a strange object that washed up ashore - later identified as a coconut wrapped in a green cloth!

What is the most unusual place you’ve been when your pager has gone off?

Mealtimes and family events aren’t that unusual, but perhaps Christmas Day is – which has happened a few times. For Doug and Darren, pagers have gone off while they’ve been travelling, usually while boarding or disembarking planes.

Darren received the pager call for unexploded ordnance while he was in Majorca! Duty-bound as ever, he boarded a flight home, stayed overnight in Birmingham, drove home, and then donned his uniform to attend. Unfortunately, he arrived moments after the Royal Navy detonated the mine, and ended up washing down and cleaning all our equipment instead!

What is the most challenging part of your role?

We’ve all seen the strains that can be put upon our team when responding to complex incidents where people need further support. At times, it can be difficult to deal with, especially when you need to go back to ‘normal life’ and routine straight after.

Which local beach is your favourite and why?

This is where we all differ! Darren’s favourite beach is Pagham, where he has memories of fun times with friends and family, as well as crabbing between rock armour. For Doug, its Littlehampton, a view he’s been familiar with for more than 40 years.

James lives in Middleton-on-Sea so it’s an easy one for him, but being from the West Country, Cornwall has his heart (and his stomach, with Pasty in hand).

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team?

It’s exactly that, being a member of and working as part of a team – it’s a family where we stop everything at the drop of a hat and work seamlessly to help others in need. It’s a unique bond which is a privilege to experience.

We’ve had brilliant outcomes over the years, and it’s been incredibly rewarding. There’s a strong sense of humour too; we’ve had some great laughs together, from friendly banter to humorous moments. We all know and understand each other as a team.

What new skills have you learned as a CRO?

So many! From water rescue and 4x4 driving skills, through to the amazing casualty care skills that we’ve recently been upgraded in. Darren says that the most interesting skill he’s learned so far is around how to search for lost and missing people.

As a regular water user, James likes being better equipped to enjoy the sea by keeping a cool head under pressure and knowing what to do when things go wrong. Being open minded and not immediately rushing into situations increases success and efficiency, which has proved very useful in his day job too!

When you’re not working or volunteering as a CRO, what do you enjoy doing?

It’s fair to say that all of us enjoy being outdoors, whether its for sports or walks down to the beach and woodlands nearby. Darren enjoys going out on his paddle board, then reading a book on the stones nearby – he’s also into baking and then bringing his creations to training sessions and events, sometimes even after incidents!

James is an amateur radio operator, so his VHF knowledge has also been useful in our team! He’s got two rescue dogs, who he and the family enjoy spending time with. Doug’s a keen cricket and rugby fan, even after hanging his boots up about 15 years ago. He’s also partial to a Cornish ale and enjoys eating out with his family.

What do you do for a living?

Our professional lives are all quite varied! We work in roles including: a marketing manager in the renewables industry, an international wine merchants’ sales team, technical design for a solar energy company, and health and safety consultancy for the leisure industry.

University students Luke, Josh, Alfie and Joe all agree that it was the most terrifying time of their lives. Fuelled by mint choc chip ice creams and cans of mango-flavoured energy drink, they set off on an afternoon coastal walk from Robin Hoods Bay back to their holiday home in Whitby, looking for fossils along the way. 

But within a couple of hours, all the fun faded fast when they were caught out by the tide. Worse still, they were in a remote area with no mobile phone signal to call for help. They were forced to scramble frantically over huge, slippery boulders in the dark to get away from the water, often falling into the chilly sea and crying out as they hurt themselves on the rocks. They all thought at least one of them would die.  

 A lesson learned the hard way 

“We went from believing we were invincible to realising that the sea can snatch lives in seconds. We'll never forget that HM Coastguard saved our lives that night and we learned our lesson the hard way.” said Alfie. The students all know they had a lucky escape and want to share their story as part of the ‘Coast Clever’ summer safety campaign to help others avoid getting into the same danger. 

The four were wearing trainers and summer gear and were looking forward to getting back in time to meet up with their other two friends for the last night of their North Yorkshire holiday.  

Critical errors 

They’d calculated the five-mile walk would take a couple of hours but they now know they made two critical errors.  

• They’d done the right thing by checking the tide times but had looked at the times further up the coast and not factored in the bays and small headlands between the start of their walk and Whitby. The incoming tide pounds the headlands and fills the bays, coming in at unexpected angles.
• Instead of walking the signposted coastal cliff path, they took the worst possible route, under the wrong assumption that it was a sandy beach walk with plenty of options to get back up to the cliff path. Instead, around every corner, the sand disappeared to be replaced by jagged boulders and there were no paths to safety. 

“It was getting dark, we could see the tide coming in very quickly and we could see no way out. Our phone batteries were also running low, so we had to take it in turns to use our phone torches. We were all getting very stressed and I really thought we were goners,” recalled Joe. 

Josh added: “When we realised we’d have to try and get up the cliffs out of the way of the rising water, our panic increased. The cliffs were just scrub and kept giving way under our feet and we had to grab onto brambles to steady ourselves. We were so scared we wouldn’t survive that we recorded messages for our loved ones on our phones.” 

In the cold and dark, Joe and Luke were surprised to discover a rope that seemed to be secured and lead up the cliffs. The four discussed their options, knowing that climbing cliffs without the right knowledge or equipment is highly dangerous. It is also never advised by HM Coastguard. Alfie and Josh opted to stay put, but Joe and Luke decided to take the risk and go in search of help.     

Fortunately, Joe and Luke made it to the top of the cliff with only a few more cuts and bruises. They were now in a much safer place but extremely worried about the fate of their mates who were out of sight and hearing around 100 feet below. Luckily a local farmer was still out harvesting that evening and with his help, they called 999 and asked for the Coastguard. 

The coastguard rescue team from Whitby quickly arrived and from the top of the cliff, Luke and Joe remained on tenterhooks as they saw the lights of the Whitby RNLI lifeboat. Just moments later over the rescue team’s VHF radios, it was a huge relief that two casualties were safely on board. Their ordeal was over. 

A vow to be more ‘Coast Clever’ in future 

The mates vow that in future, they will be more ‘Coast Clever’: “We never want to go through that again, it was a serious fright and we’re just so grateful to our incredible rescuers.  

“We learned the hard way that you need to respect the sea. In future, we will plan an outing more carefully by properly checking the tide times, taking more notice of local safety information as well as ensuring we have more spare battery packs for our mobile phones. We’re also planning to get a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) too because that works when phones don’t,” said Luke. 

Clare Ebison, Deputy Station Officer at for Whitby Coastguard Rescue Team added: “We’re very pleased that their terrible walk had a good outcome in the end and that Luke, Joe, Josh and Alfie lived to tell the tale.  

“Tidal cut offs are very common everywhere at the coast and unfortunately it’s a frequent challenge in our location, with very big cliffs a rugged coastline and the tide comes in at an angle. We advise everyone to take a few simple safety precautions and always check the tide and local conditions and by being ‘Coast Clever’, you can minimise your chances of getting into difficulties.” 

Avoid a tidal terror 

The UK has some of the biggest tidal ranges in the world which can easily catch you out. Most coastal locations experience two high tides and two low tides each day, with the water depth changing by as much as 10 metres. 

Tide times and heights vary throughout the month – luckily, tides follow a predictable pattern so it’s easy to plan your coastal visit. 

Rapidly rising water can trap you in isolated bays, coves or on sand bars, often with little or no warning and no easy escape route. 

Read more about coastal safety here. 

Reduce the risks

• Check the weather forecast and tide times before you leave home.
• Explore as the tide is going out and make sure you have time to get back as it comes in. 
• Make sure you know where all the exit points are, if you're visiting a beach or bay.
• Tell someone where you are going and what time you expect to return so they can raise the alarm if you’re late
• Take a mobile phone and make sure it’s charged. If you’re walking in a remote location, consider taking a PLB. PLBs are widely available and they are satellite-synced so they will work from anywhere in the world – on land or sea.   

• If you get trapped by the tide, try to find a safe location, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 

   

Alfie, Josh and Clare all recently featured in a news piece for ITV Central in support of HM Coastguard's Coast Clever campaign. Read more here.

But no sooner had the item been keenly plucked from the murky sand, had it automatically gained a new custodian more than 300 miles away in Southampton – the Receiver of Wreck. 

First defined in the Merchant Shipping Act 1854, the Receiver of Wreck works for the Admiralty and the British Crown. However, its origins can be traced far earlier, to a time when pirates, smugglers and looters jostled to keep plunder secret and hidden from the law.  

As early as the 12th century, wreck and salvage laws allowed for the legal recovery of wreck materials. During King Edward II’s reign in 1322, a Royal Fish Prerogative came into effect, which established the monarch’s ownership of “wreck of the sea”, which included whales and sturgeon – and later, porpoises and dolphins.

Since the number of vessels in UK waters has grown, so too has the unfortunate number of shipwrecks. It’s currently thought that around 37,000 vessel wrecks lie on the seabed, with more than 200 now being designated protected sites – numbers that consistently change over time.  

Since 1993, the duties of the Receiver of Wreck have been assumed by a single civil servant with HM Coastguard, ably assisted by a team of deputies at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). 

Former Police Detective Steve White began working at the MCA as an Investigator in November 2023, before being appointed to the Receiver of Wreck by the Secretary of State in 2024.

It’s a unique role that has historically held interesting statutory powers, including indemnity from prosecution and the right to bear arms to ‘kill, maim or hurt’ anyone who obstructs their duties. In 1926, the Receiver was instructed only to ‘shoot over the heads’ of opportunist looters.

“It’s certainly not something I’d consider, in any case!” says Steve, of the role’s more curious allowances, which have also included the right to commandeer a vehicle in the line of public duty. 

Nevertheless, members of the public will be pleased to know that through the Merchant Shipping Act in 1995, the Receiver’s role and duties were more formally detailed as responding to wreck incidents, managing wrecks and salvage, returning property to owners, administering salvage awards, investigating salvage crime, monitoring dangerous wrecks, and administrating Royal Fish. 

In the proceeding years, these responsibilities have been included immense administrative requirements like a large salvage operation on the South coast in 2007, and the ongoing needs of dangerous military shipwrecks in the Thames estuary.

The team are also responsible for marking and guiding exclusion zones for the SS Richard Montgomery, a wrecked US cargo ship carrying dangerous cargo, including ordnance and munitions. They commission and oversee scans of the site to determine any deterioration and any potential dangers to people or marine environments.

Steve’s team has had the pleasure of examining several unique items recovered from the 11,000 square miles of UK coastline, including Britain’s biggest-ever recorded gold nugget in 2016.

“The Receiver of Wreck has the privilege of handling and examining a range of invaluable artefacts that are found in UK waters. We’ve seen everything from war-era U-Boat propellers, 16th century Spanish coins and even a floating hot tub!”, he says. 

“Salvors, or those who find wreck materials come under our supervision while we investigate ownership. It often surprises people to know that materials from ships that wrecked over 150 years ago may, through various company acquisitions, have a modern owner.

“A vessel’s hull and cargo can also have different owners, which can add another layer of investigation to proceedings. Awards made to salvors can range anywhere from £1 to over £10million, depending on the competency of the salvor and the value of the materials recovered.”

However, failure to report items that have come from a wreck within UK waters can result in prosecution. Unfortunately, unique and delicate items are too often found in the hands of hobbyists and amateurs, who have neither the expertise nor the means to safely maintain these invaluable antiquities. 

“Once items leave a hydrated saltwater environment and they’ve not been properly conserved and maintained, items deteriorate rapidly. It’s vital that within 28 days, people report to us any items they suspect are from a wreck,” says Steve.

However, the Receiver of Wreck remains in praise of diving communities who, in large number, understand the importance of conservation. Through technological advances and the growing availability of high-quality scanning equipment, popular ‘adopt a wreck’ schemes now help the public to explore and document wrecks like never before without leaving a trace.

