HM Coastguard

Two swimmers who got into difficulty during their Christmas Day swim near Bangor, Northern Ireland have been praised for wearing kit that made it easier to find them. The two were reported to be having problems off Grey Point Fort, Helen’s Bay, by a passerby who called 999 just before 11am today (25 December) and asked for the Coastguard. Bangor and Portaferry coastguard rescue teams and Bangor RNLI lifeboat were both sent. One of the swimmers made it to shore by themselves while the other was rescued from the water by Bangor lifeboat. Both were handed into the care of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. Jude McNeice of HM Coastguard said: “The fact that both swimmers were wearing tow floats made it much easier to locate them. Even the most experienced swimmer can be caught out by a change in the conditions and we’d always urge open water swimmers to make sure they have kit like this before taking to the water. It could save your life.”

Are you brrrraving the sea this Christmas? If you’re planning a ‘sea’sonal swim or cold water dip, please prepare and take extra care so you can enjoy it safely.  Along with turkey, mince pies and crackers, a festive swim is what helps make Christmas special. But as many organised events with safety marshalls are being called off again this year, if you’re able to set out for bracing dip, do take extra precautions to avoid being caught out. Unless you're a penguin, you'll need to allow yourself time to acclimatise slowly before a cold water swim.  Image credit: slowmotiongli/Shutterstock Risk of cold water shock Winter sea temperatures around the UK vary depending on the location and preceding weather conditions but you can expect the water temperature to be 6-12°C so there’s a high risk of cold water shock. Bev Allen, MRCC (Marine Rescue Coordination Centre) Commander for HM Coastguard said: “We’re asking everyone planning a dip to take extra care, be risk aware and stay...

Fibre technology that will give HM Coastguard even more options for hi-tech lifesaving search and rescue telecommunications came into effect in December. Lee-on-the-Solent became one of the first of 165 HM Coastguard radio sites to switch to a state-of-the-art search and rescue radio network. The new network uses fibre technology and will allow HM Coastguard to continue to receive distress calls from all maritime users and seafarers and co-ordinate rescue operations. Lee-on-the-Solent will be closely followed by radio sites in Crystal Palace, Humber Bridlington and Brighton Marina before all 165 sites are switched to the new network over the next two years. The Maritime Coastguard Agency is investing over £175 million in upgrading the Coastguard’s national radio network, as the legacy copper-based network becomes increasingly outdated.  The replacement technology will bring improvements across the radio network such as increased security and bandwidth. This will allow the Coastguar...

Stock up on safety this Christmas - gifts with a lifesaving twist    If you have a coastal-lover in your life, from paddleboarder, kayaker to coastal walker, here’s some gift ideas with lifesaving potential to help with your Christmas shopping. Gifts you can’t put a price on – for all budgets  Some of the items are free while others cost from just a few pounds. Whatever your budget, give a gift that will help keep your loved ones safe out on the water and around our coastlines all year - a gift not just for Christmas. Waterproof phone pouches    It’s a great idea to take a fully charged phone to the coast so you can call us for help if you need it.   If you’re heading out on the water, we recommend taking a phone in a waterproof pouch and keeping it within reach. They’re widely available at outdoor/watersport retailers and online.     For 17-year-old Alfie it proved to be a lifesaver when he was separated from his paddleboard and dragged...

Her Majesty’s Coastguard is committed to safeguarding life around the seas and coastal areas of the United Kingdom. On Wednesday 24th November, we received over 90 alerts from the English Channel area including 999 emergency calls. Every call was answered, assessed and acted upon, including the timely deployment of search and rescue resources where appropriate. In the early hours of that morning, in response to the calls and alerts we received, we launched a search and rescue operation which included UK Border Force, a Coastguard search and rescue helicopter, and passing ships which were asked to keep a lookout for small boats in the area. Three small boats were located and those onboard rescued. No other small boats or people in the water were identified in the search area. Our deepest sympathies are with the families of those who lost their lives.

Emergency services have come together in a new commitment to providing mental health support.  In a UK first, the Chief Officers of the National Police Chiefs Council, National Fire Chiefs Council, Association of Ambulance Chief Executives and Her Majesty's Coastguard have made a public pledge on behalf of their organisations at The Royal Foundation Emergency Services Mental Health Symposium (25th November). This unprecedented agreement declares that mental health is, and will remain, a strategic priority for the UK emergency services. It means that for the first time – across every police, fire, ambulance and coastguard service in the nation – a uniform set of standards for supporting the mental health of their emergency responder staff will be adopted and integrated into their workplaces. Moving forward, UK Search and Rescue (UKSAR) will work with the Royal Foundation to promote wellbeing and good mental health in the wider UKSAR community. Peter Mizen, Chief Coastguard for HM Co...

