As one of the UK’s emergency services, HM Coastguard stands ready round the clock to help anyone in difficulty at sea or on the coast. 

That capability involves a vast range of activities, from search and rescue to counter-pollution and ship safety – but also a wide variety of people. 

We spoke to one of HM Coastguard’s youngest, 16-year-old Felix Palmer fresh from a week of work experience, and seasoned veteran Coastguard Jonathon Cliff, who has more than 40 years of service under his belt. 

On Emergency Services Day, here’s what being part of the blue light family means to them. 

Felix (16) 

Felix’s face lights up when he recalls the visit to see HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopters at their base during his week of work experience. 

His ambition is one day to be a pilot or an engineer for one of the iconic red and white aircraft. Some of his friends are considering a medical or military career. 

“I think people definitely respect the emergency services” says Felix. 

“I am really interested in pursuing a career in the aeronautical area. If I get the skills, I would like to use them for good – to help rather than for commercial use.” 

He would be following in the footsteps of his mum, Henrietta Palmer, who works at HM Coastguard as Learning Solutions Manager, Technical Training. 

As well as the helicopter base, Felix’s week with HM Coastguard included witnessing the operations room at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Fareham, mud rescue practice, vessel traffic management, and work with data science and engineering. 

Felix said: “The coastguard is so wide-ranging – there's pretty much a job for everyone. There’s such a range of things to do. 

“The systems that they use – I did not realise how in depth they were and how complex they were. I did not realise HM Coastguard operates all the way up the UK to the Shetlands. 

“My mum tells me about HM Coastguard and it always fascinates me, especially the operations rooms – how they work, the systems they use to track the ships, and how the Coastguard fits into the other emergency services.” 

Felix adds: “I definitely have a lot more respect for what goes on at HM Coastguard.” 

Jonathon, Station Officer for Hornsea Coastguard Rescue Team (62) 

From daring cliff rescues to searches for missing people, award-winning veteran Coastguard Jonathon Cliff has a lifetime of experience keeping people safe at the coast in Hornsea, Yorkshire.  

Starting with HM Coastguard at the age of 16 in 1979, Jonathon’s 45 years of experience have seen huge changes within rescue technology and coastal safety, but as he’s keen to point out, the core aspects of the emergency service remain the same.  

“We’ve definitely got far busier at Hornsea, as technology has advanced and enabled people to report incidents more easily,” says Jonathon.  

“Throughout my time with the Coastguard, I’ve seen just about everything, from the humorous to the routine and sadly the tragic. But HM Coastguard is all about helping the community, making a difference, and making sure people are safe, and that's never changed.” 

Being part of the emergency services family is a lifechanging commitment, and it’s often something that families make great sacrifices to support. As well as his work as a Coastguard, Jonathon worked for the police for 30 years. 

“Family is key to making our volunteering a success. If lives are at risk, that’s the focus. Families can and do understand, and without my family’s support, I wouldn’t have been able to do this.” 

Offering some friendly words of advice and encouragement to those looking to follow in his footsteps, Jonathon says: “When I was just starting out, there were very wise ‘older’ Coastguards who were ex Royal or Merchant Navy, probably younger than I am now!  

“Rinse every drop of advice, learning and knowledge from the more experienced people around you. Be confident, do your best and focus on what you’re there to do. As emergency services, we’re here to help. Never forget that you’re a very important part of that machine.” 

It’s time for another Meet Your Coastguard, and this week, we’re with our Coastguard Rescue Team at Southend-on-sea. Around 40 miles east of London, the popular coastal resort is home to five Blue Flag beaches, an iconic 1.3-mile pier (the longest of its kind in the world), and just off the coast, six war-era Maunsell forts. 

The coastal city has hosted one of the biggest annual air shows in Europe, and with the UK’s most hours of sunshine per month, it’s a popular destination for holiday makers.

Most importantly, Southend is home to the Southend-on-sea Coastguard Rescue Team. The group of five Coastguard Rescue Officers, a Deputy Station Officer and Station Officer, cover around 70 miles of coastline and inlets of the Thames Estuary, from Benfleet to Battlesbridge. 

Here, we speak with Station Officer Del and Coastguard Rescue Officers Alan, David and John. 

Why did you join HM Coastguard?

Station Officer Del joined HM Coastguard after seeing the team step in to help people in need along the coast. He knew that the team was made of volunteers and felt that he wanted to be among what he affectionately calls "his kind of truly selfless people".

For Coastguard Rescue Officer and City of London worker Alan, HM Coastguard was an opportunity to give something back. Alan’s father spent more than 30 years in Essex Fire and Rescue Service and having grown up in what he fondly refers to as the "999 family", it just felt like the right thing to do.

David, an armed forces veteran and MBE holder, also has a connection to the emergency services too, having previously worked for the fire and rescue service. Now self-employed, he says that HM Coastguard felt like a natural progression for someone with his skillset – even if he initially knew very little about the seaside he’d lived next to for so long. 

Lifelong seafarer John, meanwhile, has sailed the oceans and raced extensively across UK waters, when not working full time as a Chartered Surveyor. After entering retirement, he joined HM Coastguard to put back into the community and share his knowledge of weather, tides, and safe coastal activities.

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team?

Alan says that the team is like a second family. Being a team player is important when supporting a front-line emergency service. Trusting your colleagues, being calm under pressure, and communicating are all vitally important in helping those in need. 

Del agrees, with David adding that the team are a great bunch: they’re well-led and professional, yet patient and supportive too. There are a lot of dynamics at play, while working as a team to resolve incidents. 

John appreciates the sense of belonging that comes from being part of a UK-wide organisation with a common purpose. He points out that, as well as the team being there to save the lives of total strangers, they also protect their colleagues too. “Constant training and the application of new skills gives a strong sense of satisfaction for a job well done,” he says. 

What is the most unusual incident you have attended?

“I once hiked two miles to rescue a stranded sheep on a saltmarsh,” says Del. To his surprise, he soon discovered that sheep can swim! Reaching the area, he found that the woolly casualty had swiftly self-rescued itself to land and walked back to their field.

For David, the devil lay in the detail, as he recalls the amount of paperwork needed in the sad event of recovering a dead porpoise that had been washed ashore. “I never imagined I’d be studying and counting how many teeth a porpoise had,” he jokes. 

Meanwhile, Alan’s chase of a small (and very naughty) dachshund dog lasted more than 12 hours, across mudflats and marshland. The incident concluded happily, though not before various news outlets and regional TV programmes had gotten hold of the story.

John’s discovery of a fully armed Victorian explosive set hares running after it was found to be in a precarious position next to Southend Pier. After a swift emergency response, the team playfully gave the story a headline of its own: ‘Oldest pier in the world saved by oldest Coastguard in the world…’.

