We want to change that in 2023 by giving you a little insight into what makes a Coastguard Rescue Officer tick and why we do what we do.
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.
Spotlight: Padstow Coastguard Rescue Team
What: Padstow Coastguard Rescue Team.
Where: Estuary of the River Camel, Cornwall.
Who: A diverse team of 12 volunteers (male and female), known as Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs), ranging from 35 years old to 63 years old.
Why: To keep you safe at the coast. Read our safety tips.
How: From different walks of life but sharing one thing in common, a passion for saving lives. And the help and support of family, friends and employers.
So we spoke to four of the team – Simon, Leroy, Ben and Matt – and selected our favourite answers to share with you.
Why did you join HM Coastguard?
Leroy: “I joined the Padstow team almost 10 years ago, as I wanted to do more for my local community. I was already volunteering as a Parish Councillor at the time and was considering becoming a First Responder.
“I decided that joining HM Coastguard would be something that would require more of a mix of abilities, that I hoped I could bring to the role, and learn more too.”
What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team?
Simon: “The team itself, it’s like having an extended family.”
What new skills have you learned as a CRO?
Ben: “I joined with no experience or training in anything that we do, so it was all new to me! I have developed into a coastal search and rescue expert, with the help and support of the team.”
What is the most challenging part of your role?
Matt: “Managing the emotions and expectations of everyone involved at an incident can be challenging at time. Thankfully I’ve had a lot of experience in high-stress environments and have learned how to deal with people when emotions are running high.
What is the most unusual incident you have attended?
Simon: “A dog rescue. I went down a cliff to rescue a dog on a ledge but the dog was out of my reach – so we had to get the owner to call his name over the radio to come to me. And he did! I couldn’t believe it.”
Leroy: “Conducting a really important search through the undergrowth of the Camel Trail from Padstow to Wadebridge. But during the Rock Oyster Festival.
“It was quite surreal to be doing what we were doing while listening to loud rock music and illuminated by some incredible light shows.”
Ben: “An incident where we were called to a person cut off by the tide. When we arrived, they had scaled a rock island and got stuck – they could not get safely back down without the help of the Coastguard Helicopter.”
Matt: “Probably the tarmac truck that slipped its brakes and rolled off the cliff in Padstow. I ended up on the Padstow Rock Ferry assisting in the deployment of anti-pollution booms alongside our Deputy Station Officer.”
What is the most unusual place you’ve been when your pager has gone off?
Simon: “I was right at the top of a 60ft mast in Padstow Harbour!”
Leroy: “I don't really have a memorable one, but I do recall visiting the Maritime Operations Rescue Centre in Falmouth with my wife, armed with biscuits of course. Having rung the intercom, and explained I was from the Padstow team, the response was ‘come on up, we have just paged your team’. Those that know, will know that feeling – not nice to be so far from your team in those moments.”
Ben: “Halfway through doing brave the shave with my mum. I left with half a haircut and had to come back later for it to be finished!”
Matt: “A video conference with a very senior politician, he stepped away to make a coffee and when he came back my chair was empty.”
Which local beach is your favourite and why?
Leroy, Ben and Matt: “Without a doubt, Treyarnon Bay.
“It is historically a treacherous beach, but there are RNLI lifeguards now there from April to September and it is blessed with rockpools, good surf, a dune system and the most amazing sunsets.”
Simon: ...
What do you do for a living?
Simon: Sailmaker.
Leroy: Manage a small camping site, and run a farm smallholding and livery stables.
Ben: Hand-make windbreaks for the leisure industry.
Matt: Corporate fixer.
When you’re not working or volunteering as a CRO, what do you enjoy doing?
All: Spending crucial time with family and children as well as enjoying the very coast they also protect.
