HM Coastguard

The death of a cocker spaniel on the Isle of Skye earlier today has served as a tragic reminder to owners to keep their dog on a lead. At 2:30pm this afternoon, Stornoway Coastguard received a 999 call reporting that a dog had run over the edge of a 200ft cliff at Kilt Rock, around 14 miles north of Portree on the Isle of Skye. The Portree and Dunvegan Coastguard Rescue Teams and the Portree Lifeboat went to the scene and a Coastguard Officer was lowered down the cliff to look for the animal.  Coastguards always respond to these incidents to ensure that members of the public do not attempt to carry out a rescue, putting themselves in danger.   Sadly, the lifeboat crew later recovered the body of the animal from the water. Watch Manager for Stornoway Coastguard, Martin Collins, said:   "This was a very sad incident and a reminder to keep dogs on leads near cliff edges.  Even if a cliff edge appears to be adequately fenced, an excited animal can sometimes find a

Simon Bale MBE being presented with the award by the High Sheriff of Somerset Mr R D Lloyd A Coastguard Rescue Officer from Watchet has been recognised for his efforts in helping save a young baby boy’s life. Simon Bale has been given a Royal Humane Society (RHS) award, which acknowledges acts of bravery in the saving of human life and for effecting successful resuscitations.  The award was presented by the High Sheriff of Somerset, Mr Richard Lloyd.  On Sunday 27 January 2013, Simon and the rest of the Watchet Coastguard Rescue Team were called out to Watchet Harbour. It was after Sam Cooper-Stevens’ pram had been blown into the water by a strong gust of wind. Former Coastguard George Reeder, who was nearby at the time, jumped in and managed to rescue the six-month-old. However, Sam was in urgent need of medical attention, so Simon stepped in to carry out CPR until ambulance crews arrived. The boy has since made a full recovery. On receiving the RHS award, Simon said: “I wou

A windsurfer has been pulled from the water after apparently getting into difficulty just outside Langstone Harbour. The Coastguard was contacted just after 12.15pm this afternoon by a dinghy that had spotted some windsurfing gear in the water and located a man face down. They pulled him on board and took him straight back to shore. The Hayling Island Coastguard Rescue Team, the Coastguard helicopter from Lee-on-Solent, three RNLI lifeboats – one from Portsmouth and the two from Hayling Island – were sent to the scene, along with police and ambulance crews.  The man was then flown by the Coastguard helicopter to the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, where he was sadly pronounced deceased.

A woman’s been rescued after falling into the River Lune at St. George’s Quay. Liverpool Coastguard received a number of 999 calls just after 11am reporting that the woman had slipped and fallen into the water while she was trying to keep her young boy back from the edge. Two passers-by started talking to her and instructed her to get to a place in the river where they could help her out. She did and they pulled her to safety. The Morecambe and Knott End Coastguard Rescue Teams were sent to the scene, along with the RNLI inshore lifeboat from Morecambe, fire, police and ambulance crews. Paul Parkes, Watch Manager with Liverpool Coastguard, said: “This woman was very lucky that two passers-by were able to direct her to a safe point where they could pull her out of the river. “We always urge people to take extra care when walking along the water’s edge, as you could lose your footing and fall in. Remember, if you see someone in difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coa

Never be afraid to call the Coastguard, we’d always rather be called than not be called.  When something goes wrong at sea, no matter how small, it always has the potential to become something much worse.  A woman on a cruise ship made the right decision in calling 999 for the Coastguard when after walking out on to her balcony, the door accidently locked behind her yesterday evening at 9:20pm.  As there was no one nearby who could help, rather than panicking she made the right decision and called the Coastguard. Anyone can get locked out, but at sea it could have become something serious.  The Coastguard were able instantly to call the liner and who sent a crew member to unlock the balcony door.  The ship in this case was still in the Solent and without the need to task any rescue resources she was speedily returned to safety. Coastguard Matt West said: “The Coastguard encourages anyone in trouble at sea to call 999 and while this situation was quickly resolved, it ma

Coastguards and other emergency services have been putting their skills to the test today, as they took part in a major rescue exercise. Coastguard Rescue Officers from Newhaven, Birling Gap and Eastbourne were involved in the rope rescue scenario alongside Sussex Police, East Sussex Fire Service, West Sussex Fire Service and South East Coast Ambulance Service. The exercise took place on West Beach at Newhaven. Starting at midday, a simulated 999 call reported that a car with four people inside had gone over the cliff.  Rescue teams were sent to the scene, set up their rope rescue equipment and worked together to free and bring the casualties to the cliff top. Coastguard Rescue Officers on scene Coastguard Graham Easton, organiser of today’s exercise, said: “A search and rescue operation can often involve many different emergency services and agencies, who all have different roles and responsibilities when it comes to dealing with incidents. “This exercise at Newhaven’s West B

