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Sunderland coastguards rescue cliff-stricken dog walker

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During a cold Winter's eve, Sunderland coastguards rushed to help a person stuck on cliffs while attempting to rescue their dog. "Being local, I knew the area well so when the call came in for a person stuck on cliffs at Marsden Grotto, I drove to the Coastguard Station wondering how it had happened,” said Deputy Station Officer Nick Robinson. 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 m...
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Christmas callouts - on duty with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency

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BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! For lots of people, an alarm going off on Christmas Day means a festive roast is ready to eat. But for those on duty for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on 25 December, it could be a report of someone in trouble at the coast, a pollution incident or a vessel that needs urgent attention.  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)   Max Hawkins 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 ...
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HM Coastguard wrapped: stand out moments from 2024

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From dramatic search and rescue incidents to training exercises, from important safety events to milestone achievements, here are just some of the key moments and highlights from HM Coastguard as we look back over the last 12 months.  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...
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PLBs bring help to kayakers ASAP

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  An easy-to-use piece of technology helped rescuers quickly reach kayakers who got into difficulty off the coast of Pembrokeshire in Wales. Just over an hour after the group raised the alarm using their Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs), they were safely boarding a lifeboat and heading back to shore.  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 watercra...
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National Workplace Day of Remembrance: Celebrating safety champions

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  On Thursday 12 December, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) will remember those who died during employment or in the workplace. Since 2019, National Workplace Day of Remembrance has been an important annual opportunity for teams and colleagues across the MCA to pay tribute to those working to improve safety for those employed on the coast and at 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...
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Spotlight on HMCG’s Clinical Governance Team

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  The Clinical Governance Team ensures effective clinical systems and support are in place for all areas of HM Coastguard operational delivery and that people in our service are trained to the highest clinical standards. Responsible for overseeing clinical skills and the training of casualty care instructors, the Clinical Governance team is vital to standardising HM Coastguard medical care for the Coastal Rescue Service. We spoke to the team to understand more. 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...
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