HM Coastguard teams hailed with Department for Transport Rescue Shield

From left: Trevor Cutler (Newhaven CRT), Mark Francis (Birling Gap), Sadi Hopgood (Eastbourne) and Virginia McVea (Photo: Eddie Mitchell)

Three volunteer Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRTs) in Sussex have been awarded the Department for Transport Rescue Shield for their outstanding dedication and courage responding to many particularly challenging emergencies on steep and dangerous cliffs.

The prestigious accolade was presented by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Chief Executive, Virginia McVea, to the CRTs and full-time officers working from Birling Gap, Eastbourne and Newhaven. 

The volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers who make up the teams are regularly sent to deploy their rope rescue skills on the vertiginous cliffs of the Sussex coast. 

Emergency responses often require long hours, descending onto precarious ledges, and sometimes careful communication with the people in danger. It is not unusual for CRTs to be tasked to several incidents in a single day or for rescues to also involve pet dogs. 

The Rescue Shield is issued annually by the Department for Transport and is its highest recognition for outstanding examples of lifesaving effort by HM Coastguard teams. 

It was presented on Thursday 4 April during a special ceremony at Newhaven Coastal Operations Base where representatives from the three CRTs gathered. 

Virginia said: “To tackle just one of these incidents deserves our gratitude. To turn out week after week throughout the year to help people in such intense moments makes these Coastguards worthy winners of this extra special award. 

“The type of distressing circumstances our teams often face requires a special sensitivity, resilience and courage in addition to expertise and teamwork.  

“I was very proud to hand over the Department for Transport Rescue Shield to Birling Gap, Eastbourne and Newhaven CRTs, and pass on the appreciation of a grateful public.” 

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