Coastguard: Series Three, Episode One

Viewers are on the edge of their seats as Coastguard returns.

Episode one opens with terrifying footage as an HM Coastguard helicopter from Lydd and coastguard rescue officers battle to save the life of a lone yachtsman, with waves dashing his yacht against sea defences at Newhaven. Meanwhile, the MCA’s counter pollution and salvage team scrutinise a vessel which has discharged an unknown fluid into the sea.

Watch the trailer for episode one

A blurred view of a male coastguard rescue officer wearing a blue overalls and hard hat. He is looking downwards with his hand on his head.

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On the edge

As winch paramedic Chris Purkiss drops onto the wreckage to airlift the sailor clear, coastguard rescue officers and lifeboat crew are on standby to help.

Winch operator Andrew Catterall said: “I think this is certainly one of the most difficult jobs I have done. It’s one of the times when you know you have saved the casualty’s life.”

The incident saw Winch Paramedic Chris Purkiss awarded the prestigious Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy.

Top safety tips

Always wear a lifejacket or suitable buoyancy aid to help keep you afloat.
Update your training and qualifications to stay safe and confident onboard.
Emergency at sea? Send a mayday on VHF Channel 16 or call 999 and ask for Coastguard.
Carry a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) – it will help locate you if you go overboard.

An HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter surveys the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship

From ship to shore

Holyhead Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre receives a call from the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship when a passenger has a suspected life-threatening illness. An HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter is sent and the woman is airlifted to hospital.

Neil Cooper, winch paramedic, said: “We reduce the time to hospital by a huge percentage, where the doctors and nurses do everything possible to save their lives.”

Troubled waters?

Jayne (pictured) and her colleagues in the MCA’s counter pollution and salvage team scrutinise a vessel which has discharged an unknown fluid into the sea. Officials take to the sky in an HM Coastguard fixed-wing aircraft to survey the scene to help check the potential impact.

Jayne Ede, Counter Pollution and Salvage Officer (West), explains: “When an oil spill occurs, the effect on the shoreline can be within hours. It does not just have the effect on the environment, it also has an effect on the livelihood of the tourism and recreation industries.

“Without mitigation the impact of oil on coastal regions can last years. We have to be ready and have to have plans in place to escalate as we need to.”

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