HM Coastguard

A man and a woman, who were cut off by the tide this afternoon and climbed a cliff to escape, were rescued by two coastguard rescue teams. The Coastguard received a 999 call at just before 4.00 pm this afternoon reporting that the two were stuck 100 ft up Filey Brigg. They had been walking along the beach and had been cut off by the tide so had climbed the cliff in a bid to escape, however, when they were about 100 ft up they became stuck. A passing member of the public saw their predicament and called 999. The Coastguard sent the Coastguard Rescue Teams from Filey and Bridlington, the Coastguard helicopter and the Filey RNLI Lifeboat was launched. ‘When the Coastguard teams arrived on scene the man and woman were clinging on by their finger nails so we knew that we had to act fast, says Matt Atkinson of HM Coastguard. ‘The two teams set up to execute two rescues side by side, quickly ensuring that the two people were made safe. Once the teams knew that the man and woman we...

HM Coastguard received a 999 call at 12.30pm today (20 July) to assist six people in the water on the Pilgrim’s Way, Holy Island. The tides are strong and fast in that location. Three Coastguard Rescue Teams from Holy Island, Seahouses and Berwick were sent, the Search and Rescue helicopter was launched from Prestwick. Holy Island Coastguard Rescue Team used a technical rescue method called ‘a snatch rescue’ to   recover six people safely to shore. They were all checked by the helicopter paramedic and found to be well.  HM Coastguard is warning people to take extra care when using the Holy Island causeway. The speed and power of an incoming tide should not be underestimated, it is a serious risk to life and will cause damage to property such as vehicles. It is recommended that weather and tide times should be checked before setting off and there are published safe crossing times for vehicles. Above all do not take any unnecessary risks. And if people do find themse...

A man who was trapped in the rocks at Sheringham earlier today has been freed thanks to a multi-agency response. HM Coastguard coordinated the response after the 999 call came in just after 5.30pm today (28 July). Cromer and Sheringham Coastguard Rescue Teams were sent along with Sheringham RNLI Lifeboat, Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service, Norfolk Police and East of England Ambulance Service. Emergency responders worked closely together to free the man who is now in the care of the ambulance service. Sam Stockdale, senior maritime operations officer from HM Coastguard said: ‘It’s such good news that this man has been freed. We often talk about how training matters between the various frontline responders and today has shown just why it does. Everyone worked together on scene to look after the man and also to free him as soon as was practically possible.’

HM Coastguard is currently coordinating the rescue of a man who got his leg trapped in the rocks while the tide was coming in. A 999 call was received just after 5.30pm today (28 July) about the man’s plight. Cromer and Sheringham Coastguard Rescue Teams have been sent along with Sheringham RNLI Lifeboat, Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service, Norfolk Police and East of England Ambulance Service. Although the water has come in a fair way, the emergency responders are on scene helping to reassure him and holding his head about the water. He has also been given breathing apparatus and a lifejacket. Fire officers are currently working to cut through the rock to rescue the man. Zach Pedley from HM Coastguard said: ‘This is a very frightening experience for this man. Thankfully someone knew to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard which meant we could send the right response immediately. Everyone is working together at the scene to keep him calm and safe as we effect the rescue.’ The incide...

A man who got into difficulties in the water at Whitley Bay has been rescued in a response coordinated by HM Coastguard. The incident was reported just after 2.20pm today (28 July) when someone called 999 to say that the man had gone in for a swim and got into trouble. the RNLI lifeboat from Cullercoats , Whitley Bay lifeguards, Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade and Blyth Coastguard Rescue Team were all sent to the scene. Lifeguards on scene pulled the man from the water. He was handed into the care of the North East Ambulance service. A second man who it’s believed went in to try and rescue the first one also had to be rescued. He is also in the care of the ambulance service. We have no further information on their condition. Zach Pedley from HM Coastguard said: ‘We were told that the man had had a few drinks and then gone in for a swim. However tempting it is, however warm the day, however good a swimmer you are, please don’t attempt to go into the sea if you’ve been drink...

