Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team

01/09/2026

🚨Recruitment Now Open:

The recruitment window for volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers (CRO’s) based in Ardrossan is now open for 2026.

Applicants will be expected to reside or work within 10/12 minutes of our station at Montgomerie Street.

An open evening will be held on station mid September, dates will follow soon.

There are no formal qualifications required to become a CRO and all training will be provided.

CRO’s are required to completed a number of training modules which include:
•Water Rescue 🛟
•Rope Rescue 🧗‍♂️
•Coastguard Emergency Responder Casualty Care (CERCC) 🚑
•Lost & Missing Person Search training 🗺️
•Aircraft familiarisation training 🚁

Recruitment process:
• Online Application (opens 1/9/26)
• Membership Day Interview
• Medical (held on station)
• PVG background checks

At membership day interview we will discuss/assess your availability, commitments, career & knowledge of the CRO role.

Training will be held at Greenock Coastguard Station, dates advertised on:

https://hmcoastguard.uk/volunteer-as-a-coastguard

For further details contact - [email protected]

Further reading on CRO role:

https://hmcoastguard.uk/volunteer-as-a-coastguard

24/08/2026

SEPA are investigating an ongoing pollution incident at Saltcoats linked to sewage. Due to the potential impact on water quality, we have requested North Ayrshire Council to erect signage to advise against bathing. More information at https://beta.sepa.scot/news/2026/advice-against-bathing-at-saltcoats/

16/08/2026

02/08/2026

Today, our 2026 intake of Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs) from the newly formed Clydebank Coastguard Rescue Team attended a familiarisation visit to the HM Coastguard Search and Rescue (SAR) Fixed-Wing Aircraft and Rescue Helicopter based at Prestwick Airport. Personnel from the Ardrossan and Greenock Coastguard Rescue Team were also in attendance.

This training forms part of the ongoing development that all newly appointed Coastguard Rescue Officers undertake as part of their initial training syllabus.

The morning session took place at the Fixed-Wing Aircraft hangar. Prestwick is one of the UK's designated bases hosting HM Coastguard fixed-wing aircraft, including the King Air fleet operated under contract by 2Excel Aviation. These aircraft provide long-range search capabilities, vessel tracking, maritime surveillance, and pollution monitoring. They can also be tasked to support ground Search and Rescue Teams during searches for vessels in distress and missing persons throughout the UK.

As the group awaited the afternoon visit to Rescue Helicopter R199 (AW189), the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team was tasked to a high-risk missing person incident. Seconds later, the pagers sounded again, with both the Greenock and Clydebank Teams being mobilised to return to their respective areas for a separate incident. HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R199 was also tasked to support.

Unfortunately, this meant the helicopter familiarisation had to be postponed. The teams look forward to arranging another visit in the near future.

Our sincere thanks go to both duty crews for their hospitality and for the time, professionalism, and knowledge they continue to share with our teams during these valuable training visits. Their support is greatly appreciated.

In Coastal emergencies, always remember

To Search, To Rescue, To Save.

25/07/2026

🌊World Drowning Prevention Day
25th July🌊

https://rnli.org/water-safety/float

www.rlss.org.uk/water-safety-advice

In coastal Emergencies, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

🔵 To Search,
🟡 To Rescue,
🔵 To Save.

21/07/2026

⚠️Important information ⚠️
Recent incidents have highlighted that in an coastal emergency, there can be confusion around how to call for help. Would you know what to do? Read on!

The message is simple:
🆘In any coastal emergency dial 999 for the Coastguard.☎️

Calling the Coastguard as soon as possible means help will come quicker.
Don't worry about hassling us, the emergency teams can always be stood down if the situation resolves itself.

❓What is a coastal emergency?
Any incident on the sea, beach, harbour, rocky outcrops, islands, coastal mud, cliffs and coastal paths.

HM Coastguard will co-ordinate the best emergency response with the other emergency services.

Even if the incident involves a medical issue, HM Coastguard can task land based Coastguard Rescue Teams, Lifeboats and SAR helicopters which may be able to reach you quicker than a land ambulance.

🛥️Regular water users should consider carrying a waterproof handheld VHF on Channel 16 or Personal Locator Beacon.

