HM Coastguard

UK Coastguard is currently investigating a series of Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) alerts which are being triggered in Peterhead, Scotland. Following extensive Search and Rescue operations to locate the device and its owner, UK Coastguard are now appealing for the owner of the EPIRB, a Standard Communications PTY Ltd, Model: MT401FF  to come forward and let the Coastguard know they are safe and well. Multiple alerts have been sent by this EPIRB as far back as  6 June  up to this morning 29 September.  The alerts are being picked up by satellite with a position in the Peterhead area. Kaimes Beasley, Duty Controller for UK Coastguard said:  ‘We believe the EPIRB is being triggered accidentally – maybe knocking against something on a boat which is switching it on and off again.  We are appealing to everyone in the Peterhead area who has an EPIRB to check their device and get in touch with ...

Following an intensive search for the missing crew member, the search has been suspended pending further information. At approximately 8.40 pm yesterday (26 September) the UK Coastguard received a 999 call reporting that a fishing vessel with three people on board was overdue in Plymouth, after fishing near Eddystone Lighthouse, Devon. The Coastguard search and rescue helicopters from Newquay and Lee-on-Solent, the Plymouth Coastguard Rescue Team and the Plymouth, Looe and Salcombe RNLI lifeboats were all tasked to search the area, alongside a Border Force vessel, two Royal Navy warships and other local vessels in the area. The Coastguard helicopter from Newquay located the vessel 4 miles south of Plymouth at approximately 1 am, with two people on the upturned hull. The casualties were rescued by the Plymouth RNLI lifeboat and transferred into the care of the South Western Ambulance Service.

At approximately 8.40 pm yesterday (26 September) the UK Coastguard received a 999 call reporting that a fishing vessel with three people on board was overdue in Plymouth, after fishing near Eddystone Lighthouse, Devon. The Coastguard search and rescue helicopters from Newquay and Lee-on-Solent, the Plymouth Coastguard Rescue Team and the Plymouth, Looe and Salcombe RNLI lifeboats were all tasked to search the area, alongside a Border Force vessel, two Royal Navy warships and other local vessels in the area. The Coastguard helicopter from Newquay located the vessel 4 miles south of Plymouth at approximately 1 am, with two people on the upturned hull. The casualties were rescued by the Plymouth RNLI lifeboat and transferred into the care of the South Western Ambulance Service. Dai Jones, controller for the UK Coastguard said: “Following an extensive search in the area using multiple assets, the fishing vessel was located and two men have been safely recovered. An intens...

Just before 4pm yesterday (26 September) UK Coastguard received multiple VHF DSC Distress alerts from a French vessel, positioned approximately 50nm South South East of the Isles of Scilly. The vessel had transmitted distress alerts in French waters earlier in the day and no communications could be established.  UK Coastguard immediately sent out a Mayday relay broadcast asking vessels in the area for assistance and also made contact with MRCC Corsen to inform them of the incident.  St Mary’s RNLI all weather lifeboat and the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Newquay were sent assist, along with a French fixed wing aircraft.  The vessel, with two people on board, was located on route to Plymouth and found to have suffered engine failure which had subsequently been repaired. UK Coastguard monitored their onward passage via telephone, with the Lizard RNLI all weather lifeboat assisting them into Falmouth later in the e...

UK Coastguard is currently assisting in a multi-agency rescue operation, after a man fell from a cliff at Broadstairs, Kent.   Just before 7.30am today (25 September) Kent Police requested UK Coastguard assistance to rescue a man who has fallen approximately 70ft from a cliff south of Joss Bay, Kent.   Margate Coastguard Rescue Team and the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Lydd are currently on scene, alongside paramedics from South East Coast Ambulance Service, Kent Police and Kent Fire and Rescue Service.   The rescue operation is ongoing and we have no further information at this time.

UK Coastguard is currently dealing with an ongoing and complex rescue after a man fell through a disused mine shaft on the coastal path at St Just, Cape Cornwall.     Just after 1.15pm today, Devon and Cornwall Police requested UK Coastguard assistance after receiving a 999 call from a member of the public reporting that a person had fallen nearly 30 metres and had sustained injuries.   Lands End and Penzance Coastguard Rescue Teams and the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Newquay have been sent to the scene, alongside the South Western Ambulance Service, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and Cornwall Search and Rescue Service.   It is believed that the man has fallen into a disused mine shaft which has further complicated his extraction.   The Coastguard Rescue Teams combined with Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and Cornwall Search and Rescue Service are currently using their rope rescue techniques to carr...