If you’re thinking of going for a walk along the coast to visit some of the stunning locations we have in the UK, it’s always good to go prepared.  As well as taking some food and something to drink, there’s some other tips we can give you to make sure you enjoy your walk. Because conditions can change quickly, we always say you should check the weather before setting out.  Make sure you have appropriate clothing to keep warm and dry and also check the tide times so you don’t get cut off, especially when walking on the shoreline, beaches or crossing tidal causeways. Keep a look out for warning signs, they can warn you of all sorts of dangers you may not have thought of. We want people to enjoy the coastline as much as we do. Some of the coastal paths, even on a sunny day can be quite muddy and a lot of them are strewn with rocks so it’s a good idea to make sure you have the right type of shoes or boots.  We have a really good relationship with Ordnance Survey and their map

The Coastguard was contacted just after 9.30pm tonight with reports that an elderly male was seen by the sea wall along Meadfoot Sea Road in Torquay. A member of the public said he saw large waves crashing over the wall, spotted the man briefly before he disappeared from view. The Torbay Coastguard Rescue Team, two lifeboats from Torbay along with the RAF search and rescue helicopter from Chivenor conducted extensive searches of the area but nothing was found.  Weather conditions on scene are described as poor, with 1 ½ metre swell and a strong onshore wind. Unless any new information comes to light, the search has been stood down.

A search is underway this morning for a passenger missing from the cross-channel ferry ‘Pride of Kent’. Dover Coastguard was contacted just after 1.30am by the ferry who reported that a female passenger was missing and they believed she had gone overboard. At the time they were approximately 6 miles off Dover. A massive search was launched, including the Coastguard helicopter from Lee-on-Solent, RNLI lifeboats from Dungeness, Dover and Walmer plus the lifeboat from Calais, along with a tug boat from the Port of Dover, and other ferries that have been passing through the area. So far, nothing has been found.  The search continues. UPDATE: 07:35 Thursday 13 November 2014 The 'Pride of Kent' has arrived at Calais and a head count has been carried out. All crew and passengers, including the woman believed to be missing, have been accounted for safe and well. However, a witness on board the ferry insists they saw someone go overboard. The search involving two lif

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) announced today that six foreign flagged ships were under detention in UK ports during October 2014 after failing Port State Control (PSC) inspection. During October, there were three new detentions of foreign flagged vessels in a UK port. Three vessels remained under detention from previous months and four vessels were released during October.  A total of two vessels remain under detention at the end of October. 1. In response to one of the recommendations of Lord Donaldson's Inquiry into the prevention of pollution from merchant shipping and in compliance with the EU Directive on Port State Control (2009/16/EC as amended), the Maritime and Coastguard agency (MCA) publishes details of the foreign flagged vessels detained in UK ports each month. 2. The UK is part of a regional agreement on port state control known as the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MOU) and information on all ships that are inspected

The Coastguard was contacted at around 9.50pm last night with reports that a man was missing from his boat. Brighton Marina had been told by a friend of the man that he had not returned home as planned. The man’s Sunseeker was then found near the harbour wall at Brighton. A search was launched and continues this morning. The Shoreham and Newhaven Coastguard Rescue Teams, and Shoreham, Newhaven and Brighton lifeboats are all involved with the search, along with the Coastguard helicopter from Lee-on-Solent. UPDATE 11:30am Monday 10 November 2014 The Newhaven and Shoreham Coastguard Rescue Teams have been carrying out extensive shoreline searches all the way around Brighton Marina, including the eastern and western arms of the marina. Brighton and Shoreham inshore lifeboats have searched all the way around the marina, including in and out of every pontoon. Shoreham all weather lifeboat has carried out searches east from Shoreham to Brighton Marina, and back to Shoreh

The search for the remaining two men from the Ocean Way has been terminated with nothing found. Two helicopters and merchant vessels had been searching throughout yesterday afternoon and evening but were unable to find any sign of the two missing crewmen. Three other men were airlifted from the scene yesterday, but one subsequently died. The search will not resume. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has been informed.

The search for the remaining two men from the Ocean Way has finished for tonight with nothing found. Two helicopters have been searching throughout this afternoon and evening but they have been unable to find any sign of the two missing people. Three other men were airlifted from the scene earlier today, but one subsequently died. Unless further information is forthcoming it is unlikely that the search will resume in the morning. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has been informed.

Three people were recovered from the water this afternoon. Sadly one of these has subsequently died. An RAF search and rescue helicopter is continuing to search for the other two.

Humber Coastguard is coordinating the search for the missing skipper and four crew of the trawler, ‘ Ocean Way ’. The trawler, was last heard from about 100 miles east of the Farne Islands . The emergency beacon from the vessel began transmitting earlier today and since then the Coastguard have been trying to contact the skipper and have also been broadcasting mayday relay messages which have been requesting all shipping to look out for the missing crew. An RAF rescue helicopter is now on scene and so far two people have been found alive in the water and winched to safety. The Norwegian helicopter Rescue 1 will arrive on scene shortly to relieve the RAF rescue helicopter. Mike Puplett, Humber Coastguard Watch Manager said: “We will continue searching as long as necessary. We still have the benefit of  daylight and fairly favourable weather conditions for searching.”