“Among our team’s varied work, the reuniting of owners with their former possessions is perhaps most rewarding,” says Steve's colleague Kate Rogers, Deputy Receiver of Wreck. 

“We facilitated the US Navy to recover a ship’s bell from the wreck of the USS Jacob Jones, now housed in Washington DC to commemorate the fallen, and in 2022, we repatriated a brass fuse box plate to the Royal Canadian Navy. The artefact came from the wreck of HMCS Regina, which was sunk off the Cornish coast by a German U-Boat in 1944.”

The Receiver of Wreck is also responsible for stranded Royal Fishes that wash up on beaches in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Whales, porpoises, sturgeon, and dolphin are among the cetaceans notifiable to the monarch via The Privy Council. With some of these becoming increasingly rare, the Receiver’s data is often useful to organisations and governmental bodies that focus on the wider marine ecosystem.   

“I’m a non-archaeologist, and being an investigator by training, the role is fascinating," says Steve. "I’ve had to immerse myself within it, and it hasn’t let me down! Despite the Receiver’s historical basis, new technologies and advances mean that wreck and artefact analysis has become even more interesting and exciting.”

But for all the plunder found across the UK’s 7,000 miles of coastline, there’s a find perhaps much closer to home that’s yet to be discovered by Steve and his team: “A long time ago, the Receiver’s very own sword was lost... It’s something I’d love to find!”

The perfect place to relax, explore, and unwind. And the conditions looked fine, with moderate winds blowing off the coast towards the marshes and bay beyond.  

Alone on the water, six young paddleboarders were making the most of the sunshine, their boards cruising along the water about 500 metres from shore. As one of the country’s fastest-growing water sports, paddleboarders are a frequent sight across the UK coastline, with the Gower Peninsula being a popular locale to explore.  

But the tranquility is interrupted... 

In moments, the six paddleboarders had become shrinking figures on the horizon, blown farther from the shore by a combination of wind and outgoing tide. Despite receiving help from a nearby kayaker, they’d soon passed the lee of the coastline, where the challenging conditions had worsened. 

The team at the HM Coastguard Maritime Coordination Rescue Centre at Milford Haven took the 999 call. They’d become part of an unfolding drama 40 miles down the coast at Oxwich Bay.   

In a few brief moments, HM Coastguard Team Leader Max Hawkins and his team had called in help from HM Coastguard Rescue Teams at Oxwich and nearby Rhossili, as well as the RNLI Lifeboat at Horton and Port Eynon.  HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter was also ready and primed to spring into action if needed. 

Every second counts...

Staying on the line, a maritime operations officer had let the caller know that help was coming. With a rescue, every second counts, and as the cold set in and the winds continued, the young paddleboarders had become tired and had drifted further to sea. 

Observing from the beach, the coastguard rescue team that had soon arrived on scene reported that the group have been falling into the water more often. Wearing wetsuits, but not personal flotation devices, their only option to stay above the cold water was to cling helplessly to their paddleboards.  

An offshore wind can be overwhelming. In most cases, it’s far too strong. But not a moment too soon, RNLI teams had managed to reach the group, who were swiftly recovered to shore. 

To their surprise, the teenagers weren’t met with a ticking off when they made it back safely. Some of the coastguard rescue team are keen paddleboarders too. Through some gentle words of wisdom, they shared a key reminder – the coast is a wonderful place and water sports are great fun, but safety must always come first.  

Top tips for a safe SUP:

• Mobile phone: Take a fully charged phone in a waterproof pouch (these are widely available in sports shops and online for just a few pounds. So you can call 999 and ask the Coastguard to help if you need it. 
• Buddy up: go with someone else if you can. It’s more fun and safer too. If you’re going on your own, tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back. 
• Watch the wind: A gently breeze on shore can be deceptive. Offshore winds are a big cause of trouble as they can get stronger the further out you go and blow you out to sea. Stay within your comfort zone. 
• Weather and tide check: Check the weather and the tides before you go and if in any doubt, don’t go out. 
• Personal Flotation Device (PFD): Especially important for beginners and novices. Not all of them are bulky and it will help to keep you afloat if you do become separated from your board. 
• Leash: It helps keep you connected to your board. But if you’re using a leash in a harbour or an environment where it could snag on objects such as boat lines or weed if you fell off the board, make sure you’re able to release it quickly. 
• Wet and Dry: Do invest in a good wet suit (and potentially a dry suit for cold conditions) it will help to keep you buoyant and protected. In warm and calm conditions, swimwear may be sufficient but consider taking a dry bag so you can have some warmer clothing available if you need it. 
• Learn the skills: Why not take some lessons to brush up your skills? There are water sports coaches and centres around the UK. Good techniques can help keep you SUP-safe and make the SUP experience even more fun. 

• Identify your SUP: Identify your SUP with your name and contact details can also help us to help you. Use a permanent marker pen or laminated stickers. 

   

(Picture: Oxwich Bay by Sioux Wright)

But despite the peaceful and idyllic setting, the town’s Coastguard Rescue Team of 15 officers and five new recruits sees some incredibly challenging and busy summer days, according to Coastguard Rescue Officers Alan Dickins and Steve Tilling.  

Why did you join HM Coastguard? 

Alan joined the Coastguard to give something back to a community that was very welcoming to a newcomer from the south. Steve’s lived in Fleetwood all his life and wanted to get to know his coastline a bit better, whilst helping to keep it safe. 

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team? 

Alan enjoys the comradery, banter and being able to rely upon the team at any time, and Steve agrees, adding that there’s a fantastic spirit that comes in a team that will go to the end of the earth for each other. 

What is the most unusual incident you have attended? 

The most unusual and probably the most challenging was searching for 53 separate missing child incidents in one day during the Blackpool airshow!   

Which local beach is your favourite and why? 

Alan’s favourite beach is Rossall beach as it’s perfect for walking his two dogs; Saffi, a lurcher, and Rocky, a mongrel. Steve’s favourite beach is Fleetwood’s very own, where he says the views cannot be beaten! 

What new skills have you learned as a Coastguard Rescue Officer? 

Probably the most important skill is the ability to talk to a casualty and be non-judgemental, says Alan. While Steve’s learnt to predict tides, he's improved his first aid skills immensely, and too many more things to mention.  

What is the most challenging part of being a coastguard? 

Alan says the most challenging part is being available as much as he can be, even if he’s sometimes walking miles on beaches in the middle of the night. For Steve, its sometimes a struggle to stay awake at work after many hours spend on the beach looking for a missing person.  

What is the most unusual place you've been when your pager has gone off?  

"The most unusual place I have been paged was when I was the casualty!! I’d stupidly managed to get stuck in mud whilst working on my boat", says Alan.  

Funnily enough, Steve also recalls that same incident as his most unusual (and favourite) tasking! He’s had his pager go off in so many different places, from being in the shower to being up a ladder, even during an awards ceremony. 

Our coastline is a wonderful place to enjoy, but it can also be dangerous. Read more about how you can explore it safely.  

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? 

Steve enjoys watching football, motorcycling, and walking on the fells with his Border Collies Bruce and Bella, but most of all he enjoys travelling around Europe and beyond with his wife Karen. When he’s not working or volunteering, Alan spends his spare time renovating his house!  

What do you do for a living? 

Steve runs a local engineering company serving the rail industry and Alan is a retired handyman who previously worked as a trainer for HSBC bank and overseas for shipping agents.  

The campaign addresses four common risks at the coast;  

• Tidal cut off; being surrounded by the sea when the tide comes in 
• Offshore winds; winds that blow you from the land out to sea  
• Stuck in mud; being trapped in mud or soft sand  
• Cliff slips and falls  

The short Coast Clever film follows comedian Arthur as he takes up an invitation from HM Coastguard to discover for himself how to stay safe on the coast. He meets a coastguard rescue officer on a small pebbly beach at the base of a cliff. The scenario was that the tide was coming in and if he were cut off, he would need to be rescued. He bravely accepted the challenge to take part in his simulated rescue and scaled nearly 100 metres (over 300ft) of cliff in the capable hands of one of HM Coastguard’s highly trained specialist rope rescue teams.  

“I said I wanted to hang out, but this isn’t what I meant” quipped Arthur as he ascended the cliff. Arriving at the top and out of breath, Arthur said “It was a lot tougher than I thought it would be and I’d quite like it not to happen again.” He took some friendly safety advice on all common types of coastal hazards from Coastguard Rescue Officer Tim and admitted it had been a lesson learned.  

HM Coastguard was alerted to over 37,500 incidents in 2023, a 12% increase in incidents over the last four years. HM Coastguard responded to over 2,000 call outs to incidents of people getting cut off by the tide in the last three years. 

New data from the annual UK-wide research commissioned by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, conducted by Assenti Research has shown:  

• Only 36% of people perceive getting cut off by tide coming in as one of the biggest risks at the coast. 
• 74% of people admit they think they should check tide times when visiting the coast, but only 35% claimed they actually did on their last visit. 

 Across the UK in 2023, males accounted for 83% of all drownings. Due to this alarming fatality rate in men, this year’s Coast Clever campaign is designed to appeal to ‘lads and dads’ who may be more at risk.  

Survey data also reveals younger men are less likely to call 999 for help in an emergency. 32% of males aged 16-35 would call 999 if they saw someone struggling in the water compared to 45% of males aged 36-plus. 

Commenting on the ‘Coast Clever’ campaign, Claire Hughes, Director of His Majesty’s Coastguard said:

“We want everyone to enjoy our fantastic coastline and beaches this summer. The happiest of memories are always made when you and your loved ones stay safe.  

“Every summer, sadly some people don’t take home happy memories. Our latest Coast Clever safety campaign is a timely reminder to encourage people to take some simple safety precautions and of course if anyone is in difficulty to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.” 

Arthur Hill, singer, comedian and influencer, commented on his involvement: 

“It’s brilliant being part of this campaign to help raise awareness about the real dangers around the coast. During filming, I was surprised at how quickly I could see the tide coming in from the safety of the cliff top. The coastguard rescue teams did a brilliant job of demonstrating what a cliff rescue is like but I certainly wouldn’t want to get caught out and will be checking tide times ahead of my future visits to the coast."

HM Coastguard’s top tips to stay safe and have an enjoyable day at the coast:   

• Check the weather forecast and tide times before you set off  
• Cliffs can be unstable, so stay clear of cliff edges and bases 
• Watch out for mud and if you do get stuck, lean back to spread your weight
• Avoid water sports in an offshore wind, when the wind blows from the land out to sea
• Tell someone where you are going and when you’ll be back
• Take a fully charged mobile phone and consider taking a PLB (personal locator beacon) which alerts the emergency services from the remotest of locations 

• In a coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard

  Find out more about our Coast Clever Campaign.

   

The Crosby Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) covers the wider Merseyside area, from Formby to Warrington, and includes 11 Coastguard Rescue Officers, a Station Officer, and a Deputy Station Officer.  

We spoke to Crosby Station Officer Garry, and Coastguard Rescue Officers Phillip and Damien. 

Why did you join HM Coastguard?

Originally from Prestwich in Manchester, Coastguard Rescue Officer Damien says his hometown isn’t exactly known for its maritime connections. However, he’s been a UK-based scuba diver for almost 20 years and after moving to Crosby in 2017, it felt like a good way to give back to the community and become more involved in local events. “The coastguard offers an opportunity to learn new skills and adapt old ones, and being part of supportive team is a big attraction,” he says.  

Fellow CRO Phillip joined the coastguard so that he could free up his house for his wife, a registered childminder. He says: “There was no peace and quiet in my house during my time at home from my main job as a rope access supervisor offshore on oil and gas platforms.” 

Station Officer Garry joined the coastguard after seeing a rescue unfold on TV. It caught his interest, and as a lover of the coast, he felt a strong maritime connection. Somewhat serendipitously, he noticed an HM Coastguard rescue vehicle in the car park at his work, and soon discovered that the Deputy Station officer worked in the same building! After a chat, he was volunteering to join.

