How SAR Works

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 one of our specialist search and rescue helicopters.

If you need assistance on the sea or around the coast of the UK this summer dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard or use your DSC or VHF radio to send a distress alert. We’re there for you 24/7.





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