HM Coastguard

Milford Haven Coastguard launched a search for a swimmer off Aberystwyth North Beach on Saturday afternoon.  The swimmer was spotted in the water but not seen coming out of the water.  A thorough search of the area has now been suspended subject to further information. If you have any information about the individual in the water, or perhaps you were swimming near Constitution Hill at around 2pm today please call the Coastguard with details on 999.

Two shell fish divers have been recovered by the RNLI Barra lifeboat after a search in Castle Bay, Barra Island this morning. At 11.20am Stornoway Coastguard was contacted by a local ferry boat skipper who had noticed two divers go into the water and not resurface, leaving their small boat unmanned.  The RNLI Barra lifeboats were asked to search the area along with the Coastguard rescue helicopter based in Stornoway and Barra Coastguard Rescue Team. At around 1pm Barra RNLI lifeboat reported to the Coastguard that two casualties had been recovered from the water and taken to Barra Hospital. 

Copyright Royal Navy An agreement has been signed between the Royal Marines and the UK Coastguard recognising common roles, training and skills. Staged in a Royal Navy landing craft at   Devonport Naval Base , the memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by the Royal Marines on behalf of the Deputy Commandant General, Brigadier Richard Spencer, and by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) Chief Executive, Sir Alan Massey. The agreement was marked ceremonially at the base of 1 Assault Squadron Royal Marines, the unit which trains Royal Navy landing craft and small boat crews who support the amphibious fleet (commando helicopter carrier  HMS Ocean  and assault ship  HMS Albion ). The  MCA  agreed a simplified training pathway through the memo, for Royal Marines by recognising the experience, knowledge and qualifications gained through climbing the ranks from landing craftsman to sergeant. Copyright Royal Navy Sir Alan said, “Not on...

J ust after 2pm yesterday (25 July) UK Coastguard were called by a member of the public reporting ordnance at Sandsend Beach, near Whitby, Yorkshire. Whitby and Skinningrove Coastguard Rescue Teams have set up a 100m cordon around the ordnance to ensure the public are kept at a safe distance.  The Local Council have suspended parking in that area until further notice and North Yorkshire Police are also on scene assisting. Adam Turner, Senior Coastguard Operations Officer for UK Coastguard said:  'We won't know exactly what we are dealing with until the Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team arrive later this morning.  Until that time, we have taken measures to set up a cordon and clear that area of the beach to keep the public safe.  We are appealing to people to stay from this area until it has been declared safe by EOD. 'We have no further information at this time but we will hopefully provide an update after the EOD team have assessed the situation.' UP...

Two German tourists were rescued from a cliff at Lantic Bay, near Fowey, Cornwall after getting cut off by the tide yesterday afternoon (23 July). UK Coastguard received multiple 999 calls from members of the public who'd heard the stranded pair shouting for help after the tide came in. Luckily help was at hand nearby as the  Fowey RNLI  Lifeboat and the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Newquay were out training together and quickly diverted their courses to the cliff. One person was rescued by the Lifeboat and the other was airlifted onto the Coastguard helicopter and then transferred onto the RNLI lifeboat. Thankfully, they were uninjured by their ordeal and taken to Polruan.

Two climbers have been dramatically rescued from a 'knife-edge' mountain ledge in Snowdonia after becoming cragfast. Just before 6.45pm on Saturday 22 July,  North Wales Police  requested UK Coastguard air assistance from the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) to rescue the two men who were in an extremely dangerous position on Crib Goch. Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team  had already reached the stricken climbers and made them safe by roping them off the cliff and  up to the top of the ridge, just before the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at St Athan arrived. The two men were winched on board the helicopter and dropped off at our at Mountain Rescue Base at Nant Peris, leaving the team members on the mountain to enjoy the sunset and walk off. It's heart-stopping footage with a good ending with both men safe and well, not requiring any medical treatment.

Copyright Ceri Oakds Training matters when it comes to saving lives at sea. When HM Coastguard trains together with the  RNLI , it matters. Together we make a rescue force to be reckoned with. Steve Hart, Senior Coastal Operations Officer for HM Coastguard said “We want everyone to enjoy the coast – we love it too. Don’t forget though it can be a dangerous and unforgiving place for the unwary – check tides, look at lo cal information about currents. But people do get caught out. That’s why we’ve got your back. It’s why we train. We’re ready to help, to search to rescue and to save” Helen Williams, RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager- Wearside & North Yorkshire says: ‘There are around 165 accidental drownings around the UK each year. As we head to the summer holidays we want to remind people to stay safe when they visit the North Yorkshire coast. The beach is a great place to visit and relax during your time off but we urge people to be aware of the dangers. ‘Our advice is to alway...