What is the most unusual incident you have attended? 

For Garry, it was a case of mistaken identity, when the crew were tasked to search for a missing person, which later turned out to be an inflatable doll. “Liverpool is a popular place for stag and hen do’s,” he jokes.  

Damian is quick to point out that no two jobs are the same, with any shout having the potential to be unusual. He particularly recalls an older lady whose mobility scooter had ran out of battery a mile along a coastal path during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

He says: “It was during the pandemic, and it was her first time out on a new scooter her family had bought her. Her funny comments really helped to lighten the mood at what was such a busy time for our team.” 

Phillip remembers when he was waved down by an agitated member of the public who was concerned about a lost animal, which turned out to be a homing pigeon! 

What is the most unusual place you’ve been when your pager has gone off? 

“When you’re a Coastguard Rescue Officer, your pager knows no boundaries! We are a busy team, and at the height of the summer we can have back-to-back jobs all day and night,” says Damian.  

“Missed birthdays, parties and family events are all part of the role. Without supportive families, we couldn’t do what we do,” he adds.  

For Garry, these interruptions of ordinary daily life have become exactly that – ordinary. His wife no longer really notices when he dashes out mid-meal. “I can come back in after being out for several hours over night and she says “Oh, have you been on a shout?” he adds.  

Phillip adds that for him, a pager going off while tied to a rooftop chimney pressure washing could well be the winner.

What is the most challenging part of your role? 

“Personalities and their differences can be a challenge to manage,” says Garry. As Station Officer, it’s his role to help find common ground between team members and shape the team into a skilled, strong, and effective unit.  

“Understandably, handling fatalities on the coast is both physically and emotionally challenging,” says Damien. “As a team, we support and encourage each other to be open about any difficult thoughts, and we prepare ourselves while attending to these incidents.” 

“There’s also the difficult task of getting a good night’s sleep after the excitement of a tasking”, adds Phillip, who sometimes struggles to recover the day after.  

Which local beach is your favourite and why? 

Garry and Phillip’s favourite beach is Crosby’s own. They both say that the team are very lucky to have such a nice vista so close to the station. “I can sit at the station and look at the scenery, with the Welsh hills in the background,” Garry shares.  

For Damian, Crosby beach’s sandy dunes, which harbour the remains of a war-era anti-aircraft battery, are a great place to walk his dog. His favourite time here is early spring, when the beach is quiet and the air is crisp.  

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team? 

“We’re a group of like-minded individuals who enjoy being out and about in the coastal environment. We do a serious role, and we do respond to people in distress, but it is always done from a caring point of view,” says Damian.  

The team puts great emphasis on looking out for itself too: making sure that emotional and physical wellbeing is always carefully considered and checked on after callouts. It’s made stronger by the support given between the team, both as officers and as friends.  

“I really enjoy the team spirit and we have people from all walks of life and professions who all come together to form the team,” says Garry, while Phillip relishes the banter between a team that always make sure everyone gets home safe.

What new skills have you learned as a CRO? 

Searching for vulnerable missing people is a large part of what Coastguard Rescue Teams do, using training that gives Coastguard Rescue Officers the confidence to search in either urban or rural settings, day or night. 

Damian says: “We could be deployed to an isolated beach in the middle of the night during one job, and in a busy city dockland the next. We search with the sole purpose of bringing individuals home safely.”  

“I’m a trained in mud rescue, so I really enjoy getting out in those conditions, but the main thing for me is to have learned to be patient, and how to deal with pressure,” adds Phillip.  

Garry suggests that there are many useful skills that officers gain over their time with the coastguard, though most notably these include: team leadership, incident management and communications, knots (lots of knots) and technical rescue skills. 

When you’re not working or volunteering as a CRO, what do you enjoy doing? 

Damian’s a keen scuba diver and is happiest while trekking around the UK coastline in the summer, or exploring the Lakes, Pennines, and Peak District in Winter.  

Garry, meanwhile, loves nothing more than to get out and about on his two scooters, a Vespa and a Lambretta. When he’s not on shift, Phillip enjoys his free time relaxing with his wife and two dogs.   

What do you do for a living? 

Garry works for the Health and Safety Executive, while Damian is a psychiatric nurse working to help under 18’s living with severe mental health problems. Phillip runs an offshore rope access company and a pressure washing business while ashore.

Ashley was rescued as part of a coastguard response and is sharing his experience, to encourage fishers to be prepared and safe at sea, and know what to do in an emergency.

Watch his story here:

The alarm was raised that day by a 999 call at about 6.10pm with a report of two young adults caught by the tide on a rock 30 metres from the shore in Bassets Cove, near Portreath, before later becoming stuck in a cave. 

Led by Senior Coastal Operations Officer Marc Thomas, the CROs soon arrived at the clifftop and tried to use rope and water rescue techniques but the swells were too severe. 

A man was recovered from the water but a woman remained trapped. With CROs stationed by the cave mouth, repeated efforts were made to reach her by HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopters from Newquay and St Athan. 

Eventually the conditions relented and the tide allowed a CRO and a winch paramedic to enter the cave and bring the woman to safety. She was flown by helicopter to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro and both casualties made a full recovery. 

HM Coastguard was joined in the response by RNLI lifeboats, Devon and Cornwall Police, and South Western Ambulance Service. 

On the one-year anniversary of the rescue, Virginia travelled to St Agnes to meet some of the CROs involved and presented each of them with a letter of appreciation.  

The letters praising the CROs said: “Their heroic efforts stand as a beacon of hope and inspiration, reflecting the noble ideals of search and rescue operations.” 

Virginia commented: “It was an honour to speak with the men and women of Portreath and St Agnes CRTs. They were such an important part of a multi-agency operation that successfully saved two people from terrible danger.  

“They were trained and ready to be there for these two people in their darkest hour. We are very grateful for the efforts of the Coastguard Rescue Service in Cornwall and right around the UK.”  

Virginia was joined by Assistant Chief Coastguard (England and Wales) Carl Evans, and Divisional Commander James Instance. 

James added: “These were incredibly challenging circumstances and there was huge uncertainty around what had happened to the woman. The teams did themselves and HM Coastguard proud.” 

Discover more about the Bassetts Cove rescue here. 

Find out how to apply to become a coastguard rescue officer here. 

Letter of appreciation: 

The Portreath and St Agnes Coastguard Rescue Teams demonstrated exceptional dedication and resilience during the challenging rescue at Basset’s Cove Portreath on May 22, 2023. They played a vital role in successfully extracting two stranded members of public from an isolated cove amidst rising tides and heavy swells, where they had been forced to enter a cave for their safety.  

One casualty was promptly airlifted to Royal Cornwall Hospital by HM Coastguard Helicopter 924, while the other endured over four harrowing hours trapped in a cave. Utilising rope and water rescue techniques, the teams stationed themselves at the cave entrance, providing unwavering support as HM Coastguard Helicopter 187 tirelessly worked to reach the trapped individual. 

Their collaborative efforts with RNLI Lifeboats, SWAST Ambulance, and Police, with support from the Duty Coastal Officer Marc Thomas, showcased their remarkable devotion to duty. Despite facing adversity, they efficiently utilised all available resources to ensure the safety of the stranded individuals. 

The Portreath and St Agnes Coastguard Rescue Teams played a pivotal role in the successful rescue, demonstrating the highest standards of service upheld by HM Coastguard. Their resilience and commitment earned admiration and gratitude from all involved. 

In recognition of their outstanding service, the Portreath and St Agnes Coastguard Rescue Teams and Senior Coastal Operations Officer Marc Thomas are wholeheartedly commended. 

Their heroic efforts stand as a beacon of hope and inspiration, reflecting the noble ideals of search and rescue operations.

As part of International Day for Women in Maritime, they are also recognising the importance of more women joining the sector and its impact.

International Day for Women in Maritime (18 May), is an opportunity to highlight the achievements of women in maritime, as well as identifying areas of improvement for gender equality. 

Bex Owen, Karen Mackenzie, Olivia Letchford and Molly Luke have been part of HM Coastguard for a number of years, and all believe this is a day worth marking. Not only to recognise how far the Coastguard and wider Maritime and Coastguard Agency has come, but to encourage more women to follow suit. 

Bex has been the Senior Coastal Operations Officer across the coast of south Wales for three years and, off the northeast coast of England, Molly is Station Officer for the unique Holy Island Coastguard Rescue Team.

At opposite ends of the country, Karen, who started her coastguard journey in 2022, is a Coastguard Rescue Officer for Stornoway in the Western Isles of Scotland, and Olivia a Coastguard Rescue Officer for Hayling Island in the depths of Hampshire, follows in her father’s footsteps.  

Here are their insights into being part of HM Coastguard:

What made you want to join HM Coastguard?

Bex (pictured left): I have had a love of the coast from a young age. As a keen surfer and volunteer crew member for the RNLI, and ex HART Paramedic, when a fulltime position became available in HM Coastguard, it was a no brainer for me. The opportunity to spend my working day at the coast in a search and rescue capacity felt like the right decision.

Karen: Living in a coastal community I often saw Coastguard activity and training happening around the islands, and I was just really interested in the range of work the Coastguard does. It’s so much part of island life and I really wanted to get involved to support their work.

Molly: I wanted to join HM Coastguard specifically because Holy Island relies heavily on the team. Being a tidal island we are cut off from the mainland twice a day and the Coastguard is the only available emergency service for locals and visitors. We want to provide locals a peace of mind that in an emergency, we are not too far away.

Olivia: My dad has been in the Coastguard for almost 30 years both as a volunteer, as well as some time in the ops room at Lee-on-the-Solent. He’s been doing it longer than I have been alive so I grew up with it! When I was little I was fascinated by it and always wanted to know what he got up to on call outs. That passion stayed with me as I grew up and at 19-years-old I decided to join myself and work alongside dad in the team.

Is it important to mark International Day for Women in Maritime and the role of women in HM Coastguard?

Bex: International Day for Women in Maritime allows us to show how far we have come. I take pride in being a role model and paving the way for additional females to feel able to apply for roles, that were once very much thought of as a man’s job. I am a firm believer in the right person for the right job and we, as strong women, definitely have something to bring to the party.

Karen (pictured right): It’s important to showcase how much HM Coastguard has progressed in recognising the skills and experience that women can bring to Coastguard Rescue Teams across the country. It's an opportunity to spotlight and celebrate the many women who serve in teams that were traditionally male-dominant.  

Molly: I think it's important to mark a day that celebrates women in any field. I'm in a lucky position that my team is led by women, my Deputy Station Officer is female and I have a great balance of women on my team. We love women supporting women and by marking International Day for Women in Maritime, we hope we can give other women the confidence to find out more about roles in the service. 

Olivia: Maritime used to be a male-dominated industry. In recent years, more and more women have been involved in maritime and I think it is important that we celebrate this. I am lucky to work alongside a number of great, inspiring women from local teams.

What’s the best thing about being a part of HM Coastguard? 

Bex: I enjoy being part of such an effective team, from us at area management, to all the volunteers we work with. I get job satisfaction from seeing the teams put their training into practice and saving lives on the coast. 

Karen: Despite the difficult incidents we encounter, it's fun being part of the team and being encouraged to develop your skills during training and on shouts. Nothing beats getting down to the station with the team when the pager goes, feeling like you're part of the Coastguard family, and being able to harness that team rapport to respond to operational incidents. 

Molly (pictured below with team): It doesn't matter what kind of shout you are sent to, but you know there will always be someone there that will have your back, someone you can have a good laugh with.

Olivia: I love the camaraderie you get in a Coastguard Rescue team. They are like a second family.
 

What has been a highlight or memorable moment during your time with HM Coastguard?

Bex: I have had numerous memorable moments. We completed a rope exercise at Devils Cauldron in west Wales, the satisfaction of going over the edge at such a high location was amazing. 

Karen: One of my more memorable moments in my first year was spending Hogmanay at the hospital to assist one of the Coastguard helicopters with a casualty transfer, thinking we were going to bring in the New Year there. 