Which local beach is your favourite and why?

Del’s favourite beach is Thorpe Bay, where the tide stays in longer and it’s perhaps a little quieter than the city’s main beaches. It's a great place for engaging in his love of water sports, paddle boarding, kayaking and cold water dips.

Alan and David prefer wilder stretches of coastline from the fishing village of old Leigh to Two Tree Island, while John thinks that beaches east of the Pier are ideal. He’s also got fond memories of West Beach at Shoebury from his school years.

What new skills have you learned as a Coastguard Rescue Officer?

For David, new skills learned include working safely and more confidently both in and around water. After he finished his CRO training, he went on holiday to Cyprus where all the coastal activities he saw took on a different perspective, he says.

Advanced first aid is among the skills Alan considers most important. Having been on secondment to the East of England Ambulance Service for three months over the COVID-19 pandemic, he says it was invaluable to have learned even more from being on the frontline during such a crucial time.

Station Officer Del has picked up many skills over the years, but those that stand out most are search skills; from behavioural understandings to map reading. 

While keeping casualties alive and providing critical Casualty Care have been among the biggest skills increase for John. 

“When all emergency services ‘talk the same language’, information is standardised, more reliable, and acted upon,” he adds.

What is the most challenging part of your role?

“Without doubt, there are times when the outcome of an incident is not what we’d hoped,” says Alan, "but training kicks in and the team do the best they can for anyone affected or involved. 

"HM Coastguard has a great support mechanism in place to support colleagues, and it's actively encouraged to take part," he adds. 

Alan is close to finishing his Officer-in-Charge (OIC) training and is expected to officially go live end of the summer. He is also kept busy as the Southend Coastguard Media officer, and is proud to have built a following so Southend-on-Sea is one of the most followed CRT accounts in the UK. This helps the team get important safety messages across the community.

The theory elements of the training were tough to begin with for David, who’d been unfamiliar with the acronyms and terminology often used by people on the coast or working at sea. He says that he adapted by ‘unlearning’ some former habits, while adjusting to new policies and protocols.

Meanwhile, John has recently passed his OIC training, received after a year of rigorous testing and assessment. The role entails mitigating risk and protecting bystanders, the rescuer, and the team from danger. 

As Station Officer, Del's observation are different – he’s looking at the team’s strengths and weaknesses, helping to build confidence across the team’s varied skillset.

What is the most unusual place you've been when your pager has gone off?

A multitude of answers come back from the team, including being halfway down the pier, out shopping, showering and even up a ladder fixing a roof!

When you're not working or volunteering as a Coastguard, what do you enjoy doing?

Alan holds a private pilot’s licence, but he tends not to fly so much now, instead keeping fit with obstacle course races and triathlon events. Del enjoys adventuring on the water, as well as summer barbecues. He is also the owner of two very energetic dogs.

As Chair of a Community Interest Company, David looks after a heritage and community building in Shoebury, and helps at events like Remembrance parades and military shows, and supports the Poppy Appeal. When not volunteering, he also rides a 20-year-old Harley Davidson motorbike which he says helps to "relive his youth!".

A keen seafarer, John sails and maintains his own boats. He’s got two dogs, which he enjoys exercising, and he’s now the proud owner (and builder) of an eco-house close to the seafront. His campervan, children and grandchildren also keep him busy.

What do you do for a living?

Alan has worked in the City of London for more than 35 years, but nowadays he’s looking to take it easier as he nears retirement and continues with his volunteering work for HM Coastguard. It’s a similar story for John, who is now retired as a Chartered Surveyor in London, after 45 years in practice.

But for David, however, there’s no sign of stopping, as he owns and manages a property portfolio in the UK and Cyprus. 

Del is a coach and joint owner of an outdoors activity company, which he says keeps him active, while he manages group paddle boarding, kayaks and cold-water swims. 

When a vessel runs into difficulty in UK waters, lives, the environment and property are all often put at great risk. Rapidly unfolding maritime emergency situations call for informed decisions to be made promptly by a skilled and experienced individual with the full authority of government. The UK SOSREP is vested with that authority.

Why do we need a SOSREP? 

The SOSREP provides strategic oversight of a maritime incident on behalf of the UK Government.  

The individual role holder has ultimate control and legal power to make a final decision during national maritime emergencies. It is a powerful and unique role within the UK Government’s maritime emergency response system. 

What’s its aim? 

The SOSREP’s objective is to reduce the risk to safety and marine pollution, and they may also become involved directly in operational oversight, giving reassurance to the UK Government that all necessary steps are being taken relating to salvage or pollution containment. 

Time-critical decisions can be made without delay, as the Secretary of State’s powers are delegated to SOSREP and decisions that are in the overriding UK public interest can be made quickly.   

What sort of maritime emergencies involve SOSREP?  

Maritime emergencies can be complex, involving multiple agencies, specialists, authorities, and stakeholder groups. 

Emergencies can include significant shipping and offshore incidents, such as collisions or ship groundings, that may cause pollution.  

SOSREP steps in at an early stage to oversee incident response management, from the emergency’s outset to long-lasting wreck removal operations. 

When was the role created and why? 

The role was created after the Sea Empress oil tanker disaster in 1996. After the incident’s response, a government review recommended that one individual should be given ultimate control and influence in making the final decisions during national maritime emergencies. 

Who is the current SOSREP and who do they report to? 

Stephan Hennig has been SOSREP since 2018. The Deputy SOSREP is Lisa McAuliffe.     

SOSREP is an employee of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, reporting to the Director of HM Coastguard and the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning.  

What organisations does SOSREP work with? 

SOSREP works with multiple organisations depending on the nature of the incident.  

These include HM Coastguard, Environment Agencies, ship owners and operators, protection and indemnity and hull and machinery insurers, local authorities, marine consultants, lighthouse authorities, specialist rescue contractors, statutory nature conservation bodies, lawyers, emergency services, cargo owners, and communications through the media.  

What does a typical incident look like for the SOSREP? 

SOSREP will act and oversee the response to an incident from start to finish. Firstly, the risk to safety is assessed and evaluated, along with the risk of actual or potential pollution.   

The remit ensures that all steps are taken to prevent or respond to any escalation of the incident. Once the incident is resolved, SOSREP will take the lead in reviewing the overall response and making any necessary recommendations for future improvements. 

Does SOSREP have international authority? 

The SOSREP’s legal powers extend to the limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone for shipping incidents and to the limits of the UK Continental Shelf for offshore installation incidents. 

SOSREP is listed as an emergency contact for the UK and close working relationships are held with international authorities so that international incidents can be swiftly resolved.  

The unmistakable glimmer caught his eye, as a diver sifted through muddy silt on Wales’ northeast coast. About the size of a chicken egg and weighing as much as a pack of cards, the 23-carat gold nugget shone brightly under the Anglesey sun. 

