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Coastguard scoops stricken man from surging waves

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Senior Coastal Operations Officer Ryan Gray A man facing the threat of being dashed on the rocks by powerful waves was rescued by a coastguard who hauled him o ut of the surging water.   The alarm was raised at about 9.45am at Skippingstone beach, Bangor, on 1 October when a member of the public reported their concern for a person they had spotted struggling on rocks being pounded by the s e a .   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, quic k ly donned a personal float at ion device a ttached 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 b
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Honouring our seafarers at St Paul’s Cathedral

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From left: Dan Foster, Kevin Moran and George Belcher   HM Coastguard was proud to attend the Annual National Service for Seafarers for the first time, held at St Paul’s Cathedral in London. Organised by the Seafarers’ Charity and Trinity House, the event on Wednesday 9 October was joined by a contingent carrying the HMCG colours , helping to celebrate, thank and remember those who serve at sea in any capacity.   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 cerem
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Meet Your Coastguards: Hornsea CRT

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With a Victorian promenade, sandy beach, and tea rooms, Hornsea is an historic town in East Riding of Yorkshire. 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. “T
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HM Coastguard showcases drones and electric vehicles at Emergency Services Show

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  HM Coastguard has returned to the Emergency Services Show for another year, with staff ready and waiting to share developments towards the next generation of search and rescue. Visitors to this year’s event in Birmingham will have the opportunity to chat to HM Coastguard colleagues about their work and the latest specialist kit, as well as learning about potential future technologies.   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 an
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Meet Your Coastguards: Barry CRT

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  Barry is a peninsula and seaside resort in the Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales. The area’s unique coastline has the world’s second highest tidal range, a whopping 15 metres.    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
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