The 2nd Itchen South group were given a warm welcome by the team at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Fareham, Hampshire, where a series of behind-the-scenes tours are being given to young people.
The JRCC is the place where 999 alerts for maritime emergencies come in; and calls go out to send search and rescue units such as lifeboats, helicopters and Coastguard Rescue Teams.
The youngsters were allowed into the viewing gallery to watch the hi-tech control room in action as real-life incidents were coordinated by teams of HM Coastguard operations officers.
We are looking forward to helping more young people keep themselves safe on the coast
They had lots of questions, answered by their hosts for the day, Senior Aeronautical Operations Officer George Belcher and Maritime Operations Officers Megan Gately and Katie Mooney.
The Scouts also enjoyed activities including throwing rescue lines, creating their own beach flags, and practicing the phonetic alphabet.
They came away with important safety information too such as about cliffs, beach flags, mud and rip currents.
It included the Float to Live message: If you find yourself in trouble in the water, relax and float with your head back and your ears submerged.
They also learned what to do if they see an emergency: how to contact HM Coastguard and what information to pass on.
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far
George said: “It was such a pleasure to host the members and parents of 2nd Itchen South Scouts, which is run specially for young people with autism. They went away well prepared to keep themselves, friends and family safe by the coast.
“We have hosted a Brownies group and two Scout groups so far. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far, and we are looking forward to helping more young people keep themselves safe on the coast.”
Each visitor went away with a goodie bag filled with fun activities, safety information, and wristbands for children to wear by the seaside with their parents’ phone number.
To find out more about organising a youth group visit to the JRCC, email both George.Belcher@mcga.gov.uk and Megan.Gately@mcga.gov.uk
Main photo, from left: Scout leader Ann Edmeades, Maritime Operations Officer Megan Gately, Scout Owen Ponsford, parent Lisa Dibden-Chan, Scout Megan Dibden, parent Alaya Ponsford, and Senior Aeronautical Operations Officer George Belcher