But no sooner had the item been keenly plucked from the murky sand, had it automatically gained a new custodian more than 300 miles away in Southampton – the Receiver of Wreck. 

First defined in the Merchant Shipping Act 1854, the Receiver of Wreck works for the Admiralty and the British Crown. However, its origins can be traced far earlier, to a time when pirates, smugglers and looters jostled to keep plunder secret and hidden from the law.  

As early as the 12th century, wreck and salvage laws allowed for the legal recovery of wreck materials. During King Edward II’s reign in 1322, a Royal Fish Prerogative came into effect, which established the monarch’s ownership of “wreck of the sea”, which included whales and sturgeon – and later, porpoises and dolphins.

Since the number of vessels in UK waters has grown, so too has the unfortunate number of shipwrecks. It’s currently thought that around 37,000 vessel wrecks lie on the seabed, with more than 200 now being designated protected sites – numbers that consistently change over time.  

Since 1993, the duties of the Receiver of Wreck have been assumed by a single civil servant with HM Coastguard, ably assisted by a team of deputies at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). 

Former Police Detective Steve White began working at the MCA as an Investigator in November 2023, before being appointed to the Receiver of Wreck by the Secretary of State in 2024.

It’s a unique role that has historically held interesting statutory powers, including indemnity from prosecution and the right to bear arms to ‘kill, maim or hurt’ anyone who obstructs their duties. In 1926, the Receiver was instructed only to ‘shoot over the heads’ of opportunist looters.

“It’s certainly not something I’d consider, in any case!” says Steve, of the role’s more curious allowances, which have also included the right to commandeer a vehicle in the line of public duty. 

Nevertheless, members of the public will be pleased to know that through the Merchant Shipping Act in 1995, the Receiver’s role and duties were more formally detailed as responding to wreck incidents, managing wrecks and salvage, returning property to owners, administering salvage awards, investigating salvage crime, monitoring dangerous wrecks, and administrating Royal Fish. 

In the proceeding years, these responsibilities have been included immense administrative requirements like a large salvage operation on the South coast in 2007, and the ongoing needs of dangerous military shipwrecks in the Thames estuary.

The team are also responsible for marking and guiding exclusion zones for the SS Richard Montgomery, a wrecked US cargo ship carrying dangerous cargo, including ordnance and munitions. They commission and oversee scans of the site to determine any deterioration and any potential dangers to people or marine environments.

Steve’s team has had the pleasure of examining several unique items recovered from the 11,000 square miles of UK coastline, including Britain’s biggest-ever recorded gold nugget in 2016.

“The Receiver of Wreck has the privilege of handling and examining a range of invaluable artefacts that are found in UK waters. We’ve seen everything from war-era U-Boat propellers, 16th century Spanish coins and even a floating hot tub!”, he says. 

“Salvors, or those who find wreck materials come under our supervision while we investigate ownership. It often surprises people to know that materials from ships that wrecked over 150 years ago may, through various company acquisitions, have a modern owner.

“A vessel’s hull and cargo can also have different owners, which can add another layer of investigation to proceedings. Awards made to salvors can range anywhere from £1 to over £10million, depending on the competency of the salvor and the value of the materials recovered.”

However, failure to report items that have come from a wreck within UK waters can result in prosecution. Unfortunately, unique and delicate items are too often found in the hands of hobbyists and amateurs, who have neither the expertise nor the means to safely maintain these invaluable antiquities. 

“Once items leave a hydrated saltwater environment and they’ve not been properly conserved and maintained, items deteriorate rapidly. It’s vital that within 28 days, people report to us any items they suspect are from a wreck,” says Steve.

However, the Receiver of Wreck remains in praise of diving communities who, in large number, understand the importance of conservation. Through technological advances and the growing availability of high-quality scanning equipment, popular ‘adopt a wreck’ schemes now help the public to explore and document wrecks like never before without leaving a trace.

“Among our team’s varied work, the reuniting of owners with their former possessions is perhaps most rewarding,” says Steve's colleague Kate Rogers, Deputy Receiver of Wreck. 

“We facilitated the US Navy to recover a ship’s bell from the wreck of the USS Jacob Jones, now housed in Washington DC to commemorate the fallen, and in 2022, we repatriated a brass fuse box plate to the Royal Canadian Navy. The artefact came from the wreck of HMCS Regina, which was sunk off the Cornish coast by a German U-Boat in 1944.”

The Receiver of Wreck is also responsible for stranded Royal Fishes that wash up on beaches in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Whales, porpoises, sturgeon, and dolphin are among the cetaceans notifiable to the monarch via The Privy Council. With some of these becoming increasingly rare, the Receiver’s data is often useful to organisations and governmental bodies that focus on the wider marine ecosystem.   

“I’m a non-archaeologist, and being an investigator by training, the role is fascinating," says Steve. "I’ve had to immerse myself within it, and it hasn’t let me down! Despite the Receiver’s historical basis, new technologies and advances mean that wreck and artefact analysis has become even more interesting and exciting.”

But for all the plunder found across the UK’s 7,000 miles of coastline, there’s a find perhaps much closer to home that’s yet to be discovered by Steve and his team: “A long time ago, the Receiver’s very own sword was lost... It’s something I’d love to find!”

Portreath and St Agnes Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRTs) were visited by the Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Virginia McVea, who praised them for their actions on 22 May 2023. 

The alarm was raised that day by a 999 call at about 6.10pm with a report of two young adults caught by the tide on a rock 30 metres from the shore in Bassets Cove, near Portreath, before later becoming stuck in a cave. 

Led by Senior Coastal Operations Officer Marc Thomas, the CROs soon arrived at the clifftop and tried to use rope and water rescue techniques but the swells were too severe. 

A man was recovered from the water but a woman remained trapped. With CROs stationed by the cave mouth, repeated efforts were made to reach her by HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopters from Newquay and St Athan. 

Eventually the conditions relented and the tide allowed a CRO and a winch paramedic to enter the cave and bring the woman to safety. She was flown by helicopter to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro and both casualties made a full recovery. 

HM Coastguard was joined in the response by RNLI lifeboats, Devon and Cornwall Police, and South Western Ambulance Service. 

On the one-year anniversary of the rescue, Virginia travelled to St Agnes to meet some of the CROs involved and presented each of them with a letter of appreciation.  

The letters praising the CROs said: “Their heroic efforts stand as a beacon of hope and inspiration, reflecting the noble ideals of search and rescue operations.” 

Virginia commented: “It was an honour to speak with the men and women of Portreath and St Agnes CRTs. They were such an important part of a multi-agency operation that successfully saved two people from terrible danger.  

