This in from Her Majesty’s Coastguard. Ed
“Help… help!”
“We’re on the rocks and the tide’s coming in…”
“Someone’s fallen over the cliff edge. He’s hurt… I can’t get to him…”
Every day, around the coast, hundreds of people make a 999 call to Her Majesty’s Coastguard.
Whether it’s someone out of their depth in the sea, or who has fallen off a cliff or is stuck in the mud and unable to free themselves, it’s a Coastguard Rescue Team that will be on hand to help.
Rescue teams need volunteers
As the emergency service responsible for coordinating maritime search and rescue in the UK, HM Coastguard needs volunteers for its rescue teams. Ordinary people doing an extraordinary job.
Coastguard Rescue Teams can be called into action any time, day or night. There are 3,500 volunteers in 347 teams around the coast of the UK, but there are always vacancies.
Coastguard Rescue Officers help search for and rescue people in difficulties, be it on cliffs, stuck in mud or in water and also search for missing people. They report and deal with pollution and other hazards and work with other emergency services and local authorities during major incidents.
Coastguard Rescue Teams are vital
Head of Coastal Operations Charles Ball said:
“If you live in a coastal community, you’ll know how vital the Coastguard Rescue Team is to the area. These are people who are prepared to react day or night – often in matters of life and death. What they do matters. And we need more people like them to join.
“Coastguard Rescue Officers are trained in first aid and a variety of technical rescue techniques, depending on their location. Aside from giving your time to a worthy cause, volunteering has a number of key benefits for your career too. It can help you stand out from the crowd and learn practical transferrable skills.
“If you’d like to join, we’ll ensure you have regular training, and all we ask in return is that you are within a few minutes of the Coastguard base, and available to respond at most times.”
Find out more by visiting the HM Coastguard Website
