The training session in Cornwall was an opportunity for different groups to learn about the work of the Coastguard, in particular rope rescue, while learning how to ensure coasteering remains as safe as possible for all.
It was also a chance to learn more about coasteering - exploring a coastline through climbing and swimming - and the types of incidents that may occur.
Taking place at Benoath Cove at the end of June, members of Polzeath, Boscastle and Bude Coastguard Rescue Teams, representatives from the National Coasteering Charter (NCC) and a number of owners and instructors from local coasteering businesses joined the session.
The evening started with a talk led by the NCC and Coastguard, followed by a question and answer session. Representatives from the NCC and coasteering instructors then entered the water, as the Coastguard teams lowered a number of technicians down to them via rope.
The Coastguard teams then demonstrated how they would recover a casualty using the rope system and how best they could help in that situation. Finally, the teams relocated to the cliff top to talk through cliff top set up and recovery methods.
Polzeath Coastguard Station Officer Shaun Hawkey said: “The idea of the session was to familiarise everyone with the working practice of both HM Coastguard and the NCC. The session really gave us insight on the types of coasteering incidents we may get called to.
“We were able to give the coasteering community a better understanding of our safety procedures, response times, resources and how we operate, as well as how we perform a rope rescue.
“This was a brilliant and informative evening that was really helpful for everyone that attended. These sessions are so important in making sure everyone knows what to do if there’s a coasteering emergency, in or out of the water.”
In this week's episode of Coastguard, we watch the dramatic HM Coastguard response to an injured climber stuck on Bosigran Cliff in Cornwall. Tune in at 9pm every Sunday on Channel 5.