There’s nothing quite like the appeal of our beautiful beaches and coastline, especially during hot summer days and holidays. So we’ve put together this easy 10 point guide to keep everyone safe this summer and make sure that you take home happy memories. Remember if you see anyone in trouble at the coast call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. For more information visit  www.coastguardsafety.campaign.gov.uk   1.     Jumping: Jumping into the water from piers, rocks, cliffs or other structures can be very dangerous. You never know what’s beneath the surface and tide times and currents will rapidly transform a deep pool into a shallow puddle. 2.     Look for the lifeguards: Choose beaches where lifeguards are on duty, swim between the flags and take note of their advice. 3.     Chilly water? The shock of cold water can slow your body’s responses, even for strong swimmers and tides and currents can quickly sweep y...

Two men have been safely rescued after their fishing vessel caught fire off the coast of Land’s End this afternoon (16 July). Falmouth Coastguard received multiple 999 calls around 3.25pm reporting a vessel on fire. Penlee and Sennen Cove RNLI lifeboats and HM Coastguard's search and rescue helicopter from Newquay were sent to the scene. The two people on board had abandoned their vessel to a life raft.  They were safely taken aboard the Penlee lifeboat and reported to be uninjured and not suffering from smoke inhalation and have been taken back to shore in Newlyn. The fishing vessel has now sunk. A lifeboat remains in the area as part of HM Coastguard's ongoing monitoring of the boat. 

Credit:  Geoffrey Lee A review of all fishermen’s training and certification regulations is being carried out by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency.  This will include the potential ratification of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW – F).   Harry Deans from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency said: “We’ll be working with the industry including representatives from the Fishing Industry Safety Group (FISG). Our goal is to update and modernise the UK’s training and examination system for fishermen in order to enhance skills and improve safety, while considering the needs of the industry and international regulations."   He added: "We also want to get the views of industry. It’s really important we do that and we want to hear what people have to say about the proposals. For that reason we’re aiming to go out to public consultation in October/November time, later th...

Copyright Ruth Jenkins WARNING SOME OF THESE IMAGES ARE GRAPHIC BURN SAFETY AWARENESS AT THE BEACH HM Coastguard is advising members of the public to be very careful when clearing up their disposable BBQs on the beach. The sand retains heat from these BBQs and only a few weeks this lady sustained significant injuries when stepping onto sand underneath where the BBQ had been 4 hours AFTER the BBQ had been put out. It's the hot sand that caused these injuries NOT the BBQ. At this particular incident Oxwich Coastguard Rescue Team were able to administer first aid at the scene and help the lady from the beach to get further treatment. Seeing these photos, we really felt it necessary to put out a warning especially with more hot weather forecast and school holidays approaching. So the message here is to be careful when clearing up at the beach and always watch where your little ones may be walking if you've been having a BBQ at the beach. If you see anyone in difficu...

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency has the utmost respect for our Coastguard Rescue Officers who provide a round-the-clock professional, dedicated and valuable service. Our first priority will always be the safety of our Coastguard Rescue Officers and the general public. We strive to ensure that our operating procedures, search and rescue techniques and responses are not only consistent but are continually reviewed as part of our post-mission review process. Following a recent incident at Croyde Bay, we carried out an incident review and identified a training need. Refresher training was offered to two Coastguard Rescue Officers; one Coastguard Rescue Officer agreed to the refresher training and the other Coastguard Rescue Officer regrettably decided to resign. A second incident involved two coastguard rescue officers attempting to carry out an unsafe recovery using an untested rope tied around a bumper of a privately owned vehicle at Hope Cove. In these situations our safe sys...

HM Coastguard has coordinated the evacuation and rescue of 21 passengers and two crew from a small pleasure vessel which broadcast a mayday message just after 7.00 pm this evening (Tues 9 th July). The vessel had begun taking water rapidly whilst on a trip off the North Bishops, near Ramsay Island.   Two other passenger vessels quickly came to the aid of the vessel and the Coastguard requested the St David’s and Fishguard All Weather RNLI Lifeboats to launch and bring pumps. The Coastguard rescue helicopter from Newquay was also scrambled. The two lifeboats provided safety cover whilst the passengers and crew were evacuated from the casualty vessel onto one of the other passenger vessels.   The passengers are being taken back to St Justians where they will be met by the St David’s Coastguard Rescue Team. The casualty vessel has pumps on board and is heading towards Porthclais.

