HM Coastguard

A father and son have been rescued from a cliff at Thornwick Bay, Flamborough, after getting stuck half way up the cliff face. HM Coastguard received a 999 call just after lunchtime today, from the mother of the boy saying that both her son and his father were stuck approximately 40 meters up the cliff. The young boy had climbed up the cliff and his father attempted to rescue him before getting stuck himself. Bridlington Coastguard Rescue Team was sent and found the pair in an extremely precarious position. The HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Humberside was sent and winched the pair from the cliff face to the top of the cliff. Thankfully the father and son were not injured and were given safety advice by Bridlington Coastguard Rescue Team. Jamie Stafford, Maritime Operations Officer, said;   ‘The UK’s coastlines are ideal for exploring, and with the Easter Holidays upon us we want people to be able to enjoy it safely. It might be tempting to c...

Just after 7am today, HM Coastguard received a VHF radio broadcast from a fishing vessel 14nm from Start Point, Devon reporting an unwell crewman onboard. The 25m fishing vessel with five persons onboard reported that the man had become unwell after extinguishing a fire onboard the vessel earlier that morning. HM Coastguard's Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre sent the Newquay Coastguard helicopter to the location.   Torbay and Salcombe RNLI Lifeboats were also sent to assist. The crewman was winched onboard and taken to Derriford Hospital where we wish him a speedy recovery. The fishing vessel was put under tow with the Salcombe RNLI Lifeboat and is making its way to Brixham where it will be met by MCA surveyors and the Fire and Rescue Service. 

An increase in the number of seals on beaches along the east coast of England has led to a huge volume of calls to HM Coastguard. It’s thought a larger number of the animals have come ashore to take refuge because of the weather conditions and people are calling the Coastguard to report seeing them on beaches, mistakenly thinking they might be injured. Jordan Grebby from HM Coastguard said: ‘If someone sees an injured seal they can call us and we will call the RSPCA, although of course, people can call the RSPCA directly if they think an animal is hurt. However, we’ve been receiving a huge volume of calls over the past few days about seals on beaches which have turned out not to be injured. Seals on beaches aren’t necessarily there because they are hurt and if you approach them they can respond aggressively. Please think before calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard about a seal that just happens to be on a beach, unless you really think it’s hurt as it could take up time t...

Members of the public are being urged not to try to salvage timber that has washed up along the coastline of South Eastern Scotland after the cargo of a ship in the North Sea lost a significant amount of its load. The cargo vessel ‘Frisian Lady’ lost some 200 timber bundles during severe weather on 2 nd March whilst she was positioned 110 nautical miles east of Souter Lighthouse, off the South Shields coast. Some of the timber was recovered at sea and the rest of the timber packets in various sizes between 2.5-3m long are believed to have largely broken up into individual planks. They have now been reported as washing up on beaches between Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders, and St Andrews in Fife. Local Authorities that are affected are monitoring the situation along their coastline and leading the clean-up operations within their area. Chief Inspector James Jones of Police Scotland is urging members of the public not to attempt to salvage any of the timb...

A cordon of 100m has been erected around ordnance found at Sands of Sounds Beach in Lerwick earlier today.   Just before 3pm today, Lerwick Police requested HM Coastguard assistance after the suspected ordnance was found by a member of the public.   Lerwick Coastguard Rescue Team have put the cordon in place and they have asked members of the public not to put themselves in danger and to keep a safe distance until it has been disposed of safely.   The Explosives Ordnance Disposal team has been notified and are expected to make their way to the area within the next 24-48 hours.   Safety advice - It’s not unusual that after a period of bad weather you may find things washing up on beaches and this is certainly the case here.  Remember that ordnance comes in many different shapes and sizes. If you see something suspicious, including pyrotechnic or marine flares, don't touch them, pick them up or take them home. Leave it where it is, take photo...

Winterton, Gorleston and Bacton Coastguard Rescue Teams, Hemsby Lifeboat and Norfolk Police are keeping a round the clock watch on 13 evacuated properties at Hemsby which are in danger of being washed away by the sea.    The bungalows - situated in The Marrams in Hemsby - are nestled on large sand dunes and have been at the mercy of severe weather in the last few days.  The occupants of the 13 properties in immediate danger have been evacuated to the nearby village hall.  Some occupants to north of this area at lower risk have chosen to remain in their properties to see out the worst but are being safely watched over by HM Coastguard and the Police.   HM Coastguard and Norfolk Police have cordoned off danger areas and flags have been erected where the erosion is the worst.   Liz Hustler, Senior Coastal Operations Officer for HM Coastguard said:  “This is a multi-agency response and a local resilience coordinating group has been set ...

