Join the Coastguard Rescue Service as a volunteer

HM Coastguard are now recruiting for new volunteers to join the Coastguard Rescue Service in the North West of England and North Wales.

There are currently opportunities for volunteers to become Coastguard Rescue Officers in a number of our Coastguard Rescue Teams, including those operating in Burgh by Sands, Maryport, Whitehaven, Millom, Furness, Arnside, Morecambe, Knott End, Lytham St Annes, Crosby, Rhyl and Llandudno.

Each day is different as a volunteer with HM Coastguard. Our Coastguard Rescue Teams are made up entirely of specially-trained and equipped volunteers who are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to respond to a wide range of emergency incidents, including people needing help in the water, mud rescues, helicopter operations, and missing person searches.

Officers can be called out in all-weather conditions, and may have to work in hazardous situations as well as carry out physically demanding tasks.

This past summer and with a rise in people visiting coastal hotspots and holidaying in the UK, our teams have been very busy responding to incidents at the coast.

And thanks to the continued commitment of our volunteers – we are always there and ready to respond. Our message is always the same: In an emergency situation at the coast – call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Andy Peacock, Senior Coastal Operations Officer for HM Coastguard in the North West, said: “Our Coastguard Rescue Officer volunteers are at the heart of absolutely everything we do in delivering our dedicated search and rescue service along the UK’s coastline.

“Our volunteers play a vital role in serving and supporting local communities in which they work and live – helping to keep people safe in coastal areas and also by assisting our emergency service colleagues and partners such as the RNLI and independent lifeboats.

“We’re encouraging anyone who is interested in volunteering with us to get in touch and we are looking forward to welcoming new volunteers into the Coastguard Rescue Service in the near future.”


Recent recruit Mark, who only joined in March of this year and volunteers with Knott End Coastguard Rescue team, said that volunteering has equipped him with valuable new skills and that he has benefited from continued learning opportunities.

“It has been a rewarding experience volunteering with Knott End Coastguard Rescue Team so far,” Mark said. “Right from coming into a friendly and welcoming team environment, meeting lots of new people, I have really enjoyed the variety the role has to offer. I volunteered with the team as I wanted to give back something in my spare time and to feel part of my local community.”

How to apply to be a volunteer coastguard

For those keen to join the Coastguard Rescue Service and volunteer – please send a note of interest via e-mail to area15@mcga.gov.uk by 31 October 2021, including your name, age, current address and contact number.

Importantly, please also specify which Coastguard Rescue Team you have an interest in joining in your local area.

Once all details are received, a member of our Area Management Team will send out an application pack as soon as possible.

For further information about what it is like to be a volunteer, visit: https://www.gov.uk/volunteer-as-a-coastguard/what-to-expect-as-a-volunteer.

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