Olivia (pictured below): I was involved in a major evacuation in Selsey where we helped more than 150 people affected by flooding throughout the night. There were so many of us there and we all kept each other going. It didn’t matter which emergency service we were from - we all looked out for each other and worked well to help everyone get to safety. That was by far the largest call out I have ever been on and is certainly one I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

Adding to an already serious situation was the lack of mobile phone signal and no people or roads within sight. Alan is a planner and although he was out of range, he was not out of touch. He was carrying a key piece of equipment that’s similar to a personal locator beacon (PLB), it meant he could immediately alert the emergency services.  

PLBs are widely available and they are satellite-synced so they will work from anywhere in the world – on land or sea. They transmit the alert and your location directly to government SAR (Search and Rescue) entities via the COSPAS-SARSAT network. Alan’s own commercially-available device operates in a similar way using commercial satellites.    

When Alan fell and heard a sickening crack in his leg, he knew walking the remaining seven kilometres was impossible. He was on a mountain in the Scottish Highlands, a few miles east of Ben Nevis.  

Tracker activated and rescuers were on the way

He activated his tracker just after 4pm and in under ten minutes, Alan knew that a rescue plan was under way. Police Scotland had been informed and the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team was alerted. But because of his injury and difficulty accessing the remote location, HM Coastguard was asked to help and the search and rescue helicopter from Inverness went to his aid. He was airlifted to Inverness where he was met by the local Coastguard Rescue Team and transferred into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service and onwards to hospital.  

Investment in an alerting system is worth its weight in gold

Following two operations on his leg, Alan is now recovering at home and very thankful that he had planned for the best but also prepared for the worst. 

He said: 

“I love the outdoors and remote locations but when you’re away from civilisation with no mobile phone signal, it’s potentially more dangerous. You never know when bad luck is going to strike. That day it was my turn.

“I always take safety kit seriously and my investment in an alerting system saved lots of extra worry and being able to get a direct text to my wife to tell her I was safe was an enormous help in a difficult situation. It also meant I spent a night in hospital rather than shivering in a survival bag on a mountain! It’s worth its weight in gold,” he added. 

PLB-type devices will work where mobile phones don't

Fiona Hastie, Coastal Operations Area Commander for the North of Scotland area said: “Alan was really well prepared but he’s the living proof that accidents can happen anywhere and at any time and we’re pleased that he’s now recovering well.   

“If you’re in difficulties, being able to call the emergency services and let them know where you are, can be a matter of life or death. Around our coasts, there are significant pockets where there’s no mobile signal, so an emergency PLB-type device is definitely worth considering.” 

HM Coastguard operates all civilian search and rescue helicopters in the UK. Our helicopters are regularly called out to incidents on the water and along the coast, as well as helping with inland rescues where a helicopter is needed, such as mountain rescues.  

What we do | HM Coastguard UK 

Tech to help keep you safe

Take a look at some of the many ways that technology can help keep you safe 

That capability is thanks, in part, to a dedicated team which is working in collaboration with industry, scientists and public bodies to refine procedures within a changing offshore landscape.  

Lifesaving research has been initiated to enhance the vital skill of calculating where wind and tide in different conditions are likely to carry vessels, life rafts or people, known as drift-modelling.   

Drift-modelling is a technical method that harnesses an array of information, with the support of computer programmes, to guide search and rescue teams looking for those in distress.   

The research is set to be used in updates to the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue manual (IAMSAR) – a document containing best-practice guidelines used around the world. 

Pete Lowson, HM Coastguard Offshore Energy Lead, explained: “Distress calls at sea can occur in a variety of different maritime locations and environments, ranging from coastal areas to incidents far from land. 

“When the alarm is raised, staff at our Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres will often use drift-modelling to plot the most likely areas to send help, such as lifeboats, nearby vessels, and HM Coastguard helicopters.  

“Offshore windfarms are no different and this research is refining our understanding of how the forces of nature – wind and tide – affect drift within and around them. It is exciting to contribute to vital work with a global interest which could save lives.”  

Past incidents have involved vessels going off course into windfarms, as well as jetskis, paddleboarders and swimmers.   

HM Coastguard’s safety advice to the public around windfarms is the same as for any trip out on the water involving small or larger craft: plan your activity, reduce the risks, and in an emergency call 999 for Coastguard or send a mayday call on VHF Channel 16.  

Windfarm guidance has also been produced by the MCA both for offshore companies and seafarers. 

HM Coastguard’s ongoing research is expanding a vast dataset of drift calculations, with experiments at windfarms to track objects such as dummies, dinghies, life rafts and paddleboards.  

Information-gathering has been boosted by the US Coast Guard supporting these tests by contributing hi-tech buoys and sensors capable of measuring the separate effects of wind and current. 

The US technology helped with measurements taken in 2022 at the Race Bank windfarm off the coast of Grimsby during Exercise Sancho, a major safety rehearsal held jointly every three years between the emergency services, search and rescue teams, and industry representatives.

Further research was carried out in March 2023 at Triton Knoll and Humber Gateway windfarms, and more recently in March 2024 off the coast of Brighton at Rampion windfarm.  

HM Coastguard Offshore Energy Officer Julia Stringer said: “We already have principles and guidance for search and rescue operations at windfarms, and this extra data will go towards refining and upgrading how we continue to respond.  

“When time is of the essence, knowing where people in distress are most likely to be is a vital component in the search and rescue toolkit. This is lifesaving data.” 

The series of six weekly episodes will feature round-the-clock emergency response operations by HM Coastguard, with cameras capturing staff from maritime rescue coordination centres, coastguard rescue teams, and search and rescue helicopters – always on alert to respond to people in need of help. 

The spotlight also shines on other important work of the MCA such as the surveyors and investigators who carry out their own lifesaving duties, ensuring ships are safe to sail and upholding the rules to protect seafarers, passengers and UK waters. 

In one episode the father of a young passenger killed in a speed boat crash in Poole harbour tells of his family’s loss. Cameras follow MCA investigators working with Dorset Police on the case which ultimately ends up in court. 

Viewers will see dramatic rescues such as an 85-year-old woman cut off by the tide in Wales; two people swept into a sea cave in Cornwall; and how HM Coastguard joined the response to Storm Babet as it lashed Scotland.  

Decisions are also made by the MCA surveyors – the behind-the-scenes lifesavers – about whether the vessels they inspect are safe to leave port or must be detained for the welfare of seafarers. 

MCA Chief executive Virginia McVea said: “We’re very grateful to the volunteers and staff of the MCA who took part in filming this incredibly engaging and eye-opening programme – and for the members of the public who told their stories too.  

“The series gives a behind the scenes look at what we do at the MCA, day in day out, to keep people safe – whether on the search and rescue frontline with HM Coastguard, or with our surveyors and investigators working hard to enforce safety standards. 

“We are proud to be one of the UK’s four emergency services. I hope viewers gain a deeper insight into what we do and how they can stay safe. Remember, if you’re in trouble by the coast or at sea call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.” 

Interested in joining the Maritime and Coastguard Agency?  

Check out the jobs with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency or apply to become an HM Coastguard volunteer. 

The youngster was stuck between the large, heavy boulders and the tide was coming in quickly. 

Skilled teams in HM Coastguard’s Holyhead Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) coordinated the rescue.  

It involved Aberdyfi and Barmouth Coastguard Rescue Teams, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, the Welsh Ambulance Service, air ambulance doctors and assistance from a local excavator. North Wales Police was also in support at the scene. 

The child was extracted safe and well in a delicate operation that took nearly three hours, with more than 30 expert rescuers working closely together. 

It was a big relief for the teams and a prime example of teamwork in action, said Harriet McCann, Maritime Operations Team Leader at Holyhead MRCC. 

She explained: “This rescue was challenging for everyone. It was definitely time-critical as it was only a matter of hours before the tide was due to reach the rocks. 

“Without exception, everyone pulled together in a textbook example of teamwork. There was a massive sense of relief when the young child was freed and able to go home after a very scary experience. 

“It’s why we do what we do and we’d like to say a huge thank you to our emergency services colleagues for the incredible teamwork which resulted in the lifesaving rescue. That’s the best feeling of all and a moment that will stay in our memories.” 

The child was freed using specialist machinery to move the rock armour, working closely with medical and other services at the scene. 

Rocks and safety 

Rock armour consists of large boulders for protection against the sea and can be dangerous. 

It’s easy to slip and become trapped.  

Always follow the local safety signs and avoid walking on rock armour if possible. 

If you see anyone in difficulty at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.  

(Photo credits: Lee Bell, Aberdyfi CRT)

Coastguard Rescue Teams are always ready to respond to those in need, but it is important to know the risks and dangers that come with extreme weather and how to protect yourself. 

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings across the UK this week (8 to 10 April), with intense wind and rain starting along the southern coast and making its way up and across the country. Flood warnings remain in place with some places already badly affected.

A combination of high winds and high tides has resulted in flooding and evacuations in Sussex and Hampshire overnight, 8 April. HM Coastguard has been working with partners around-the-clock to assist with this emergency response. 

As the poor weather continues, the coastguard is reminding those visiting the coast to stay away from waves and cliff edges.

Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Commander for Maritime Tom Pederson said: “We know it’s always tempting to get that bit closer to a wave or cliff edge, but it isn’t worth risking your life. Especially in this kind of weather. 

“We are experiencing poor weather all across the UK with extreme flooding, so we need everyone to stay safe and, just as importantly, know what to do in an emergency. If you find yourself in trouble call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

Weather safety tips:

• Is it safe to go out?

It’s always sensible to check the latest weather advice from the Met Office

• Don’t drive and drown

People have died driving through roads flooded by sea or rain. One foot (30cm) can be enough to carry a car into danger

• Stay off groynes, piers and harbour walls

If you can feel the spray, you’re too close. Don’t be a ‘wave tourist’ – a selfie’s not worth the risk

• Cliffs crumble in heavy rain

Steer clear of the edge and base of cliffs at all times, but particularly during or after heavy rainfall

• Watch out for wind

Storm winds can gust suddenly by the coast, throwing debris or pushing watercraft into trouble. Steer clear of exposed places

For more advice on staying safe in adverse weather, check out our storm safety advice.

Photo Credit: Eddie Mitchell

The volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers who make up the teams are regularly sent to deploy their rope rescue skills on the vertiginous cliffs of the Sussex coast. 

Emergency responses often require long hours, descending onto precarious ledges, and sometimes careful communication with the people in danger. It is not unusual for CRTs to be tasked to several incidents in a single day or for rescues to also involve pet dogs. 

The Rescue Shield is issued annually by the Department for Transport and is its highest recognition for outstanding examples of lifesaving effort by HM Coastguard teams. 

It was presented on Thursday 4 April during a special ceremony at Newhaven Coastal Operations Base where representatives from the three CRTs gathered. 

Virginia said: “To tackle just one of these incidents deserves our gratitude. To turn out week after week throughout the year to help people in such intense moments makes these Coastguards worthy winners of this extra special award. 

“The type of distressing circumstances our teams often face requires a special sensitivity, resilience and courage in addition to expertise and teamwork.  

“I was very proud to hand over the Department for Transport Rescue Shield to Birling Gap, Eastbourne and Newhaven CRTs, and pass on the appreciation of a grateful public.” 

To find out how to apply to volunteer as a Coastguard Rescue Officer, visit www.gov.uk/volunteer-as-a-coastguard 

Photo, from left: Trevor Cutler (Newhaven CRT), Mark Francis (Birling Gap), Sadi Hopgood (Eastbourne) and Virginia McVea (Photo credit: Eddie Mitchell)

Teams from HM Coastguard, the RNLI and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) dealt with two mud rescues in Whitecliff Bay on Sunday, 24 March -  both incidents in the exact same place but different times.

HM Coastguard is trained to deal with incidents of this nature along the coast and has the required skills and equipment, but teams are now reminding the public to be prepared and know how to stay safe. 