Taken post incident after the rescue operation. Eleven people – nine of whom were teenagers - have been rescued from the River Stour after two rowing boats and a safety boat capsized in inclement conditions earlier this morning.   Just after 11am today HM Coastguard and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service received multiple 999 calls reporting several people in difficulties at the Iford Bridge needing urgent assistance.   The casualties were reported to be either in the water, clinging to trees or on upturned boats in distress.   Lymington and Southbourne Coastguard Rescue Teams, the HM Coastguard Area Commander, HM Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter based at Lee-on-Solent, Mudeford RNLI inshore lifeboat, Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, Dorset Police, South Central HART, Dorset Air Ambulance and South Central and South Western Ambulance Services were all sent to the scene and the rescue was co-ordinated by the National ...

An unwell passenger on a cruise ship sparked a challenging rescue in high seas for HM Coastguard off the Northumberland coast yesterday afternoon.   HM Coastguard were called just after 12.45pm to help the unwell passenger on the cruise ship who urgently needed to be taken to hospital. The HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Humberside, with 4 team members aboard, responded to call and made their way to the cruise ship which was positioned 43nm off the Northumberland coast.   After arriving on scene they lowered their Paramedic Winchman onboard to treat the casualty.  They secured the woman and winched her into the aircraft where she was taken to James Cook Hospital.  The cruise ship resumed its planned course. Co-Pilot and Senior First Officer of the HM Coastguard Humberside helicopter,  James Bullock said:  “This proved to be a challenging rescue due to the adverse weather conditions.  The transit wa...

Falmouth Coastguard Operations Centre Two fishermen wearing life-jackets have been dramatically rescued from their liferaft by a passing fishing vessel after their own vessel capsized 3.6nm off Prawle Point earlier this morning. The vessel had been on route from Plymouth to Brixham when the two crew realised that something was going wrong with the vessel.  It began to list and they had just enough time to put on their lifejackets and get into a liferaft before it sank.  It was at this moment that the EPIRB alert was triggered. HM Coastguard received a VHF Radio Broadcast just after 9am from a fishing vessel reporting that they’d just rescued two people from a liferaft after their vessel capsized and within 10 minutes they also received the EPIRB distress after it had been processed by the satellites.  HM Coastguard immediately sent the Salcombe RNLI Lifeboat and the Hope Cove Coastguard Rescue Team to the scene.   The rescuing fishing vessel...

After eight years at the helm, the Chief Executive of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) Sir Alan Massey has announced his intention of retiring from the role towards the end of 2018 and is looking forward to taking on new challenges.    Sir Alan joined the MCA in July 2010 after a 33-year career with the Royal Navy, where he left as Second Sea Lord.   During his eight-year tenure, Sir Alan  has successfully steered the MCA through changes to modernise Her Majesty’s Coastguard, new arrangements for the UK’s search and rescue helicopter capability, a transformed survey and inspection capability and a more commercially-responsive approach to how the UK Ship Register operates. Sir Alan will continue his role until late 2018, to allow the appointment process for a successor to take place. Bernadette Kelly, Permanent Secretary of the Department of Transport said:  “I want to thank Sir Alan for his leadership of the MCA and hi...

After extensive searches today and yesterday, we have now stood down the search for the missing diver off the Dover coast. The family are aware and at this time our thoughts are with them. We would like to thank all of the rescue teams who took part in the search effort. This is now a missing person incident and for all further enquiries, please contact Kent police.

Following on from the extensive search efforts yesterday made by multiple search and rescue assets from HM Coastguard, RNLI and other vessels, the search for the missing diver is due to recommence at around midday today (Tuesday 13 March).  This continued search will involve Coastguard Rescue Teams from Margate and Deal and RNLI Walmer Lifeboats.    Mayday relay broadcasts continue to be made every half hour to alert shipping in the area to remain vigilant as they transit through the Dover Straits and inshore areas.  Kent Police will continue to provide support to the family during this very difficult time.   Peter Davies, Duty Commander for HM Coastguard said:  “Our teams searched well into the night yesterday and our plans are to recommence the search today. As time goes on, the likelihood of being able to find the missing diver diminishes but we remain hopeful. All those involved will continue to search using their professional sea...

A large search and rescue operation is currently underway off St Margaret’s Bay, Dover after HM Coastguard received reports of an overdue diver in the area. Just after  12.30pm  today, HM Coastguard received a Mayday call from a dive vessel reporting that a diver was overdue. HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopters based at Lydd and Lee-on-Solent have been sent in to search, alongside Walmer, Dungeness and Dover RNLI Lifeboats, Deal and Langdon Coastguard Rescue Teams and the Dover Harbour Patrol.  Kent Police have also been informed. A Mayday relay broadcast has also been issued to all vessels in the area asking them to keep a lookout for the diver in case he has surfaced in another location.    A Belgian Navy vessel responded to the  broadcast and has also assisted in the search. The search is ongoing and we have no further information at this stage.   Anybody who thinks they may have any further information relating to th...