“They were trained and ready to be there for these two people in their darkest hour. We are very grateful for the efforts of the Coastguard Rescue Service in Cornwall and right around the UK.”  

Virginia was joined by Assistant Chief Coastguard (England and Wales) Carl Evans, and Divisional Commander James Instance. 

James added: “These were incredibly challenging circumstances and there was huge uncertainty around what had happened to the woman. The teams did themselves and HM Coastguard proud.” 

Discover more about the Bassetts Cove rescue here. 

Find out how to apply to become a coastguard rescue officer here. 

Letter of appreciation: 

The Portreath and St Agnes Coastguard Rescue Teams demonstrated exceptional dedication and resilience during the challenging rescue at Basset’s Cove Portreath on May 22, 2023. They played a vital role in successfully extracting two stranded members of public from an isolated cove amidst rising tides and heavy swells, where they had been forced to enter a cave for their safety.  

One casualty was promptly airlifted to Royal Cornwall Hospital by HM Coastguard Helicopter 924, while the other endured over four harrowing hours trapped in a cave. Utilising rope and water rescue techniques, the teams stationed themselves at the cave entrance, providing unwavering support as HM Coastguard Helicopter 187 tirelessly worked to reach the trapped individual. 

Their collaborative efforts with RNLI Lifeboats, SWAST Ambulance, and Police, with support from the Duty Coastal Officer Marc Thomas, showcased their remarkable devotion to duty. Despite facing adversity, they efficiently utilised all available resources to ensure the safety of the stranded individuals. 

The Portreath and St Agnes Coastguard Rescue Teams played a pivotal role in the successful rescue, demonstrating the highest standards of service upheld by HM Coastguard. Their resilience and commitment earned admiration and gratitude from all involved. 

In recognition of their outstanding service, the Portreath and St Agnes Coastguard Rescue Teams and Senior Coastal Operations Officer Marc Thomas are wholeheartedly commended. 

Their heroic efforts stand as a beacon of hope and inspiration, reflecting the noble ideals of search and rescue operations.

The prestigious accolade was presented by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Chief Executive, Virginia McVea, to the CRTs and full-time officers working from Birling Gap, Eastbourne and Newhaven. 

The volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers who make up the teams are regularly sent to deploy their rope rescue skills on the vertiginous cliffs of the Sussex coast. 

Emergency responses often require long hours, descending onto precarious ledges, and sometimes careful communication with the people in danger. It is not unusual for CRTs to be tasked to several incidents in a single day or for rescues to also involve pet dogs. 

The Rescue Shield is issued annually by the Department for Transport and is its highest recognition for outstanding examples of lifesaving effort by HM Coastguard teams. 

It was presented on Thursday 4 April during a special ceremony at Newhaven Coastal Operations Base where representatives from the three CRTs gathered. 

Virginia said: “To tackle just one of these incidents deserves our gratitude. To turn out week after week throughout the year to help people in such intense moments makes these Coastguards worthy winners of this extra special award. 

“The type of distressing circumstances our teams often face requires a special sensitivity, resilience and courage in addition to expertise and teamwork.  

“I was very proud to hand over the Department for Transport Rescue Shield to Birling Gap, Eastbourne and Newhaven CRTs, and pass on the appreciation of a grateful public.” 

To find out how to apply to volunteer as a Coastguard Rescue Officer, visit www.gov.uk/volunteer-as-a-coastguard 

Photo, from left: Trevor Cutler (Newhaven CRT), Mark Francis (Birling Gap), Sadi Hopgood (Eastbourne) and Virginia McVea (Photo credit: Eddie Mitchell)

Coastguard Rescue Officers in Hartlepool have been awarded the highest form of civic honour, to recognise their work and contribution to the borough.

After seeking nominations from the community, Hartlepool Coastguard Rescue Team has been awarded the Honorary Freedom of the Borough by Hartlepool Borough Council, for always helping those in need.

From lifesaving search and rescue call outs to supporting events and happenings in the town, the work of HM Coastguard has not gone unnoticed by locals. 

The prestigious honour was awarded as a huge thank you to the team during a civic ceremony held on 18 March, presented by the Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool, Councillor Shane Moore.

Following the event, Hartlepool Coastguard Rescue Station Officer Garry Carden said: “The team is humbled and privileged to receive such an honour, even to be nominated is something really special. 

“We don’t become coastguard rescue officers for the recognition or praise, we just want to help keep people safe. To receive this honour shows we’re doing something right and we’ve made our community proud.”

Coastal Operations Area Commander Martine Lowe added: “I, alongside HM Coastguard, am so proud of the Hartlepool team, receiving this honour shows how appreciated and respected they are within the community. 

“As the team continues its important and lifesaving duties, officers can remind themselves of this honour – a physical and celebratory reminder of their valued service.”

The citation from the council reads the honour’s bestowal on the coastguard “is testament to the numerous lives saved locally and support the team has provided to Hartlepool”.

Mayor Cllr Moore said: “The Freedom of the Borough is worthy and deserved recognition for a team that does so much to ensure the safety of Hartlepool residents and visitors to the town. 

“The volunteers’ willingness to give up their time to protect others is testimony to their professionalism, dedication and commitment, and it is so reassuring to know that they are on hand in the event of an emergency. 

“My thanks go to each and every member of the team and I would like to congratulate them on this honour.”

Pictures provided by Hartlepool Mail, credit Frank Reid

As part of this year’s International Women’s Day, the Deputy to the Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP) has highlighted the importance of creating a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone.

In 2018 Lisa McAuliffe became the first woman to be appointed a Deputy to the SOSREP. This is a role which during maritime emergencies empowers Lisa to make time critical decisions on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport during a shipping incident, or the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. This is a role she takes seriously but also enjoys. 

Lisa says it is the combination of both men and women that brings “different dimensions and perspective to a team”, adding “work should never be about gender, but about recognising the individual”.

In 1970 women were allowed to join HM Coastguard for the first time, and now, from counter pollution to fishing safety, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency celebrates the inclusion of women across the agency.

“Traditionally roles in HM coastguard were held by men as they were the ones who went to sea and therefore had that maritime experience, but times have changed,” Lisa said.

“It has taken time to evolve but now all genders have just as much experience and skills in the maritime sector as men once did.

“I was a young woman coming into this job and age added a different challenge, but it was a positive experience in lots of ways as I was able to add a new voice and bring new skills to the role.”

One of Lisa’s personal SOSREP achievements was last year; leading the response to an incident near Wolf Rock Lighthouse in Falmouth, where a vessel lost power and ran aground. 

The response to the stricken vessel was led by the Deputy to the SOSREP, with the co-operation and collaboration of key, critical stakeholders; resulting in all remaining safe and no pollution. 

“Tough decisions had to be made, but this is why this role was created,” Lisa said, “gender didn’t have an effect on this, it was just about making the right call and having the support of the teams and organisations around me, no matter what their gender.”

