COASTGUARD CHAMPIONS

It's very difficult to single out any individual Coastguard for the actions they have taken in the course of their duties. If you ask them about their work, they will probably say it was just routine, which says more about them than mere words can convey.

"Her Majesty's Coastguard is one big team that carries out its duties across the whole of the UK. Whether in coordination centres or on the coast, individuals and teams actions make a huge difference to peoples' lives.
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"Although this week we are talking about just some of our people, I know that every Coastguard in the country is prepared to act in the same way as those featured. Since 1822 when the Coastguard was formed out of the old Water Guard, we have been safeguarding lives around the coast of the UK. Our staff in the operations rooms and our Coastal volunteer and regular officers are always at immediate readiness to offer assistance to those who require our services at any time, day or night.

"I want to thank all Coastguards everywhere for the 'routine' work you do to help so many people every day.”

Chief Coastguard, Richard Martin




SEARCH AND RESCUE INCIDENTS

NAME: George Bevan
TEAM: Broadhaven and St Davids Coastguard Rescue Teams
COORDINATION CENTRE: Milford Haven Coastguard
RESCUE: Stranded Pembrokeshire Passengers Pulled To Safety
DATE: 1 February 2014

The west Wales coastline was being battered by gale force winds and torrential rain. A bus with 14 people on board was traveling along Newgale seafront when it was hit by a massive wave, smashing the windows and flooding the bus. With the water level rising around the vehicle, it was a race against time to get those on board to safety.

Milford Haven Coastguard was first alerted to the unfolding drama just after 7pm. The watch-keeping staff were told the bus was stuck on the road along the Newgale seafront and it was already surrounded by the water being churned up by the ferocious waves and 50mph winds.

The Broadhaven and St Davids Coastguard Rescue Teams were immediately paged and sent to the scene, along with HM Coastguard’s Preseli Sector Manager. On arrival, Coastguard Rescue Officer George Bevan, who was trained in water rescue, had little time to assess the
Copyright: Colin Higgs
situation before he had to make a difficult decision. As they were waiting for back up and safety cover from the fire service and their rescue boat, the bus was hit by yet another massive wave, pushing it further along the road. The back end had been pushed onto a shingle bank and the bus was now resting in an awkward and precarious position.

It was then that George took the brave decision to immediately evacuate those on board. Despite the treacherous conditions, George and two fellow rescue officers boarded the bus and helped the passengers one by one off the bus. It was a miracle that no one was injured.



NAME: Colin Tabor and Paul Richman
TEAM: Lymington Coastguard Rescue Team
COORDINATION CENTRE: Solent Coastguard
RESCUE: Heart Stopping Valentine’s Restaurant Rescue
DATE: 14 February 2014


More than 30 diners were at the Marine Cafe in Milford-on-Sea enjoying a romantic Valentine's meal. The stormy sea was churning outside and the strong winds were engulfing the Hampshire coastline, but nobody was expecting what happened next.

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At around 10pm that night, the combination of high winds and sea levels caused the waves to flood over the top the sea wall at Milford and smash into the windows at the restaurant. Water flooded in, along with shingle and other debris that the waves had picked up along the way. The 32 diners had no choice but to grab their belongings and flea to the upper floor, but they were stranded.

Solent Coastguard was then alerted to the emergency situation, and immediately dispatched the Lymington Coastguard Rescue Team to the scene. Coastguard Rescue Officers Colin Tabor and Paul Richman arrived to find vehicles overturned, beach huts had been smashed and the water was knee deep with waist high waves sweeping people off their feet with ferocious force. Cars had simply been brushed to one side.

Conditions at the time were described as diabolical and extremely hazardous. The Coastguard Rescue Team, led by Station Officer Colin Tabor, were trained in fast water rescue, and put their skills to good use in by helping those trapped in the restaurant. Paul even removed a boulder from the road to make sure emergency vehicles could get through. One by one they helped the diners out of the restaurant and away from the scene of devastation. Miraculously all 32 diners were unhurt.




