HM Coastguard Rye Bay

On Sunday, together with HM Coastguard - Hastings and Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat were tasked to a report of a person who had fallen whilst walking under the cliff at Fairlight and had become cut off by the high tide. It quickly became apparent that the only way to quickly access the casualty was by boat and Pett Rescue did an excellent job of recovering the casualty. Once they had been checked over they were released into the care of relatives.

Over the weekend the Rye Bay team has been in attendance at Camber Sands where it's been especially busy because of the fine weather.

Together with HM Coastguard Romney Marsh we carried out a series of patrols along the shore together with the local beach wardens and RNLI lifeguards. Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat were also at Camber patrolling offshore.

We dealt with multiple incidences of missing children (and one elderly lady) brought about by the extremely crowded beach. Fortunately all were swiftly reunited with their parents. Since the two teams were already on scene we were able to assist immediately.

On fine days such as this what can appear to be a perfectly safe environment is still potentially hazardous. Even with a flat calm sea visitors are still often caught out by the speed of the incoming tide. And with the shear volume of people on the beach children (and sometimes adults) often become separated from their families with no way of contacting them.

If you are on a busy beach and unable to find your child please either speak to a beach warden or call 999 and ask for Coastguard.

We're always looking for new recruits. If you are interested in becoming a Coastguard Rescue Officer please click on the following link https://www.gov.uk/volun.../areas-where-you-can-apply-online

On Thursday evening we had a great evening's training with our friends at Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat.

The main object of the training session was to practice and refresh our knowledge of water rescue, which is one of our core skills. It was also really useful to spend some time working with another, complimentary rescue service.

We're always looking for new recruits. If you are interested in becoming a Coastguard Rescue Officer please click on the following link https://www.gov.uk/volun.../areas-where-you-can-apply-online

On Thursday, together with members of our flank team HM Coastguard Romney Marsh, we were tasked to a report of a possible explosive device partially buried in the sand on Camber beach.

As we were unable to safely identify the object a call was put in to EOD who arrived soon afterwards and were able to remove it from the sand. It was subsequently found to be harmless.

Although items of this nature are often found washed up on our beaches it is advisable to call 999 and ask for Coastguard if you spot something which could potentially be harmful.

On Sunday 3rd Sep the team had another tasking to a report of a person on the beach at Pett Level with an ankle injury and with the tide rapidly incoming.

Together with members of the Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat team we quickly located the casualty and assisted her from the beach and up onto the sea wall.

As with the previous day's incident it was fortunate that the young lady was out with someone else who was able to make the 999 call. She was also able to give us a What3words location which greatly assisted us in locating their exact position on the beach.

If you are often out walking in potentially hazardous terrain it is a good idea to install suitable apps on your phone to enable emergency services to locate you in the event of an accident.

The last few weeks have been very busy for the Rye Bay team. With plenty of sunshine over the latter part of the summer break and beyond a lot people have been out and about visiting our beaches.

Last Saturday morning, together with HM Coastguard - Hastings, we were tasked to a report of someone on the beach at Winchelsea feeling faint and dizzy and unable to return to their car.

We managed to locate the casualty who was lying on the sand about halfway between the low and high water marks just east of Dogs Hill.

With the tide rapidly turning we had just enough time to undertake some medical observations before assisting the lady off the beach for onward transportation to A&E.

Fortunately the lady was out walking with a friend who was able to make the initial 999 call and this action alone saved vital time in the recovery.

Today we were called to a report of 2 people in the water off Pett Level attempting to swim to a boat and apparently in difficulty. Also in attendance were HM Coastguard - Hastings and Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat.

The casualties had anchored their boat and had decided to swim ashore to meet up with relatives. On attempting to return to their boat they found it had drifted and they were unable to swim that far.

With the assistance of Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat and a private boat owner the casualties were picked up and safely returned to their boat.

We're always looking for new recruits. If you are interested in becoming a Coastguard Rescue Officer please click on the following link https://www.gov.uk/volun.../areas-where-you-can-apply-online

On Friday evening, together with our easterly flank team HM Coastguard Romney Marsh and RNLI Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station, we were tasked to a report of a person sighted clinging to a buoy and waving off Camber Beach.

Once a thorough search of the area had been conducted with no one sighted in the water, and having further liaised with the first informant, we concluded that this was a false alarm.

Although in this instance there was no casualty we would urge anyone spotting what appears to be a person in difficulty at sea to call 999 and ask for Coastguard.