Nodding to the theme of International Women’s Day - Inspire Inclusion - Lisa noted the importance of an equal and accommodating workplace, in particular when it comes to childcare. 

“As time has moved on the MCA has evolved its position on childcare and support. Being a parent, and in my case a single parent, this shouldn’t impact your career”, she said, “there are mothers and fathers who have to and want to work, as well as bringing up children, and that isn’t easy.

“A workplace should be flexible to support staff with children or other caring responsibilities, which in turn will improve inclusion and work productivity.”

Lisa said: “To not be inclusive means missing out on so many experts, so many skilled and wonderful people who can bring so much to your team. It shouldn’t matter what you look like or what your gender is, you’re still a person with feelings that will bring something special to your team.

“Evolution and change is absolutely necessary and the MCA is very good at this, but there is always more work to be done. We should be using our roles to promote inclusivity and a workplace for all, trying to inspire the next generation, that’s what it’s all about.”

Coastguard Rescue Teams in the Western Isles have been celebrated by police for their “brave, decisive and courageous actions” within the community.

The Chief Constable’s Bravery and Excellence Awards, run by Police Scotland, is a chance for the force to recognise individuals and organisations that have gone the extra mile in emergency situations. As part of this the Western Isles Coastguard Rescue Teams have received a Bravery and Conduct Award, for their ongoing mutual support to police. 

The citation from Police Scotland highlighted the “invaluable assistance, expertise and knowledge” provided by HM Coastguard in challenging circumstances, adding the Western Isles teams “work effectively with police to achieve the best possible results”. 

“The brave, decisive and courageous actions of the Western Isles Coastguard Teams ensure that the community they serve are kept safe on a daily basis.”

In a special awards ceremony held on 23 February, Coastal Operations Area Commander Murdo Macaulay, Senior Coastal Operations Officers Ronald MacLean and Kayleigh Smith and Rescue Coordination Centre Manager David Smith were the recipients of the awards.

Area Commander Murdo said: “We don’t do what we do for recognition or praise, but this award is testament to the teams’ hard work and their ongoing dedication to the service. 

“It also shows the important relationship we have and must keep with other emergency services, always working together to achieve results. From providing search and rescue resources to assisting with safety cover or transport, we will always try our best to support our emergency services family.  

“This award is a massive boost for the Western Isles teams and they should be very proud of themselves.”

Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “These awards shine a light on the great value policing brings to communities: keeping people safe from harm, protecting the vulnerable, bringing criminals to justice, solving problems and reducing offending. 

“I want to thank and congratulate all the winners and nominees, including members of the public. Their inspiring work and brave actions illustrate how policing stands up for and with our communities.”

Pictured (L - R) - Divisional Commander David Sharp, Senior Coastal Operations Officers Kayleigh Smith and Ron MacLean, Coastal Operations Area Commander Murdo Macaulay, Rescue Coordination Centre Manager David Smith and Assistant Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan. 

You can still watch the rest of the series on My5 to see the work carried out across the MCA. From HM Coastguard's heart-stopping rescues to surveyors checking vessels are safe to sail.Filming for the second series is well underway and all the exclusive action will be hitting your screens later in the year. 

The action-packed world of HM Coastguard is returning to your screens next week, this time part of a dramatic documentary series on emergency services and rescues.  

SOS Extreme Rescues follows the work of emergency services and volunteer organisations responding to emergencies, taking place in the stunning, wild landscape of Eryri, more commonly known as Snowdonia.

As part of this new BBC2 series, viewers can follow the Coastguard and partner agencies across miles of Welsh mountains, forests and coastline, as teams respond to dangerous call outs and those in urgent need.

From rescuing an injured power-kiter on a Wales beach to an injured walker on Twll Du (Devil’s Kitchen), look out for HM Coastguard across the series, with teams from Abersoch, Barmouth and Criccieth, along with the helicopter crews from Caernarfon, featured.

North Wales Police and the RNLI are just some of the agencies the Coastguard works with on a regular basis, also highlighted in this new series. 

Watch the first episode of SOS Extreme Rescues on BBC 2, Monday 8 January at 7pm. In Wales you can watch SOS Extreme Rescues on BBC One Wales at the same time. The entire series will be available on iPlayer after the broadcast of the first episode. 

This isn’t the first time the important work of HM Coastguard has been shown on TV. Last summer Coastguard – a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency - was aired, and following its success a second series is coming out later this year.

READ MORE -

• Action! Second Channel 5 series of Maritime and Coastguard Agency documentary
• Everything you need to know about the series Coastguard
• The Shipping Forecast and safety as the iconic broadcast turns 100

Two members of HM Coastguard have returned from Hawaii with triathlon world championship medals.

In October Senior Coastal Operations Officer Bex Owen and Coastguard Rescue Officer Alex Tennant were whisked off to Kona to take part in the annual Ironman World Championship. 

This year the championship was divided by gender, making this the first ever female-only event of its kind.

This invite-only triathlon is one of the world’s toughest, made up of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile cycle and a marathon (26.2 miles). This put both Coastguard’s training and love of exercise to the test.

“Everyone wants to qualify and get here, getting the invite was like a pipe dream,” Bex said, pictured below.

Both based in the south of Wales, the two Coastguards regularly take part in sporting events and challenges. From half marathons to bike rides, their passion for adventure and fitness has taken them all across the globe. 

Ironman however is one accomplishment Bex and Alex will never forget. 

Bex said: “I wasn’t sure whether to take part or not at first, but I knew this was a lifetime opportunity.

“It wasn’t just about taking part in Ironman; it was experiencing the culture, history, and meeting people from all over and hearing their stories. There were even people in their 70s competing. 

“The splitting up of men and women did get a bit of backlash, but the standard was so high and the majority completed the whole thing, so that felt incredible.”

Alex added: “What made it feel really special was the atmosphere and support, it really was a celebration for everyone that made this such an empowering experience.”

Bex and Alex beat their personal bests, Bex completing the swim, cycle and marathon in 13 hours and 47 minutes, and Alex in 14 hours and 37 minutes.

Alex said: “I knew taking part in the swim would be a real challenge for me, and in the lead up I wasn’t sure how I’d complete a marathon in the heat. 

“I really wanted to challenge myself and it paid off, it was one of the best things I’ve ever done.”

Bex added: “I tend to be very hard on myself, but it was a tough course with open water swimming and a hilly marathon in hard conditions. We did the best we could and we both smashed it.”

Bex was only invited to take part in August, meaning she only had around two months to prepare.

With training six days a week, some days with two sessions, she said: “I do things like this because I enjoy them, exercise is my relaxation, but this required more training and discipline. I had a coach for the first time for more structured training.”

