Why did you join HM Coastguard?
“I have worked in other emergency services but also grew up loving the sea,” says Senior Aeronautical Operations Officer (SAOO) Alex, who is based at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Fareham.
He adds: “When I saw an opportunity to join the Coastguard and combine those experiences, it seemed like the perfect fit.”
What is the most unusual incident you’ve worked on or coordinated?
Alex and his team can sometimes deal with incidents involving missing people, but they’re not aware that they’ve been reported missing. He says: “The best one I can remember was an overdue climber. The police said he was very surprised when they told him that we had been searching for him!”
The team sent a Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter to search for the man, but it turned out he’d already left the mountain and was in a local pub having dinner. “While not very unusual, it was quite funny,” says Alex.
What is the most challenging part of your role?
The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) handles a fleet of aircraft that are available to HM Coastguard for assistance in an emergency – it’s quite a tall challenge for the team, who task and manage HM Coastguard’s aeronautical response for the whole of the UK.
Alex says: “Handling the whole of the country, we can struggle with a lack of local knowledge in areas, so we work hard to find out factors about an area that affect Search and Rescue operations. We also work with a wide variety of other services, and it can often be complicated to try and work out who we need to speak to for each incident without knowing the area.”
Which local beach is your favourite and why?
“I have always liked Littlehampton - well worth the drive for some fish and chips!”
What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team?
Alex says: “I enjoy the backgrounds that our team members come from. We have a lot of people who come from other emergency service partners or the military, and the experience this brings is essential to working across such a broad range of incidents.”
What does being a Coastguard mean to you – are there essential lessons/tips/skills you’ve picked up?
“Calm and composure are key,” Alex says. “The Coastguard relies on highest quality communications over the phone, radio and in person, to keep the service running smoothly and to keep the public and our crews safe.”
He adds: “A cool head in a crisis that can quickly assess information and prioritise tasks amongst the team, no matter what your role, is essential.
When you’re not working, what do you enjoy doing?
Outside of work, Alex is a keen watersports and outdoor activities enthusiast. He says: “You can often find me on my paddleboard, and I am currently ‘learning the ropes’ sailing with a friend who's an expert. When I have time, I like to get out to interesting places like North Wales to tackle a mountain or do a long hike.”
