Keeping you safe at the coast for 200 years: HM Coastguard celebrates landmark birthday
From its beginnings with coastal
lookouts to today’s hi-tech national network of coordination centres, from small localised beginnings to international players
– one thing has stayed the same for two centuries – Her Majesty’s Coastguard
seeks to search, to rescue and to save.
Two hundred years of saving lives along the UK coast and at sea, as well as coordinating rescues for those in distress in international waters, is being marked this year as HM Coastguard celebrates its milestone anniversary.
It was on 15 January 1822, that HM
Coastguard was formally brought into existence and has been working to keep
people safe at the coast and sea ever since.
Today (15 January) in honour of that actual birthday, coastguards across all four home nations are casting throwlines as a symbol of the service’s dedication - past and present.
Throwlines, which form part of the
lifesaving kit used by coastguard teams, will be cast into the seas around
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland at 11am, with each team operating
under the latest COVID-19 guidance for the local areas.
Over the past two centuries, HM
Coastguard has gone from strength to strength. In 2022, coastguard operations centres coordinate responses to
emergency situations at the coast calling on 310 Coastguard Rescue Teams – made
up of 3500 dedicated volunteers – and using 10 search and rescue helicopter
bases.
Although the way in which we operate has
changed beyond recognition in the last two centuries, HM Coastguard continues
to look to the future. Innovation has always been a driver – whether it be
pushing forward state of the art technology in the national network of maritime
rescue coordination centres or
leading the way in rope, water and mud techniques.
Last month (December) HM Coastguard
began to implement its new updated search and rescue radio network which uses fibre technology. More than
£175million has been invested to upgrade the Coastguard’s national radio
network across all 165 sites over the next two years. This will improve
and future proof its communication infrastructure and ensure that it remains
able to communicate and exchange data quickly and reliably in order to co-ordinate rescues and
save lives.
The service continues to adapt to
changes – in the last few years providing mutual aid and support during events
and incidents to other emergency partners. During the pandemic, coastguards
supported the NHS, attended the G7 and COP26 in 2021 and are called in to
support during national emergencies including flooding or supplying water to
stranded drivers.
HM Coastguard provides training to
search and rescue authorities around the world and
also shares knowledge on a mutual basis with others. A key player with
the International Maritime Organization, HM Coastguard's input and insight
around the obligations of SOLAS (The International Convention for the Safety of
Life at Sea) is sought and valued.
Following trials, six electric vehicles
have already been purchased, with 19 more currently being procured for use
across the UK. Opportunities to electrify the fleet where operationally
possible continue to be identified, with the trialling
and integrating of electric models as they arrive on the market.
And with technology ever evolving, the
service will continue to strive to be at the forefront of innovation to carry
out its life-saving work.
Maritime Minister, Robert Courts said:
“Congratulations HM Coastguard on their 200-year anniversary. I am immensely
proud and humbled by the continued dedication and professionalism from the
staff and volunteers which ensures everyone’s safety on our shores and around
our coast.
“HM Coastguard is the backbone of our
maritime sector and the nation
is indebted to its incredible workforce which continues to deliver an exceptional
service.”
Claire Hughes, Director of HM Coastguard
said: “When you look at how we started and where we are now, it’s easy to
celebrate the innovation and development that can be seen throughout the
service. And yet, we are far more proud
of the people, the volunteers and the staff who throughout two centuries have
continued to strive to keep people safe at the coast and out at sea. We always
have and always will respond to those in distress.
“While this milestone is an opportunity
for us to look back with pride on what we’ve achieved, we have always looked to
the future, and I’m proud that we continue to look for ways in which to improve
and save lives. I’m proud of the commitment, the dedication and selfless
sacrifice and I’m proud of how the service has developed and continues to do
so.”
Coastal Operations Area Commander Tom
Wright said: “This anniversary is a huge milestone for all of us at HM
Coastguard. We wanted to mark the occasion in a way which is unique to us and which demonstrates our commitment
to keeping people safe at sea. The symbolic casting of throwlines across the UK
today is a reflection of that
commitment. "
A short history of HM Coastguard
17th/18th century - As soon as
medieval taxes were charged on imports and exports, people begin smuggling. By
1743 the estimate is that half the tea drunk in Britain was illegally imported.
Smuggling is highly profitable, making local people live in fear, with violent
reprisals on informers and the murder of revenue officers, while corruption
enables smugglers to evade harsh penalties.
1808 – A Captain Manby experiments
with firing mortars to carry lines offshore to stricken ships. The “Elizabeth”,
150 yards out at sea sees the first life save due to this method. Cots hung
below safety lines soon follow.
1809 - the Board of Customs forms
the Preventative Waterguard to fight smugglers and this small force uses boats
to patrol every bay and cove.
1816 - the guard is placed under
the Treasury. At each station the chief officer and chief boatman are
experienced naval seamen or fishermen. In bad weather they form a shore patrol.
Although created to end smuggling, the Preventative Waterguard quickly
acquires extra duties and are instructed to take responsibility of shipwrecks
to safeguard cargoes and vessels from looters. They are also trained with
lifesaving equipment.
1821 - the
Preventative Waterguard is recognised as
a major force against smuggling and
it is recommended that it is again controlled by the Board of Customs. In a
minute dated 15 January 1822, the Treasury accept the proposal noting the new
force will be called ‘Coast Guard’ which is, in effect, the birth certificate
of HM Coastguard.
15th Jan 1822 -
The Coastguard was formed in 1822 by the
amalgamation of three services set up to prevent smuggling:
·
the Revenue Cruisers
·
the Riding Officers
·
the Preventive Waterguard