Alex, pictured left, added: “The training is my down time and I love it, so that becomes part of the journey too. There’s never just the destination.”

Organisation, discipline and swimming are just some of the skills Bex and Alex took from their time with the Coastguard into the championship. 

“I love being a part of the Coastguard, it has taught me so much and so many different skills,” Alex said.

“People spotted we were from the Coastguard and thanked us for our service which was really nice too,” Bex added. 

Taking part in Ironman has encouraged and inspired members of Bex’s and Alex’s teams to also take part in similar events.

Giving advice to those considering a new challenge, Alex said: “Less than two years ago I couldn’t even swim, you just need to believe in yourself and don’t let anyone else affect you or your goals.”

Bex added: “I’d recommend training in Wales, with all our hills and weather you become prepared for anything.

“I love what it says on the Ironman medal about ‘moving forwards’, it’s a good mantra to live by. Just go for it.”

The lifesaving actions of Scott Reed and Sean Robinson, Coastguard Rescue Officers from Blyth, were recognised with Bronze certificates from the Tynemouth Medal Trust as well as Chief Coastguard commendations. 

The incident on Saturday 10 June 2023 started at about 7pm when HM Coastguard received a 999 call from a mother stating that her daughter and two other young girls were stuck in the mud at the River Blyth with the tide coming in. 

Blyth and Newbiggin Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRTs) were sent along with Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service, Blyth RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, and the North East Ambulance Service.  

When Blyth CRT arrived on the scene a rescue plan was quickly produced involving Scott going into the water as a rescue swimmer to pick up one of the girls and bring her back to shore. 

Sean went in next, at the end of a tethered line, and in two visits to the water brought out the last two girls safe and sound. 

At a special ceremony, Scott and Sean were presented with Bronze certificates from the Tynemouth Medal Trust. It distributes accolades for heroic deeds either within the Tyne or nearby sea, or by Tynesiders away from their home area. 

The trust was established in 1895, inspired by the bravery of Tynemouth Coastguard Edwin Hoar who, on 13 October 1891, risked his life to successfully bring ashore the last sailor trapped on a ship driven onto nearby rocks. 

Ryan Douglas, Senior Coastal Operations Officer who leads Blyth CRT, said: “The actions of Scott and Sean undoubtedly saved three children’s lives, continuing the fine traditions of HM Coastguard. 

“Their professionalism, dedication to training and commitment to lifesaving meant that they were able to execute three effective water rescues.” 

Ryan added: “The mum deserves credit too. She did the right thing by staying on shore, calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard. Mud can be much more treacherous than it looks – tide, cold and pressure can combine to be deadly, so our advice is to steer clear.” 

Scott and Sean’s efforts were also rewarded by HM Coastguard with a Chief Coastguard commendation which is given for bravery or exceptionally meritorious service. 

Main picture (front row, l-r): Coastal Operations Area Commander Martin Lowe; Scott Reed; Jon Wright and Peter Liley from Tynemouth Medal Trust; Sean Robinson and Ryan Douglas

It has been a year of innovation and looking to the future, following the celebratory atmosphere of 2022, when the coastguard celebrated its bicentenary.

As we prepare to see in a new year, we take a moment to reflect on the big moments of 2023.

January

Marks the end of a fantastic year of events across the nation to celebrate the two-hundredth anniversary of keeping people safe at the coast.

Read more here.

Watch the teaser: 

A new initiative to introduce the public to our wonderful volunteer teams, with videos, written interviews and more.

Check out the series.

February

Daisy Jarvis, who began volunteering for the RNLI as lifeboat crew while still at school, and serving as a third officer in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, received the award.

Read more.

Svitzer Marine Ltd fined £2million for the safety breaches, which caused the ‘avoidable tragedy’.

Read more.

Ryan Gray, who works in the Belfast Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, went with the group he set up called ‘K9 Search and Rescue NI’.

March

A dramatic 999 call made by a 17-year-old boy who fell from his paddleboard into the sea helps to promote coastal safety message.

Seven members of HM Coastguard have received a special accolade, after a three-and-a-half-hour rescue that saved a life and ‘tested bravery and decision making'.

Further details.

Experts from across the UK will be gathering today (8 March) to discuss all aspects of the science that keeps mariners safe in its waters in an event organised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

MCA drive to digitise continue at pace, with a pilot scheme to allow candidates for the Officer of the Watch (OOW) deck unlimited qualification to split the exam process into two parts is being introduced by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency this Spring.

Read more.

April

A hugely successful launch of the new dedicated webpage. 

A new chapter begins in the life of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in April, as Virginia McVea takes up the role of CEO.

A lone yachtsman was rescued off the coast of Devon as rescue teams battled Storm Mathis and wind speeds gusting over 50mph.

Full story here.

May

Twenty-two members of His Majesty's Coastguard will line the streets as part of the Civil Services Contingent (CSC) in the Coronation Procession of King Charles III on Saturday 6 May 2023.

A tide of female volunteers joining the HM Coastguard team at the Holy Island of Lindisfarne in Northumberland is helping to overturn the maritime world’s outdated reputation as the preserve of men. 

Read the story.

June

The volunteers who are the lifeblood of HM Coastguard took their turn in the limelight during a visit to Scotland by the new Maritime and Coastguard Agency Chief Executive, Virginia McVea.

“I’ll come back for you.” These were the last words David Rawlston shouted to his uncle, Gordon MacDonald, as he and his daughter were wrenched away by a vicious rip current off the coast of west Scotland. The family recount the horrifying day.

Read the full story.

London Coastguards put to the test in a major search and rescue exercise on the River Thames involving boats, mud crews and a helicopter.

A father has urged people to take care digging on the beach after his 14-year-old son became trapped when a pile of excavated sand collapsed on top of him.

Find out more.

An agreement that is the first of its kind in England has been signed to make it easier for HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopters to respond to requests to transport seriously ill or injured adult patients between NHS hospitals in South West England.

Read about the important agreement.

July

The new documentary series, Coastguard, aired for the first-ever time on Channel 5 and was a huge success with the public. More than five million people tuned in to watch the first series.

It was such a success that another series will be coming to your screens in 2024.

Read more.

Fisher tells story of sinking boat, and the safety kit that proved lifesaving.

Full story.

August

Learn about the counter-pollution hardware on standby round the clock, forming part of the UK’s response that can be deployed to the coast within hours if the worst happens. 

A grandfather learned the importance of checking the weather forecast and safety signage, after he and his 11-year-old grandson were swept out to sea while paddleboarding.

Full story.

September

Responding to national maritime emergencies is an essential part of what the Maritime and Coastguard Agency does, not only to save lives at sea, but to prevent environmental harm too.

Read more.

