Meet your Coastguard - Say hello to Greenock CRT

As part of our new series to help you get to know your local Coastguard volunteers, this month we are shining a spotlight on the Greenock Coastguard Rescue Team.

We started this series to help you learn all about your local volunteer teams, as it is vital you know who to contact if you have any questions about staying safe at the coast.

 

Our teams are always approachable, extremely knowledgeable and genuinely delighted to help.  

 

We will celebrate and put questions to a different team from a different part of the UK each month as, while we are always here if you need us, not everyone knows much about us. 

 

So keep an eye out for your local area and get to know your local team. And who knows, maybe you will be their newest recruit. 


Greenock Coastguard Rescue Team

This month we've spoken to Greenock’s Station Officer Melody:

 

Spotlight: Greenock Coastguard Rescue Team 

 

What: Greenock Coastguard Rescue Team. 


Where: Greenock Fire Community Hub, alongside Police Scotland’s Dive Marine Unit. The team covers from Wemyss Bay to the tidal weir in Glasgow City Centre, as well as assisting teams further afield when required.

Who: A team of 15 volunteers both male and female, known as Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs), all with unique working backgrounds including local authority, the private sector and civil service.

Why did you join HM Coastguard? 

Melody: “I joined more than four years ago as I had some free time on my hands and wanted to give something back to the community. I was also looking for a new challenge and to learn some new skills. 

“I was a CRO for three years and last year progressed to post of Station Officer.”

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team? 


“I love the team spirit and banter we have here, they are a good bunch. We enjoy working together, problem solving and bringing a job to a good conclusion.”


Greenock Coastguard Rescue Team - Melody and Paul


What new skills have you learned as a CRO?

“Coastguard Emergency Responder Casualty Care (CERCC), a variety of water rescue techniques, mud rescue, blue light driving, off-road driving and ‘officer in charge’ skills.”


What is the most challenging part of your role? 


“There are a variety of challenges, mud and water rescues in particular are the most physically demanding. Being near a large city centre, we also deal with a lot of despondent people, which is challenging in a very different way.”


What is the most unusual incident you have attended? 


“In October 2020 a pod of whales entered the Clyde. Some of them got disorientated and managed to swim up the Clyde, over a weir into a small tributary on the boundary of Glasgow Airport. This resulted in a multi-agency response. 

“We provided safety cover to members of British Divers Marine Life Rescue who worked hard to assess and attempt to re-float a 20ft Northern Bottlenose whale. 

“It was very awe-inspiring and a privilege being so close to such a great creature.  Sadly, the whale was not in a good condition and died during the rescue. 

“As Coastguards we have all had difficult jobs, and, although this was not a human, as a team we all acknowledged the emotional experience of watching the passing of such a beautiful animal.”

Greenock Coastguard Rescue Team - Melody and Cooper

What is the most unusual place you’ve been when your pager has gone off?

“In my wedding dress… I was shopping for it when a shout came in.”

Which local beach is your favourite and why? 

“My favourite is Inverkip beach – it’s a small, secluded bay which is close by, and my dog loves going swimming there.”

What do you do for a living? 


“I work as an Assistant Housing Officer for a local housing association. 

“I manage a small patch of more than 100 houses, dealing with rent arrears, antisocial behaviour and estate issues. I also deal with our department’s budgets making sure they are not over spent.”

When you’re not working or volunteering as a CRO, what do you enjoy doing? 


“I love spending time with my family and friends, taking my dog Cooper for nice, long walks up the hills or down to the beach for a swim. 

“Day trips on my motorbike and DIY in the house that I recently moved to.”

Recap on the series so far, read Edition One: Padstow Coastguard Rescue Team

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