❓What about inland water?
Generally if the emergency involves inland water, such as a river or lake, you should dial 999 ask for Fire and Rescue. Some inland water is covered by the Coastguard.

ℹ️112 also works as an emergency number throughout the UK and rest of Europe.

⭐️For our local area we have the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team, Largs Coastguard Rescue Team ,Ayr and Cumbrae Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT's) and further assistance can be tasked from Greenock Coastguard Rescue Team and HM Coastguard Girvan CRT.
Also, Belfast Coastguard our Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) can task the BRISTOWS operated Coastguard Rescue Helicopter Rescue199 form Prestwick Airport, RNLI Troon Lifeboat , Largs Lifeboat , RNLI Girvan Lifeboat and sometimes Arran RNLI Lifeboat for Assistance.

📷: Maritime and Coastguard Agency

15/07/2026

Today, Team members from the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team joined colleagues from across Area 4 West and East for a day of technical rope rescue training.

The team joined colleagues from Greenock Coastguard Rescue Team, Largs Coastguard Rescue Team, Rothesay Coastguard Rescue Team and Clydebank Coastguard Rescue Team to support Continued Personal Development (CPD) training with Fulltime Senior Coastal Operations Officers Paul Renfrew, Steve Muldoon, Andy Greer, Mike Garfitt and Coastal Operations Area Commander Robbie Robertson.

Today's taining event provided an excellent opportunity for the team to share their experience in technical rope rescue with colleagues from across the area, while also providing valuable training to newer members of the Team and some Rope Rescue knowledge for our Flank Teams.

Coastguard Rescue Teams are trained in a wide variety of search and rescue disciplines including enhanced technical skills such as rope rescue.

This operational capability, while primarily aimed at the coastal area of operations, can be and is routinely used away from the coast to support incidents inland working alongside partners including Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service.

Our thanks to Greenock and District Scouts and Everton Scout Campsite for supporting Today's training and for the use of their facilities.



Search and Rescue - it's what we do.

In a coastal emergency always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

13/07/2026

SAFETY ADVICE: INFLATABLES IN COASTAL WATERS

Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team has responded to several incidents in recent days involving inflatables being blown offshore. Many inflatables are not designed for sea use and can quickly become dangerous in the wrong conditions.

If you’re visiting the coast and plan to use inflatables, please follow this guidance:

-Check the weather — offshore winds can carry you out to sea in seconds.

-Wear a lifejacket or PFD at all times.

-Carry a mobile phone or means of calling for help in a waterproof pouch.

-Mark your inflatable/board with a means to identify you as the owner – Order free labels here: https://mca-ws.apsmos.com/ViewProduct.html?sp=Swaterprooflabels

-If you get into difficulty, call for help immediately by dialing 999 and asking for the coastguard

-Most importantly, Stay with your inflatable/board! Do not try and swim back to shore

Good weather is forecast through the week, but offshore winds are also expected for most of the week. Please stay safe and look out for each other and make your time at the coast enjoyable.

If you see an inflatable being blown out to sea or at a distance which appears further than what you believe to be safe, please dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.

Remember, in a coastal emergency, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard





Search and Rescue - it's what we do.

Police Scotland Ayrshire Maritime and Coastguard Agency

02/07/2026

Tonight, the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team attended Largs Coastguard Rescue Station alongside our colleagues from Largs Coastguard Rescue Team ,Greenock Coastguard Rescue Team, Area Commander Robbie Robertson, Senior Coastal Operations Officers Steve Muldoon, Paul Renfrew, and retired Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Officer Paul McGill for the presentation of Station Officer John McKay's 20 Years' Service and Good Conduct Medal.

It was an absolute pleasure to be there, reliving stories of past taskings and hearing about the great team spirit that has always been a part of the Largs team.

John has also made the difficult decision to retire from the Coastguard Rescue Service after 20 years of dedicated service, starting at Greenock and finishing at Largs. We thank him for his commitment and wish him a long, happy, and well-deserved retirement.

During the evening, Largs Deputy Station Officer Kylie was presented with the Station Officer epaulettes by John. Kylie has been a dedicated Deputy Station Officer at Largs for many years and thoroughly deserves recognition as she takes on her new role.

Congratulations to John on his medal and outstanding service, and to Kylie on her well-earned promotion. We wish them both every success and happiness for the future.

29/06/2026