HM Coastguard

A sailor was rescued from Winchelsea Beach this afternoon by the Rye Bay and Hastings Coastguard Rescue Teams after his vessel ran aground. At 16:00 today the sailor informed the Coastguard that the engines on his newly purchased boat had failed and that he was taking on water. The RNLI inshore lifeboat based at Rye Bay and the RNLI all-weather lifeboat based at Hastings were sent to help him. Unfortunately the anchor of the Colvic motorboat failed to hold the boat in today’s rough seas and he was driven on to the beach from where the sailor was rescued. The 20ft boat is now secured to the beach. UK Coastguard Frank O’Neill said; “This sailor must regret his decision to move his new boat from Newhaven to Dover today. Unfortunately the weather was against him and it’s a timely reminder for us all to always check the weather and tidal conditions before you set out and prepare accordingly. “Despite his bad luck with the engine he was well prepared and was able to make a

Just after 2 pm today UK Coastguard received a number of 999 calls from members of the public saying that they could see an upturned canoe and two people in the water at Beauly Firth, Inverness. UK Coastguard immediately sent the Inverness Coastguard Rescue Team to the area along with the Kessock RNLI Lifeboat. As the Coastguard Rescue Team arrived on the scene a member of the public had helped recover one of the canoeists to the shore. The remaining canoeist was brought ashore by the Kessock RNLI Lifeboat, both canoeists were placed into the care of waiting Ambulances. The canoeists reported being in the water for nearly an hour, both were extremely cold and tired. Jonathan Mustard, UK Coastguard said: "The two canoeists were extremely lucky, thankfully they were wearing lifejackets and if it was not for a member of the public spotting them, we could be looking at a very different outcome." "It's important that you check weather forecasts and

If you need help out to sea or along the coast of the UK don’t phone a friend. Call the professionals, call 999 Coastguard. HM Coastguard uses your mobile phone signal, vhf radio or DSC alert to confirm your location. Our Coastguard operators use the latest technology and a sequence of questions to establish exactly where you are and what help you need. We will then keep in touch with you until the help you need arrives. So don’t phone a friend if you are in trouble around the UK coast. Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard and let the professionals help you.

Hillhead Coastguard Rescue Team and two independent life-boats from Gosport were involved in a search operation this afternoon in the Lee-On Solent area following a report of clothes, including a school uniform and damp towels which had been left on the beach at Stokes Bay. Teams searched the area for any sign of the owner of the clothes. Dan Winter, UK Coastguard said, "We didn’t know if or when this person may have gone into the water so we had to initialise a search effort. Fortunately, no one has been reported missing and it seems certain that this person is safe ashore somewhere. Now the summer school holidays are here to avoid incidents like this in the future, we would ask all beachgoers to take their clothes home with them, or use the bins on the beach if they are no longer needed."

Four crew were rescued from the sea this afternoon after a fishing vessel sank off Littlehampton. The blue fishing vessel set out a Mayday alert using vhf radio at 15:25. They reported that their boat was taking on water and their pumps were not coping. The RNLI lifeboats based in Littlehampton and Shoreham were sent to the scene along with the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter based at Lee on the Solent, which had been training in the area. At 15:38 Coastguards coordinating the rescue received a mobile call from the crew reporting that their boat had now sunk and they were in the water, wearing lifejackets and holding on to a buoyant yellow fuel tank. Using mobile phone technology available to the Coastguard and its helicopters the helicopter crew were able to talk directly to the people in the water and marked their position until the lifeboats arrived on scene. One of the lifeboats has now returned the crew to shore where they are receiving medical attention. UK Coastgua

A search and rescue operation carried out near Colwyn Bay, Wales to find a missing fisherman finished at 10.15 this morning. Despite a major search involving Coastguard rescue teams, RNLI lifeboats and the Coastguard rescue helicopter based at Caernarfon, neither the fisherman nor his vessel have been found. The extensive search covering the sea and coastline continued until last light yesterday and resumed with a shoreline search for several hours this morning. A life raft belonging to the missing vessel was found yesterday drifting off Llanddulas. UK Coastguard Controller Graham Clark said, “We have completed extensive searches both yesterday and this morning, unfortunately the fisherman hasn’t been found. His family have been informed that the search has finished”.

UK Coastguard resumed the search at 06:30 this morning for the fisherman missing in Colwyn Bay, North Wales. The fishing vessel was reported overdue to the UK Coastguard yesterday morning. Relatives have not heard from the fisherman since 23:30 on Tuesday (14 th June) Coastguard rescue teams, RNLI Lifeboats and the Coastguard rescue helicopter based at Caernarfon were out searching yesterday after the alarm was raised at 10:00am, the search continued until last light. This morning, Coastguard rescue teams from Bangor, Llandudno and Rhyl are continuing the search between Llanfairfechan and Rhyl.

