HM Coastguard

A man who was stuck in mud on the Camel Trail, near Padstow this afternoon was freed from his predicament by coastguard rescue teams and the Devon and Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service. The UK Coastguard received a 999 call at 12.15pm to report that a man was stuck in mud just after the Iron Bridge near Padstow.  Initially, there were two people stuck in the mud but one person managed to free themselves and called 999 to report that the man was unable to move. Padstow and Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Teams along with the Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service were all called to assist the man who was knee deep in the mud and slowly sinking.  Luckily the tide was out but this also made it impossible for any rescue boats to reach him. The multi-agency rescue teams worked to stabilise and extract the man from the mud using specialised equipment and techniques to release the casualty .  Once the man had been recovered to shore he was warmed up and assessed by the Sout...

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency is delighted to announce that two Coastguards have been honoured for their service. Area commander for HM Coastguard, Peter Pritchard (pictured) from Chard, Somerset is now a BEM and Tony Parfitt who serves with the Mumbles Coastguard Rescue Team receives the MBE. Both have been given their awards for service to maritime safety.

Two men have been rescued from the sea after their fishing vessel hit rocks at Sker Point, near Porthcawl earlier this evening. At about 5.30pm today (Friday 30 December) UK Coastguards at Milford Haven were alerted by a family member of one of the men saying that they had hit the rocks and were taking on water.   The small fishing vessel had two men on board and they were approximately 12 miles   off the Porthcawl coast. The UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from St Athan, RNLI lifeboats from Porthcawl and Mumbles, as well as the Porthcawl Coastguard Rescue Team were immediately sent to the scene.   A Mayday relay call was also broadcast asking nearby vessels to make their way to the location to assist. Arriving on scene, the helicopter spotted waves breaking over the sinking vessel and two men in the water.   The helicopter directed the lifeboat to their location and the fishermen were recovered from the water.   Both men have been a...

An extensive search for two crewmen who went missing after their fishing vessel capsized last night off the coast of Kent has been suspended this evening. One crew member was rescued from the upturned hull of the Belgian-registered boat this morning by the Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Lydd. A second crew member was also rescued from the water later in the day but has since died. The third remains unaccounted for. Lifeboats from Ramsgate and Harwich have spent the whole day searching an area approximately 20 miles north east of Ramsgate, Kent along with the Lydd helicopter. Duty controller for the UK Coastguard Kaimes Beasley said: ‘This has been an extensive and comprehensive search of the area. We are standing down the search this evening because of the fading light. It is unlikely that the search will resume in the morning, unless we get further information that will help us find the third crew member.’

The search is continuing for two missing crewmen after a fishing vessel capsized off the Kent coast last night. One person was winched from the Belgian-flagged vessel onto the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Lydd and taken to hospital but the search continues for the other two crewmen. The helicopter, along with lifeboats from Ramsgate and Harwich are all continuing the search which is covering an area from Ramsgate to the mid-channel.

The UK Coastguard is currently co-ordinating an extensive search and rescue effort after a fishing vessel capsized off the Kent coast last night. One person has been rescued but a number of crew are unaccounted for. The Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Lydd, two lifeboats from Ramsgate and the Coastguard Rescue Team from Margate have all been sent. Duty Controller for UK Coastguard, Kaimes Beasley said: ‘One person was found on the upturned hull and rescued but we understand there were other crew on board. We are currently searching for these missing crew with a number of search units’.

The search for a rhib which reported it was taking on water just off Cornwall yesterday (26th December) has been stood down. It follows an extensive search after a caller reported their 20ft rhib called Whiskey One was in trouble. The HM Coastguard  search and rescue helicopter from Newquay, along with lifeboats from Bude and Padstow carried out a thorough search of the area but found nothing. Now the search has been stood down pending further information.

An extensive search is being carried out off Bude after a vessel reported taking on water. A call was made to the UK Coastguard at just before 7.50pm this evening from someone saying their 20ft rhib - Whiskey One - was taking on water. The HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Newquay, along with lifeboats from Bude and Padstow are currently searching the area. Duty controller for the UK Coastguard Matt West said: ‘We’ve been unable to contact the vessel since the initial call. There are no sightings of it. One of the options is that the vessel did make it safely back to shore – and are appealing for them to get back in touch. And if anyone has any more information about Whiskey One, we’d appreciate it if they could get in touch.’

The UK Coastguard is appealing for information tonight following reports of a fisherman, in an orange floatation suit, disappearing off Cambois pier, Blyth Two other fishermen on the pier reported seeing a man fishing, who seemed to disappear from sight, he did not pass them on foot, so they concluded he must have gone into the water. Although no-one has been reported as missing Coastguard Rescue teams from Blyth and Newbiggin are on scene along with the Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter and Blyth lifeboat. There is no abandoned fishing gear on scene and no cars left in the carpark. Police are aware, if you know anything please contact Humber Coastguard on 01262 672317

With widespread disruption anticipated across the UK as Storm Barbara approaches, the UK Coastguard is adding its own coastal safety warnings to those already issued by other emergency services and agencies.  Coastal Operations Area Commander Ross Greenhill said: ‘There are a number of things we advise people about when bad weather is expected to hit the UK. We always advise people to check the weather and tidal conditions before the set out so that they can either prepare accordingly or consider whether they should even be going out at all. At sea, changes in tidal streams can make conditions worse, particularly if the wind and tide are against each other and tidal heights may hide underwater hazards. You can check marine weather at this link:  www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/marine  and tides at this link:  http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide ‘If you’re on the coastline, think twice about going out. And however dramatic it looks, do...