Shortly after 8.30am today, Sussex Police requested UK Coastguard assistance at Peacehaven after receiving reports that a teenage boy had fallen from the Promenade onto the beach.   The teenager had fallen approximately 15ft onto the rocks below the Promenade and paramedics from the South East Ambulance Service had stabilised the casualty before the Coastguard arrived.   Birling Gap and Newhaven Coastguard Rescue Teams were able to extract the casualty using their rope rescue techniques.   The young boy was taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton by the South East Ambulance Service.   George Papadopoulos, Senior Maritime Operations Officer for UK Coastguard said:  ‘We wish this young boy a speedy recovery and would just like to remind people that if they see anyone in difficulty on the coast to please call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’

With the sun shining yesterday afternoon many people ventured out to climb the Welsh mountains, which in turn saw the Caernarfon Coastguard search and rescue helicopter rescue three people in the space of 4 hours. Paul Jones, Winchman for the Caernarfon Coastguard helicopter said that with the superb assistance of the Mountain Rescue Teams in the area, a total of three people were rescued yesterday, including one injured person at Bala in Snowdonia. The rescues began to unfold at  1.30pm  yesterday (21 September) when the helicopter was called to Bala after receiving a request for assistance from North Wales Police and South Snowdonia Mountain Rescue Team to help a female walker who had fallen and injured her back near a remote waterfall.  The casualty was airlifted and taken to Bangor Hospital.  As the helicopter crew were refuelling back at base they were immediately called out again at  4.00pm  to assist two cragfast climbers on Crib Goch.  T...

The Red Ensign Group of British maritime administrations (REG) have launched a public consultation on the new Red Ensign Group Yacht Code, which is planned for publication in November 2017. The REG dominates the large yacht market, and its members (the UK, together with its Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories) have worked continuously to develop forward-looking codes to keep pace with emerging technological opportunities and safety standards. The new code, authored by a cross-REG working group under a secretariat provided by the Cayman Islands, will update the Large Yacht Code (LY3) and Passenger Yacht Code (PYC) within a single publication. A key feature of the new Code has been the exceptionally close collaboration between the REG administrations and groups representing the large yacht industry across the world.  This reflects the  international nature of the existing codes’ users, and will ensure that the new Code continues as the world’s most relevant and ...

Jamie Magee pictured with Eve Watson and Fearn Hayley Photo credit:  Jim Johnson An off duty Coastguard has been publicly thanked by the mothers of two young children he dramatically rescued after they were swept out to sea at Farr Beach, Scotland.  The drama unfolded on Friday 25 August as Eve Watson (8) and Fearn Hayley (10) were on their boogie boards on Farr Beach, watched by Fearn’s mother Rhona Hayley.  Conditions on the beach took a dangerous turn and the two youngsters suddenly found themselves being swept out to sea and unable to paddle back to shore. A frantic Mrs Hayley waded in as deeply as she could but was unable to reach the by now deeply distressed girls whose screaming could be heard onshore. Meanwhile onlookers on the beach raised the alarm and several 999 calls were made to the Coastguard. Melvich and Melness Coastguard Rescue Teams and Thurso RNLI Lifeboat were immediately sent to the scene. But whilst the rescue teams were on ...

The team from the UK Ship Register (UKSR) is preparing to open a window on its future at the London International Shipping Week (LISW) from 11th – 15th September, to show how it is working towards seeing more UK flags flying in ports across the world. Meeting the challenge of doubling the tonnage from 15 million to 30 million tonnes as set down by the Maritime Growth Study remains a top priority, with the Shipping Minister John Hayes renewing his assertion that although it’s a challenge, he is determined it can be done. Choice and flexibility for customers, no annual tonnage fees, new ways of working for Maritime and Coastguard Agency surveyors and plans to digitise many of the services are just some of the things that the UKSR will be discussing at the LISW as it works towards increasing the number of vessels registered in the UK. The UKSR – which is a platinum sponsor of LISW 2017 – will also be giving opportunities with maritime industry leaders and other organisations ...

Just after 12pm today (10 September) UK Coastguard received multiple 999 calls reporting a person in the water in difficulty off Portland Bill. Portland Bill Coastguard Rescue Team, Weymouth RNLI inshore and all weather lifeboats and the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Lee on Solent. Weymouth RNLI lifeboats recovered the casualty who was transferred to the Coastguard helicopter for onward transfer to Dorchester Hospital.  We have no further information on this incident.   

The ST ATHAN HM Coastguard search and rescue (SAR) helicopter team has completed its 500 th  mission milestone since Bristow Helicopters commenced SAR operations on behalf of HM Coastguard in October 2015.  The base was one of the first purpose-built sites created as Bristow took responsibility for the UK SAR service, with each new base representing an investment worth in the region of £7million. One of 10 HM Coastguard SAR helicopter bases located strategically around the UK, St Athan provides vital life-saving support to the fishing and other marine industries and the offshore energy sector, as well as to land-based incidents including missing persons and other medical emergencies. Bristow crews are delivering the UK SAR helicopter service on behalf of HM Coastguard with state-of-the-art helicopters, equipped with the latest search and rescue technology including night vision, mission management and increased onboard medical capabilities. Completing 500 missions in ...

Thirteen people trapped in the gondola of the Jurassic Skyline tower on Festival Pier, Weymouth were rescued last night by a UK Coastguard helicopter. Yesterday afternoon just before 5pm, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service called the UK Coastguard’s Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) and requested UK Coastguard helicopter assistance after efforts by engineers to free the stuck gondola failed.  Emergency service teams on scene had explored a number of rescue options, but most were discounted on the grounds of safety due to the inclement weather. Within 15 minutes the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Lee-on-Solent (crewed by Captain Simon Tye, Co-Pilot Simon Hoare, Winchman Operator Chris 'Spike' Hughes and Winchman Alistair Kitwood) was scrambled and arrived on scene just before 6pm, alongside the other emergency service crews.  UK Coastguard ARCC Controller Mark Chamberlain said:  “We received the call at 4.50pm a...