With just seconds to spare before being washed away, this is the dramatic moment a couple were rescued from a 20ft high rock face at Watergate Bay after becoming stranded by an incoming tide. Yesterday (20 July) just after 1pm, UK Coastguard received a call reporting the couple in urgent need of rescue after getting cut off by the tide between Porth and Watergate Bay. Newquay Coastguard Rescue Team, RNLI Newquay Lifeboats, Watergate Bay Lifeguards and the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Newquay were sent to the scene.  The couple were airlifted and safety taken to the top of the cliff where they were met by the Coastguard Rescue Team and  t reated for mild hypothermia and shock before being taken to their hotel where they are recovering. We would like to encourage everyone to enjoy our British coastline safely. So,  carry a mobile phone, and tell someone where you are going and what time you will be home. Make  sure that you  check ...

UK Coastguard has commended the swift action of a diving vessel crew after they lost sight of four divers off the coast of Lulworth Cove, Dorset.  Just before 5pm on 15 July, UK Coastguard received a VHF Radio call from a diving vessel reporting that it had lost sight of four divers which quickly set a plan of action into motion. The UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Lee-on-Solent was sent to the scene and managed to quickly locate all four divers safe and well. Neil Blewett, Aeronautical Operations Controller for the UK Coastguard said:  ‘We commend the actions of the crew of the Cotswold Diver who called us immediately after losing sight of the divers.  The diving vessel had all the right equipment on board including a VHF Radio and flares in case anything went wrong.  All four divers were very experienced, were wearing the right equipment and had during the duration of the dive inflated marker buoys for safety.  Unfortunately the chopp...

Last night a Danish crewman was airlifted to Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick after falling unwell on his vessel, 100nm east of Sumburgh. UK Coastguard received a call around 9pm from JRCC Denmark reporting an unwell crewman on a Danish offshore supply vessel in UK waters. The UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Sumburgh was sent the location and winched the man onboard at around 10pm. Thankfully, the casualty was not in a critical condition which meant he was flown directly to Lerwick. Had he been critically ill the helicopter would have re-routed to Norway which was the closest tertiary hospital. We wish him a speedy recovery!

Watch this incredible rescue footage of a man being rescued from a precarious cliff ledge at Newgale Beach in Pembrokeshire. UK Coastguard received a 999 from three men who had been cut off from the tide at Newgale Beach just before 8pm on Thursday 13 July. Broadhaven and St David's Coastguard Rescue Teams,  Little and Broad Haven Lifeboat Station  and the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at St Athan were sent to the scene. Two men were rescued by the lifeboat but the third man had climbed the cliff to escape the incoming tide and was in a very dangerous position. The helicopter airlifted the uninjured man to safety. These men did exactly the right thing to phone the coastguard when they saw they were getting cut off. Always check the weather and tidal conditions before you set out so that you can prepare accordingly. Find local coastal weather and local tide times at:  www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast_and_sea/tide_tables

Police Scotland is appealing for witnesses following an incident involving a Coastguard search & rescue helicopter at around 10.40pm on Wednesday 12 July 2017. The Chief Pilot reported that while flying over the Shortlees area of Kilmarnock a laser was directed at the aircraft which caused temporary impaired vision for a member of the crew. Speaking about the incident, Sergeant Sharon Cadwell from Kilmarnock Police office said: "Use of a laser pen in this manner is extremely reckless and could have catastrophic consequences for the person distracted. "We would urge people in possession of these types of device not to misuse them in this manner and remind people that matters such as this are taken very seriously by both Police Scotland and Scottish Courts Service. "I would urge anyone who may have any information regarding this incident to contact myself via 101, at Kilmarnock Police Office, and quote incident 4554 of 12th July 2017." Damien Oli...

HRH The Princess Royal visited HM Coastguard’s search and rescue helicopter base at Lee-on-Solent and HMCG technical training centre at Daedalus yesterday to mark 100 years of flying at the site. Her Royal Highness was welcomed to the helicopter base by Vice Lord-Lieutenant Lindsay Fox and taken on a tour of the base by Richard Parkes, Director of Maritime Operations for the Maritime & Coastguard Agency. During her 40 minute visit, the Princess Royal was introduced to the Chief Pilot and duty aircrew on shift before touring the new AW189 helicopters to learn about the helicopters’ capabilities and ground-breaking technology, which are designed to undertake long-range, high endurance search and rescue missions in demanding operational and environmental conditions.   Her Royal Highness then had the opportunity to watch a cliff rescue class at the Daedalus multi-purpose training centre - where the Coastguard Rescue Teams are technically...

