The role of HM Coastguard with particular reference to helicopters

Abstract

HM Coastguard's main function is the co-ordination of all civil marine search and rescue operations around the coast of the United Kingdom—the area limits corresponding to those set out in the ICAO SAR Plan. To achieve this task the coastguards are so disposed around our coast, on a 24 hour watchkeeping basis, to best receive the distress information and vector the appropriate rescue facility to the scene. There are 550 regular coastguards maintaining 150 regular stations (see map) backed up by over 7000 auxiliary coastguards and 214 auxiliary stations. All regular Coastguard Stations maintain watch on MF and VHF marine distress frequencies, are netted in to their local 999 emergency telephone system and are interconnected by VHF radio and telephone. All Rescue HQs and some strategically placed constantly manned stations are addtionally connected to the PO Telex system with direct lines to their adjacent PO Coast Radio Stations. CG Auxiliary stations, provided with VHF radio and telephone facilities, are only manned at times of casualty risk.