Published: 02 June 2009
Thousands of Coastal Life Savers are Volunteers
Coastguard Agency is paying tribute to its 3, 520 volunteers in the Coastguard Rescue Service who perform an important & invaluable role in saving lives around the coast.
It is also asking those who live in coastal communities whether they could join this highly capable yet historic service.
Volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers contribute their time, effort and experience to providing a front line search & rescue resource for Her Majesty's Coastguard and UK Search and Rescue.
Each team is made up of volunteers drawn from the local community who are fully trained and equipped to carry out rescue & accident prevention work along the coastline.
Their dedication & commitment to serving their communities and saving lives upholds the values of volunteering and the finest traditions of HM Coastguard, which is celebrating over 185 years of saving lives.
Pam Collins, Coastguard Rescue Officer, Hill Head Coastguard Rescue Team said:
"Working in an office during the day means I relish the opportunity to get out around the coast and serve members of the public who find themselves in need of our help.
We can be called out at any time, day or night, in all weathers, to use our expertise in a wide range of situations - from pulling people out of the mud, scaling down cliffs to perform cliff rescue, searching for missing people around the coast or helping people who have become cut off by the tide.
As well as our work to rescue those in need we also have a preventative role, and frequently try and educate people in coastal safety by spreading knowledge in our local communities - visiting schools and shows as well as patrolling the beaches and advising people of the hazards.
Our invaluable service makes the UK coastline a safer place to live and visit, and I am intensely proud to be a Coastguard Rescue Officer, and wear my uniform with pride."
If you're interested in becoming a Coastguard Rescue Officer and want to serve your community and help save lives send an e-mail to mca.recruitment@mcga.gov.uk and they will be able to give you all the information you need.
Many Coastguard Rescue Officers are in full time employment with agreement from their employers to leave work to attend an emergency call.
Others commit time after work and at weekends. People who are self employed, unemployed or retired are all welcome to apply.
Rod Johnson, Chief Coastguard said:
"I would like to take this opportunity of Volunteer's Week to say a big 'thank you' to all our volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers for all they do in providing a first class search and rescue service to all those who use the sea and coast for commercial and leisure purposes”.
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