The short film features the dramatic real life audio recorded during the actual 999 call to the Coastguard on a lovely sunny July afternoon at the beach two years ago. It’s a calm and sunny afternoon at the beach in July but things can change in an instant. Aberdeen Coastguard took a 999 emergency call from a young girl who is watching her three friends being dragged out to sea by the current off Fraserburgh beach, Scotland. Coastguards coordinating the rescue immediately call out the Fraserburgh RNLI lifeboat while the Coastguard controller reassures the 999 caller that help is on its way and not to let anyone else enter the water.  The lifeboat was on scene in minutes and found the kids just in time, as they were dipping below the water, cold and exhausted. They were bought back to shore suffering from mild hypothermia but thankfully all three were fine. Calum McNicol was one of the Coastguards in the control room that sunny day in July and he praised the caller f...

A review of search and rescue (SAR) capabilities by HM Coastguard and funded by the UK’s Conflict Stability and Security Fund has helped the Cayman Islands enhance its operation. The review, carried out in December 2016, assessed the Cayman Islands SAR capability against international requirements and made practical recommendations. Some of these have led to the Government of the Cayman Islands buying a rigid hull inflatable boat and five Waverunner personal watercraft. The police helicopter is also being upgraded with night vision capability so it can assist with SAR after dark. It was commissioned after a high profile tragedy on the islands in 2016. Although the police response to that incident was vindicated, it was recommended that there should be a wider review of SAR across the islands, the wider Caribbean and South Atlantic Overseas Territories. Sir Alan Massey, Chief Executive of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency said: ‘We often talk about searc...

An extensive search is being carried out off the coast in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland following the discovery of a fishing boat with no-one on board. The search began last night (12 th ) after a report of a boat close to a reef was received around 11.15  at the Isle of Whithorn. HM Coastguard search and  rescue helicopter from Prestwick, along with HM Coastguard Rescue Team and a lifeboat from Kirkcudbright and also one from Port William are all currently involved in the overnight search. A yacht reported seeing a boat matching the description and with one man on board, earlier in the evening around 7.30pm. Ian Guy, duty controller for the UK Coastguard said: ‘We believe the man came up from Lancashire and we know he launched his boat from a Landrover from the harbour nearby. ‘There are obviously serious concerns about this fisherman – there are things on board the boat belonging to the man but no sign of him. ‘If anyone has any information about ...

A search being coordinated by the UK Coastguard for a missing snorkeller is due to resume later this morning (11 th July) along the Dorset coast. The extensive search began last night after a call was received from a fisherman around 9pm reporting that he had found something on the shoreline at Ringstead Bay, five miles east of Weymouth, Dorset. It was also reported that a snorkeller had been seen earlier in the day in the water. Wyke and Lulworth Coastguard Rescue Teams went to the scene and confirmed that there were personal effects on the beach. A car belonging to the missing man was nearby. Duncan Ley, controller for the UK Coastguard said: ‘There was enough information for us to be concerned for this snorkeller’s whereabouts and an extensive search of the shoreline and coast was launched.’ The Coastguard Rescue teams along with HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Lee-on-Solent, two lifeboats from Weymouth and one from Swanage have been conductin...

This was the bird's eye view our Newquay Coastguard helicopter got when they went to rescue a man who was stuck on an island at Perranporth Beach last Saturday afternoon. The man who had climbed up the cliff island called the Coastguard on their emergency 999 line just after 12pm to say that he couldn't climb down.  St Agnes Coastguard Search & Rescue Team  and  Newquay Coastguard  were sent to the scene but were unable to rescue the man. The UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Newquay airlifted the uninjured man from the island to the beach below, taking care not disturb the the beautiful sand art that covered the beach. Who says we've got no appreciation of art?

Blow up boats and toys are great fun in the swimming pool, but we do not recommend their use at the seaside. This is because they can easily be blown out to sea. Liz Hanson, Senior Maritime Operations Officer for UK Coastguard says, “We strongly recommend that blow up boats and toys are not used at the beach. In an offshore wind, when the wind blows from the land out to sea, they can quickly be swept out to sea. We’ve recently tasked numerous assets to investigate several reports of persons in distress on inflatables - of particular interest - a large inflatable Swan off Bembridge, Isle of Wight and a large inflatable Unicorn off of Hayling Island.  Thankfully both were recovered with no persons in distress. If your inflatable does blow out to sea, please let us know by calling 02392 552100.” The Coastguard would like to encourage everyone to enjoy our British coastline safely. Go to a lifeguarded beach if possible, stay within the flagged area and...

