14/06/2026
Over the past two days, HM Coastguard Southend On Sea officers have been tasked five times to three separate incidents along our coastline.
The first was to a possible piece of ordnance called in by a member of public on East Beach, Shoeburyness. Officers were quickly able to locate the item and immediately cordon the area to ensure the safety of beachgoers while we awaited further review from our Army EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) colleagues.
Due to the fading light and fluctuating tides, officers were stood down and re-deployed to assist EOD officers once the item had become more accessible. Fortunately, the item was deemed not to be explosive and officers were stood down.
The second incident was to assist HM Coastguard Canvey Island following reports of a large marine mammal that had washed ashore on Canvey Seafront. Officers secured the area and gathered information, which was sent to the relevant agencies to arrange for removal.
The mammal was identified as a Sowerby's Beaked Whale, which are very rarely seen around local beaches. We ask members of the public do not approach deceased marine mammals as they do pose a risk of disease.
While returning to station from Canvey Seafront, the team were then alerted to an incident at Wakering Yacht Club, where a person had fallen and suffered injuries while aboard their boat.
Officers helped East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust paramedics and Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) stabilise and then extricate the casualty from the vessel, safely traversing a series of pontoons to transfer the casualty into an awaiting ambulance.
Should you see anyone in trouble on or near the coast, don’t hesitate to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard, you could save someone’s life!
To Search
To Rescue
To Save Lives