A search and rescue operation to find a 24ft fishing vessel that was reported overdue from Colwyn Bay, Wales has been suspended for the night. The UK Coastguard received a call this morning from a concerned relative reporting that the fishing vessel had not returned last night (14 th July) as expected. A major search, involving the Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Caernarfon, RNLI lifeboats from Rhyl and Llandudno, and Coastguard rescue teams also from Rhyl and Llandudno was suspended at 22.30 tonight. UK Coastguard officer Andy Carroll said, “The decision to suspend the search hasn’t been an easy one to make. This man is still missing and we appreciate the concern and worry this is causing his family and friends. “We are fearful that the fisherman entered the water last night and after an extensive search we have found a life raft that was drifting off Llanddulas which we have matched to the missing vessel.”

An extensive search has been under way since approx 10am today for a fisherman who had been out fishing in Colwyn Bay since last night in his 24 feet fishing boat. A concerned relative called the Coastguard Operations Centre this morning to report that the vessel had not returned as expected. He had not been heard from since 23:30 last night. They sent the RNLI inshore and all weather lifeboats from Rhyl and Llandudno to his likely fishing area with the Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter based at Caernarfon.  On receiving information about a life raft drifting off Llanddulas, they managed to match this life raft to the missing fishing vessel and adjusted the search area accordingly. The Coastguard also sent Rhyl & Llandudno Coastguard Rescue Team to search the coast and investigate debris on the shoreline. UK Coastguard Controller Graham Clark said: “We are fearful that this fisherman may have entered the water overnight. Nevertheless the search is ongoing.” 

National Maritime Operations Centre If you’re in trouble and call the Coastguard, we will send you the help you need.  That’s what we’re here for and that will never change.  What is changing is the way we work. Over the past two years we have been working to connect every Coastguard Operations Centre (CGOC) around the UK to the network. When Aberdeen joined yesterday we reached the milestone of 70% of our operations being part of a unified system.  The final 30% will join the network over the next five months. Aberdeen CGOC This fundamental change to the way we manage our communications and information has been created by a major behind the scenes reorganisation of the way we share information.  If you need our help whilst at the coast or out to sea, you won’t notice anything different. When you call the coastguard you will be answered by a Coastguard and we will send you help. As part of the new network each CGOC is linked to every other and to the National

Aberdeen Coastguard Operations Centre (CGOC) has become part of the new Coastguard national network. Work has been carried out at the search and rescue coordination centre to upgrade the technology and introduce new systems. This means Aberdeen CGOC will be connected to the National Maritime Operations Centre (NMOC) in Hampshire and other Coastguard stations around the country, which will be able to offer mutual support during busy periods. The changes to Her Majesty’s Coastguard will see the NMOC and 10 other CGOCs around the UK work together to manage the workload. There will be no reduction in rescue resources. The availability of Coastguard Rescue Teams, lifeboats, rescue helicopters and other rescue units will be unaffected. Matthew Mace, Maritime Operations Controller at Aberdeen CGOC, said: “The way we deliver the coordination of search and rescue operations on our coast and out at sea is changing. But the public won’t notice any difference. If you call 999 and ask

The search for the missing fishing vessel, ‘JMT’, finished at 5.30 pm this evening after debris found following a major search involving lifeboats, local vessels and a helicopter was confirmed as coming from the vessel. One person has been found, but sadly confirmed as deceased. A second crewman has not been located. Next of kin are aware and police officers are with the families.

We do like to be beside the seaside. There’s something about going to the coast that brings out a special excitement – particularly in children. We all want the childhood experience to be one of enjoyment – and safety. The UK coastline is beautiful. And the sea and sand provide a lot of fun for children and young people.   No-one wants to end that fun, but HM Coastguard spends a lot of time rescuing people for whom fun became fear. Raising awareness of the dangers is an important part of the work – and that can never start too young. This week more than 1,000 Wirral schoolchildren have been taking part in a safety awareness course at the Emergency Services Training College in Birkenhead.  It showcased the skills of HM Coastguard, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, Merseyside Police, British Transport Police, the North West Ambulance Service and its Air Ambulance service. Volunteers from the Hoylake and New Brighton Coastguard Rescue teams, together with Senior Coastal Op

This morning debris from a vessel was found approximately 5 miles south west Rame Head, Plymouth. It has now been confirmed that the debris is from the missing scalloper fishing vessel JMT.   The RNLI lifeboats from Looe, Fowey and Plymouth are continuing the search along with the Royal Navy search and rescue helicopter based at Culdrose.  

