Sunderland Coastguard Rescue Team

31/12/2024

As 2024 draws to a close, we’ve been taking a look back at just a few of the most memorable moments from the last year.

This year has been yet again become our busiest year on record, attending 299 incidents so far in 2024.

As well as attending incidents, training sessions and technical rescue qualifying courses some of our Coastguard Rescue Officers have also supported operations further afield as part of our Area Flood Team.

We were honoured that many of our team members received the coronation medal this year which not only marks the occasion but also symbolises at least five years prior service. We’ve also been given the opportunity to take part in exercises and training sessions with so many partners across the emergency services with more already in the pipeline for 2025.

In the new year we will continue striving to improve the safety on and around our coast, working closely with flank teams at Seaham Coastguard and South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade (SSVLB) and lead by our area management team.

On behalf of all at Sunderland Coastguard Team we wish you and all your family a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Sunderland Alpha - Simon Tait
Sunderland Bravo - Nick Robinson
Sunderland 04 - Dave Small
Sunderland 05 - Chris Hart
Sunderland 06 - Jonny Emme
Sunderland 07 - Martin Routledge
Sunderland 08 - Phillip Smith
Sunderland 09 - Andy Burlison
Sunderland 10 - Rob Irving
Sunderland 11 - Sean Martin
Sunderland 12 - Neil Peddison
Sunderland 13 - Joel Robson
Sunderland 14 - Jonny Todd
Sunderland 15 - Katheryn Haswell
Sunderland 16 - Anthony Anderson

02/12/2024

CALLOUT 270/2024

1/12/24 21:44
Sunderland Coastguard Rescue Team and Shields Volunteer Life Brigade (SSVLB) were called out last night to a casualty who was stuck down the cliff at Marsden Grotto after climbing down to rescue their dog.

We located the casualty 15 feet down the cliff face holding on. Both teams worked together to rapidly deploy rope rescue equipment and lower a Rope Rescue Technician to the casualty and recover them to the cliff top.

We then deployed a Rope Rescue Technician to the base of the cliff to recover the dog, alive but injured, into the care of its owners.

This incident could have easily ended in a fatality, we always say dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard and never put yourself in danger, and to keep your dog on a lead when walking the cliffs.

25/08/2024

We know inflatables are fun but they really aren’t for the sea. This afternoon we’ve been involved in more than eight incidents along the East Coast, where inflatables have got their owners into trouble.

Please, please leave them at home or on the sand. We don’t want to spoil your fun but today’s offshore wind is making inflatables and paddle-boards dangerous things to be on.

01/05/2024

COASTGUARD RECRUITMENT IS NOW OPEN!

Looking to do something rewarding?

We currently have a recruitment window open for volunteer on-call Coastguard Rescue Officers at the following Coastguard Stations;

Eyemouth
Holy Island
Seahouses
Howick
Amble
Newbiggin
Blyth
Seaham
Whitby

To apply click on the link below to complete an application form – selecting Area 05.

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

You will need to:

· Live or work reasonably locally to a Coastguard Station
· Be available to attend an induction training courses
· Have availability to attend emergency calls during the day and/or night
· Be 18 years old or above and hold a full UK driving licence
· Be in good health and able to pass a Coastguard medical
· Be a team player and train regularly

No prior experience is needed, full training will be given in disciplines such as water rescue, lost & missing person search, casualty care and other specialist skills depending on the Coastguard Team you join, such as rope or flood rescue. As a volunteer you will not be paid. You can claim a small amount for your time and expenses.

You must be available to complete your Core Skills training on the following dates;

Monday 7th – Friday 11th October 2024
Friday 25th – Sunday 27th October 2024

For further queries please email [email protected]

Recruitment closes at 10am on 31st May 2024 so don’t miss your chance to !

08/03/2024

It’s International Women’s Day and we are celebrating the women within the Coastguard community today and everyday.

Katheryn volunteers her time on the Sunderland Team. She has been on the team for 2 years and is one of our Rope Rescue Technicians.

We want to celebrate all the women who are part of what we do, whether that’s part of the search and rescue teams, our operations centre's, part of the helicopter crew.. the list goes on.

23/02/2024

The team took part in a casualty evacuation exercise last night on the ferry between South Shields and North Shields.

The exercise simulated an incident on the vessel in which multiple people had been injured and required medical treatment and then evacuation onto land.

Working alongside South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade (SSVLB) and Tynemouth RNLI lifeboat all casualties were located, assessed and treated for their injuries and then extricated through our rope rescue equipment.

Sessions like this are completely invaluable to the team and our colleagues across the emergency services. An incident like this may never occur but it’s good to be prepared incase we ever need to put our skills to the test.

