Coastguard

Introduction

Coastguards are civil servants who co-ordinate search and rescue operations around the UK coastline. They use high technology equipment to maintain watch and during rescue operations. They have various other duties, such as preventing coastal pollution and watching for illegal shipping activities or illegal immigration.

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Work Activities

HM Coastguard co-ordinates search and rescue operations around the UK coastline and 1000 miles into the North Atlantic. Coastguard stations use high technology equipment to maintain a watch 24 hours a day. They also respond to '999' emergency phone calls.

HM Coastguard is a part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), which is responsible for implementing the government's maritime safety policy. The MCA:
• co-ordinates search and rescue at sea
• checks that ships meet UK and international safety regulations
• helps prevent or minimise the risk of pollution from ships.

There are 19 coastguard stations and offices throughout the UK, from Shetland in the north to Falmouth in the south. There are 5 stations in Scotland at Aberdeen, Greenock, Crail, Lerwick and Stornoway.

In an emergency, coastguards act immediately to plan what help is needed. In addition to over 400 coastguard rescue teams and helicopters, they may call on:
• the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)
• the Royal Navy
• the Royal Air Force (using fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters)
• the police.

HM Coastguard employs regular coastguard watch officers (CWOs), coastguard watch assistants (CWAs) and auxiliary coastguards. The auxiliaries are volunteers.

CWOs maintain constant watch on international distress signals. They carry out coastal searches. They lead and supervise mud rescue and cliff rescue teams. They help to staff busy operational centres, using advanced communication systems. CWOs may have to travel to other districts.

CWAs have a support and administrative role in the operational centres. They respond to emergency calls; if necessary calling out the local lifeboat. They monitor equipment, update logs and every day provide information on weather and tides to the general public.

Members of the Coastguard Auxiliary Service are volunteers with an interest in and concern for safety of life at sea. The MCA trains them to respond to coastal incidents.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You should be quick thinking and decisive. You must remain calm in emergencies, be well organised and able to concentrate for long periods. You must have good communication skills, as coastguards need to pass on information quickly and accurately.

You must be reliable and have a strong sense of responsibility.

Supervisory skills may be required at times of emergency, when volunteers and coastguard rescue teams are assisting.

You should be fit, to cope with activities such as cliff rescues and boat work. You should have normal sight and hearing.

All watch officers must hold a valid UK driving licence.

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Pay and Opportunities

Coastguards are civil servants employed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). They are based at the 19 coastal stations and offices.

Coastguard staff are paid on a rising scale.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Coastguard watch assistants (CWAs) earn in the range of £12,000 - £14,500 a year. Coastguard watch officers (CWOs) earn in the range of £14,500 - £19,000 a year. Earnings may increase with a shift allowance of up to 25% of basic salary.

Coastguard officers work a basic 42-hour week. This includes early starts, late finishes, shift work and work during weekends and public holidays.

HM Coastguard has about 600 regular officers, about 150 of whom are watch officers. There are also around 3,000 members of coastguard rescue teams (auxiliary coastguards) who work as volunteers, providing a local back-up network.

Although auxiliary coastguards are classed as volunteers, they are paid an allowance when they are involved in incidents.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Skills and abilities gained in a role at sea is necessary for entry to become a watch officer, for example, in the Merchant Navy, the Royal Navy or the fishing industry.

For entry to watch assistant work, you will need an interest in maritime affairs plus the ability to use a computer and communication equipment. Applicants should also be able to work under pressure in emergency situations.

Relevant voluntary experience includes membership of a local coastguard/lifeboat rescue team.

• 3% of people who work in occupations such as coastguard work part-time.
• 28% have flexible hours.

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