The UK Government’s Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has awarded a five-year contract for a new Scottish Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) to Ardent Maritime Netherlands BV, to begin on 31 December 2016. The ship is the Ievoli Black, a 70 m towing vessel of some 2283 gross tonnes and a bollard pull of 139 tonnes. The vessel is experienced in ETV operations, having served as an ETV for the Netherlands from 2010-13. The Ievoli Black has sailed from her current station in the Adriatic and is making her way to the UK in time to relieve the existing MCA tug, the Herakles, of its duties by 31 December. The emergency tug is funded by the UK Government. Ministers announced earlier this year that they would guarantee funding for the next five years to support maritime safety in the area. Following comprehensive engagement with local stakeholders through spring 2016, the risks to shipping off north and north-western Scotland were assessed and requirements established. The cont...

The SAR family stretches far and wide across the UK from the tip of Cornwall to the top of Shetland – from winchman paramedics dropping down into the sea to rescue those in distress, to the teams who work tirelessly across the mountain ranges searching for those who are lost or injured or both. As the Scottish ski season begins this weekend, lots of skiers will be taking to the beautiful but often challenging slopes of the mountain resorts. As the holiday season approaches in earnest others will be fell walking in the Lake District, hiking through the Brecons or Glencoe. While most will return home safely, others will be grateful for mountain rescue teams who will not rest until they have found those who’ve found themselves in trouble. #scottishmountainrescue #mountainrescueenglandandwales #alwaysoncall  

The UK Coastguard is currently assisting Police Scotland with a search near Queens Bridge in Perth after a person was thought to have been seen in the water. Three Coastguard Rescue Teams from Carnoustie, St Andrews and Leven are conducting a shoreline search. The Broughty Ferry RNLI inshore lifeboat, a Coastguard helicopter, Police and the Fire and Rescue Service are also involved in the search.

Three members of the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter crews are being given awards for their life saving work while still serving with the military. The three – Sergeant Neil Clements, Flight Sergeant Sean Proctor and Petty Officer Aircrewman Alan Speed – have all been given honours for their SAR work during their time with the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. Sgt Clements and Flight Sergeant Proctor have been awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in the Air (QCBA) for their work while in the RAF. Sergeant Neil Clements Petty Officer Aircrewman Alan Speed   Flight Sergeant Proctor Winchman paramedic Neil Clements – who is now with the UK Coastguard helicopter based at Caernarfon – is being honoured for his work in rescuing a woman out of rough seas off Tynemouth Pier on 5 th November 2014. Sean Proctor, now based at Inverness as chief crewman (winch operator/ paramedic), is receiving his honour for taking part in the winch re...

The UK Coastguard has been coordinating an air, land and sea search for a woman this afternoon and evening off Folkestone, following a 999 call at 2.45 pm this afternoon. The woman made a 999 call and spoke to the Coastguard earlier this afternoon, reporting that she had fallen on rocks and sustained injuries. Unfortunately, a short time later, the woman’s mobile appeared to lose battery life and contact was lost. Throughout this afternoon and evening the Folkestone and Langdon Battery Coastguard Rescue Teams, Dover and Littlestone RNLI lifeboats, the Coastguard helicopter and Police have been searching for the missing woman. So far no sign has been found of her. Kaimes Beasley for the UK Coastguard said: “We have now been searching for the missing woman for four hours and so far have been unable to locate her. We are becoming increasingly concerned for her safety. If members of the public have information which may assist us in locating the missing woman pleas...

The UK Coastguard is appealing for information after some equipment, possibly used by kayakers, was found at sea and along the shore over night and this morning. Various items including a glove, a trainer, a man over board strobe light and torches have been found between Gosport and Cowes. A number of kayakers were reported as out fishing last night. Although no-one has been reported as missing a Coastguard helicopter, Hillhead Coastguard Rescue Team and Gosport independent lifeboat are searching the area as a precautionary measure. Members of the public who may have further information about the kayakers who were out fishing overnight or the equipment that has been found are requested to call the UK Coastguard on 023 92 552100.

A decision has been made to take the bulk carrier V Due which has a smouldering cargo in one of its holds, to the Port of Liverpool. The Secretary of State’s Representative Maritime & Salvage Hugh Shaw has established a Salvage Control Unit and continues to be in discussion with the port, the ship owners, insurers, SMIT Salvage, UK Coastguard, MCA Counter Pollution, Environment Groups and Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service. Hugh Shaw continues to work with all parties while monitoring the safety of the crew and the environmental situation. There has been no pollution and no concerns about the structural integrity as the vessel remains stable. SMIT Salvage continues to support the Master and crew of V Due in stabilising the situation and preparing for the passage from her current position off Anglesey to Liverpool.  It is anticipated that the vessel will arrive in port under her own steam at around 5.30am tomorrow (8 th ).