Some of our Senior Coastal Operations Officers also joined us on this exercise and took away some valuable points for further training.

30/12/2023

As 2023 draws to a close, we’ve been taking a look back at just a few of the most memorable moments from the last year.

This year has been our busiest year on record. So far we’ve attended 264 call outs. Aside from this we’ve also attended refresher and qualifying courses for our various professional competencies throughout the year.

Much of our focus this year has been on training our newest recruits with both of them passing their operational assessment and joining us as fully competent Coastguard Rescue Officers. We also attended the Tall Ships Race in Hartlepool and have given support to both of our flank teams operationally and in training their new members.

As our team is now at full capacity we’re going into this year with a view to improve safety on and around our coasts, working with all our partners and emergency services to provide an immediate response to those in need.

Wishing you, your family, friends and colleagues a safe and prosperous New Year.

Sunderland Alpha - Simon Tait
Sunderland Bravo - Nick Robinson
Sunderland 04 - Dave Small
Sunderland 05 - Chris Hart
Sunderland 06 - Jonny Emme
Sunderland 07 - Martin Routledge
Sunderland 08 - Phillip Smith
Sunderland 09 - Andy Burlison
Sunderland 10 - Rob Irving
Sunderland 11 - Sean Martin
Sunderland 12 - Neil Peddison
Sunderland 13 - Joel Robson
Sunderland 14 - Jonny Todd
Sunderland 15 - Katheryn Haswell
Sunderland 16 - Anthony Anderson

24/12/2023

Emergency at the coast over the festive period? Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Sunderland Coastguard Rescue Team would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a safe but Merry Christmas. We look forward to seeing some of you at the Boxing Day Dip at Seaburn Beach.

A special mention to all our colleagues across the other coastguard teams and emergency services who like us will be available throughout the whole festive period to help those who need us.

Here’s a short film about how the Coastguard saved Christmas.

14/12/2023

12/12/2023

CALLOUT 255/2023

12/12/2023 09:22

Sunderland Coastguard Rescue Team were called out this morning, the 2nd time in two days for a dog that had fallen over a cliff.

We worked alongside South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade (SSVLB) near to Souter Lighthouse. We used our rope rescue equipment to recover the cocker spaniel safe and well to his owner, he was checked over by a vet and luckily was not injured.

We would like to remind owners to keep their dogs on a lead when walking near to the cliffs.

11/12/2023

CALLOUT 252/2023

11/12/2023 13:32

Sunderland Coastguard Rescue Team, Seaham Coastguard and Hartlepool Coastguard Rescue Team were called out this afternoon to a dog that had fallen from the cliff and was stuck half way down in the Ryhope area of Sunderland.

Coastguard teams used their rope rescue equipment to lower a rope rescue technician to the dachshund and recovered him safely back to his owner, thankfully no worse for his ordeal.

10/12/2023

CALLOUT 251/2023

9/12/2023 22:02

Sunderland Coastguard Rescue Team, RNLI - Sunderland Lifeboat Station and Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 912 were tasked yesterday evening to Seaburn after Humber Coastguard received multiple 999 calls reporting a person in the water who had fallen from the sea wall.

On our arrival the casualty was floating on their back in the sea. Using our water rescue equipment, 2 Coastguard Officers entered the water and recovered the casualty to safety.

They were handed over to the North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust to be taken to hospital.

18/10/2023

Coastguard Rescue Teams from around the North East and North Yorkshire are now recruiting.

For further details on where and how to apply, please see the post below from HM Coastguard NE

08/09/2023

CALL OUT 204

13:45 08.09.2023

A very fortunate outcome for Bella the Cocker Spaniel and her family.

This afternoon at 13:45 Sunderland Coastguard and Seaham Coastguard were called to assist in the search for a dog that had gone missing in the sea after going swimming from Seaham Beach.

Arriving on scene in very misty conditions we knew this could be a challenging search due to extremely reduced visibility. We decided to deploy coastguard rescue officers in search teams along the beach to the North and South of the position the dog was last seen. RNLI - Sunderland Lifeboat Station then arrived on scene and assisted in a search heading along the shoreline up to Featherbed Rocks.

After more than an hour of searching Bella was found a little way up the coast by one of our search teams. She was waiting very patiently to be helped to safety and luckily no worse for her ordeal. She was taken to a place of safety and reunited with her owners.

IN ANY COASTAL EMERGENCY DIAL 999 AND ASK FOR THE COASTGUARD.

22/08/2023

19/08/2023

Today we attended a joint interoperability rope rescue training workshop with our colleagues from HM Coastguard NE , Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service , Cleveland Fire Brigade UK and North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust team.

The session focused on the rope rescue capabilities of both HMCG and FRS teams and how HART can integrate into these.