UPDATE 4.25pm- There has been no updates received or further information given to us regarding the Mayday call off received off the west coast of Scotland earlier this morning – we have therefore closed the incident pending further information. HM Coastguard is urgently appealing for information on a vessel called Hanson 2 (spelling unclear) after receiving a MAYDAY just before  1am  this morning.  The Mayday was received on the west coast of Scotland between Ullapool and Tobermory.  Tobermory and Mallaig Lifeboats have searched the area thoroughly for 6 hours with nothing found. A number of relay broadcasts to vessels in the area have also been made with nothing seen or heard. No other distress alerts have been received.  If you have any information on this vessel please call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 

Left to Right - Duane, Mark and Luke Luke Atherton was just 4 hours old when he met HM Coastguard Paramedic Winchman Mark Vickery for the first time on a RAF helicopter flight that saved his life.  Tonight (Friday 9 March) Mark surprised Luke at his 18th birthday where they were reunited after his father Duane began his own mission to find the crew that saved his son’s life.  When Luke was born doctors quickly discovered he required immediate surgery and specialist care at higher level hospital. On the 8th March 2000, in the early hours of the morning, he was transported by RAF helicopter in a life-saving flight from Warrington Hospital to Leicester Hospital so that ECMO surgery could be performed to save his life. Fast forward 18 years later and Luke has finally met one of the helicopter crew who saved his life that night. The search unfolded last Monday when Cpl Gary Keegan from the Royal Air Force Careers Office in Hull received a phone call from Duane Athe...

A large scale search and rescue operation is underway off the coast of Tyneside after a ferry passenger was reported missing. Just after 12.15pm today, HM Coastguard was notified of a missing passenger on a DFDS ferry that was on route from the Netherlands to North Shields, Tyneside. HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Humberside is currently searching the area along with Coastguard Rescue Teams from  Seaham, Sunderland and Blyth,  with Lifeboats from six RNLI stations including Filey, Scarborough, Whitby, Hartlepool, Tynemouth and Blyth and volunteer lifeboats from  Tynemouth and South Shields. A Mayday relay broadcast has also been issued by HM Coastguard to inform all vessels in the area.  Northumbria Police have also been informed. The search is ongoing and we have no further information at this stage. ** Update as of 19.30pm this evening the search and rescue operation has been stood down with nothing found. **

Following a series of stakeholder meetings, the clean-up operation of Holyhead Marina continues to progress. A large number of vessels were badly damaged on 2 March after suffering severe weather during Storm Emma.   Debris and some fuel from the damaged boats was discharged into the Marina, however most of the fuel was broken up during the inclement weather. Considerable quantities of polystyrene from damaged floating pontoons is also adding to the waste disposal problem. The Holyhead Port Authority is privately owned by Stena Line Ports   and are leading the harbour response, supported by a number of partner organisations including the Marina, Maritime & Coastguard Agency, Natural Resources Wales, Anglesey County Council and North Wales Police. A number of immediate measures have been put in place including – The Harbour Authority has issued a holding Notice to Mariners to warn of possible pollution and sunken or floating debris. Specialist disp...

No job too big or too small. It’s entirely appropriate that today, on  # WorldWildlifeDay  we post this lovely rescue story. This little eider duck had been trapped for hours in fishing line in freezing cold waters at Royal Britannia in Edinburgh. It’s beak had started sinking into the water just before the cavalry arrived in the form of the  South Queensferry Coastguard  Rescue Team. Using their protective water rescue equipment and safety ropes they swam out to the little duc k and cut him free. Kaimes Beasley, Duty Controller for HM Coastguard said: 'We don’t normally rescue ducks but this was a very busy area today and someone may have tried to rescue the duck themselves – which could have been very dangerous these weather conditions. The lady that reported it to us did exactly the right thing and we’re glad we were able to help. The team watched the duck happily swim away so this is a really a good ending for everyone concerned.' Thanks to  Kel...

Picture credit MCA The Holyhead Harbour Authority, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) emergency response organisations, the local authority and Natural Resources Wales are putting together an action plan for the clean-up operation at Holyhead Marina later today.   A meeting has been arranged to discuss how the clean-up operation will be run. The weather conditions over the past few days damaged a large number of vessels berthed in the marina and there is a low risk of pollution.    Members of the public are being asked to leave the clean-up operation to the experts and are further advised to avoid the area as there could potentially be some unsafe debris and material in the area. James Instance, Duty Controller for HM Coastguard said:  “We are aware that many members of the public want to help the local authority with the clean-up operation, however at this stage we are asking them to leave this job to the experts.  There is some ...