Following a case brought by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the owner and skipper of a vessel has received a 12-month suspended sentence after a 21-year-old was lost overboard in the middle of the Atlantic.

Full story.

Five Coastguard Rescue Teams, seven RNLI lifeboats and two Coastguard helicopters took part in the search for father and son.

Read more.

October

A group of dedicated industry professionals has been created to prioritise the health and wellbeing of cadets during training, both on land and at sea. 

More about it here.

The crew of an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter has won an accolade from the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society for a brave operation that saved eight sailors during Storm Claudio in October last year.

A new toolkit designed to help teams cope with distressing search and rescue incidents is being launched in the week of World Mental Health Day on 10 October.

Full story.

As Storm Babet battered parts of the UK, coastguards were among those at the heart of the multi-agency response.

• Coastguards from across the UK supporting flood response to Storm Babet
• Coastguard highlights 'tenacity and resilience' of residents evacuated in Storm Babet floods 

November

HM Coastguard take part in the Remembrance Day Parade at the Cenotaph, with a contingent of 10 chosen to march.

A new app for seafarers, launched by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, is a chance for those working at sea to have safety advice, checklists and important resources at their fingertips. 

The correct safety equipment onboard meant the sailor could keep in contact with HM Coastguard throughout.

Full story here.

December

A groundbreaking review of the UK’s cadet syllabus, which could shape the future of training worldwide, has been completed by the Cadet Training & Modernisation (CT&M) Programme.

Leisure sailors have been urged to take the traditional drink-drive safety message from the roads onto the water to help avoid a Christmas tragedy this year.

Read more.

The group selected have never taken part in the contingent before as, each year, a new group are awarded the honour of representing the search and rescue service.

They have been selected from every area of the coastguard, including maritime, coastal, air and non-operational.

Alongside those marching at the Cenotaph, there will also be 15 members of the coastguard at the Westminster Abbey service on Sunday. 

This weekend’s involvement in events follows four Coastguards paying tribute in the opening ceremony of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster event on Thursday. The memorial garden was opened this year by Queen Camilla, who took time to inspect the coastguard plot and meet Senior Coastal Operations Officer Ryan Douglas.

Hear from a few of those taking part in this year’s ceremony:

Cameron McAuley

“Remembrance Sunday, for me, is a chance to celebrate service and self-sacrifice. As we observe the two minutes silence we are remembering those who, through their service to not only their country but their husbands, wives, children and community in times of conflict, didn’t make it home. Service is the cornerstone of the volunteers who make up the Coastguard Rescue Service and it is a privilege to serve my community each time we get called out (even at 3 in the morning in the middle of winter!).

“Representing His Majesty’s Coastguard at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday is the honour of a lifetime and I hope to do my family, my community, and the Service proud.”

Carol Campbell

“I am honoured to be selected to represent HM Coastguard on Remembrance Sunday 2023, following a 27-year career with HM Coastguard.

“We are an organisation with strong roots in the military. My home, the Isle of Lewis, is an island which has seen many servicemen and women, make the ultimate sacrifice, both during wartime and also notably, during the Iolaire Disaster, a maritime tragedy which devastated the island.

“It will be a privilege to attend and remember those who have gone before us.”

Redvers Stringer

“I feel extremely proud to represent HM coastguard, especially given the ties it has with the military in the past.

“As a retired member of the armed forces serving in the Royal Air Force, remembrance is a chance for me to reflect on my own personal experiences, but also to acknowledge those who have died or received injuries during the course of their duties. Not just military personnel, but also civilian agencies that have supported the military over the years.”

Kelly Burnett

“2023 marked 20 years of service as a British Army soldier. It is where I honed the skills necessary for my current role and grew into the person I am today.

“Remembrance Sunday is a poignant reminder of the suffering and sacrifice that took place to grant and protect the freedoms and values that matter to me. To pay tribute, where it all began in 1919, is the highest honour and privilege for an army reservist, civil servant, former Commonwealth citizen and woman.”

Nathan Cannon

“My job involves initiating and co-ordinating search and rescue within the UK Search and rescue region. This includes answering 999 calls, managing distress radio traffic, tasking lifeboats and helicopters, liaising with other emergency services around the UK and the world as well as many more daily duties.

“I feel very honoured to be chosen to represent HM Coastguard at this event and feel privileged that I get to stand alongside other emergency and military services to take time to remember those who gave their lives for us.”

Rebecca Owen

“I am humbled to represent HM Coastguard at this year’s parade. It is a date that I mark each year, by taking part in my local remembrance parade.

“My grandfather, Arthur Jack Skelton Holman, served in the British Army during the Second World War.

“He was captured by the Japanese and was held as a POW until the war ended, he was forced to work constructing the Burma Railway. I feel it important to honour his memory.”

More than 100 HM Coastguard Rescue Officers were deployed across the UK as part of the National Flood Response Framework during the Storm Babet response last weekend, with coastguard flood rescue teams seen across news channels in some of the worst affected areas.

If you tuned into any mainstream news channel during coverage, you would have seen some of our teams in action, as they rescued people from homes caught in floods.

Graham, a coastguard rescue officer from Southport in Merseyside, was among those deployed to Brechin and Invergowrie in Northeast Scotland last week, as he helped warn and evacuate residents caught out by the rising waters.

Sent as part of the coastguard flood team in Area 15 (officers from Wirral, Southport, Fleetwood, Knott End, Arnside, Furness, Millom, Whitehaven and Maryport Rescue Teams), Graham travelled to Scotland to join coastguard flood teams from all across the UK.

He said that it was an experience that will stay with him forever, as the resilience and bravery of the residents he helped left him with a lasting impression. It was the first time his team had been deployed to a live flood incident, having completed the training earlier in the year.

“I am so pleased I stepped forward when they asked for volunteers,” he said. “I am so glad that I was able to help people. We went to do what we are trained to do but seeing it firsthand, people losing everything to the water, was tough.

“The tenacity and resilience of people, when disaster strikes, can be really incredible though. They were the ones faced with a horrendous situation, and yet they were thanking us for coming.”

He said that his team were sent to Brechin ahead of the flood and helped in the evacuation, before being dispatched to Invergowrie, near Dundee, the following day to rescue people who had become trapped in their flooded homes.

“We were going door to door in Invergowrie,” he said. “Which was a strange experience for a coastguard, as there was slightly less urgency than we’re used to, no less danger of course, but it was different. It was something you had to witness firsthand but the bravery and care for each other – and us – was humbling. We all commented on it and we were all humbled by their attitude in the face of the carnage and destruction around them.”

The Area 15 flood team were in Scotland for four days, helping emergency service partners with the response, before heading back on Sunday.

“There was definite trepidation before we went,” Graham said. “Some tension in the air about what lay ahead.