A scalloper fishing vessel with two persons on board has been reported overdue. The father of one of the fishermen called UK Coastguard at 8.40pm last night (09 July) as he was concerned that his son hadn't returned from a fishing trip near Eddystone, Plymouth.  An extensive search has been carried out which has been co-ordinated by HM Coastguard.  This morning at around 9.50, debris from a vessel was found. A search of the area continues with RNLI lifeboats from Fowey, Looe and Plymouth all involved. The Royal Navy search and rescue helicopter from Culdrose is also searching, along with other vessels in the area.

The launch of the Caernarfon civilian UK search and rescue (SAR) helicopter service was marked today (Wednesday 8 July) in a ceremony held at the new SAR base at Caernarfon Airport. Bristow Helicopters Ltd, is operating the search and rescue Helicopter service for the UK on behalf of HM Coastguard. The UK limited company was awarded the ten year UK SAR contract by the Department for Transport in March 2013. By 2017, it will deliver the service from ten bases strategically located close to areas of high SAR incident rates. The Caernarfon base went live on 1 July 2015 and has already responded to taskings from the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC). Bristow crews are delivering the UK SAR helicopter service on behalf of HM Coastguard with state-of-the-art helicopters, equipped with the latest search and rescue technology including night vision, mission management and increased onboard medical capabilities. The base was officially opened by Richard Parkes, Director of

A co-ordinated response between HM Coastguard, the RNLI, ambulance and police helped rescue an injured man and two stranded people at Cramond Island today. An initial call came in at about 2.50pm from a man who thought he had broken his leg. Queensferry and Fisherrow Coastguard Rescue Teams, along with the Queensferry Inshore Lifeboat were called out to attend. Initially the  l ifeboat couldn’t find him, so dropped off two crew members to search. While the search was going on, the Causeway which links the island to the mainland became flooded as the tide came in, trapping two other people who also needed rescuing. A rescue plan for all those involved had to be put in place with two Senior Coastal Operations Officers, the Scottish Ambulance Special Operations Response Team and Police Scotland joining together. Jonathan Mustard, Maritime Operations Specialist for HM Coastguard said, ‘This was a well co-ordinated response to this incident. ‘All those involved re

So, you’ve called 999 and asked for the Coastguard. Or you’ve set off a distress alert at sea. What happens next? Your call will be connected to one of our Coastguard Officers who will ask you a series of detailed and structured questions to establish exactly where you are what help you need.  Because there are a large number of places in the UK with very similar or even exactly the same name our Coastguards use a highly detailed mapping system alongside these questions to confirm your exact location. They will then use their search and rescue planning expertise to send the right people with the right equipment to help you. You could be helped by our Coastguard Rescue teams who search for missing people or rescue people from coastal mud and cliffs. If you are on a lifeguarded beach we will contact the lifeguard service. If you are in difficulty out at sea a lifeboat will be asked to help you and if you need urgent medical attention or are missing at sea we will often send

999 calls this afternoon alerted the Coastguard to the peril of five visitors to Cramond Island, near Edinburgh, who had become stranded by the incoming tide covering the causeway. Coastguard rescue teams from Queensferry and Fisherrow were immediately sent to the scene and Queensferry RNLI lifeboat was launched as reports came in that the people had entered the water in an attempt to get back to the mainland. When rescue teams arrived on scene the group had managed to make it back to shore and were wet but uninjured. Coastguards offered a safety briefing but are concerned that other visitors this summer may also become stranded; a regular occurrence in the summer months. Safety advice for all visitors using tidal causeways: Check tide times very carefully and allow enough time for the return journey. If you do become stranded, stay on the shore and call 999 for the Coastguard.

A distinctive camouflaged kayak one mile South East of Start Point  was reported to Falmouth Coastguard on Saturday, and sparked an air and sea search involving Salcombe RNLI Lifeboats, Prawle Point Coastguard Rescue Team and the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter. A thorough search of the area was carried out with no sightings of anyone in the water.  The kayak was submerged in the water, with a paddle attached and a jacket stowed onboard. There were no details of the owner and no indication of where it had come from. The capsized kayak has since been recovered. If you have any information at all related to the incident/found kayak please contact Falmouth Coastguard on telephone number 01326 317575 quoting reference number 7190 Canoeists and kayakers are also reminded to read the following safety advice and to label their craft with contact details in case of loss. Safety advice on sea canoeing / kayaking  Ensure that someone at home knows your passage plan including points