TEAM: HM Coastguard North Kent Sector Manager, alongside the Medway, Sheppey and Herne Bay Coastguard Rescue Teams.
COORDINATION CENTRE: Thames Coastguard
RESCUE: Christmas Chaos at Kent Caravan Park
DATE: 24 December 2013

It was Christmas Eve and Coastguard Sector Manager Colin Ingram had just finished work for the festive break. He was settling in to enjoy Christmas with his family, but little did he know at that moment what the night had in store for him and three of his Coastguard Rescue Teams.
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HM Coastguard’s normal area of operation is along the UK coastline, but on that afternoon, there was an emergency situation developing inland. With the onslaught of heavy rain, flood waters were rapidly rising at the Little Venice Caravan and Marina Park at Yalding, Kent. The watch keeping staff at Thames Coastguard were contacted to see if they could help. They could, and a decision was quickly made to dispatch Colin and his specially trained water rescue teams to the caravan site.

Colin and his Coastguard Rescue Officers from the Medway, Sheppey and Herne Bay Coastguard Rescue Teams worked tirelessly throughout Christmas Eve and into the early hours of Christmas Day. Through the rising flood waters and the onset of darkness, Colin and the teams checked every single caravan and rescued 76 people using four small boats, and three four-by-four vehicles.

Colin and the rescue officers gave up their free time in what were incredibly difficult conditions. They finally returned home to their families early on Christmas Day.



NAME: Peter Overton
TEAM: Margate Coastguard Rescue Team
COORDINATION CENTRE: Dover Coastguard
RESCUE: Babies Rescued Through Crashing Waves
DATE: Friday 6 December 2013

Copyright: Colin Higgs
In one of the worst tidal surges we’ve seen in more than 60 years, massive waves were hitting the UK coastline. A 999 call was made to Dover Coastguard reporting that two women with babies in prams and a dog had become cut off by the large waves crashing over the promenade at Louisa Bay, Broadstairs. The water was rising and the sea front was starting to flood. They were trapped.

Dover Coastguard immediately sent the Margate Coastguard Rescue Team to the scene and first to arrive was rescue officer Peter Overton. He located the group who were sheltering behind a container, having been drenched by one of the waves.
He made sure he was in a safe position and managed to shout out some instructions to them. By doing this, he guided them to safety in between the waves.

Peter was quick to respond to this incident. He managed to locate those in trouble and help them to safety. Using his skills and experience has a Coastguard Rescue Officer, he ensured those in trouble didn’t come to any serious harm.



TEAM: Aberystwyth and Borth Coastguard Rescue Teams, alongside the HM Coastguard Cambrian Sector Manager
COORDINATION CENTRE: Milford Haven Coastguard
RESCUE: Shattering Storms Batter West Wales Coast
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DATE: January and February 2014

Coastguard Rescue Officers from the Aberystwyth and Borth teams were regularly being called into action as heavy rain, high tides and strong winds battered the west Wales coastline. Each time they left their own families and properties, knowing they could also be at risk of storm and flood damage.

Keith Morgan from Aberystwyth and Allan Lloyd from Borth both lead their teams through the eleven occasions they were called out. During this time the teams put themselves at risk to evacuate the elderly and vulnerable, give out door to door evacuation orders, man safety cordons to prevent the public from putting themselves in danger, and giving safety advice to the public who were in direct risk of being knocked over by the large waves. The teams were also able to use their 4x4 vehicles to deliver meals on wheels and also hand out essential supplies to the elderly and vulnerable.
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George Crumpler, the area’s Sector Manager, was regularly on scene as the sometimes hurricane force winds hit Aberystwyth. On one occasion, George ran between the waves that were ripping up the seafront to help someone taking cover in a shelter. With the help of a local police officer, George was able to bring this person back through the waves to a place of safety.

After George and his teams were stood down, they were able to return to their own flood damaged properties to help their families. During these extraordinary storms, some of the volunteers had even taken time off from their full time jobs, using up their annual leave to help others in their communities.


TEAM: HM Coastguard North Norfolk Sector Manager, alongside Happisburgh and Mundesley Coastguard Rescue Teams
COORDINATION CENTRE: Humber Coastguard
RESCUE: Round The Clock Tidal Surge Response
DATE: 5 December 2013
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In the face of the worst tidal surge in more than 60 years, Coastguards up and down the east coast of England were facing treacherous conditions during the night of 5 December 2013.
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Tony Garbutt was called late afternoon and asked to assist with evacuations of properties at Walcott. He, along with the Happisburgh and Mundesley Coastguard Rescue Team, were out in the dark, battling the elements, but were on hand throughout to ensure everyone got out safely. There was also big concern about the coastal erosion at Happisburgh. With the worsening conditions, Tony and his team escorted people from their houses to safety. 

Tony worked through the night and into the next day to ensure the safety of the public. He was on scene for almost 24 hours.

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