HM Coastguard is currently coordinating a search and rescue operation off the coast of Tuns tall for a member of crew missing from a fishing vessel. Just after 11 am today (5 July) HM Coastguard received a 999 call from a fisherman situated 0.75nm off the village of Tunstall reporting that his friend had fallen overboard after their vessel had broken down.  His friend tried to assist the crew member by throwing a lifering into the sea and also deploying a flare. Assets currently assisting with the search include the Humberside Coastguard Rescue Helicopter, Withernsea and Humber RNLI Lifeboats, Withernsea and Hornsea Coastguard Rescue Teams and Hornsea Inshore Rescue Boat. A number of nearby fishing vessels are also searching the area after responding to the HM Coastguard Mayday Relay broadcast. Kaimes Beasley, Duty Controller for HM Coastguard said:  “This is an extensive search that is still ongoing.  We have a number of rescue assets and local ves...

An 18 year old fisherman who sustained a hand injury onboard his vessel was rescued from choppy seas last night by the Stornoway Coastguard helicopter. Just before 8.30pm last night (2 July) HM Coastguard received a VHF radio broadcast from a fishing vessel with six people onboard 70nm north east of Stornoway, reporting that one of their crewmen had sustained a hand injury. The Stornoway Coastguard helicopter flew to the scene and winched the fisherman onboard amidst choppy seas. He was airlifted to Stornoway Airport where a waiting ambulance took him to the Western Isles Hospital for treatment.  We wish him a speedy recovery.

Her Majesty’s Coastguard is set for its largest participation yet at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford taking place from Friday 19 th  – Sunday 21 st  July. For the first time HM Coastguard will showcase three aircraft, in traditional red and white livery, to allow both trade visitors and the general public to explore all the features of their world-class search and rescue and counter pollution services. Tasked with helping those in need at sea and on the UK’s coastal shorelines, HM Coastguard employs an extensive fleet of aircraft that perform a variety of tasks that ranges from search and rescue to pollution detection – aiding its operations at sea and on land. The aviation division of HM Coastguard operate both helicopters and fixed wing aircraft and will be showcasing the Sikorsky S92, Leonardo AW189 and Cessna F406 at the event. Flight crew will be on hand to talk through the work they do and offer a tour of the aircraft. Coast...

11 people, who drowned in 2018, might be alive today had they been wearing a lifejacket or buoyancy aid. This is one of the main findings of this year’s Casualty Review Panel [1] who met earlier this year to discuss last year’s maritime fatalities.  The Panel reviewed 22 fatalities from 2018 and agreed that 11 lives [2] could have been saved if they had been wearing a lifejacket.  This figure is slightly lower than last year’s figure of 13 lives (out of 27 fatalities). In the twelve years that the Panel has been meeting, is has recorded that 200 lives could have been saved by wearing a lifejacket or buoyancy aid. The majority of incidents last year involved commercial fishermen (including accidents at fish farms) and anglers, many of which happened in Scottish Sea Lochs. The Panel’s overriding advice was to wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid appropriate to your activity which is proven to greatly improve your chances of surviving the shock of entering cold water....

A fisherman was airlifted to hospital on Saturday afternoon after falling 10m from a cliff onto rocks at Bedruthen Steps on Saturday 29 June. At 7.25pm HM Coastguard received a 999 call from the fisherman's buddy reporting that his friend had fallen 10m onto rocks and was dangerously close to the water's edge at Park Head, Newquay.  The man had reportedly fallen about ten metres onto a rocky ledge and then a further five metres into a water-filled gully. Fortunately, he was rescued from the sea by his friends who climbed down to help him and were able to recover him back up to the ledge. Newquay and Padstow Coastguard Rescue Teams, Newquay RNLI Lifeboat and the Newquay Coastguard helicopter were all sent to the scene. The man was stabilised and treated on scene by the Winchman paramedic, two paramedics from the lifeboat crew and the Cornwall Air Ambulance critical care team, who responded by road, with support from the Coastguard Rescue Teams.  The casualty was ...