Holyhead Coastguard has coordinated two separate incidents in North Wales this afternoon to recover swimmers who got into difficulty in the sea. At 3.04pm the Coastguard received a 999 call reporting that three swimmers were in trouble off Harlech Castle. Harlech Coastguard Rescue Team and Criccieth RNLI lifeboat went to the beach and were joined by North Wales Ambulance Service and North Wales Police.  Three people had been recovered to the beach and two people were transferred to hospital.  The Coastguard rescue helicopter from Caernarfon was sent to the scene but was transferred to another urgent incident incident once the casualties were out of the water at Harlech and with the ambulance service.   The Coastguard rescue helicopter was sent to another incident involving a male swimmer in difficulty in the sea at Tywyn.  Aberdovey RNLI lifeboat recovered the man to the beach and the Coastguard rescue helicopter transferred the casualty to hospital. Aberdovey Coastguard Rescue Team al

Coastguard rescue teams are trained and equipped to undertake rope rescues but yesterday's rescue of a faller near St Albans Head was a little unusual.  The gentleman involved was 300 feet below the coastal path in an inaccessible area.  While walking with a friend some way down from the top of the cliff, the ground gave way underhim and he was pinned with a rock.  Fortunately, his friend was able to make a 999 call to emergency services on a mobile. When St Albans and Swanage Coastguard Rescue Teams arrived on scene they were joined by other rescue speicialists from Dorset Fire and Rescue and Southwest Ambulance service. The Coastguard  Rescue Helicopter from Portland was needed to winch the rescuers down to the casualty as well as Dorset Fire and Rescue's hydraulic lifting equipment.  Ten rescue personnel were taken down to the casualty during the operation to extract the man. The Coastguard Rescue Helicopter returned to winch the casualty and their winchman up

A man was rescued this evening after falling down cliffs at St Albans Head and becoming trapped under a boulder. The gentleman involved made the 999 call to Dorset Ambulance service after falling and the Coastguard was alerted at 7.20pm. St Albans, Kimmeridge and Swanage Coastguard Rescue Teams attended and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service provided extraction equipment. After rescuers extracted the man from 300 feet below the cliff path, he was transferred to Dorset County Hospital by the Coastguard rescue helicopter.

Controlled Explosion on May 21 When a call comes in to Selsey Coastguard Rescue Team for an incident at Medmerry Beach, they’re reasonably sure what it will be: a rather dangerous leftover from World War Two. During the Second World War Selsey had a bombing range for air to ground attack practice. The area has also suffered from flooding and erosion by the sea which – in 2011 – led to the Environment Agency constructing a flood bank. This created an amazing new wetland – but also flooded the old bombing range which means these days it’s quite common for World War Two bombs to appear on the beach or be washed up. Ashley Pledger from the CRT says there have been a few interesting moments: ‘Last October we were called to our largest piece of ordnance – a 500lb depth charge bomb which was probably dropped from a plane during the war. ‘It ended up being a 21 hour job for us. We had to close the beach and stay through the night until the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) tea

Coastguard Rescue Teams have been coming to the aid of lorry drivers stranded on the M20 in Kent. Birling gap, Bexhill, Dungeness, Langdon, Margate and Sheppy Coastguard Rescue Teams are all helping with the distribution of food and water. They’ve also been assisting with the escorting of urgent patient transfers on all affected routes. Up until 10 this morning, teams from HM Coastguard – along with other organisations - had distributed 5,750 meals and 10,000 litres of water. Matt Pavitt, Coastal Operations Area Commander said, ‘As Coastguards we always talk about how we are always on call and ready to react to incidents and situations. ‘This has been a challenging time for these lorry drivers who have been stranded with nowhere to go. We’ve been working alongside our colleagues in Kent Police and other organisations to assist these drivers.’ Chris Enright, Coastal Operations Divisional Commander said, ‘This is an excellent example of how all our organisations

HRH Prince of Wales with Coastguards at the National Maritime Operations Centre in Fareham, Hants HRH the Prince of Wales has officially opened the National Maritime Operations Centre in Fareham today (1 st  July). The Prince, who is Honorary Commodore of Her Majesty’s Coastguard, also spent time looking at the work done at the flagship centre which is at the heart of the new National Network. HM Coastguard’s National Network is the first point of call for 999 calls, ranging from vessels in distress, to people trapped at sea and cliff fallers. The National Maritime Operations Centre (NMOC) is supported by ten coastguard operation centres across the country and manages up-to-the-minute nationwide search and rescue capabilities. Since it went live in September it has dealt with 2,354 incidents.* It also monitors vessels when asked, including those from West Africa as part of measures to protect the UK from the Ebola virus. Today HRH met with senior members of the M