Senior Coastal Operations Officer Andrew Woodford, who attended both incidents, said:

“Getting stuck in the mud is an awful situation to be in and there are ways it can be avoided – check the weather, stick to the paths, check the tide times and always look at local safety signage.

“We are always ready to respond to incidents but it is just as important to be prepared in the first place."

HIWFRS Station Manager Ant Westbrook, also at both incidents, added:

“We have some lovely coastal and beach walks in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and want people to be able to enjoy these safely. Following the recent rescues on the Isle of Wight at the weekend we would highlight the need for people to be cautious when exploring our coastline. 

“The ground is extremely muddy in places and it can be difficult to judge how stable the surface is or just how deep the mud is. We urge people to take extra care while enjoying our coastline, to stick to the paths, follow any local warnings and ensure you have a mobile phone with you.”

Coastal safety tips:

• Always follow local warning signs
• Don’t go out alone into unknown areas
• Be aware of tide times and currents
• Take a mobile phone with you
• Stay on footpaths and keep dogs under control

If you do end up stuck in mud:

• Call 999 and ask for Coastguard
• Try to stay calm and avoid movement
• Spread your weight to stand evenly
• Call loudly to attract attention
• Discourage others from attempting to rescue you

After seeking nominations from the community, Hartlepool Coastguard Rescue Team has been awarded the Honorary Freedom of the Borough by Hartlepool Borough Council, for always helping those in need.

From lifesaving search and rescue call outs to supporting events and happenings in the town, the work of HM Coastguard has not gone unnoticed by locals. 

The prestigious honour was awarded as a huge thank you to the team during a civic ceremony held on 18 March, presented by the Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool, Councillor Shane Moore.

Following the event, Hartlepool Coastguard Rescue Station Officer Garry Carden said: “The team is humbled and privileged to receive such an honour, even to be nominated is something really special. 

“We don’t become coastguard rescue officers for the recognition or praise, we just want to help keep people safe. To receive this honour shows we’re doing something right and we’ve made our community proud.”

Coastal Operations Area Commander Martin Lowe added: “I, alongside HM Coastguard, am so proud of the Hartlepool team, receiving this honour shows how appreciated and respected they are within the community. 

“As the team continues its important and lifesaving duties, officers can remind themselves of this honour – a physical and celebratory reminder of their valued service.”

The citation from the council reads the honour’s bestowal on the coastguard “is testament to the numerous lives saved locally and support the team has provided to Hartlepool”.

Mayor Cllr Moore said: “The Freedom of the Borough is worthy and deserved recognition for a team that does so much to ensure the safety of Hartlepool residents and visitors to the town. 

“The volunteers’ willingness to give up their time to protect others is testimony to their professionalism, dedication and commitment, and it is so reassuring to know that they are on hand in the event of an emergency. 

“My thanks go to each and every member of the team and I would like to congratulate them on this honour.”

Pictures provided by Hartlepool Mail, credit Frank Reid

In 2018 Lisa McAuliffe became the first woman to be appointed a Deputy to the SOSREP. This is a role which during maritime emergencies empowers Lisa to make time critical decisions on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport during a shipping incident, or the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. This is a role she takes seriously but also enjoys. 

Lisa says it is the combination of both men and women that brings “different dimensions and perspective to a team”, adding “work should never be about gender, but about recognising the individual”.

In 1970 women were allowed to join HM Coastguard for the first time, and now, from counter pollution to fishing safety, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency celebrates the inclusion of women across the agency.

“Traditionally roles in HM coastguard were held by men as they were the ones who went to sea and therefore had that maritime experience, but times have changed,” Lisa said.

“It has taken time to evolve but now all genders have just as much experience and skills in the maritime sector as men once did.

“I was a young woman coming into this job and age added a different challenge, but it was a positive experience in lots of ways as I was able to add a new voice and bring new skills to the role.”

One of Lisa’s personal SOSREP achievements was last year; leading the response to an incident near Wolf Rock Lighthouse in Falmouth, where a vessel lost power and ran aground. 

The response to the stricken vessel was led by the Deputy to the SOSREP, with the co-operation and collaboration of key, critical stakeholders; resulting in all remaining safe and no pollution. 

“Tough decisions had to be made, but this is why this role was created,” Lisa said, “gender didn’t have an effect on this, it was just about making the right call and having the support of the teams and organisations around me, no matter what their gender.”

Nodding to the theme of International Women’s Day - Inspire Inclusion - Lisa noted the importance of an equal and accommodating workplace, in particular when it comes to childcare. 

“As time has moved on the MCA has evolved its position on childcare and support. Being a parent, and in my case a single parent, this shouldn’t impact your career”, she said, “there are mothers and fathers who have to and want to work, as well as bringing up children, and that isn’t easy.

“A workplace should be flexible to support staff with children or other caring responsibilities, which in turn will improve inclusion and work productivity.”

Lisa said: “To not be inclusive means missing out on so many experts, so many skilled and wonderful people who can bring so much to your team. It shouldn’t matter what you look like or what your gender is, you’re still a person with feelings that will bring something special to your team.

“Evolution and change is absolutely necessary and the MCA is very good at this, but there is always more work to be done. We should be using our roles to promote inclusivity and a workplace for all, trying to inspire the next generation, that’s what it’s all about.”

The Chief Constable’s Bravery and Excellence Awards, run by Police Scotland, is a chance for the force to recognise individuals and organisations that have gone the extra mile in emergency situations. As part of this the Western Isles Coastguard Rescue Teams have received a Bravery and Conduct Award, for their ongoing mutual support to police. 

The citation from Police Scotland highlighted the “invaluable assistance, expertise and knowledge” provided by HM Coastguard in challenging circumstances, adding the Western Isles teams “work effectively with police to achieve the best possible results”. 

“The brave, decisive and courageous actions of the Western Isles Coastguard Teams ensure that the community they serve are kept safe on a daily basis.”

In a special awards ceremony held on 23 February, Coastal Operations Area Commander Murdo Macaulay, Senior Coastal Operations Officers Ronald MacLean and Kayleigh Smith and Rescue Coordination Centre Manager David Smith were the recipients of the awards.

Area Commander Murdo said: “We don’t do what we do for recognition or praise, but this award is testament to the teams’ hard work and their ongoing dedication to the service. 

“It also shows the important relationship we have and must keep with other emergency services, always working together to achieve results. From providing search and rescue resources to assisting with safety cover or transport, we will always try our best to support our emergency services family.  

“This award is a massive boost for the Western Isles teams and they should be very proud of themselves.”

Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “These awards shine a light on the great value policing brings to communities: keeping people safe from harm, protecting the vulnerable, bringing criminals to justice, solving problems and reducing offending. 

“I want to thank and congratulate all the winners and nominees, including members of the public. Their inspiring work and brave actions illustrate how policing stands up for and with our communities.”

Pictured (L - R) - Divisional Commander David Sharp, Senior Coastal Operations Officers Kayleigh Smith and Ron MacLean, Coastal Operations Area Commander Murdo Macaulay, Rescue Coordination Centre Manager David Smith and Assistant Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan. 

After three days of training with HM Coastguard earlier this month, members of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service can now travel up to 400 metres away from solid ground to assist with mud rescues.

Firefighters are equipped to travel around 30 metres across areas of softer land and mud, so this training has provided the skills and resources they need to increase this distance.

The training in Portsmouth enabled the two agencies to work together and experience call outs involving mud, further improving their understanding of location, skills, and how to respond to those in need. 

Around 20 people took part in the training, including representatives from the local coastguard teams, police marine unit and animal rescue.

Coastal Operations Area Commander Tom Wright said the training was “a huge success”, and is excited for it to be rolled out to more teams in the fire and rescue service.

He said: “The idea was to train members of the fire and rescue service to mud technician level, so when these situations happen we can work together quickly and effectively with an even more strengthened response. 

“We share the same mission of protecting and saving lives, so it is important where we can to exchange skills to improve preparedness and multi-agency working. 

“The training was a chance to throw both coastguard and fire and rescue into the heart of a controlled mud rescue operation. Being six years in the making, this project is a huge step forward for our collective response to mud rescue incidents.”

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service Watch Manager for Response, Glenn Kavanagh said:

“This shared training and new equipment has enhanced our response to and joint-working at mud rescue incidents.

“Our crews are now capable of beginning the rescue of casualties stuck in mud more than 30m from solid ground, and support coastguard teams upon arrival, enabling a quicker resolution to these incidents.

“You can’t recreate the level of realism these scenarios provide us with in the drill yard or classroom, so this training opportunity was a great experience in a realistic setting, working closely with our partners, and it ultimately helps us to keep people safe.

If you’re in trouble at the coast call 999 and ask for the coastguard. Read our mud safety tips on our coastal advice page.

You can still watch the rest of the series on My5 to see the work carried out across the MCA. From HM Coastguard's heart-stopping rescues to surveyors checking vessels are safe to sail.

Filming for the second series is well underway and all the exclusive action will be hitting your screens later in the year. 

To prevent this happening to anyone else’s friends, family or loved ones, his son Robbie is now sharing his devastating loss to help raise awareness of the fatal dangers posed by the sea together with the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF). 

Members of the NWSF including HM Coastguard, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and the RNLI came together to produce a powerful film, which hears from 27-year-old Robbie Jones as he tells the story of losing his dad Gareth to the sea in January 2021. 

The film is being launched on the three-year anniversary of Gareth’s death, as a poignant reminder of the everlasting impact of his loss.

SOS Extreme Rescues follows the work of emergency services and volunteer organisations responding to emergencies, taking place in the stunning, wild landscape of Eryri, more commonly known as Snowdonia.

As part of this new BBC2 series, viewers can follow the Coastguard and partner agencies across miles of Welsh mountains, forests and coastline, as teams respond to dangerous call outs and those in urgent need.

From rescuing an injured power-kiter on a Wales beach to an injured walker on Twll Du (Devil’s Kitchen), look out for HM Coastguard across the series, with teams from Abersoch, Barmouth and Criccieth, along with the helicopter crews from Caernarfon, featured.

North Wales Police and the RNLI are just some of the agencies the Coastguard works with on a regular basis, also highlighted in this new series. 

Watch the first episode of SOS Extreme Rescues on BBC 2, Monday 8 January at 7pm. In Wales you can watch SOS Extreme Rescues on BBC One Wales at the same time. The entire series will be available on iPlayer after the broadcast of the first episode. 

This isn’t the first time the important work of HM Coastguard has been shown on TV. Last summer Coastguard – a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency - was aired, and following its success a second series is coming out later this year.

READ MORE -

• Action! Second Channel 5 series of Maritime and Coastguard Agency documentary
• Everything you need to know about the series Coastguard
• The Shipping Forecast and safety as the iconic broadcast turns 100

In the UK, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) is responsible for the provision of Maritime Safety Information (MSI) to ships at sea, which includes the broadcast of warnings and forecasts. The iconic Shipping Forecast is a BBC Radio broadcast produced by the Met Office on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Although the Shipping Forecast officially came into existence in 1924, it was in October 1925 when it was first broadcast via the BBC.

We spoke to the Met Office’s Archivist Catherine Ross about the significance in 2024 of the Shipping Forecast.

“It’s a national institution,” Catherine, who has spent the past 11 years trawling the rich archives of the Met Office said. “That has so much more meaning behind it than just a forecast. It’s iconic.

“It’s a history of the last 100 years of what’s happened around our shores, from a weather perspective of course but also maritime safety; the two are heavily linked and it is a big part of why the Met Office even exists.”

The history of the forecast goes back to 1861, when Vice-Admiral Robert FitzRoy developed a telegraphic messaging system to issue weather warnings to ships, following the loss of the steam clipper Royal Charter. The vessel foundered (sank) in a violent storm off the coast of Anglesey, with the loss of more than 450 lives, prompting FitzRoy’s desire to prevent it happening again.

He was the main influence in the early development of the Met Office, which was then primarily intended to improve safety at sea.