Two people were rescued from the water after a dramatic multi-agency search effort close to the mouth of the River Axe at Axmouth, in the South West on Sunday evening (14th November). HM Coastguard was alerted to the incident at around 5pm after a member of the public raised the alarm, reporting that a vessel with three people onboard had got into difficultly. It soon became clear that the vessel had capsized when attempting to come ashore, forcing all of the crew – who were returning from a fishing outing and not wearing lifejackets at that stage during their trip – into the cold water. Coastguard Rescue Teams from Beer, Lyme Regis and Wyke along with RNLI lifeboats from Lyme Regis and Exmouth, and two independent lifeboats from Sidmouth were sent to help immediately. As crews were responding, one of the men from the boat managed to swim to safety ashore and was helped by rescue teams on land while the lifeboat from Lyme Regis was able to locate and rescue another crew member – who wa...

Gasping for air. Desperately clinging on. The terrifying scrapes and groans of the ship being torn apart by the destructive force of the sea as wave upon wave crashed over their heads and drove the sailing vessel into the teeth of Salcombe cliffs. It slowly dawned, as their strength dwindled, that this is where it was going to end. And then the distant whirr of a helicopter, a flash of red and white, and hope. Her Majesty's Coastguard, their salvation, had arrived. “Sheer relief, it was the most incredible feeling to see the helicopter arriving, I thought we were goners,” owner Mark said. “If the coastguard paramedic hadn’t been willing to risk her own life to rescue us that day, we would have been goners.” It was a scary and harrowing experience for all involved Mark and Deborah were sailing to Gibraltar for the trip of a lifetime. The couple were due to tie the knot in the Mediterranean. They were happy, carefree and in love; and ready to celebrate a new beginning in the British ...

  As thousands poured into Glasgow for the United Nations COP26 event, coastguards were on hand to keep everyone safe in the river city, whatever their reason to be there. During the past fortnight over 100 world leaders gathered in Glasgow for the United Nations 26th annual global climate change conference. Coastguards were on hand alongside other emergency services to make sure everyone was kept safe at the waterside. For Senior Coastal Operations Officer Peter Stewart, it has been the culmination of months of work. He said: “From the very outset, our aim was to make sure everyone got through this time in safety. Whatever your reason for being in Glasgow, we wanted to make sure people got home again as the river can be merciless if you get it wrong. We were there to serve, to keep you safe “We were made very welcome from everyone we met, from those there to make their voice heard, from those who were just visiting and from those who – like us – were there in an emergency service ...

  One of the biggest global events in the international calendar gave HM Coastguard the opportunity to show the wider world how it keeps people safe. Coastguards were on hand in Glasgow during the United Nations COP26 event working alongside other emergency services to make sure no one came to harm. For Senior Coastal Operations Officer Peter Stewart, the biggest ever national mobilisation of HM Coastguard was the culmination of months of planning.   He said: “We not only brought together coastguard volunteers from across the country but also ensured the correct specialist rescue equipment was in place to support the teams.”   From early in the morning until late at night, the volunteers took part in foot patrols all the way up and down the River Clyde equipped with rescue and casualty care equipment. They were also supported by specialist vehicles and personal watercraft.   An all-terrain vehicle, usually based in the Isle of Lewis, equipped with rope re...

Maritime cadets will continue to receive COVID- 19  funding, with the training scheme extended once more.   The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has confirmed  a  further six-month  exten sion to   the Maritime Training ( SMarT ) Fund ,  for cadets unable to finish their training due to COVID.   The scheme had already been extended  last year , to mean f unding  extensions will now be available for up to 12 months in total for each eligible cadet.   Cadets normally have a  SMarT  funding period of  up to  150-weeks (almost three years) to gain their Certificate of Competency (CoC) . But, due to the disruption of the pandemic,  allowances have been made to provide more time to complete training ,  with a maximum of 202 weeks  now funded .   Cadets training at Fleetwood Nautical College                          ...

A swimmer who was swept out to sea at Little Fistral beach in Cornwall has been rescued after being spotted from the shore. The woman who had a pink float and a pink hat was easily seen by the caller who rang 999 and asked for the coastguard. Newquay and Padstow coastguard rescue teams were sent along with both Newquay RNLI lifeboats and the coastguard helicopter from Newquay. It was just before 12.45pm that the call came into HM Coastguard with the caller giving updates on where the swimmer was. Matt Rogers, Team Leader with HM Coastguard said: “This swimmer had done a considerable amount to give herself a chance of being rescued if things went wrong. She not only had a float that was a bright pink colour but was wearing a hat of the same colour too. It meant our caller could help give us information that enabled the swimmer to be rescued quickly. “It’s a reminder of how quickly things can go wrong even for the most experienced and why you should do all you can to help us help you if ...

Coastguards are working alongside other emergency services to ensure those in the river city of Glasgow are staying safe during the COP26 summit.     Across the city’s waterfront Coastguard Rescue Teams are at a high state of readiness and are out daily, promoting and ensuring water safety around the main event areas.  You’ll see our teams out and about on foot but also using some specialist vehicles and  personal watercraft   all in the name of keeping you safe.   Kevin Paterson Clyde Waterfront is home to some of Glasgow’s most popular visitor attractions and will understandably be attracting a lot of people during the COP26 summit.   Kevin Paterson     Peter Stewart, Senior Coastal Operations Officer said: “Whatever your reason for visiting, we are on hand if things do go wrong. However, we would remind everyone to respect the water because it will not respect you.”...