HM Coastguard

Captain Debs Bhattacharya has revealed what it takes to successfully rescue multiple people from a sinking vessel, following this week's incident in Cornwall. Eight people were rescued by the Coastguard Helicopter from Newquay – assisted by the Penlee RNLI lifeboat – on Monday night after the vessel started to take on water in stormy conditions. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to Captain Debs talk about the rescue ⬇️ ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- The helicopter was quickly sent to help the sailing ve ssel approximately two nautical miles off  Mounts Bay, following a decision to declare a Mayday when it became clear the vessel was struggling in treacherous sea conditions. Pilot Debs fought gale force nine/storm force 10 winds on the night as he worked to keep the helicopter steady and allow winchman Carlt...

“What a wonderful moment to share together, the celebration of two centuries of keeping people safe in East Anglia and on marking such a huge milestone for His Majesty’s Coastguard. “It was a lovely afternoon with colleagues and friends.” Area commander Phil Norman said this month’s event, a three-hour river cruise on the Norfolk Broads, was a vital chance for his team – staff and volunteers alike – to commemorate being a part of an organisation that has focused on saving lives at sea for two hundred years. Area commander Phil Norman with cake baker Claire Hall, Station Officer at Lowestoft The event was well attended, with coastguard rescue officers and senior coastal officers joined by representatives from the other emergency services partners. Guests were treated to a buffet and homemade birthday cakes  – a two and two zeroes, as well as one large cake. A double decked paddle boat transported the group around the Broads, a network of navigable rivers and waterways across No...

Burnham Coastguard celebrates 50 years                                                                 Burnham-On-Sea.com Members of Burnham Coastguard past and present gathered last week to celebrate fifty years of protecting lives at sea. Coastguard members and their friends and family came together on 28 October to mark the station’s momentous birthday. Around 50 people, including representatives from BARB Search and Rescue and Burnham RNLI, joined in with the festivities held at Burnham-on-Sea Sailing Club, reflecting on the hard work of the station since its launch in 1972. A cake fit for a Coastguard                                                            ...

Eight people have been rescued after HM Coastguard responded to a call from a sinking yacht late last night (31 October). Penlee RNLI Lifeboats and the Coastguard Helicopter from Newquay were sent to help the sailing vessel approximately two nautical miles off Mounts Bay, Cornwall. All eight people were winched to safety by the Coastguard helicopter and taken to Newquay where they were met by the Newquay Coastguard Rescue Team. James Instance, Maritime Commander at Falmouth MRCC, said: “They reported that a window broke at the water line, and they started taking on water fast. “There were big seas last night and high winds, a very unfortunate time to find your vessel sinking but they quickly called for help which gave us the time to get to them. “It was a particularly challenging rescue in the conditions, with time running out as the vessel drifted towards the rocks. “The teams did very well to make quick and vital decisions to ensure everyone got back to shore safely.” The Newquay hel...

Members of HM Coastguard have been highly praised for going above and beyond in the line of duty, with individual Chief Coastguard Commendations and Letters of Appreciation. Shetland coastguards from Lerwick, Walls and Sumburgh rescue teams were last week recognised by Assistant Chief Coastguard Matt Leat for their part in a particularly difficult rescue at The Knab in Lerwick in 2021. They were awarded at a special ceremony held on the rescheduled Emergency Services Day on October 19. Proud members of the Lerwick, Walls and Sumburgh coastguard rescue teams with their certificates                                                                           Credit: Brian D Gray Area Commander Dave Sweeney, who was also awarded a Letter of Appreciation for his role in t...

HM Coastguard has launched a new film featuring Adebayo Akinfenwa to highlight the hidden dangers of the coast and urge the public to stay 'Coast Clever' ahead of half term. The Coastguard is called to around 36,000 incidents each year – with peak times happening in the summer, bank holidays and half term time. This figure has increased by 50% in 4 years, with 24,000 incidents reported in 2018. The campaign comes on the back of a survey commissioned by HM Coastguard which shows that although 72% of people know that they should check tide times before they set out for a walk at the coast, only 33% claim that they do, highlighting the difference between knowing and doing. The film features Adebayo ‘The Beast’ Akinfenwa, as he shows the viewers some of the most common pitfalls around the coast – the cliffs, the mud and the tides. Widely known for his physique, and being football's strongest man, Akinfenwa highlights how even the strongest people can’t underestimate the coast...

The new video relay service has been hailed by a senior call operator as ‘vital’ after experiencing it first-hand. Earlier this year, HM Coastguard joined other emergency services in launching the first ever 999 BSL (British Sign Language) video relay service, allowing sign language users the ability to access emergency help like never before. Sign language users have been able to contact 999 operators through an interpreter since 17 June, accessed by a video chat in a dedicated app. Team Leader Jordan Grebby found the new video relay service to be a 'vital' new way for BSL users to call 999 for help                                                                      Credit: MCA Jordan Grebby, Team Leader at Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, was among the first to receive a ...