We're always looking for new recruits. If you are interested in becoming a Coastguard Rescue Officer please click on the following link https://www.gov.uk/volun.../areas-where-you-can-apply-online

On Wednesday afternoon the Rye Bay team were tasked to a report of a capsized boat with 4 people in the water. With the help of Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat and local fisherman the casualties were recovered from the water and returned to Rye Harbour, one of them being treated for shock by paramedics. Since all of their keys and mobile phones were still on the capsized boat we had some difficulty trying to contact relatives but suceeded eventually. Many thanks to Tony and Sharon for their kindness in ensuring that the casualties were fed and watered whilst they awaited a lift home.

When using pleasure craft at sea it is always a good idea to leave personal items such as keys and a spare mobile phone in a safe place ashore. It is also advisable to inform friends or relatives of your plans so that they can contact us/be contacted in the event of an accident at sea.

If you get into difficulty whilst on the water please call 999 straight away and ask for Coastguard.

On Tuesday evening we joined up with HM Coastguard - Hastings for a vertical rope rescue training session. Although used less frequently than standard cliff top rope rescue techniques, vertical rescue is a very effective method for recovering people and animals trapped in confined spaces. It is therefore very important that we regularly practice this technique.

We are always looking for new recruits. If you are interested in becoming a Coastguard Rescue Officer please click on the following link https://www.gov.uk/volun.../areas-where-you-can-apply-online

Yesterday the team took part in a joint training exercise with Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat.

This was a simulated casualty location/extraction at the base of Fairlight cliff combining our complimentary skill sets. It enabled us to practice core competencies including rope rescue, casualty care (first aid), casualty evacuation and radio communications.

We frequently encounter this type of scenario when called to real incidents.

Thanks to our friends at Pett Rescue for their participation in what was a really enjoyable morning's training...we all learnt something. (And thanks to Dawn for the delicious breakfast muffins! )

If you get into difficulty on or near the cliff please call 999 straight away and ask for Coastguard.

We are always looking for new recruits. If you are interested in becoming a Coastguard Rescue Officer please click on the following link https://www.gov.uk/volunteer-as-a-coastguard/areas-where-you-can-apply-online

A recent training session at Fairlight with newly issued equipment. The obelisk is used in rope rescue and enables us to reach casualties in otherwise inaccessible locations, such as cliff faces and deep holes. Rope rescue is one of the technical competencies which we regularly practice.

We are always looking for new team members so please get in touch if you are interested in joining.

Together with our flank team HM Coastguard - Hastings we were recently called to a boat adrift and in trouble on the River Rother.

On arrival we were advised that the 2 crew members had been evacuated safely by RNLI Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station. We succeeded in attaching a line to the boat (KaHeer) and were then able to secure it to the rivers edge using rigging lines, thus preventing a potential hazard in the river.

We would remind those going to sea to ensure that they have properly planned their journey, to take into account the wind and tide, that their vessel is properly maintained and equipped with the correct safety equipment and that everyone knows how to use it.

⚠️If you see someone or something in difficulty, do not hesitate to dial 9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣ and ask for the COASTGUARD ⚠️

This evening the team was tasked to Rye Harbour following a report of a dog in the river. A member of Rye RNLI was with the dog (Raven) which was stuck at the bottom of a high wall near the harbour mouth. With the help of the Rye RNLI crew member we were able to recover Raven using our animal rescue bag. She was then reunited with her owners safe and well. Many thanks to the RNLI for their assistance.

We urge anyone walking their dogs near the river to keep them on a lead.

We, alongside the rest of the nation and world, are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty the Queen.

Our longest serving monarch in British history, her remarkable reign will never be forgotten.

From everyone within the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Her Majesty’s Coastguard and the UK Ship Register – our thoughts are with the Royal Family.

A Red Warning is now in your lace for the South East.

Dangerous weather is expected and, if you haven't already done so, you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the severe weather. It is very likely that there will be a risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies and possibly widespread damage to property and infrastructure.

You should avoid travelling, where possible, and follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities.

Emergency at the coast call

is on her way. Hazardous conditions are forecast with severe weather warnings!

Stay home if you can and away from exposed coastal areas.

Keep & follow the

Emergency at the coast? Call

📟 Today our team Dungeness Coastguard was tasked to a casualty stuck in the mud up to their waist at littlestone beach. We were tasked along side HM Coastguard Rye Bay, Kent Fire and Rescue Service & South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust. Once on scene it was made clear by the Fire service that it was a task that would require all of our specialist mud rescue equipment and our specialist mud rescue technicians due to the nature of the deep mud. The casualty was soon freed from the mud by our technicians where they were then winched on an inflatable raft to shore and met by the ambulance service and the fire service for a medical check and wash down. This job was a textbook rescue made even quicker by all the emergency services working together to achieve the best possible outcome.