Copyright Paul Ashton Sand hole collapses are rare but can be lethal if you become trapped in one. There's nothing wrong with digging holes at the beach and filling them with water for your kids to play in. But if you dig a hole so deep that your head is barely poking out or burrow into a sand dune then you could be putting your life at risk. If it's taken you three hours to dig your hole - that's how long it might take someone to dig you out. These deeper types of holes are highly unstable.  The wet harder sand that you dig out will dry out in the sun making it loose and the deeper you dig the more danger there is of the hole collapsing inwards and potentially trapping you inside. Copyright www.burnham-on-sea.com   The best way to rescue someone is to create a circle of people digging with their hands, then another outer circle will do the same while also removing the sand from the first circle, more circles of people digging will be added as they become ava...

In the early hours of this morning the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Newquay completed its second long range rescue mission in a week, this time it was 180nm west off the coast of Lands End. Yesterday (5 July) at around 6pm UK Coastguard received a telephone call from a French fishing vessel reporting that a crew member had sustained a fractured foot and needed medical assistance. The casualty was airlifted in the early hours of this morning and transferred to Treliske Hospital. We, as always, wish him a speedy recovery.  

On Monday night at around 9.20 the UK Coastguard received a call from a party of four rock climbers at Brixham Quarry reporting that one of their team had sustained an injury to his shoulder and needed medical assistance . They were in a hard to reach location, on a steep cliff slope covered in trees, 50 metres from the waters edge. The Torbay Coastguard, Berry Head Coastguard, RNLI Torbay Lifeboat and the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Newquay were sent to the location. The injured climber was airlifted to a nearby waiting ambulance for onward treatment. We wish him a speedy recovery.

10 MCA staff changed their focus from sea to rivers last month to help rid New Forest waterways of invasive plants. The Himalayan balsam pull marked the start of a partnership between the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the New Forest National Park Authority to raise awareness of volunteering and opportunities for the public to both look after and be safe on the National Park coast. Staff and volunteers taking part in the Himalayan balsam pull at Lymington Reedbeds Nature Reserve Sir Alan Massey, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: ‘As an agency, we know the value of volunteers – our Coastguard Rescue Teams are made up of those who selflessly give up their time to keep people safe on the coast. We value their contribution and know the difference it makes. It’s why we encourage our staff at the MCA to look at how they might bring something extra to the communities they live and work in as volunteers. I was delighted to hear from those involved in this ...

Two men have been rescued by the Humberside Coastguard helicopter after they capsized their inflatable kayaks in Thornwick Bay, Humberside on the weekend. At 4.30pm on Saturday 1 July, UK coastguard received a 999 call reporting two men were stuck on rocks in Thornwick Bay after their inflatable canoes capsized. Bridlington Coastguard Rescue Team ,  HM Coastguard Hull  and  Flamborough RNLI  inshore lifeboat were sent to the scene. It quickly became apparent that the lifeboat wouldn't be able to reach them safely due to the rocks and due to the precarious position they were in on the cliffs - some 40ft up - and with one casualty becoming more distressed the extraction became more urgent. The UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Humberside was sent to the scene and the helicopter was able airlift both casualties to Hull Royal Infirmary. We wish them both a speedy recovery.

Watch the incredible moment our UK Coastguard St Athan helicopter rescues an unwell man from the top of Worcester Cathedral​. At around 10.35am on Saturday 1st July, UK Coastguard's ARCC (Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre) received a call from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service​ asking for helicopter assistance with an unwell man at the top of the 300ft high Worcester Cathedral Bell Tower.  The UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at St Athan was quickly sent to the scene and airlifted the casualty to a nearby field where a waiting ambulance took him for further treatment.   Coastguard helicopter Winchman Sam Wellsteed said:  ‘This was a very unique rescue, but fairly straight forward once we arrived on scene.  The Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and the West Midlands Ambulance Service​  had done a fantastic job to make the casualty comfortable and had prepared him for winching before we had arrived.   Ob...

The UK Coastguard was contacted at just after 2.00 this morning to report that a bulk carrier and an oil tanker had been in collision in the Dover Strait. Although both vessels have been damaged, there is no water ingress and no pollution. A French tug is on scene with the vessels. There are no injuries and all of the crew are accounted for. The tanker, ‘Seafrontier’, which is loaded with 37953mt of gasoline has 27 people on board. The bulk carrier ‘Huayang Endeavour’ is in ballast and has 22 people on board. The Coastguard helicopter was sent to the scene, along with Dover and Ramsgate RNLI Lifeboats, in case evacuation was required. The helicopter remained with the vessels for a short while, reporting information back to the Coastguard, before returning to base. The lifeboats have also now left and the tug has arrived on scene. The UK Coastguard Channel Navigation Information Service has continued to work throughout the incident and is ensuring the safe pas...