The Coastguard Association

HM Coastguard is the national category 1 emergency service responsible for the initiation and co-ordination of all maritime search and rescue (SAR) within the UK Maritime Search and Rescue Region. This includes the mobilisation, organisation and tasking of adequate resources to respond to persons either in distress at sea, or to persons at risk of injury or death on the cliffs or shoreline of the United Kingdom. It is also responsible for all land-based search and rescue helicopter operations across the UK.

Every minute of every hour of every day, over 300 Coastguard Rescue Teams remain on call across the UK to respond to those in need at sea, along the coast and further afield. These teams are made up of specially trained Coastguard Rescue Officers who volunteer to join HM Coastguard, leaving their families, friends, full-time occupations and putting plans on hold when the pager sounds. Coastguard Rescue Teams are specially trained and equipped in a wide range of search and rescue disciplines including water and flood rescue, lost and missing person search, technical rope rescue, mud rescue, critical casualty care, 4×4 off road driving and much more.

The Coastguard Rescue Teams are tasked and coordinated by the highly trained full-time staff within the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres across the UK who answer 999 calls, respond to mayday radio transmissions and bring these emergency incidents to a safe conclusion using the resources available to them including Coastguard Rescue Teams, full-time senior coastal officers, lifeboats (RNLI and independent) and search and rescue aircraft.

And while these dedicated people are helping save lives across the country, The Coastguard Association is the charity dedicated to help them in their time of need.

50th Anniversary Launch Event

Everyone is cordially invited to the Coastguard Association’s Annual General Meeting and the beginning of our 50^th Anniversary Celebrations.

The date for your diary is Saturday 21^st March 2026 and we want everyone to be part of this milestone year.

Our Annual General Meeting will take place at Kenwick Park Hotel in Louth at 10am with tea and coffee on arrival, followed by a buffet lunch. In a first for the Coastguard Association, there will also be the ability to dial in virtually to our meeting as well.

After lunch, we will be hosting an open afternoon at our Head Office in nearby Mablethorpe where people can speak to our committee and find out more about what the future holds for our charity.

The AGM weekend will also mark the start of The Big Tour – where we will be taking the charity on the road and visiting all 18 Operational Coastguard Areas throughout our 50^th year.

And of course, there will be the opportunity to sign up or renew your membership and pick up a range of commemorative 50^th anniversary merch.

Let’s make this a year to remember.

Coastguard Association Foodbank Vouchers

As the charity dedicated to Coastguard personnel and their families in their time of need, we are constantly looking for new ways to support our people past, present and future.

And with this in mind, we have collaborated with The Trussell Trust and can now provide foodbank vouchers to serving and former Coastguards who are facing challenging times.

More information available at: Foodbank Vouchers | The Coastguard Association

Coastguard Association Pin Badges

Our BRAND-NEW Coastguard Association pin badges have just arrived at Digital Media HQ and are now available online and ready for immediate dispatch.

Show your support for the charity dedicated to supporting Coastguard personnel and their families in their time of need with our exquisite metal pin badge.

Perfect for both formal and casual occasions, these pin badges look equally at home on a suit jacket, an ID lanyard or on your backpack.

All money raised goes directly to supporting our charity.

Visit our dedicated online store to order at: https://coastguardassociation.sumupstore.com/

Coastline Magazine Issue 13 – Out Now

The latest edition of Coastline Magazine – the official digital publication of the Coastguard Association is OUT NOW.

Inside this edition:
* News from around the coast
* A Day in the life of Jason Roberts – Coastguard Rescue Officer with Shoreham Coastguard Rescue Team
* Team Spotlight on Hayling Island Coastguard Rescue Team
* Coastguard Association Recognition Awards
* Fundraising news from around the UK
* Regular features including From The Ops Room and Adventure Lifestyle Equipment Reviews

Thank you to everyone for their continued support of Coastline Magazine and the Coastguard Association.

You can also download Issue 13 of Coastline Magazine at: Coastline Magaine Issue 13

Official Opening of Head Office

Earlier this year, the Coastguard Association took another massive step forward as our charity approaches its 50th anniversary in 2026 with the official opening of our new head office.

Located in Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, the new registered office provides a central base of operations for our Chair, Treasurer and Welfare Officer who reside nearby, a central storage location for all of the charities equipment, documentation and filing, a professional space to host meetings with partners and stakeholders, and crucially it helps ensure our compliance with the Charities Commission.

The new office wouldn’t have been possible without the assistance of Corney & Barrow Ltd who kindly donated all of the furniture including desks, computer chairs and filing cabinets.

The Coastguard Association is operated entirely by a small group of dedicated volunteers and Trustees with no one receiving any form of payment or remuneration.

As a team, we are working hard to continue to raise to the profile and professionalism of the charity to ensure we can continue to help and support Coastguards past, present and future.