In a coastal emergency 📞9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣ and ask for the Coastguard

Do you have what it takes to join the coastguard? If so then please get in touch today to find out more information on volunteering for our team based in New Romney!

Rye Bay along with Dungeness coastguard were out on Patrol over a busy weekend, we were tasked to a few missing person incidents at Camber as well as assisting Pett Rescue es**rt 2 boats back to safety at low tide, one of which had rope caught in its impeller.

We had to issue several safety warnings to vehicles blocking emergency service safety access points. We would like to remind everyone the dangers of parking in these area’s and the delays it would cause our emergency services delivering vital emergency help in matters where every second counts. Please remember it could be a member of your family we are going to assist.

We would also like to ask visitors to Camber to park sensibly. We came across a number of vehicles poorly parked, blocking the carriageway causing even more congestion on top of an already congested area, again this delays all emergency services attending a very busy beach , where our attendance is vital and often include life threatening incidents.

We were glad to see that the majority of visitors to Camber did take the time to park sensibly, considered others and the emergency services, observed beach safety rules and had taken their rubbish home. We thank you for taking responsibility in keeping our environment safe and welcoming for all.

Considering how extraordinarily busy Camber was this weekend, we are pleased to say that most people really enjoyed themselves.

We would like to extend our warmest thanks to Camber Coastal safety officers, RNLI, Pett Rescue, Beach patrol, First responders as well as our partner Blue light services, Sussex Police, Secamb, East Sussex Fire and Rescue who worked hard to help keep us all safe over this busy weekend.

Stay Safe

HM Coastguard

HM Coastguard Rye Bay And Dungeness were assisting Rother district council with coastal safety today.

It was good to see that many parents making full use of the wrist band system operated by Rother District Council which greatly helps our coastal beach patrols and emergency service re-unite lost children and their parents back together more efficiently.

Please think about using this system when visiting Camber as it often can save you a lot of worry should you and your child become separated.

We love to see everyone enjoy themselves on our beaches and minimise the risk of injury to our visitors. For this reason the coastguard issues safety advice on a regular basis to ensure your trip stays a memorable one for all the right reasons.

To ensure the safety of our visitors we would also like to remind everyone of the dangers of using disposable barbecues in confined spaces and the potential nuisance it can cause to other beach users

For this reason there are regulations in place that prohibit their use and we suggest you follow this guidance or risk being fined.

Today we were alerted to a fire in a bin, where a banned barbecue type was used. This could of caused serious injury to another as well as causing a great deal of damage to property of Rother district council.

We ask that all visitors observe these regulations in helping to keep our families safe from harm or injury this summer.

Barbecue Policy - Camber Beach

Please care for the beach environment and other users’ safety and enjoyment. Do not use disposable barbecues.
Gas powered BBQs are the only ones permitted on Camber Beach.Use the western end of Camber Sands beach for barbecues. It is illegal to barbecue in the sand dunes. Permission for large numbers (10+) of people should be sought from Rother District Council in advance.

Thank You & Stay Safe

HM Coastguard

On the death of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh today (9 April) the thoughts and prayers of everyone within Her Majesty's Coastguard are with Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family.

You may see our coastguard teams are out and about on Patrol at weekends, if you require any safety advice please give us a wave and come talk to us (socially distanced that is) we are always happy to talk to you about any questions you may have about keeping yourself and family safe.

We understand after a long break many of you will soon be wanting to take to the sea with your boats 🚣‍♂️ paddle boards ect...

Below is some safety advice to help keep you and your family safe.

Check your vessel for any signs of damage or corrosion and that it is in a seaworthy condition.

Check tide times and weather reports before setting out.

Always carry a radio, mobile phone or flares ect... so if you do run into trouble you can alert us and others in the area.

Always carry life jackets, check their service dates, visually inspect them for any signs of wear or damage. Always read advice on the types of life jackets you will need for your type of vessel and persons they are for with a professional. This single item can save you and your families life.

Always let someone where you are going and when to expect you back

If using a powered craft check you have enough fuel for your journey and consider if there is a strong current you will use more fuel to go a shorter distance.

If you do run into trouble alert the coastguard immediately, do not wait for things to get progress before calling us. We always prefer a wasted journey than arriving too late.

If you or your family are in danger, or you see anyone in difficulty on our coasts cliffs and sea...

Dial 999 immediately and ask for the coastguard, or if you are using a VHF radio you can contact us on channel 16, giving us your last known position, how May persons on board, the name of your boat, any injuries, and your present situation.

#999

Stay Safe