Maritime and Coastguard Agency

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Maritime and Coastguard Agency Safer lives, safer ships, cleaner seas. This is the official account for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and HM Coastguard.

Behind every rescue is a team coordinating the response.HM Coastguard has Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres across th...
23/10/2026

Behind every rescue is a team coordinating the response.

HM Coastguard has Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres across the UK.

From receiving alerts and gathering information to planning searches and coordinating the rescue response, our teams are ready when someone is in difficulty along the coast or out at sea.

In an emergency at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Join us at the final two Regional Fisheries Groups sessions taking place this month, organised by the Marine Management ...
22/10/2026

Join us at the final two Regional Fisheries Groups sessions taking place this month, organised by the Marine Management Organisation - MMO.

We’re inviting policy makers, regulators and people working in the fishing industry to join us in the South West of England. It’s an opportunity to share views, discuss industry challenges, and help shape future fishing safety conversations.

Swipe to find out more ➡️

Take extra care as Storm Austen and Storm Boelo approach ⚠️Storm Austen is set to arrive overnight and into the morning ...
22/10/2026

Take extra care as Storm Austen and Storm Boelo approach ⚠️

Storm Austen is set to arrive overnight and into the morning of Friday 23 October. An amber weather warning for wind has been issued for Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and parts of west Devon, with further weather warnings in place across the UK.

Over the weekend, Storm Boelo will bring more strong winds and heavy rain, with the strongest winds expected across Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern England.

Check the latest weather forecast and warnings before heading to the coast. If conditions are unsafe, save your trip for another day.

Always stay away from cliff edges as sudden gusts can cause you to lose your balance. Avoid the base of cliffs as rocks can fall without warning and watch out for flying debris.

In an emergency at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Bravery in extreme conditions earns HM Coastguard’s Prestwick helicopter crew a prestigious award 🚁 The crew received th...
21/10/2026

Bravery in extreme conditions earns HM Coastguard’s Prestwick helicopter crew a prestigious award 🚁

The crew received the Edward and Maisie Lewis Award for their role in rescuing an injured yachtsman 40 miles south-west of Barra in September 2025. The award was presented at the Annual General Meeting of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society at Fishmongers’ Hall on Tuesday 6 October.

Jamie Ross, Harry Howell, Alan Robertson and Mark Warters were called to the incident after the winch paramedic aboard HM Coastguard’s Stornoway helicopter was injured during the initial rescue. Working in extreme conditions, the Prestwick crew continued the operation and brought the yachtsman to safety.

Deputy Chief Coastguard John Craig said: “Recipients of the Edward and Maisie Lewis Award demonstrate exceptional courage, skill, and bravery in pursuit of saving lives. In this case, the actions of the helicopter crew saved the life of a seriously injured seafarer in exceptionally challenging maritime conditions.”

At the same event, another helicopter crew from Prestwick, comprising Mark Randall, Harry Howell, David Rigg, Emma Atkinson and James Vallance were commended for rescuing a solo kayaker experiencing a medical episode in August 2025. For crew member Emma, it was her first operational response following her qualification. The casualty was safely winched onto the helicopter and taken to Whitehaven Hospital for urgent medical care.

HM Coastguard was also praised for coordinating multiple rescues at sea, including the rescue of a Royal Navy Merlin helicopter crew off the coast of Dorset in 2024 and its ongoing work to ensure safety for cross-Solent ferry operator Wightlink.

Storm Austen is set to bring disruptive wind and rain ⚠️The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind acro...
20/10/2026

Storm Austen is set to bring disruptive wind and rain ⚠️

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind across parts of southern England and Wales for Friday 23 October.

Gusts could reach 50-60mph, and coastal and exposed areas could see 70mph or more.

Stay safe at the coast:

• Stay away from cliff edges as sudden gusts can cause you to lose balance

• Avoid standing directly beneath cliffs as rocks and debris can fall

• Keep back from the shoreline and look out for large breaking waves

Visit the HM Coastguard website for more advice on staying safe at the coast.

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

Never drive through flood water 🚗Just 30cm (1ft) of moving water can be enough to float a car. If a road is flooded, don...
18/10/2026

Never drive through flood water 🚗

Just 30cm (1ft) of moving water can be enough to float a car.

If a road is flooded, don’t risk it. Turn around and find another route. The water could be deeper and faster flowing than you realise.

If you get stuck in flood water by the coast or see someone in trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Stuck in the mud? 🥾 Mud can quickly become dangerous, especially near open water and when the tide is rising. Check lo...
17/10/2026

Stuck in the mud? 🥾

Mud can quickly become dangerous, especially near open water and when the tide is rising.

Check local warnings signs before setting off and avoid walking across muddy areas, as hidden channels of fast-flowing water can be difficult to spot.

If you become stuck:

• Sit back and spread your weight evenly across the surface

• Tell others not to attempt a rescue, as they could become stuck too

• Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard

This week, colleagues from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency attended the Annual National Service for Seafarers at St P...
16/10/2026

This week, colleagues from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency attended the Annual National Service for Seafarers at St Paul’s Cathedral.

The service gives thanks for the work of seafarers, who often carry out their duties in challenging conditions and away from public view. Their work continues to support the UK and the wider maritime economy, and we have great respect for the commitment they show every day.

Coastguard rescue teams demonstrate frontline skills to international rescue crews 🌊HM Coastguard colleagues in Area 15 ...
11/10/2026

Coastguard rescue teams demonstrate frontline skills to international rescue crews 🌊

HM Coastguard colleagues in Area 15 welcomed eight visiting rescue crew members from Estonia, France, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Antigua and the Netherlands this September, as part of an international crew exchange hosted by the RNLI for members of the International Maritime Rescue Federation - IMRF.

Coastguard rescue teams demonstrated a range of specialist skills, including casualty care, casualty extraction from remote locations, and mud rescue, giving visiting crews an insight into the UK's maritime search and rescue capabilities.

The IMRF brings together maritime rescue services from around the world, and its crew exchange programme gives frontline responders the chance to share knowledge and best practice across borders.

Michael Buratti, Area Commander for Area 15, said:

"It was a pleasure for our coastguard rescue teams to be involved in the RNLI’s international crew exchange and to welcome frontline rescue colleagues from across the world.

“These opportunities are a great way of demonstrating the capability and professionalism of our teams, while strengthening relationships across the international maritime search and rescue community.

"It was a really positive couple of days of collaboration, professional development and international friendship."

10/10/2026

Check the tide times 🌊

Most coastal locations experience two high tides and two low tides each day, and water depth can change by as much as 10 metres.

Fortunately, tides follow a predictable pattern, making it easy to plan your visit. Tide times and heights change throughout the month, so it's important to check them every time you visit the coast.

In an emergency at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Address

Southampton

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+442380329100

Website

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