“It has saved thousands, possibly even hundreds of thousands of lives,” Catherine added. “It is impossible to accurately predict how many, but it really has been lifechanging for seafarers.

“Its relevance has probably changed from when its sole purpose was to provide information to UK mariners, because of all the technology and internet it can now be heard from anywhere in the world.

“It has 100 years of trust behind it now and it has taken on a cultural aspect far beyond the maritime world, which all adds to its iconic status.

“Technology will continue to move on, but that distinctive sound it has will remain for as long as people want it.

“It’s almost poetic, almost beautiful, in the way that fixed-pattern forecast is read out. I really like the sound of it and know a lot of people do, it is familiar and it’s a voice from home.

“In fact, it’s the voice of home.”

The incident on Saturday 10 June 2023 started at about 7pm when HM Coastguard received a 999 call from a mother stating that her daughter and two other young girls were stuck in the mud at the River Blyth with the tide coming in. 

Blyth and Newbiggin Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRTs) were sent along with Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service, Blyth RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, and the North East Ambulance Service.  

When Blyth CRT arrived on the scene a rescue plan was quickly produced involving Scott going into the water as a rescue swimmer to pick up one of the girls and bring her back to shore. 

Sean went in next, at the end of a tethered line, and in two visits to the water brought out the last two girls safe and sound. 

At a special ceremony, Scott and Sean were presented with Bronze certificates from the Tynemouth Medal Trust. It distributes accolades for heroic deeds either within the Tyne or nearby sea, or by Tynesiders away from their home area. 

The trust was established in 1895, inspired by the bravery of Tynemouth Coastguard Edwin Hoar who, on 13 October 1891, risked his life to successfully bring ashore the last sailor trapped on a ship driven onto nearby rocks. 

Ryan Douglas, Senior Coastal Operations Officer who leads Blyth CRT, said: “The actions of Scott and Sean undoubtedly saved three children’s lives, continuing the fine traditions of HM Coastguard. 

“Their professionalism, dedication to training and commitment to lifesaving meant that they were able to execute three effective water rescues.” 

Ryan added: “The mum deserves credit too. She did the right thing by staying on shore, calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard. Mud can be much more treacherous than it looks – tide, cold and pressure can combine to be deadly, so our advice is to steer clear.” 

Scott and Sean’s efforts were also rewarded by HM Coastguard with a Chief Coastguard commendation which is given for bravery or exceptionally meritorious service. 

Main picture (front row, l-r): Coastal Operations Area Commander Martin Lowe; Scott Reed; Jon Wright and Peter Liley from Tynemouth Medal Trust; Sean Robinson and Ryan Douglas

In October Senior Coastal Operations Officer Bex Owen and Coastguard Rescue Officer Alex Tennant were whisked off to Kona to take part in the annual Ironman World Championship. 

This year the championship was divided by gender, making this the first ever female-only event of its kind.

This invite-only triathlon is one of the world’s toughest, made up of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile cycle and a marathon (26.2 miles). This put both Coastguard’s training and love of exercise to the test.

“Everyone wants to qualify and get here, getting the invite was like a pipe dream,” Bex said, pictured below.

Both based in the south of Wales, the two Coastguards regularly take part in sporting events and challenges. From half marathons to bike rides, their passion for adventure and fitness has taken them all across the globe. 

Ironman however is one accomplishment Bex and Alex will never forget. 

Bex said: “I wasn’t sure whether to take part or not at first, but I knew this was a lifetime opportunity.

“It wasn’t just about taking part in Ironman; it was experiencing the culture, history, and meeting people from all over and hearing their stories. There were even people in their 70s competing. 

“The splitting up of men and women did get a bit of backlash, but the standard was so high and the majority completed the whole thing, so that felt incredible.”

Alex added: “What made it feel really special was the atmosphere and support, it really was a celebration for everyone that made this such an empowering experience.”

Bex and Alex beat their personal bests, Bex completing the swim, cycle and marathon in 13 hours and 47 minutes, and Alex in 14 hours and 37 minutes.

Alex said: “I knew taking part in the swim would be a real challenge for me, and in the lead up I wasn’t sure how I’d complete a marathon in the heat. 

“I really wanted to challenge myself and it paid off, it was one of the best things I’ve ever done.”

Bex added: “I tend to be very hard on myself, but it was a tough course with open water swimming and a hilly marathon in hard conditions. We did the best we could and we both smashed it.”

Bex was only invited to take part in August, meaning she only had around two months to prepare.

With training six days a week, some days with two sessions, she said: “I do things like this because I enjoy them, exercise is my relaxation, but this required more training and discipline. I had a coach for the first time for more structured training.”

Alex, pictured left, added: “The training is my down time and I love it, so that becomes part of the journey too. There’s never just the destination.”

Organisation, discipline and swimming are just some of the skills Bex and Alex took from their time with the Coastguard into the championship. 

“I love being a part of the Coastguard, it has taught me so much and so many different skills,” Alex said.

“People spotted we were from the Coastguard and thanked us for our service which was really nice too,” Bex added. 

Taking part in Ironman has encouraged and inspired members of Bex’s and Alex’s teams to also take part in similar events.

Giving advice to those considering a new challenge, Alex said: “Less than two years ago I couldn’t even swim, you just need to believe in yourself and don’t let anyone else affect you or your goals.”

Bex added: “I’d recommend training in Wales, with all our hills and weather you become prepared for anything.

“I love what it says on the Ironman medal about ‘moving forwards’, it’s a good mantra to live by. Just go for it.”

As we prepare to see in a new year, we take a moment to reflect on the big moments of 2023.

January

201st birthday celebrations

Marks the end of a fantastic year of events across the nation to celebrate the two-hundredth anniversary of keeping people safe at the coast.

Read more here.

HM Coastguard appears on Blue Peter

Watch the teaser: 

Meet Your Coastguard series begins

A new initiative to introduce the public to our wonderful volunteer teams, with videos, written interviews and more.

Check out the series.

February

Prestigious Officer Trainee of the Year award unveiled at annual UK Chamber of Shipping dinner

Daisy Jarvis, who began volunteering for the RNLI as lifeboat crew while still at school, and serving as a third officer in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, received the award.

Read more.

MCA Regulatory Compliance Investigations Team (RCIT) pursue a marine company through the courts for unsafe practices which led to the death of a crewman

Svitzer Marine Ltd fined £2million for the safety breaches, which caused the ‘avoidable tragedy’.

Read more.

A coastguard who volunteers with a canine search and rescue organisation goes to Turkey to help in the earthquake disaster response

Ryan Gray, who works in the Belfast Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, went with the group he set up called ‘K9 Search and Rescue NI’.

March

Paddleboarder's 999 call highlights coastal safety message

A dramatic 999 call made by a 17-year-old boy who fell from his paddleboard into the sea helps to promote coastal safety message.

Magnificent seven: HM Coastguard team members receive special accolade

Seven members of HM Coastguard have received a special accolade, after a three-and-a-half-hour rescue that saved a life and ‘tested bravery and decision making'.

Further details.

MCA organises civil hydrography seminar

Experts from across the UK will be gathering today (8 March) to discuss all aspects of the science that keeps mariners safe in its waters in an event organised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Online exams to continue following successful pilot project

MCA drive to digitise continue at pace, with a pilot scheme to allow candidates for the Officer of the Watch (OOW) deck unlimited qualification to split the exam process into two parts is being introduced by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency this Spring.

Read more.

April

A new website dedicated to coastal safety and the work of His Majesty’s Coastguard is launched

A hugely successful launch of the new dedicated webpage.
 

First ever female Chief Executive Officer takes charge

A new chapter begins in the life of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in April, as Virginia McVea takes up the role of CEO.

RNLI volunteers and HM Coastguard battle storm force conditions to save lone sailor.

A lone yachtsman was rescued off the coast of Devon as rescue teams battled Storm Mathis and wind speeds gusting over 50mph.

Full story here.

May

Coronation: Proud coastguards selected to represent Search and Rescue service

Twenty-two members of His Majesty's Coastguard will line the streets as part of the Civil Services Contingent (CSC) in the Coronation Procession of King Charles III on Saturday 6 May 2023.

Women coastguards turn the tide on maritime stereotypes at Holy Island of Lindisfarne

A tide of female volunteers joining the HM Coastguard team at the Holy Island of Lindisfarne in Northumberland is helping to overturn the maritime world’s outdated reputation as the preserve of men. 

Read the story.

Coastguards lead on water safety in Liverpool during Eurovision

June

‘We're so proud of you’ – CEO's praise for HM Coastguard volunteers

The volunteers who are the lifeblood of HM Coastguard took their turn in the limelight during a visit to Scotland by the new Maritime and Coastguard Agency Chief Executive, Virginia McVea.

Rip current turns day out into near-tragedy

“I’ll come back for you.” These were the last words David Rawlston shouted to his uncle, Gordon MacDonald, as he and his daughter were wrenched away by a vicious rip current off the coast of west Scotland. The family recount the horrifying day.

Read the full story.

Exercise Mudlark puts London Coastguard to the test

London Coastguards put to the test in a major search and rescue exercise on the River Thames involving boats, mud crews and a helicopter.

Dad’s safety appeal after son trapped under collapsed sand

A father has urged people to take care digging on the beach after his 14-year-old son became trapped when a pile of excavated sand collapsed on top of him.

Find out more.

Faster NHS hospital transfers under trailblazing new HM Coastguard helicopter agreement 

An agreement that is the first of its kind in England has been signed to make it easier for HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopters to respond to requests to transport seriously ill or injured adult patients between NHS hospitals in South West England.

Read about the important agreement.

July

First-ever behind the scenes documentary, Coastguard, goes live

The new documentary series, Coastguard, aired for the first-ever time on Channel 5 and was a huge success with the public. More than five million people tuned in to watch the first series.

It was such a success that another series will be coming to your screens in 2024.

Read more.

Safety kit makes the difference to fisherman’s rescue within minutes

Fisher tells story of sinking boat, and the safety kit that proved lifesaving.

Full story.

August

Prepared for the worst: meet the team training to avert pollution disaster

Learn about the counter-pollution hardware on standby round the clock, forming part of the UK’s response that can be deployed to the coast within hours if the worst happens. 

Grandfather and grandson swept out to sea on paddleboards

A grandfather learned the importance of checking the weather forecast and safety signage, after he and his 11-year-old grandson were swept out to sea while paddleboarding.

Full story.

September

How the SOSREP role changed the nation's disaster response

Responding to national maritime emergencies is an essential part of what the Maritime and Coastguard Agency does, not only to save lives at sea, but to prevent environmental harm too.

Read more.

Rowing boat owner sentenced after 21-year-old lost overboard

Following a case brought by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the owner and skipper of a vessel has received a 12-month suspended sentence after a 21-year-old was lost overboard in the middle of the Atlantic.

Full story.

Paddleboarder found after seven-hour search shares his story

Five Coastguard Rescue Teams, seven RNLI lifeboats and two Coastguard helicopters took part in the search for father and son.

Read more.

October

Cadets' health and well-being 'in safe hands' with new support group

A group of dedicated industry professionals has been created to prioritise the health and wellbeing of cadets during training, both on land and at sea. 

More about it here.

HM Coastguard helicopter crew wins award for Storm Claudio rescue

The crew of an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter has won an accolade from the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society for a brave operation that saved eight sailors during Storm Claudio in October last year.

New toolkit to support mental wellbeing of HM Coastguard teams

A new toolkit designed to help teams cope with distressing search and rescue incidents is being launched in the week of World Mental Health Day on 10 October.

Full story.

Storm Babet flood response

As Storm Babet battered parts of the UK, coastguards were among those at the heart of the multi-agency response.

• Coastguards from across the UK supporting flood response to Storm Babet
• Coastguard highlights 'tenacity and resilience' of residents evacuated in Storm Babet floods
   

November

HM Coastguard take part in Remembrance Day Parade at the Cenotaph

HM Coastguard take part in the Remembrance Day Parade at the Cenotaph, with a contingent of 10 chosen to march.

