HM Coastguard- Bexhill

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HM Coastguard- Bexhill

Volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers responding to coastal emergencies. ☎️999 and ask for The Coastguard

13/06/2026

Early morning search operation

Just before 07:00 this morning, we were tasked to St Leonards following reports from a concerned member of the public who had lost sight of a swimmer after they entered the water.

We joined colleagues from HM Coastguard - Hastings and Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat. Extensive searches were carried out along the shoreline and at sea, covering the area where the swimmer was last seen and beyond. Search planning was supported by Themis, HM Coastguard’s electronic maritime drift modelling system.

After approximately three and a half hours of searching, no person or belongings were located and all assets were stood down.

The reporting person did exactly the right thing by raising the alarm as soon as they became concerned. If you ever see someone in difficulty at the coast, or witness something that doesn’t look right, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. It is always better to call early and let us assess the situation.

12/06/2026

Last night we were invited to join our colleagues in one of our flank teams, HM Coastguard - Hastings for a joint training session up in Hastings Country Park. We focused on refreshing our Lost and Missing Person Search skills.

We began by being tasked to locate an object, known to belong to the missing person. Once found, and using clues from a note attached to the object, the session developed into a full missing person search exercise.

Using structured search techniques, local knowledge, navigation, communication and team coordination, we quickly located the casualty, Fred (the Hastings Team’s dummy) who had a broken leg and was “suffering” with possible exposure.

Once found, we draw on another key Coastguard Rescue skill: casualty care and evacuation. Due to the nature of the terrain, crews deployed the evacuation stretcher and worked together to safely move the casualty to the nearest safe location for onward transport to the next level of care.

Coastguard Rescue Teams are trained to respond to a wide range of incidents, including lost and missing person searches, casualty care, difficult terrain evacuation, water rescue, mud rescue, rope rescue, flood response and support to other emergency services.

Training nights like this are vital in keeping those skills sharp and ensuring teams can work effectively together when the call comes.
Great effort from everyone involved and thank you to Hastings CRT for the opportunity!

MissingPersonSearch CasualtyCare RescueTraining Teamwork 999Coastguard

10/06/2026

Last night, the team, alongside our colleagues from HM Coastguard- Bexhill was tasked to assist Sussex Police with an incident on Hastings seafront.

Shortly after deploying a search team to begin searching the area, we received the welcome news that the incident had been resolved safely inland. As a result, all Coastguard resources were stood down.

This was another excellent example of the strong interoperability between emergency services and neighbouring Coastguard Rescue Teams, working together to provide a rapid and effective response whenever needed.

Thankfully, this incident had a positive outcome, and we were able to return to station shortly afterwards.

09/06/2026

Out for 9 hours – 3 consecutive shouts!

At around midday yesterday, we were tasked to Pevensey Bay following reports of a possible ordnance find on the beach. Working alongside Eastbourne Coastguard, a safety cordon was established while photographs were assessed and Bomb Disposal was requested.

As the scene became secured, we were re-tasked to Holywell, Eastbourne, to reports of a person in the water, leaving Police to manage the ordnance scene. Alongside Sussex Police, our Eastbourne colleagues, Birling Gap Coastguard and RNLI Eastbourne, we responded to find the casualty around half a mile offshore and clearly in distress. Eastbourne RNLI successfully rescued the casualty, who was brought to shore and transferred into the care of South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust. A life saved.

We then returned to Pevensey Bay to assist with scene management until Bomb Disposal arrived. Thankfully, the object was found not to be dangerous and was safely removed.

Back at station, thoughts of a well-earned cuppa were short-lived as we were very quickly tasked again, this time to four people and a dog cut off by the tide between Rock-a-Nore, Hastings and Fairlight.

Working alongside HM Coastguard - Hastings and HM Coastguard Rye Bay, with great support from Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat and RNLI Hastings Lifeboat Station, we assessed a number of rescue options. With the tide ebbing, our teams were eventually able to reach the casualties on foot. Wet, cold and tired, they were given welfare checks, blankets, water and sugary snacks before being safely escorted back to safety.

Even Buddy the dog got wrapped up in a blanket! Cute!

A busy day with a great multi-agency effort throughout.

Tide times can change quickly, especially around unfamiliar stretches of coastline. Always check tide times before setting out, know your exits and leave yourself plenty of time to return safely. If you become cut off by the tide, move to the highest safe point, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

If you see someone in difficulty on the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

08/06/2026

Late Evening Search at Hastings

Just after 21:30 last night, the team was tasked following concerns raised by a member of the public regarding a possible person on the rocks at Rock-a-Nore, Hastings.

We arrived on scene with colleagues from HM Coastguard - Hastings and HM Coastguard Rye Bay, and carried out extensive shoreline searches of the area.

After thorough searches and enquiries, nothing was found and all units were stood down.

We would always encourage people to report anything that causes concern along the coast. It is far better to call and be mistaken than to ignore something which could turn out to be a genuine emergency.

If you see someone in difficulty at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

01/06/2026

Out all night – two consecutive shouts!

At 00:52 this morning, we were tasked to Hastings Pier following reports of someone shouting for assistance in the vicinity.

Alongside colleagues from HM Coastguard - Hastings, RNLI Hastings Lifeboat Station Inshore Lifeboat and Sussex Police who deployed a drone, extensive shoreline searches were carried out.

As further information came in, the search area moved to West Hill, Hastings. HM Coastguard Rye Bay was also tasked to provide additional resources should a technical rope rescue have been required.

Following extensive searches of multiple levels of West Hill by Coastguard Rescue Teams and Sussex Police, including drone operations, nothing was found and all assets were eventually stood down.

After returning to station and with no time for the first sip of freshly brewed tea, at 05:04 we were tasked straight back to Hastings. This time, alongside both Hastings CRT and Hastings RNLI Inshore Lifeboat again, we responded to reports of a person in the water off Rock-a-Nore car park.

Searches of the area were carried out, but nothing untoward was found. A small vessel was identified as the likely object of concern.

We eventually got that cuppa just before seven o’clock this morning! Despite the long night, we were privileged to enjoy a gorgeous moonlit coastline and witness a fantastic sunrise.

A big thank you to the members of the public who called these incidents in. You absolutely did the right thing. We'd always rather investigate and find nothing than miss someone who genuinely needs help.

As we move into the warmer months and see more people enjoying our coastline, please continue to keep an eye out for others. If you see someone in difficulty at the coast, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

30/05/2026

Rope Training Morning

This morning we were back on the cliff tops at Galley Hill, near our station, for a rope rescue training session.

Under the guidance of S08E (the boss!), we practised an immediate rope rescue descent and transition to our standard technical rescue system using our obelisk.

Key objectives were to practise the rope technician and rope operator roles, and to revisit our new recovery system which provides a twin 5:1 mechanical advantage when bringing a casualty and technician back up to safety.

These regular training sessions help ensure that our team maintains the skills and confidence needed to respond effectively when called upon.

A great session and thanks to everyone for giving up their Saturday morning to take part.

If you see anyone in difficulty along the coast, on the beach, or in the water, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Address

Bexhill

Website

http://dft.gov.uk/mca

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