HM Coastguard

Credit MCA/Newhaven Coastguard A camper who pitched his tent very close to the edge of Seaford Head cliff, east Sussex had to be rescued by the Newhaven Coastguard search and rescue team  on Tuesday  (29 December). Newhaven Coastguard search and rescue team battled 40-knot winds and rainfall and attached one of their rescuers to a safety harness to bring the camper, his tent and equipment to a safer location.  The call came in to the HM Coastguard from someone who had been walking in the area and had seen the camper pitch his tent just ten feet away from the edge of 260ft high Seaford Head cliff. Trevor Cutler, Station Officer for Newhaven Coastguard search and rescue team who attended the incident said: 'Never pitch your tent on the edge of a cliff in high winds.  The wind was so strong  on Tuesday  night it could have easily dragged this camper over the edge, and with all the rainfall we’ve had recently the cliffs are very, very soft....

New Year’s Eve is a time to reflect on the year gone and to look forward to all that the future can bring.  And for many it’s a reason to celebrate and party. But for the UK Coastguard, it will mean working through the night in operation rooms, where all will be ready to respond to emergency calls to make sure everyone has a Happy New Year. In London alone, a quarter of a million people are expected to watch the fireworks, with another 12,000 in boats on the Thames.  HM Coastguard wants people to enjoy themselves wherever they may be, but more than anything, want it to be a night to remember, rather than one to forget. UK Coastguard Controller Matt Leat said; ‘With so many people expected to be out in London and around the UK ,  it’s important to keep an eye on your friends and if they’ve been drinking, stop them going in the water.  Alcohol doesn’t make you invincible. Swimming and drinking don’t ever go together. We hope that everybody has...

His strong leadership in transforming HM Coastguard’s search and rescue operations has been recognised with an OBE for Chief Coastguard, Keith Oliver. Mr Oliver OBE fully embraced the idea of conducting rescues within a modernised, joined-up national network of Coastguard Centres, which would allow resources to be more easily shared and coordinated during busy times.  He then planned the detailed, step-by-step changes to personnel and technical infrastructure to make it all happen. Keith was appointed Chief Coastguard in May 2015, in recognition of his exceptional, skill and expertise after nearly 20 years of service to Her Majesty’s Coastguard. Keith Oliver said, ‘When people are given Honours, they often say it’s down to other people. In my case, it certainly is. So, while I’m delighted to be receiving this OBE, I’m also acutely aware that it’s through the efforts of others. ‘This really is for all those in HM Coastguard, whether as volunteers on the coast, or in...

Coastguard Rescue Teams from Aberdeen, Montrose and Cruden Bay have been out in Aberdeen tonight, (30th December 2015), helping to keep residents safe as flooding affects the area. Aberdeen Coastguard Rescue Team helped evacuate residents from a care home which was flooded and Coastguards have been responding to a number of other flood related incidents in support of the other emergency services in Aberdeen with the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter based at Inverness supporting the response.

The Whitehaven Team on Christmas Day While most people were spending time with family and friends celebrating Christmas cheer, our Coastguards were on call around the UK. Forty Coastguard Rescue Teams were called out to help those in need over the three day period from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day, with 10 being called into action on Christmas Day itself.  In fact, the team in Gorleston, Norfolk were paged twice!  From reported sightings of flares to kite surfers in difficulty, the Coastguard was there when needed.  Christmas was just another day at the office, so to speak. As well as the teams responding to incidents, Coastguards were also out on safety patrols ready to respond at a moments’ notice when the call came. Coastguard teams paged on Christmas Eve; Sunderland (twice), Eastbourne, St David’s, Cleethorpes, Furness (twice), Lulworth, Portreath, Holyhead, Beer Head and Southbourne. Coastguard Teams paged on Christmas Day; Amble, Gorles...

A commitment to engaging at a senior level with the shipping industry has led to the appointment of an experienced marine professional as the first Ship Register Director at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Simon Barham has both commercial and technical experience during his 40 year career in the industry. He initially served at sea for sixteen years and since then has held senior positions ashore within both ship owning and ship management companies across the world. Previous roles include chief operations officer at Bibby Ship Management, managing director of Reederei Nord Ltd, chief executive officer of Gulf Navigation PJSC and managing director of Stena Bulk UK. During this time, he has also served on the boards of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber and Tankers International. Sir Alan Massey, chief executive officer of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency said: ‘We are a world-class maritime centre and proud of it. We want to build and grow a UK Ship Register that re...

HM Coastguard is again on alert ahead of Storm Frank which looks set to hit coastal areas from the early hours of tomorrow morning (30th December). Weather warnings are currently in place for coastal areas from Aberdeen to Shetland and from Stornoway, Belfast, down to Holyhead, Milford Haven and Falmouth. Although additional rainfall may have an impact over land, it’s the predicted high winds that continue to cause most concern for the UK Coastguard. Mark Rodaway, commander with HM Coastguard said, ‘Our advice to people remains the same. Check the weather and tidal conditions before you set out so you can prepare your vessel accordingly or even ask yourself whether you should be going out at all. ‘At sea, changes in tidal streams could make conditions worse, particularly if the wind and tide are against each other, but above all, don’t take risks when a storm at sea is involved.’ ‘We’ve all seen the dramatic pictures of flooding inland and seen from previous ye...