An extensive search is being carried out off Lowestoft after reports were received by the UK Coastguard of a man in trouble in the sea. The reports were received just before 1pm today (5 th ). Three RNLI lifeboats, one from Lowestoft and two from Gorleston are currently searching, along with Coastguard Rescue Teams from Lowestoft, Southwold and Gorleston. Lifeguards from Lowestoft are also searching along with Suffolk Police. Also searching is the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Lydd. Rob Priestley, controller for UK Coastguard said: ‘We received initial reports that a man had been seen struggling in the water. We launched the search which is currently covering an area across Lowestoft. If anyone has any information that this man got ashore safely or if it was you, please call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Let us know you’re safe.’

UK Coastguard has issued a new safety warning after a large and potentially dangerous cliff crack was reported at Seaford Cliffs in Sussex on Sunday evening. Newhaven Coastguard Rescue Team were sent to investigate the appearance of a potential fresh crack and Seaford Council were immediately informed.  New safety perimeters have been erected for the protection of the public using the coastal path and coastal walkers are being urged to steer clear of the unstable area. On further investigation it was confirmed to be an existing crack that had enlarged due to recent changes in weather conditions. Mark Rodway OBE, Maritime Commander said:  ‘We are warning beach goers and coastal walkers to exercise caution in the Seaford cliffs area and keep away from the areas that have now been cordoned off.   The cliffs along the UK coastline are continually eroding and we’ve seen a number of cliff collapses in recent months at Seaford.  It’s impossible to predict whe...

The search has resumed this morning for a missing man, who was swept into the sea yesterday afternoon at Treyarnon Bay, Cornwall.                                                         Padstow and Newquay Coastguard Rescue Teams and the Padstow RNLI Lifeboat are currently searching a defined search area including Constantine Bay, Treyarnon Bay, Pepper Cove and Warren Cove. Despite the allocation of many search units into the area over a prolonged period of time, nothing further has been found.  Sadly, with the passage of time a successful outcome is looking less likely.  However, the search is still ongoing and we are in close in contact with Devon and Cornwall Police. 

The search for a man who is missing off the coast of Treyarnon has been completed for this evening with nothing found. A further search will resume tomorrow morning at 7.00 am. The UK Coastguard received a 999 call this afternoon to report that two men had been washed off the rocks into the sea. One was recovered from the sea within minutes of the 999 call but despite an intensive search for the second man involving the Coastguard helicopter, Coastguard rescue teams, lifeboats, lifeguards and Devon and Cornwall Police, the missing man could not be found.

A massive search and rescue operation has been launched in Treyarnon Bay, Cornwall after two men were reported to have been swept off rocks into the water. At around  2.35pm  today (4 September) UK Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of the public reporting two people in the water west of Treyarnon Bay, Cornwall. Padstow and Newquay Coastguard Rescue Teams, Padstow, Newquay and Rock RNLI Lifeboats, Treyarnon Lifeguards and the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Newquay are currently on scene, along with Devon and Cornwall Police and South Western Ambulance Service. The two men, who were believed to be fishing, were swept off rocks into the water.  One man has been recovered by the Coastguard helicopter and has been taken for onward transfer to hospital by the Air Ambulance.  An intensive search operation is still ongoing for the second man within a defined search area.   We have not further information at this time. ...

The UK Coastguard received a spoken MAYDAY broadcast at approximately 4 pm today (3 September) in the Cullercoats and River Tyne  area. A broadcast has been made to all vessels in the area, with no further information received. The Blyth Coastguard Rescue Team, Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade and Cullercoats inshore RNLI lifeboat were all tasked to search the area. The Coastguard search and rescue helicopters from Humberside and Prestwick have also been tasked to search offshore. If anyone in the area has any information, please call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.  

As part of our investigations we are considering a number of possibilities, such as discharges from a vessel, previously unreported lost cargo, and emissions from known shipwrecks.  We have identified approximately 180 vessels that passed through the English Channel off the coast of Eastbourne on Sunday 27th August. We are working with all relevant Environmental and Public Health regulators to conclude these investigations. We have no further information at this stage.

A Suffolk man has been sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for 12 months following a serious vessel collision. Nicholas Barrett of Oulton Broad, was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court today (1 st September) in connection with a collision between his Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) and a moored vessel, resulting in life-changing injuries to his partner and serious injuries to one of his young daughters. Mr Barrett, who pleaded guilty for operating an unsafe vessel, contrary to section 100 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, was prosecuted by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency following a joint investigation with the Broads Authority.    On the night of 25 August 2016, Mr Barrett’s RIB crashed into a wooden motor cruiser on Oulton Broad. Mr Barrett, together with his partner and their two young daughters aged 10 and 8, were travelling at high speed across the Broad without lights when it struck the other vessel. The impact was of such force that a hole was punched i...