HM Coastguard

At 4.50pm, HM Coastguard responded to reports of a person in the water at Portland Bill.  Wyke and Portland Coastguard Rescue Teams attended and RNLI lifeboats from Weymouth as well as Dorset Police.  A Coastguard rescue helicopter, a police helicopter and the Helimed air ambulance were also involved.   A lady was recovered from an inaccessible area in a cave below the cliffs at Portland Bill by the crew of the Coastguard rescue helicopter and she was transferred to hospital by South West Ambulance Service.

HM Coastguard is warning people of the dangers of jet skis, personal watercraft (PWC) and motorised recreational craft after a spate of incidents in recent weeks around the south west coast. Many were breakdowns, but these incidents also included jet skis and motor boats overturning in the water, getting too close to other vessels, collisions and conflict between users of these craft and other sea users, such as swimmers. Sadly, two incidents resulted in fatalities. Richy Williams, Senior Coastal Operations Officer for the area said: “The majority of PWC and motor craft users operate their vessels responsibly but there are some who don’t respect the water, the capabilities of their vessels and other water users. “We want people to enjoy themselves at the coast, but also to make sure they’re staying safe. “Jet skis, PWCs and motor vessels can be powerful machines, so always operate your vessel within the limits of your, and your vessel’s, capabi...

HM Coastguard has dealt with a number of incidents this weekend involving paddle boarders, kite surfers, kayakers and windsurfers. These incidents have required the help of our Coastguard Rescue Teams and RNLI lifeboats to be tasked to assist people to safety. If you are venturing out on the water please ensure you check the local weather forecast, local tidal information and if you are in any doubt about your ability in light of the conditions then do not take unnecessary risks which could place you in danger. If you choose to go out onto the water then make sure you have appropriate life-saving equipment and the correct means of alerting us should you get into difficulty. As ever, if you get into trouble or see someone else needing assistance at the sea or the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Kayaks. Canoes. Paddleboards. What do they all have in common? They’re quite often found on the coastline or drifting out to sea. And if we don’t know who they belong to, we can spend time searching for an owner when they’re home safe and sound. So please help us to help you. Label your kit so that if you do get separated from it, and it turns up somewhere, we can get hold of you. In recent weeks, our Coastguard Rescue Teams have found numerous items such as kayaks and canoes drifting out at sea or abandoned near the shoreline. Unfortunately, some of the items we have found have not had their owners’ contact details written on them nor been reported as missing to the Coastguard. As a result, it makes it difficult for us to find out who it belongs to and also means we can never be completely sure if someone is safe or in the worst case, in trouble at sea. This can place a huge strain on our resources especially during the busy summer period when we have to call upon our Coastgua...

As the UK experiences a mini heatwave this week and prepares for the hottest day of the year on Thursday, it's likely to be especially busy at the coast. We want everyone to enjoy the sunshine and have a good time, but help us to help you by taking extra care at the beach. When you’re planning your day out, don’t forget to include a fully-charged mobile phone so you can keep in touch, as well as drink plenty of water and apply suncream. Stay in touch with friends and family while you’re there, tell each other where you’re going. It’s really important that everyone looks after each other as well as themselves when at the beach. Importantly, please remember social distancing still applies – it’s easy to forget when you’re out having fun at the coast. And keep in mind the relevant government guidance for your part of the country. If you are planning to go in the water – think first. It’s easy to get caught out by the sea, even if you are an experienced swimmer. Please don'...

⚠ ️ Request for information ⚠ ️ A sea kayak (pictured) was spotted drifting off Fishbourne, Isle of Wight by a passing vessel early this morning (June 23). HM Coastguard received a report of the kayak just before 4.30am. An RNLI lifeboat from Bembridge and Ryde Inshore Rescue Service lifeboat have been sent and are carrying out a search of the area. If you have any information about who this craft might belong to, please contact Solent Coastguard Operations Centre (CGOC) on 02392 552100. Thank you.

At 5.45pm on Sunday HM Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of the public who said his brother had gone under the water and disappeared while swimming near Durdle Door in Dorset. HM Coastguard sent two Coastguard rescue helicopters to help with the search.  Weymouth RNLI inshore and all weather lifeboats and Swanage RNLI lifeboat along with Weymouth, Kimmeridge and Wyke Coastguard Rescue Teams have undertaken an intensive search of the area where the man was last seen. UPDATE 22 June: The search was suspended over night on Sunday after an intensive search of the area in good conditions.Sadly, the man remains missing - for further information contact Dorset Police.

At around 3.30pm on Sunday, HM Coastguard was alerted to a collision and reports that a small boat was stuck under the prow of the Sandbanks chain ferry in Dorset.  HM Coastguard sent Swanage and Poole Coastguard rescue teams and two RNLI lifeboats from Poole attended.  Two people on board the small boat which is described as a 22 foot privately owned shrimper were recovered onto the ferry without injuries.  Poole RNLI lifeboat removed the vessel and towed it clear of the ferry, which was then able to resume operation. At the time of the incident the tide was going out and currents in the harbour mouth location are typically very strong. It is unclear how the yacht became entangled with the ferry this afternoon and a report has been made to the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).

At around 7.20pm on Saturday, HM Coastguard was alerted by a VHF radio call and communications from Wightlink’s vessel Victoria to an incident involving a disabled RHIB with five people on board at Ryde. HM Coastguard sent GAFIRS lifeboat (independent lifeboat based in Gosport) and Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team.  Fortunately crew from the Wightlink ferry were able to quickly recover the people on the disabled RHIB after launching their fast response craft. They were met at Ryde Pier Head by Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team.   A spokeswoman for HM Coastguard said, “Here in the busy Solent, we are always impressed by the professionalism and speed of response we receive from our local commercial vessels and seafarers when there is an emergency at sea, despite their commercial pressures of maintaining service and sailing schedules.”