Safety tips and checklists feature on new app for seafarers

A new app for seafarers, launched by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, is a chance for those working at sea to have safety advice, checklists and important resources at their fingertips. 

Sailor rescued from damaged vessel 600 miles out at sea

The correct safety equipment onboard meant the sailor could keep in contact with HM Coastguard throughout.

Full story here.

December

Groundbreaking review of UK cadet syllabus could shape future of training worldwide

A groundbreaking review of the UK’s cadet syllabus, which could shape the future of training worldwide, has been completed by the Cadet Training & Modernisation (CT&M) Programme.

Avoid a Christmas tragedy: don’t drink and drive on the water

Leisure sailors have been urged to take the traditional drink-drive safety message from the roads onto the water to help avoid a Christmas tragedy this year.

Read more.

No – they are entirely separate organisations. Founded in 1822, HM Coastguard is one of the UK emergency services and part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, whose HQ is in Southampton. It’s a taxpayer-funded body within the Department for Transport. 

HM Coastguard is the coordinating authority for search and rescue in the UK – essentially, it organises all maritime rescues. 

The RNLI, on the other hand, is a registered charity established in 1824 with 238 lifeboats stations around the UK and Ireland. It is funded by donations and relies on volunteers to provide search and rescue lifeboat services.  

Why do they get mixed up? 

HM Coastguard and the RNLI are both search and rescue organisations which work very closely together during emergencies at sea and on the coast.

People often mistake them for being the same organisation but, actually, they have distinct and separate roles. 

What does HM Coastguard do?  

HM Coastguard is the tasking authority whose main role is to coordinate maritime search and rescue operations within the area where the UK is responsible, at sea and on the coast.

This is done by salaried teams working at Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) who take emergency calls and, if required, allocate resources to respond.

They are the planners who take the lead in organising responses within the UK search and rescue region.  

So, who are the blue-suited Coastguards I’ve seen by the seaside? 

They are the Coastguard Rescue Officers. These are trained volunteers enrolled with HM Coastguard, numbering more than 3,000.

They form Coastguard Rescue Teams based at stations around the UK shoreline who are paged in an emergency by MRCCs.

They have capability for first aid, water rescues close inshore, missing person searches, and mud and cliff operations in some areas. They are led by salaried Senior Coastal Operations Officers employed by HM Coastguard. 

And what does the RNLI do?  

The RNLI operates a fleet of over 400 lifeboats (including relief lifeboats) from 238 lifeboat stations around the coast of the UK and Ireland.

Crewed by volunteers, these vessels can range from all-weather lifeboats (ALBs) to inshore lifeboats (ILBs) – they are easily recognisable with bright orange colouring and RNLI logos.

In some areas, where access by boat is difficult such as mudflats, the RNLI will operate a hovercraft.

The RNLI also employs lifeguards at about 240 beaches around the UK and Northern Ireland. 

Doesn’t HM Coastguard have its own lifeboats? 

HM Coastguard does not operate its own lifeboats but does have powerful aircraft at its disposal. These include the familiar red and white helicopters as well as aeroplanes and unmanned drones, operating from about a dozen bases around the UK.

It also has an Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) based in Scotland for incidents involving bigger ships, and can call on support from passing vessels too. 

How do HM Coastguard and the RNLI work together? 

In an emergency on the coast or in UK waters, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. That call will be directed to one of HM Coastguard’s MRCCs where the team will coordinate your rescue, starting with a decision about what assistance to send. 

They will task the most appropriate resources from an official list of trusted organisations – each known as a ‘declared facility’ – that HM Coastguard can call upon 24/7 as an ‘asset’ in a rescue.

Other emergency services can be involved too. 

Are there other search and rescue organisations HM Coastguard works with? 

Yes – there are also independent search and rescue charities, separate from the RNLI, which have a similar role and also have ‘declared facility’ status. 

These include independent lifeboat organisations, volunteer life brigades and inshore rescue services, the National Coastwatch Institution, and the Sea Safety Group. 

What happens to someone rescued by the RNLI or an independent lifeboat? 

In the example of a yacht in trouble, a local lifeboat would be despatched by HM Coastguard, perhaps to give support or pick up the crew.

A Coastguard helicopter might also be sent, sometimes airlifting the casualties from the lifeboat or the yacht itself (helicopter and lifeboat teams train together for this type of rescue).  

Casualties are then often met on land by Coastguard Rescue Teams who can give first aid, set up landing sites for the helicopter, or assist handing people into the care of an ambulance crew. 

Could I join HM Coastguard? 

Join us! You could apply to be a volunteer coastguard rescue officer, work at a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC).  

As a volunteer role, being a coastguard rescue officer offers quite flexible attendance, with full training and kit provided. It’s a chance to join a close-knit team who enjoy camaraderie, personal development and the satisfaction of making a lifesaving difference. Find out more about volunteering as a coastguard rescue officer.

Job opportunities also come up at HM Coastguard’s MRCCs, as well as within the wider Maritime and Coastguard Agency. To see what’s available or to sign up for recruitment alerts, visit GOV.UK. 

The advice follows the culmination of a criminal investigation into the death of 24-year-old David Haw in Poole harbour, in which alcohol was identified by a judge as an aggravating factor. 

David was killed after a RIB on which he was a passenger – driven by a man who had been drinking – crashed into a buoy while travelling at excessive speed shortly after midnight on 2 May 2022. 

MCA Lead Investigator Mark Cam said: “Just as drink-driving in a car can lead to life-changing consequences, so can mixing alcohol with sailing or powerboating.  

“On the water you’re facing the extra factors of weather, tides and navigation, sometimes far from help or in the dark. It’s just not safe for you or others to cloud your judgement with drink. 

“If you’re in charge and you’re not feeling shipshape – or you’re concerned about your skipper – then make a fresh plan and stay in dock. Look after each other and don’t let your crew’s voyage end in tragedy and the courts.” 

The MCA played a key role supporting Dorset Police’s investigation of the Poole harbour crash and prosecuting the case. 

Helmsman Morgan Smith, of Northampton, was sentenced on 21 November at Winchester Crown Court to three years behind bars, having previously pleaded guilty to gross negligence manslaughter. 

Main picture: stock image

In the UK the MCA takes the lead to make occupations in marine industries safer, such as through HM Coastguard’s round-the-clock search and rescue duties, volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers, ship surveyors, and investigation and enforcement teams. 

Virginia commented: “On National Workplace Day of Remembrance I’d like to pay special tribute to those dedicated to preventing loss of life among workers on the coast and at sea. 

“At the MCA – alongside our search and rescue partners – we will always be there to support people in those environments who face additional risks to earn a living, support their family and community, and help to keep the UK economy turning. 

“Among those we remember is Billy Deacon, a winchman who died 26 years ago helping to rescue the crew of the merchant vessel Green Lily on 19 November 1997, off the coast of Shetland.  

“Workers like Billy deserve recognition for their dedication, heroism and sacrifice.” 

The Billy Deacon Award is presented every year to recognise search and rescue excellence. It was launched by Bristow Group, which operates search and rescue helicopters on behalf of HM Coastguard. 

On National Workplace Day of Remembrance, the public is invited to observe a minute’s silence at midday to honour those who have lost their lives at work. 

They embody the spirit of the service, as does every single one of our volunteers, who offer their services for the safety and care of others.

This International Volunteer Day, we want to thank them – however long they have served – as we recognise the power of collective action in water safety.

Director of HM Coastguard Claire Hughes and Chief Coastguard Pete Mizen have led the praise and recognition of teams, whose "sacrifice and commitment is never taken for granted".

Claire said: “Every single volunteer is indispensable to HM Coastguard and whether you are with us for one year or 50 years, we deeply value your selfless contribution to bringing people home in their worst moments.

“Our long serving coastguards are key to passing on experience and expertise as well as helping to create the family dynamic that so many of our teams cherish. In fact, it is often the perfect combination of young enthusiasm and old experience that work in tandem to safe lives.”

Pete added: “I started my career with HM Coastguard as a volunteer back in 1991 so I fully appreciate and respect the commitment and sacrifice that our volunteers give.  The Service is extremely proud of them all and we will never take their dedication for granted.”

Neil, a volunteer with the Port Charlotte Coastguard Rescue Team on the Isle of Islay, signed up in 1965 and now holds the crown as the longest-serving coastguard following the retirement of Keith Dare-Williams at the end of 2022.

Joining on 20 November 1965, he has watched as the service has developed into the modern, high-tech Coastguard of today.

Meanwhile Anthony (Tony) has spent 55 years in Coastguard coveralls overlooking Swansea Bay as a volunteer at Mumbles Coastguard Rescue Team in Wales. He has long been the Deputy Station Officer, providing support to the team since 1968.

Northern Ireland’s longest serving coastguard Kenneth has an impressive 46 years of maritime search and rescue experience under his belt, as a Coastguard Rescue Officer in Portmuck. It says a lot about the incredible commitment in the service that his four and a half decades of volunteering does not put him in the top 10 list of current longest-serving coastguards.

From the longest-serving to the newest-serving – every month sees new starters across the UK – we have a team of dedicated, caring and committed individuals working together to keep people safe at our coasts.

If you’re interested in finding out more about volunteering with HM Coastguard, visit the Volunteer as a Coastguard page. 

Main photo: stock image

Thanks to knowing what to do in an emergency and having the right equipment onboard, it was much easier for the sailor to be successfully located and rescued. 

The first beacon alert was received by HM Coastguard at around 11.30am on Thursday, 2 November. The solo sailor activated the beacon while in the Atlantic Ocean, west of Cornwall. 

In the midst of Storm Ciarán the vessel had lost its mast and was taking on water. 

Air assets and vessels in the vicinity were requested to head to the distress position to provide assistance. Due to the position of the yacht and the weather in the Atlantic, the first responding vessel estimated their arrival to be around 20 hours later. Despite this, they changed course and proceeded. 

With the correct safety equipment onboard the yacht, the sailor was able to keep communication with HM Coastguard throughout. 

Support from the RAF, French air assets and vessels responding to the incident led to the sailor and vessel being located by aircraft on the evening of 2 November. Multiple aircrafts were sent to maintain a constant orbit over the vessel, until around 3pm the following day, when the first responding vessel arrived on scene. 

The casualty was recovered to the responding vessel safe and well and taken to a place of safety. 

Network Commander Tom Barnett said: “These kinds of rescue missions are so much more successful when vessels are kitted out correctly. We are able to respond and get to the heart of an incident must faster, and the chance of survival is so much higher.  

“This sailor had an EPIRB (emergency position-indicating radio beacon) and knew how to use their VHF radio, which kept us updated on their location and health.   

“These call outs also show the power of teamwork and good communication between us and other agencies. Without this, the result of this mission could have been very different.  

“We are always ready to respond to anyone in need, in an emergency call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”  

Pictures provided by RAF

Joel, based at Holyhead Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), has worked for HM Coastguard since 2011 and said that, in that time, he has sadly dealt with many people struggling with life.

For the past five years, HM Coastguard callouts to incidents involving people threatening self-harm have been on the rise and are among the top reasons for incident response each year.

Joel said: “Everyone in this room has taken a call from someone struggling with their mental health, as an emergency service, it is a part of the job.

“It is why awareness days like International Men’s Day are so important; so that we can highlight the problem and work towards improving it. Prevention is absolutely key. No one likes incidents involving such desperate calls for help, and if it is getting worse, then that suggests more people are struggling than ever before. This doesn’t just affect one gender of course.

“Christmas and New Year can be a really tough time, it’s been a hard year for a lot of people and I worry about how many we might see struggling over the holiday period.”

Joel emphasised that there are resources in place for people in the throws of a mental health crisis, including charities focused on suicide prevention, and that a day like International Men’s Day can help to break stigmas around revealing your struggles.

“Ultimately, it is about us being there to help to show the caller that there is light at the end of the tunnel,” he added. “I think that, sometimes, we really are their last call for help. When it comes, you just instinctively know when it is serious.

