A moody coastline with large waves crashing onto the rocks on the left. Overlaid on the right, a male coastguard rescue officer is speaking into a radio. He is wearing a blue helmet and blue HM Coastguard overalls.

TV Series

Coastguard TV Series

Coastguard: Search and Rescue SOS is the hit Channel 5 documentary series

Step back inside the lifesaving work of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), as Coastguard: Search and Rescue SOS returns for a third time. 

The documentary follows first-hand the lifesaving work carried out across the MCA to help keep you safe on the coast and at sea. Watch it on Wednesdays at 9pm on Channel 5.

Watch the series three trailer

A black screen with the words 'Coastguard coming soon' written in white Watch now

Follow Maritime and Coastguard Agency teams, from helicopter crews and investigators to surveyors and counter pollution officers, as they tackle collisions, daring sea saves, and maritime emergencies from the wild Cornish cliffs to North Scotland’s stormy shores.

Missed the action from the last two series? You can still catch up on demand. Head over to 5 to watch all the episodes from series one and two.

 

An HM Coastguard helicopter flies in grey skies on the left. On the right, a male helicopter crew's face is overlaid. They are wearing orange overalls and a helmet with a headset.
Series three, episode one
We're straight back into the action for series three. In this episode, HM Coastguard's counter pollution team respond to a vessel leaking an unknown substance into the sea, while helicopter crews perform a rescue of a lone yachtsman and a passenger on the Queen Mary 2.
More on episode one
A male surveyor in a high-vis jacket looks to the camera. In the background a large ship is blurred from view.
Series three, episode two
An HM Coastguard helicopter crew dash to a packed out beach to rescue a man fighting for his life, investigators consider bringing murder charges against a skipper following a high speed collision, and surveyors find severe faults onboard a vessel docked in Merseyside.
More on episode two
A male coastguard rescue officer against a gloomy grey sky
Series three, episode three
Stornoway coastguard helicopter crew are tasked to a vessel 120 nautical miles from land in rough seas, where two of the crew have suffered catastrophic injuries. Meanwhile coastguard rescue teams come to the aid of a member of the public when their dog goes over a cliff on the County Durham coast.
More on episode three
A man stands against a moody grey sky. Crashing waves are overlaid over the top to form a dramatic image.
Series three, episode four
A fishing vessel taking on water prompts a joint rescue operation of the six crew members on board, meanwhile there is investigation into the cause of a fatal collision involving a UK-registered cargo ship. Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre respond to a distress call from a fallen walker on the South West Coast Path, with the situation worsening as the casualty loses consciousness.
More on episode four
On the left, a Coastguard helicopter sits against a grey sky/. On the right, a male helicopter crew member is wearing a headset.
Series three, episode five
Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre are alerted to a woman stuck in mud and Cleethorpes Coastguard Rescue Team are tasked to the scene. Meanwhile, HM Coastguard helicopter crews are sent to a fallen walker in the Lake District and a bodyboarder stuck on rocks in Galloway.
More on episode five
On the left, a cruise ship can be seen on the water. On the right, a male surveyor is wearing a white helmet. Both images are overlaid against the image of a sunset with orange hues.
Series three, episode six
A cruise ship is inspected by Surveyors before it can set sail and Dale Coastguard Rescue Team help a kayaker in difficulty on an inaccessible beach. Meanwhile, Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre receives a beacon alert from a lone yachtsman who has gone into the water off Cornwall.
More on episode six
A cruise ship on the open water and a female maritime operations office
Series three, episode seven
Three boys are cut off by the tide and in need of rescue in Northern Ireland. Coastguards race a boy on a bodyboard struggling to get to shore, while off the Isle of Skye a cargo ship runs aground and is subsequently detained.
More on episode seven

Catch up on the previous two series

Find out more about the series one and series two of Coastguard to discover the riveting stories we followed. 

Watch on 5

Dive straight in. You can watch all episodes of Coastguard: Search and Rescue SOS online on 5.

Where can I find extra safety advice? 

If you're heading to the coast there could be dangers where you least expect them. Take a look at our safety advice before you head out.

 

I’d like to volunteer for HM Coastguard how to I register my interest? 

You can find out more about volunteering with the Coastguard Rescue Service here.

 

I’d like to work for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) where can I find out more? 

There are a wide range of roles at the MCA. If you want to do a job that matters take a look at our current vacancies.

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