Working hard to keep you safe at the coast



Coastguards were called to nearly 200 incidents over the weekend, to come to the aid of those who found themselves in difficulty in the sea or at the coast.


Coastguard rescue teams from around the UK were called out 194 times to incidents including inflatables drifting offshore, crashed and broken down jetskis and pleasure boats, people injured while out walking or cycling along the coast, paddleboarders, kayakers, windsurfers and kite surfers who found themselves in difficulty and people cut off by the tide or stuck in mud.


There were 84 callouts on Saturday (16 May) and a further 109 on Sunday (17 May), which proved to be the second busiest day of the year so far for the coastguard, as significant numbers of people took to the water and visited the coast.


In addition, 119 teams carried out proactive patrols of English beaches, cliffs and marinas to look out for anyone in trouble,  offer safety advice where needed and ensure that people are staying safe in the water after the relaxing of some Government guidelines in the country. .


The teams also assisted in providing mutual aid on 38 occasions in support of the other emergency services.

Rules may differ across the UK and people should check with the England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales governing authorities for the latest advice and guidance.

But where people are allowed to go out on and in the water, they need to make sure they are safe and protected. Those with private boats and yachts should carry out all the usual safety checks and make sure they have a way to contact HM Coastguard if they get into difficulty, as should everyone visiting the coast and beaches.

In addition, the Government guidelines around social distancing should continue to be observed by everyone in the UK.

Regardless of how well you know the coast and of your ability in your chosen sport, the sea can still catch you out and can be unmerciful when it does.


If you get into trouble at sea or on the coast call 999 and ask for the Coastguard and we will come to your aid. But coronavirus hasn’t gone away and we all need to follow the rules. Remember your choices might put people, including yourself and frontline responders, at risk. Take extra care in these extraordinary times. 


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