Coastguard rescue teams are looking for new volunteers - could you join them?

Kingsbridge, Dartmouth, Yealm and Bigbury Coastguard Rescue Teams are looking for volunteers to join their crews. 

If you are interested in becoming part of your local coastguard rescue team, you will need to be able to attend training between 27 January to 31 January 2025 and 13 February to 15 February. 

The Coastguard Rescue Service is made up of volunteers and is part of HM Coastguard.

As a coastguard rescue officer you may have to:

• help rescue people trapped on the coast, for example on cliffs, stuck in mud or in the water
• search for missing people
• observe and report pollution and other hazards such as cliff erosion
• help emergency services and local authorities during emergencies, for example flooding
• gather information for the coastguard operations centre
• go to schools, clubs and other public places to tell people about staying safe at sea and along the coast
• carry out duties for the Receiver of Wreck, for example dealing with wreckage or dead whales and dolphins on the shoreline

As a coastguard rescue officer you:

• could be called out at any time of the day or night
• may have to take part in search and rescue activities in hazardous situations for long hours
• may have to carry out physically demanding tasks, for example carrying heavy equipment to rescue sites

As a volunteer you will not be paid. You can claim a small amount for your time and expenses.

Volunteering and working

You can have a full-time job and still be a coastguard rescue officer.

You must ask your employer if you can respond to emergencies during work hours before you become a volunteer.

You can still go on holiday - just let your coastguard manager know when you’re going to be away.

Training and equipment

You must pass initial training by HM Coastguard, followed by regular training to keep your skills up to date.

This will include training in:

• first aid
• water rescue
• map work
• search techniques
• communications
• skills you need for your local area - for example, rope rescue, mud rescue

Training is often held in the evenings or at weekends.

You’ll be given all the equipment and protective clothing that you need.

All of the following must apply for you to become a volunteer:

• you’re aged 18 or over
• you have a full UK driving licence - some stations may accept you without one
• you live or work within 30 minutes of the rescue station - check the areas and coastguard stations you can apply to

Your local station may have further requirements, for example, you may need to live closer to the station.

Health and fitness

You need to be reasonably fit and generally in good health. You must also:

• weigh 120kg or less
• have a waist measurement of 110cm or less

You must take a health and fitness test, and meet eyesight and hearing requirements.

If you have type 1 diabetes there will be restrictions on what activities you can do. Email Coastguard Rescue

How to apply

You can apply online to volunteer.

You can apply to more than one station, so long as each station is no more than 30 minutes from where you live or work.

Applications close at 10am on Monday, 30 September.

Coastguard Rescue Service enquiries: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Apply here: submit.forms.service.gov.uk/form/89/apply-to-be-a-volunteer-coastguard-rescue-officer/220