Edward with his dad, Andrew. The teenager who knew to call 999 in an emergency and gave vital information to HM Coastguard which helped pinpoint where to send assistance to save a man in the water, has said he knew quick action was definitely needed. Edward Sweet, who is 16-years-old and his father Andrew, were out for a lunchtime sail from Bosham Quay in Chichester Harbour on 7 June. The Sweets, who live only a stone's throw away from the water in Chichester, enjoy frequent trips out in their motor boat and say they know local conditions "like the back of their hand". That day, though, their trip was far from routine. Soon after exiting the main channel towards Bosham in choppy conditions and at flooding tide, they heard what sounded like cries for help close by. Concerned by the shouts, the Sweets quickly made their way to where they heard them coming from. That was the moment they saw a man apparently unconscious in the water after his boat had capsized, cl...

Updated at 8.30pm (15th June) The search for the pilot of a United States military aircraft from RAF Lakenheath which went into the sea off Flamborough Head has been called off. Our thoughts are with the friends and family of the pilot at this difficult time. Updated at 4pm (15th June) HM Coastguard continues to coordinate the search after a United States military aircraft from RAF Lakenheath went into the sea 74NM off Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, earlier today. Humberside based HM Coastguard helicopter is working with other aircraft in the area, and the RNLI lifeboats from Bridlington and Scarborough continue to assist with the search along with other vessels. The search is ongoing and we have no further information.

Throughout these difficult and challenging times, our staff and teams right across Her Majesty’s Coastguard have been working extra hard to ensure we are operating as close to business as usual as possible. We have all had to change the way we lead our lives during the period of Covid-19 by following Government guidance and lockdown measures, as well as practising social distancing. But, that has not stopped us for one moment from continuing to work behind-the-scenes and striving to ensure the highest safety and practical standards are always met. A whole range of necessary work is ongoing to keep people safe along our coastlines and at sea during an especially busy period for us. This involved, last week (3rd June), Coastguard Operations Area Commander Martin Leslie and Senior Coastal Operations Officers Marc Thomas and Rob Farr – all of whom are based out of Falmouth – making the short flight from Land’s End to the Isles of Scilly to carry out important and thorough inspections...

Help us to help you by avoiding parking in coastal areas which restrict crucial access for emergency service vehicles, including our very own Coastguard Rescue Teams. In recent weeks, a number of our teams have reported being faced with difficulty accessing beaches and Coastguard Rescue stations due to members of the public parking in restricted spaces, especially along narrow rural roads and footpaths which often lead to the beach. An incident at the coast and at sea can happen at any time and at any location but ourselves and emergency service partners could be prevented from responding quickly and ultimately saving lives if we are unable to travel freely and safely. We are urging you to take extra care and be responsible for your actions by considering where you park when you visit the coast. It is hugely important that, at this time, you check which local facilities are open – such as car parks – and also follow guidance from your respective government. Please ...

HM Coastguard received a 999 call from a climber, at 11:50 yesterday evening (9 th June), after another climber became stuck on a cliff near Anvil Point, Swanage. The pair had spent the day climbing, before one of them became stuck 15 meters from the top of the cliff. St Albans and Swanage coastguard rescue teams and Swanage RNLI lifeboat were sent. A coastguard rope technician was lowered over the cliff, they secured the climber and brought them safely to the top of the cliff. Duty Controller for HM Coastguard Dai Jones said: 'The person who called 999 and asked for the Coastguard did exactly the right thing, thankfully we were able to rescue the climber and although they are tired, they are otherwise safe and well. 'Our coastlines are truly beautiful, but they can be dangerous, and the incident tonight is a prime example of how a nice day out can take a dramatic turn. Regardless of how well you know the coast, or how experienced you are in your chosen sport...

HM Coastguard has praised two 16-year-olds who gave invaluable help as part of a rescue at Itchenor in Chichester Harbour today (7 June). Around 12.30pm, a man was seen unconscious in the water after his boat was believed to have capsized. One of the teenagers called 999 and asked for the Coastguard staying calm under pressure, giving the right information so that the correct assets could be sent. The other jumped into the water with an extra lifejacket which he got underneath the man in the water to support him until further help arrived. Hayling Island and Selsey Coastguard Rescue Teams, Chichester Harbour Patrol,   HM Coastguard’s helicopter from Lee-on-Solent   and South Central ambulance were sent. By the time the man in the water was returned back to shore he was conscious. Duty controller for HM Coastguard Dai Jones said: ‘There is no doubt in my mind that these two lads kept their heads and did exactly the right thing in their respective situations. 'Knowi...

HM Coastguard responded to 447 incidents over the weekend (May 30 – May 31) to help people who found themselves in difficulty making it the busiest of 2020 to date. Sunday saw a 168% increase on the May 2019 average with 241 incidents making it the busiest day of the year so far and Saturday was the second busiest day of the year with 206 incidents. Over the weekend the search and rescue helicopters were involved in 50 incidents and lifeboats were involved in 202 call outs. HM Coastguard Duty Commander Matt Leat said: “Very high numbers of people took to the beaches, coast and sea this weekend which led to a huge increase in the number of incidents. “Boating, swimming and other sea-based activities are now allowed again across the UK, as is spending time on the beach. However, now more than ever, people need to respect the sea and the coast to ensure the safety of themselves and their families. “Regardless of how well you know the coast, or how experienced you a...