Photographs taken by Ali Chedgy Dyfi National Nature Reserve Natural Resources Wales HM Coastguard are advising the public to stay away from the carcass of an 8.2 metre whale which washed up on the shore at Dyfi Ynyslas National Nature Reserve, Ceredigion on Christmas Day. The whale is very decomposed and may pose a health hazard to anyone that touches it. A biohazard marker has been put up to warn members of the public about getting too close.  Weather conditions have hampered efforts to remove the whale over the weekend and discussions are continuing between the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and Natural Resources Wales to arrange its safe removal as quickly as possible.

Beaumaris - taken by Emlyn Lewis In affected parts of Wales, Coastguard Rescue Teams worked with other emergency services to help evacuate people from flooded homes and vehicles. The UK Coastguard responded to multiple requests for support during the severe flooding across northern England and Wales on Boxing Day. Llandwrog search and rescue team assisted where the high tide and rivers flooded areas south of Caernarfon and also helped the fire brigade with emergency fuel supplies so they could keep their pumps working.  Penmon search and rescue team attended Beaumaris, where landslides had cut off road access to the town, and flooding had left some areas waist deep in water.  Penmon assisted nurses to administer emergency medication to residents, transported police officers who were unable to get through the flood waters, advised members of the public and home owners on safe courses of action, assisted sandbagging and ensured vulnerable people were ...

- Prestwick search and rescue helicopter base set to go live in January - The launch of the Prestwick civilian UK search and rescue (SAR) helicopter service was marked today (Thursday 17 December 2015) in a ceremony held at the new Coastguard SAR base at Prestwick 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, representing a £1.9bn investment by the UK Government in the UK’s search and rescue helicopter service. By 2017 the service will be delivered from ten bases in all, strategically located close to areas of high SAR incident rates. The Prestwick base will begin SAR operations when crews begin receiving taskings from the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) in January 2016. Bristow crews are delivering the UK SAR helicopter service on behalf of HM Coastguard with state-of-the-a...

Newquay search and rescue helicopter base set to go live in January. The launch of the Newquay civilian UK search and rescue (SAR) helicopter service was marked today (Tuesday 15 December) in a ceremony held at the new Coastguard SAR base at Cornwall Airport Newquay. 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, representing a £1.9bn investment by the Government in the UK's search and rescue helicopter service. By 2017 the service will be delivered from ten bases in all, strategically located close to areas of high SAR incident rates. The Newquay base will begin SAR operations when crews begin receiving taskings from the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) in January 2016. Bristow crews are delivering the UK SAR helicopter service on behalf of HM Coastguard wit...

Dover and London Coastguard Operations Centres (CGOC) have become part of the new Coastguard national network Work has been carried out at both search and rescue coordination centres to upgrade the technology and introduce new systems. This means Dover and London 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 and share work during busy periods. It’s the final stage of the transition which means the NMOC, the nine other CGOCs, and the small unit based in London can 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. Julie-Anne Wood, head of maritime operations for HM Coastguard, said: “The way we deliver the coordination of search and rescue operations on our coast and out at sea is changi...

Copyright North News and Pictures Ltd Coastguard search and rescue teams across the country battled landslides, heavy rainfall and gale force winds, as they helped the public stay safe as Storm Desmond battered the country. The Coastguard – along with partner emergency services and other rescue organisations - has worked tirelessly to assist those at risk in some of the worst-affected areas.  All North Western teams are still on standby to assist ongoing operations and support the recovery efforts. On Tuesday Millom, Annan, Burgh by Sands and Maryport Coastguard rescue teams were asked to help the NHS with an humanitarian aid effort to deliver pharmaceuticals and distribute fresh water to the Carlisle community. Over the weekend, the Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Caernarfon was involved in operations from 5.45pm on Saturday 5 December till the early hours of Sunday 6 December in the Lake District. They rescued a family of six from their flooded ...

MCA's Head of Enforcement Jeremy Smart watches on as the cannon arrives in Zierikzee. An official ceremony marking the handing back by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency of a bronze cannon to the city where it was first made, has been held in Zierikzee, Netherlands. The cannon had been brought ashore by commercial diver Vincent Woolsgrove from off the Kent coast but was recovered by the MCA during a search warrant executed in 2011. Mr Woolsgrove was charged with fraud offences relating to other Dutch cannons and is currently serving a two year sentence after pleading guilty. The minion cannon which weighs one ton and is 9 foot long, was transported back to Zierikzee using the Dutch Royal Navy minehunter named after the city. A canal water level had to be especially raised so that the minehunter could get there. It’s believed the minion cannon, cast in 1552, is the only one left in existence and was intended to be used for the city’s defences. Extensive research has...