HM Coastguard Southend On Sea

01/11/2026

A big thank you to Southend-on-Sea City Council for inviting us to take part in the 2026 Halloween Parade. As you can see, our Coastguard Rescue Officers took the opportunity to put on their best faces!

We had the best time meeting everyone and seeing all of the spook-tacular costumes.

Remember, should you see anyone in trouble on or near the coast, don’t hesitate to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard, you could save someone’s life!

To Search
To Rescue
To Save Lives.

18/10/2026

Yesterday evening, the team at HM Coastguard Southend On Sea were tasked to assist a young adult who had slipped on the rock armour and suffered a significant head injury behind Adventure Island.

With support from HM Coastguard Canvey Island, East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, officers worked to stabilise the casualty, secure them in a rescue stretcher and extricate them from the beach into an awaiting ambulance.

After initial checks by paramedics, the casualty was then transferred to Southend Hospital for further treatment.

We would like to thank all of our partner agencies for their assistance.

Should you see anyone in trouble on or near the coast, don't hesitate to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. You could save someone's life.

12/10/2026

Southend Coastguard Rescue Team – Recruitment Update

Thank you to everyone who has expressed an interest in joining Southend Coastguard Rescue Team.

We've received an unprecedented level of interest in our current recruitment campaign, and we're extremely grateful to everyone who has taken the time to get in touch.

Applications will close as advertised on Tuesday 20 October 2026.

Due to the number of enquiries received and the timescales involved with interviews, medical assessments and training, we are already progressing applications to the next stage.

If you're considering applying, please ensure you do so before the closing date.
Thank you once again for your interest and support.

11/10/2026

Earlier today, HM Coastguard Southend On Sea dealt with two back-to-back incidents along Southend's coastline.

The first was to locate and assess an upturned boat that had been called in by a member of public along Thorpe Esplanade. The vessel, which likely capsized during Saturday's strong winds, was still moored but needed to be further assessed for possible pollution and debris. With neither present, the team were stood down and made their way back to station.

While en-route, one of our officers was flagged down to assist an elderly gentleman who had fallen on the pavement and sustained a deep facial wound not far from the Halfway House.

The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) asked the team to proceed and help stabilise the casualty. Officers were able to clean the wound, apply the appropriate bandages and perform ongoing checks while they waited for our paramedic colleagues at East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust to arrive.

With paramedics on scene, officers helped transfer the casualty to an awaiting ambulance, which then proceeded to Southend Hopsital.

After the team were stood down and returned home, the casualty's wife later messaged the team to thank them for their assistance.

If you see anyone in trouble around our coastline, please dial 999 and ask for the coastguard. You could save a life.

To Search
To Rescue
To Save Lives

11/10/2026

🚨 Incident Attendance Request 🚨

Early Saturday evening, the team were tasked to reports of persons cut off and stuck in the mud in the vicinity of Bell Wharf in Old Leigh.

HM Coastguard Southend On Sea officers commenced a search from various vantage points with Leigh Heights providing the best visuals.

RNLI Southend Lifeboat Hovercraft was also tasked to rescue and recover the casualties to a place of safety.

With fading light and soft mud under foot, it was imperative that the persons in difficulty were located quickly.

The team were divided with officers in two locations, the first being Leigh Heights, which offers a great vantage point for the Lifeboat crew and guidance to the casualties exact location.

The team were then deployed to Bell Wharf to receive the casualties and carry out welfare checks along with any further medical requirements.

All persons involved were safe and well and safety advice was given. Checking tides and the terrain before heading out is a must, however can show just how easily it is to encounter problems around the coast.

We would like to thank our partners at RNLI Southend Lifeboat Station and our Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre for their help and assistance.

Should you ever see anyone in trouble at the coast or if in any doubt, remember to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

To Search. To Rescue. To Save.

07/10/2026

🚨 𝗝𝗢𝗜𝗡 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 – 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗨𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗬 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘 🚨

Would you like to become a Coastguard Rescue Officer?
Be part of a busy and committed team that provides a vital 999 Search and Rescue response service across Southend and beyond?

We are one of the UK’s four frontline emergency services and we are available 24/7, 365 days a year. We respond to a wide range of emergencies and work very closely with a large number of partner agencies.

What we're looking for:
• A full UK driving licence
• A confident and strong swimmer
• The ability to work as part of a team and serve your community

You will ideally live in the Southend catchment area, which will enable you to attend our station situated at Ness Road, Shoeburyness.

No previous experience is required and full training will be provided.

To apply or ask us any questions, please email us on: [email protected]

𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 – 𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙪𝙚 𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙩𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮.

05/10/2026

04/10/2026

Yesterday evening, HM Coastguard Southend On Sea were tasked to multiple reports of a swimmer in difficulty near the SeaLife Adventure building.

Witnesses described seeing a male swimming but slipping below the water as he made progress eastwards towards Shoeburyness.

Once on scene, officers prepared for a potential water rescue while conducting shoreline searches. RNLI Southend Lifeboat were also tasked to conduct a search of the waterline.

After a short search, the casualty was located near Thorpe Bay Corner and did not appear to be in difficulty. Lifeboat officers conducted a quick safety check and spoke to the swimmer, who was very proficient in the water and had attached a fluorescent tow float to increase his visibility.

Once back on land, Coastguard officers spoke with the casualty to assess his next steps and thanked him for taking all of the necessary precautions while out on the water.

If you see someone in trouble in or around the water, please call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. You might save a life.

03/10/2026

**Emergency Services Excercise **

Don't be alarmed if you see a large number of emergency service vehicles on Monday 5th October in the Leigh-on-Sea area.

Coastguard Rescue Teams alongside colleagues from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service are carrying out a joint mud rescue excercise to continue the excellent cross service working we already do.

Remember, in an emergency at the coast call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

02/10/2026

How time flies... Last night we shared our congratulations with Ash, Ben and Bertie as they received acknowledgement for completing their probation and becoming fully trained Coastguard Rescue Officers - where has that year gone??

Well, the year has seen more than 220 taskings, over 15,000 hours on call between them and lots of training and development with the team at HM Coastguard Southend On Sea.

Being a Coastguard is one of the most rewarding volunteer roles and no job is the same (well some are very similar in truth) and the whole team is always ready to roll out and help those in need along our coastline.

Well done to SNC 10,11 and 12 - here's to plenty more years to come!

If you see anyone in trouble at the coast please call 999 and ask for the coastguard - you could save a life.

To Search
To Rescue
To Save Lives