Coastguard rescue team honoured to receive award


Members of Wells-next-the-Sea Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) have been honoured to receive the Maritime & Coastguard Agency’s Chief Executive’s Team Award.

The annual award is presented to a team that has made an outstanding contribution to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Wells CRT is as dedicated and hard working as they come.

Wells CRT has won the award not only for their involvement in several high-profile rescues, but also for their tireless work in serving their community - from promoting HM Coastguard’s safety messages to saving the lives of those in need.

Wells Coastguard Rescue Team


One such rescue happened last June, the team was heavily involved in the search and rescue of Peter Pugh from the saltmarshes at Brancaster. Mr Pugh had got lost and subsequently became stuck in the marshes for over 20 hours. The team played a pivotal role in locating Mr Pugh and they were able to provide search planning expertise by utilising their local knowledge of the area. Their expertise of this extremely dangerous and difficult terrain helped the police locate Mr Pugh by drone.

SO Steven Willsher & SCOO Tony Garbutt
Tony Garbutt, Senior Coastal Operations Officer for HM Coastguard who presented the Team Award during a presentation evening at the Globe Inn, Wells, said, ‘I’m delighted to present this award, on behalf of our CEO, to such a dedicated team. I am so proud that the team’s unrelenting determination to support their local community had been recognised and that gives me great pride.’


Brian Johnson, CEO Maritime & Coastguard Agency, said, ‘I feel extremely privileged to be part of an organisation that has such dedicated volunteers and staff. That’s why it is so important that we give recognition when it is deserved. I personally would like to thank Wells CRT for all their hard work and unrelenting determination to serve their community in often deeply challenging circumstances.’


Steven Willsher, Station Officer Wells CRT, said, ‘On behalf of the team we are all honoured to receive this award. Although the team are being honoured, we have the support of all our Coastguard colleagues and the other emergency services, by working together, sharing advice and expertise that’s how we all can make a difference. Personally, I find being a coastguard extremely rewarding, being able to give back to the community i live in and being part of such a dedicated team gives me great pride.

It takes a special person to volunteer as a Coastguard Rescue Officer, they come from all walks of life, but all want to give back to their community.


We are currently looking for new volunteers across the Norfolk coast, it’ll stretch you in ways you’ll never expect, and you’ll find you can do things you never dreamed of doing. It could be you helping to save a life or reuniting someone with their family.


Email Area7@mcga.gov.uk to find out more.

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