To search, to rescue, to save

His Majesty's Coastguard (HMCG) is a division of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and is one of the UK’s frontline 999 services.

As the UK’s national maritime emergency service, we're available to help those in distress around our coastline or at sea 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

HM Coastguard is truly part of coastal communities, with circa 300 coastguard rescue teams around the UK coast made up of circa 3,000 volunteers. In their roles as coastguard rescue officers, our local volunteers respond to many types of incidents, including cliff and mud rescues.

As well as our volunteers, HM Coastguard has over 400 highly trained staff who provide a wide range of services including responding to over 36,000 incidents each year.

Our Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) are spread across the UK, from Falmouth to Shetland - covering over 11,000 miles of coastline. 

As the tasking authority we call on the support of a range of assets including independent and RNLI lifeboats, HM Coastguard rescue teams, helicopters and other aircraft support.

In addition to our search and rescue role, we also respond to pollution events, monitor vessel movement in UK waters and even collect wreck, royal fish and other salvage on behalf of His Majesty The King.

Safer lives, safer ships, cleaner seas

HM Coastguard is part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), an executive agency of the Department for Transport (DfT). 

The MCA produces legislation, guidance and certification to ships and seafarers. 

Through our survey and inspection regime, we enforce standards for ship safety, security, pollution prevention and seafarer health, safety and welfare. 

We promote maritime standards, encourage economic growth and minimise the maritime sector’s environmental impact.

We work together as one agency to prevent the loss of life on the coast and at sea, ensure the safety of the maritime environment and of those working on ships in the UK and on UK flagged vessels.