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Magnificent seven: HM Coastguard team members receive special accolade

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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’. On the evening of June 3 last year, the Coastguard received reports that a climber had fallen down cliffs at Bragar, Isle of Lewis. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Stornoway sent the Coastguard helicopter from Stornoway to the scene, alongside Bragar, Ness, Breasclete, Miavaig, Stornoway and Harris Coastguard Rescue Teams and Senior Coastal Operations Officers David Smith and Ronald Maclean. It was quickly established that the casualty was badly hurt and wedged between cliffs and a sea stack, and could only be saved by rope rescue. Rope technicians descended the cliff before manoeuvring the casualty on to a stretcher. The casualty was transported safely to the top of the cliff and then taken by helicopter to Western Isles Hospital. Those involved with the difficult rescue operation received a Chief Coastguard Commen
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Meet Your Coastguards: Rhyl Coastguard Rescue Team

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It's time for the next edition of the Meet Your Coastguards series and this month, we're in North Wales. We are shining a spotlight on the Rhyl Coastguard Rescue Team in March. We started this series to help you learn all about your local volunteer teams, as it is vital you know who to contact if you have any questions about staying safe at the coast. You have been introduced to: Padstow and Greenock  so far, and we have many more teams to come. So keep an eye out for your local area, get to know your local team and how to get in touch. And who knows, maybe you will be their newest recruit. Spotlight: Rhyl Coastguard Rescue Team Where: A small, Welsh seaside town called Rhyl. Occasionally nicknamed: Sunny Rhyl. Where do you cover:  Rhyl and surrounding areas of Prestatyn, Talacre, Kinmel Bay, Towyn, Abergele and Llanddulas. Why: To keep you safe at the coast. Read our safety tips. Who:  A diverse team of 10 volunteers (male and female), ranging from 24 to 70 years old. This m
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Off-duty Coastguard officer saves life with CPR training

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Coastguard Rescue Officer Graham Lawton helped save a life on his way home last month, thanks to the CPR training all HM Coastguard volunteers receive. The member of Southport Coastguard Rescue Team would like to see everyone learn Basic Life Support training, which includes CPR, to ensure further lives could be saved. “He would not have made it without the CPR, it’s that simple,” he said. Two Air Ambulances were sent to assist Graham came across the collapsed cyclist on the A565 on 13 February and, alongside an A&E nurse and paramedic, was able to administer urgent medical care including use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). The professional diver was driving home from the Coastguard station in his uniform, when he saw a small group of people on the side of the road at the junction of the A565 and Sugar Stubbs Lane at Banks, near Southport. Seeing one person doing CPR on someone, he immediately pulled over, concerned about what was going on. “We (Coastguard
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Man saved from tricky mud spot with minutes to spare

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HM Coastguard was recently involved in a 'lifesaving' mission, as a walker stuck waist-deep in mud was rescued with minutes to spare. Just before 3pm on Tuesday, February 28, the Coastguard received reports that a man was stuck in mud in the Blundellsands area, Liverpool. The Coastguard sent rescue teams from Crosby, Wirral and Flint to the scene, alongside Hoylake RNLI’s hovercraft and an inshore lifeboat from New Brighton RNLI. Northwest Ambulance Service and Merseyside Fire and Rescue were also sent to assist. With the tide flooding into the River Alt and the casualty being stuck the other side, this was a difficult mission for the teams involved. Once all assets were at the scene they were transferred by lifeboat across a shallow and unchartered gully to reach the bank where the walker was stuck.  Successfully extracted from the mud, the casualty was then flown by the hovercraft to safety, transferred into the care of the ambulance service. Pictures of rescue miss
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Freezing spell brings coastal risks

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The country is braced for a freezing, wintry spell of weather this week and HM Coastguard is reminding coastal visitors to pay attention to safety advice. Scotland, North East and Central England and South Wales are going to face particularly cold conditions with a Met Office Yellow Weather warning for snow and ice, with temperatures across the UK falling. It means that the cold turn will likely see more treacherous conditions at the coast, with more risks to visitors. So far this year, we have seen a number of people cut off by the tide around the nation, with our Coastguard teams rushing to your aid. Like the  25-year-old and his pug, who became trapped on a hard-to-access beach near Clovelly, as the tide closed in around him and cut him off from safety. The incident sparked area commander Sam Wilson to issue a reminder to people of how quickly things can change at the coast. Coastal Operations Area Commander Sam said: “He got caught out by some particularly big spring tides this mo
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Man Rescued following multi-agency response on Isle of Skye

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A man has been rescued following a multi-agency response after spending over 24hours in a remote mountain location on the Isle of Skye. The alarm was raised to police early Friday (17 th February) afternoon after the man, who wasn’t local to the area, hadn’t checked out of his accommodation. HM Coastguard joined a multi- agency response sending coastguard rescue teams from Skye,   Portree, Kyle, Duntulm and Dunvegan, the coastguard rescue helicopter from Stornoway and RNLI lifeboat from Mallaig . The teams spent Friday afternoon through to Saturday morning searching the coastal and mountain areas close to Sligachan. The man was found by mountain rescue teams, having suffered an injury, before being winched to safety by the coastguard rescue helicopter and taken to Balfour Hospital for medical care. HM Coastguard Aeronautical Tactical Commander Steve McNally commented “The gentleman involved had prepared somewhat for walking in the conditions and was carrying some supplies. How
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Decades of service recognised at Coastguard awards event

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Newhaven, Shoreham and Birling Gap Coastguard Rescue Teams awards presentation Coastguard Rescue Officers past and present have been recognised for their decades of service protecting lives at sea in the south-east. At the end of January a presentation was held at the Newhaven Coastal Operations Base to honour members of the Newhaven, Shoreham and Birling Gap Coastguard Rescue Teams. Some of those recognised and celebrated at the event have been serving HM Coastguard for more than 20 years. Karl Davenport, pictured above , and Peter Leonard of the Newhaven Coastguard were presented with 20 years of service and good conduct medals. Both joined in 2002 and have been the backbone of this team throughout. Peter Leonard receives his medal Also presented with the 20-years service and good conduct medal was Andy Hall, recently retired from Shoreham Coastguard. Andy also received a valedictory certificate thanking him for his service. Valedictory certificates were given to Pete Woj
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