“We were seeing the extreme weather warnings and news, although we were well prepared and well trained for it all, we were all a bit on edge throughout. When we arrived and saw the speed and power of the water in the river at Brechin though, we knew that we would have work to do, and potentially lives to save.

“It was such a team effort - including the wider emergency services team - we're really grateful to our emergency service partners (especially Scottish Fire and Rescue) for allowing us to take over rooms, kitchens, giving us hot drinks and making us feel like part of the team.”

Lee Gallacher (pictured), who works at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Fareham, was staffing the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s stand in September when he fell into conversation with a man who had come up to express his appreciation. 

As they spoke, it emerged that Lee was one of the Maritime Operations Officers who had been at the other end of the line a few weeks earlier coordinating efforts to bring the vessel safely into Portsmouth. 

Lee, who joined HM Coastguard earlier this year, said: “His gratitude was noticeable. In the operations room, we rarely get to meet those whom we help. It certainly reinforced my decision to join HM Coastguard and use my career skills and local knowledge to save lives and improve safety at sea, something I am very passionate about.” 

The incident began at about 4.30pm on 28 August when the alarm was raised to a yacht suffering engine failure as it travelled east to Gosport. 

When Lee took over the situation from a colleague, he continued regularly checking the welfare and position of the crew of three. They were all kitted out with lifejackets but starting to tire from the journey. 

Between Lee and the skipper, they came up with a plan to maintain emergency and navigational lights by protecting reserves of the onboard battery, which was failing to charge. 

A sailor himself, Lee realised that with the tide turning and wind dropping, there was a risk the yacht would struggle to make way once it came into the central Solent. 

As it slowly made progress under sail, Lee provided updates on shipping positions. He liaised with Southampton Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), the city’s Harbour Master patrol launch to give a tow, and then the King’s Harbour Master in Portsmouth to guide the yacht in. 

With the help of a second tow by a nearby vessel in Portsmouth harbour, the crew was safely berthed by 6.15am the next morning – 14 hours after the alarm was first raised. 

Lee said: “As a career sailor, I was able to put myself in the skipper’s shoes and think what resources he needed to manage on-board to keep the vessel safe.  

“He thanked me and all of the assets involved for our compassion, understanding and local knowledge to aid him back to his home berth safely.” 

The four-strong team based in Newquay were presented with the Edward & Maisie Lewis Award at the annual ceremony held in Fishmongers Hall, London, to recognise skill and gallantry at sea. 

The crew of the helicopter – operated and supplied under contract by Bristow Helicopters Ltd – comprised Captain Debdash Bhattacharya, Co-Pilot Mark Coupland, Winch Operator Jason Bibby and the Winch Paramedic Carlton Real. 

Between them they rescued eight people from French yacht Gannet which was taking on water after being caught in fierce winds. 

The initial alert, just after 9pm on the night of Monday 31 October last year, was to conduct an urgent medical transfer. 

But as they flew to the scene the challenge became more complicated with the yacht crew considering abandoning ship, insufficient lifejackets on board, and two of them described as being in a “poor” condition. 

Over the next hour, the HM Coastguard crew battled lashing rain, mountainous waves and extremely poor visibility to winch up six of the eight sailors to safety. 

Lifting off the last two brought fresh difficulties as it would leave the helm unattended, losing control of the yacht and ability to keep it steady for the helicopter hovering above.  

The solution was a manoeuvre known as a triple-man lift – which brought up the remaining pair in one go and completed a rescue mission full of bravery and professionalism. 

The yacht was towed to Newlyn by the RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat from Penlee which supported the operation. 

Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Chief Executive Officer Virgina McVea said: “This rescue exemplifies the lifesaving professionalism that HM Coastguard teams all around the UK exhibit every day on air, land and sea. 

“It was a hugely difficult and dangerous mission that brought eight people to safety in the face of frightening storm conditions. 

“The bravery and skill displayed by the helicopter crew fully deserves this honour from the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society and we’re very grateful for their recognition.” 

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society offers support to those across the UK who are suffering hardship during or after fulfilling their life at sea. 

Captain Justin Osmond RN, Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, added: “The rescue of the crew demonstrated the highest standards of judgement, professionalism and co-operation, combined with outstanding initiative and courage. 

“The diverse challenges posed by this rescue, including the very real danger to the winchman and casualties caused by the unpredictable motion of the yacht’s mast and rigging, required an exceptional level of skill and judgement from all four members of the crew.  

“In responding to these challenges, they are fully deserving of the Edward and Maisie Lewis Award for 2023.” 

Claire Hall, Station Officer at Lowestoft Coastguard Rescue Team, shared her thoughts on what Emergency Services Day means to our teams as the nation celebrates the national day (9 September).

The day is a chance for us all to take time out to say thank you to those who keep us safe, wherever we are and whatever we are doing.

As one of the four emergency services in the UK, HM Coastguard is the coordinating and tasking authority for search and rescue at sea, responding to more than 36,000 incidents last year alone and saving hundreds, if not thousands, of lives.

The Coastguard Rescue Service is made up of 3,500 volunteers in 308 Coastguard Rescue Teams across the UK and led by 102 employed operational staff. They are supported by approximately 400 highly trained staff who work in the maritime rescue coordination centres and coordinate the rescue response. HM Coastguard is a category one responder and is made up of highly dedicated and skilled people.

A unique national rescue service, it relies on the commitment and care of people willing to give their time and effort to help others.

As the sun blazes down on the UK this weekend, and people flock to the coast looking to cool off, keep an eye out for one of our teams and wave a thank you (please do not interrupt a team in action, but wait until they are free).

It is one day a year, but it really matters to teams to feel the recognition and gratitude.

Mike Buratti, Coastal Operations Area Commander for Northwest England, said: “Being part of an emergency service can be demanding but, at the same time, exceptionally rewarding.

“We are there to help people who are sometimes having the worst day of their life.

“Coastguard staff and volunteers dedicate their lives to helping others and it’s nice that the UK comes together on Emergency Services Day to honour all the staff and volunteers across all Emergency Services who play such a crucial role in keeping people safe.”

Want to find out more? Visit: https://hmcoastguard.uk/about-us

After more than 5-million people tuned in to watch the debut six episodes this summer, the fly-on-the-wall documentary is set to return to living rooms early next year having been recommissioned for another outing. 

Show-maker Middlechild Productions has already started filming again with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, with camera crews lined up to capture footage well into the winter. 

The action they cover is expected to range around the country and across the organisation: from Coastguard Rescue Teams, maritime rescue coordination centres and helicopter crews to marine surveyors and investigations teams. 

The first series was over a year in the making and was shown on the primetime 9pm slot on Sundays. It revealed how the MCA works both as rescuer and regulator towards the common goals of safer ships, safer lives and cleaner seas. 

Missed Series 1? Catch up here.