“They can be very hard calls to handle, as you can spend 30 or more minutes talking to someone in an emotionally-fraught situation. It is a feeling like no other when a Coastguard Rescue Officer takes the phone and says ‘we’ve got them’ and you know you got them help in time.

“We are here, we are always here to help, and our team in Holyhead is very experienced (as all of our MRCCs are). But prevention is key. In the perfect world, no one would call us because they haven’t got to the point where they need to – and part of that work is talking about it, raising awareness and also recognising that such sad circumstances can impact on you as well.

“We talk to each other a lot, we have a strong team spirit and work in an atmosphere where help is there when a call stays with you.”

HM Coastguard uses a toolkit and a programme, DIST and TRiM, to support staff post-incident while there are a number of suicide prevention charities available for those to call.

They have been selected from every area of the coastguard, including maritime, coastal, air and non-operational.

Alongside those marching at the Cenotaph, there will also be 15 members of the coastguard at the Westminster Abbey service on Sunday. 

This weekend’s involvement in events follows four Coastguards paying tribute in the opening ceremony of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster event on Thursday. The memorial garden was opened this year by Queen Camilla, who took time to inspect the coastguard plot and meet Senior Coastal Operations Officer Ryan Douglas.

Hear from a few of those taking part in this year’s ceremony:

Cameron McAuley

Coastguard Rescue Officer and Officer in Charge

“Remembrance Sunday, for me, is a chance to celebrate service and self-sacrifice. As we observe the two minutes silence we are remembering those who, through their service to not only their country but their husbands, wives, children and community in times of conflict, didn’t make it home. Service is the cornerstone of the volunteers who make up the Coastguard Rescue Service and it is a privilege to serve my community each time we get called out (even at 3 in the morning in the middle of winter!).

“Representing His Majesty’s Coastguard at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday is the honour of a lifetime and I hope to do my family, my community, and the Service proud.”

Carol Campbell

Team Leader at a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre

“I am honoured to be selected to represent HM Coastguard on Remembrance Sunday 2023, following a 27-year career with HM Coastguard.

“We are an organisation with strong roots in the military. My home, the Isle of Lewis, is an island which has seen many servicemen and women, make the ultimate sacrifice, both during wartime and also notably, during the Iolaire Disaster, a maritime tragedy which devastated the island.

“It will be a privilege to attend and remember those who have gone before us.”

Redvers Stringer

Maritime Operations Officer (training)

“I feel extremely proud to represent HM coastguard, especially given the ties it has with the military in the past.

“As a retired member of the armed forces serving in the Royal Air Force, remembrance is a chance for me to reflect on my own personal experiences, but also to acknowledge those who have died or received injuries during the course of their duties. Not just military personnel, but also civilian agencies that have supported the military over the years.”

Kelly Burnett

UK Deputy Single Point of contact for the International Maritime Organization’s Instrument Implementation Code (UK DSPC IIIC)

“2023 marked 20 years of service as a British Army soldier. It is where I honed the skills necessary for my current role and grew into the person I am today.

“Remembrance Sunday is a poignant reminder of the suffering and sacrifice that took place to grant and protect the freedoms and values that matter to me. To pay tribute, where it all began in 1919, is the highest honour and privilege for an army reservist, civil servant, former Commonwealth citizen and woman.”

Nathan Cannon

Maritime Operations Officer

“My job involves initiating and co-ordinating search and rescue within the UK Search and rescue region. This includes answering 999 calls, managing distress radio traffic, tasking lifeboats and helicopters, liaising with other emergency services around the UK and the world as well as many more daily duties.

“I feel very honoured to be chosen to represent HM Coastguard at this event and feel privileged that I get to stand alongside other emergency and military services to take time to remember those who gave their lives for us.”

Rebecca Owen

Senior Coastal Operations Officer

“I am humbled to represent HM Coastguard at this year’s parade. It is a date that I mark each year, by taking part in my local remembrance parade.

“My grandfather, Arthur Jack Skelton Holman, served in the British Army during the Second World War.

“He was captured by the Japanese and was held as a POW until the war ended, he was forced to work constructing the Burma Railway. I feel it important to honour his memory.”

"On 24 November 2021, at least 27 people lost their lives while trying to cross the Channel. Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of all those involved in this tragic incident. 

"HM Coastguard works in the most challenging conditions imaginable to save lives. This tragedy serves to remind us of the scale of the task HM Coastguard faces. 

"Having fully cooperated with the MAIB investigation, we have now received their report.  It is implicit from the report that the investigation is incomplete because the MAIB were not granted access to any information held by French authorities. The MAIB report includes two recommendations addressed to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, which it is considering. In its formal response, the MCA will update the MAIB on how it intends to respond to the recommendations. 

"The report highlights that the boats and equipment used in these types of crossings are entirely unsuitable and goes on to say that the organized crime groups who arrange these attempts put the occupants at high risk of coming to harm. 

"The MAIB report also concludes that HM Coastguard tasked HMC Valiant to respond, tasked a rescue helicopter and put out an emergency broadcast to shipping in the area, which was repeated four times. The MAIB report further concludes that the rescue helicopter search was carried out in the appropriate location. 

"MAIB recognises that HM Coastguard is regarded as a world leader in search and rescue (SAR) provision and that the UK Search and Rescue (SAR) systems comply with all international requirements. 

"As there are still ongoing investigations it would be inappropriate to comment further." 

Southern England has an amber warning for wind and there are multiple yellow warnings for rain across England, Scotland and Wales (warnings are continually being updated by the Met Office so please check their website for the latest).

The latest warnings follow a period of unsettled weather, culminating in extensive flooding from Storm Babet. Coastguard Flood Teams will once more stand at the ready to respond.

William Speirs, Divisional Commander with HM Coastguard said: “After the destruction wrought by Storm Babet a few weeks ago, I’m sure a lot of people are more aware than ever before of the power of the weather, but we would still like to remind people that weather warnings shouldn’t be taken lightly.

“We would like to remind people to stay away from the water’s edge in stormy weather – it’s not worth risking your life for ‘that selfie’.  Keep off groynes, piers, jetties and harbour walls. If you can feel the spray, you’re too close.

“An amber warning for wind has been issued across the south coast of England and further flood warnings in place as well, so please pay attention to safety advice from the emergency services and look after each other.

“If you do see anyone in trouble in or near the water, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

With a tap or click of a mouse, applicants can access the form online to complete at home or on the go and submit on any internet-enabled device, including smartphones. 

It is the first MCA project to benefit from the government's new digital form-builder, GOV.UK Forms, launched this year by the Government Digital Service, part of the Cabinet Office. 

Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs) undertake lifesaving search and rescue activities all around the UK coastline in diverse environments including mud, cliffs and water.  

As members of Coastguard Rescue Teams, they work closely with the other emergency services and volunteer organisations. As a volunteer role, attendance as a CRO is quite flexible. Full training and kit are provided. 

Virginia McVea, Chief Executive of the MCA, said: "Coastguard Rescue Officers are the lifeblood of our service, ready 24/7 to go to the aid of people around the UK. 

“Working with the Government Digital Service, we’ve put enrolment online to make it easier for people to apply for such a rewarding role and to maintain the strength of our response. 

"Becoming a CRO means joining a close-knit team who enjoy camaraderie, personal development and the satisfaction of making a lifesaving difference.” 

The digital enrolment form rolls out nationally on 1st November. 

To apply to become a volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officer, visit www.gov.uk/volunteer-as-a-coastguard   

Main picture: stock image

If you tuned into any mainstream news channel during coverage, you would have seen some of our teams in action, as they rescued people from homes caught in floods.

Graham, a coastguard rescue officer from Southport in Merseyside, was among those deployed to Brechin and Invergowrie in Northeast Scotland last week, as he helped warn and evacuate residents caught out by the rising waters.

Sent as part of the coastguard flood team in Area 15 (officers from Wirral, Southport, Fleetwood, Knott End, Arnside, Furness, Millom, Whitehaven and Maryport Rescue Teams), Graham travelled to Scotland to join coastguard flood teams from all across the UK.

He said that it was an experience that will stay with him forever, as the resilience and bravery of the residents he helped left him with a lasting impression. It was the first time his team had been deployed to a live flood incident, having completed the training earlier in the year.

“I am so pleased I stepped forward when they asked for volunteers,” he said. “I am so glad that I was able to help people. We went to do what we are trained to do but seeing it firsthand, people losing everything to the water, was tough.

“The tenacity and resilience of people, when disaster strikes, can be really incredible though. They were the ones faced with a horrendous situation, and yet they were thanking us for coming.”

He said that his team were sent to Brechin ahead of the flood and helped in the evacuation, before being dispatched to Invergowrie, near Dundee, the following day to rescue people who had become trapped in their flooded homes.

“We were going door to door in Invergowrie,” he said. “Which was a strange experience for a coastguard, as there was slightly less urgency than we’re used to, no less danger of course, but it was different. It was something you had to witness firsthand but the bravery and care for each other – and us – was humbling. We all commented on it and we were all humbled by their attitude in the face of the carnage and destruction around them.”

The Area 15 flood team were in Scotland for four days, helping emergency service partners with the response, before heading back on Sunday.

“There was definite trepidation before we went,” Graham said. “Some tension in the air about what lay ahead.

“We were seeing the extreme weather warnings and news, although we were well prepared and well trained for it all, we were all a bit on edge throughout. When we arrived and saw the speed and power of the water in the river at Brechin though, we knew that we would have work to do, and potentially lives to save.

“It was such a team effort - including the wider emergency services team - we're really grateful to our emergency service partners (especially Scottish Fire and Rescue) for allowing us to take over rooms, kitchens, giving us hot drinks and making us feel like part of the team.”

Whether they are responding to 999 calls from the public or answering Mayday calls on Channel 16, the highly-trained staff are always prepared to coordinate a rescue.

Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) – A Team Leader

We introduced you to Senior Maritime Operations Officer Dave at Humber on Monday, Norman at Belfast on Tuesday and Gregg in Milford yesterday; we are back in Humber today to tell you more about experienced Team Leader Jolene.

Name: Jolene

Job title: Team Leader and SMC

Role: June 2013 as a Watch Officer

Why (and when) did you join HM Coastguard? 

I started at Humber in June 2013 as a Watch Officer. After working at sea, I wanted a job shoreside where I could use my existing maritime skills and learn more. 

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team? 

Whether it’s within the ops room environment or the wider SAR team, each and every incident we strive to do our very best and often when someone is at their worst.

Whether it’s for someone 100 miles offshore during a medical incident, reuniting parents with kids or rescuing people down cliffs, to go home and know we’ve made that difference is what the job’s about. 

What new skills have you learned in your role? 

The personal skills ranging from experience of dealing with first informants and casualties – which takes a lot of communication skills – to managing people within a team, have been huge for me. But also having to adapt yourself and your delivery to suit the individuals. I feel there’s never quite an end to that learning, you’re never ‘I’m done, I’ve achieved that’, it’s more you’re constantly developing in that area. 

But I’ve also learned a lot of technical skills over the years, I have acquired search planning and map work plus maintained existing skills in areas such as GMDSS, navigation and knowledge on counter pollution and maritime safety. 

It’s not a new skill, but to engage in and see the development of my own team in these areas has been a real treasure. 

What is the most unusual incident you have responded to? 

A crocodile in a pond.

That one stands out to me, even if I seem to get my fair share of unusual. It was some time ago now, but the phone rang and it was a member of the public – they had dialled 999 and asked for the Coastguard, as they were genuinely concerned.

I did initially think ‘someone’s pulling my leg here’ but it was quickly obvious that it was a genuine call.

What is the most challenging part of your role? 

During difficult jobs, you can end up with a sense of ‘what can we do now’ when you are close to exhausting all options and so it’s a huge benefit to be able to share thoughts, experience and explore ideas within your team and the SAR assets on the job. 

Are you a lover of the sea? Why?