What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Home
United Kingdom
Southampton
Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Call Directions Website Contact the organisation

Safer lives, safer ships, cleaner seas. This is the official account for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and HM Coastguard.

31/10/2026

The coast can look a little spooky as darker evenings set in 🍂

If you're heading to the coast and might be out after dark, remember to take a torch so you can see your surroundings more clearly.

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

29/10/2026

17 crew winched to safety off Orkney 🚁

On 1 October 2026, a major rescue operation was launched after a 30-metre fishing vessel grounded on rocks off the north-west coast of Hoy, Orkney.

With the vessel grounded on the rocks, an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Stornoway was sent to the scene.

Hovering above the vessel, the helicopter crew winched all 17 crew to safety before flying them to Orkney mainland, where Coastguards and the Scottish Ambulance Service were waiting.

RNLI Stromness lifeboat, coastguard rescue teams from Kirkwall and St Margaret’s Hope, a nearby ferry and RAF aircraft also supported the response.

Deputy Chief Coastguard John Craig said: “We’re very proud of the work of our teams in the air and on the ground. This incident is a great example of how we’re able to provide an agile and effective response through close working between aeronautical assets, ground-based teams, and emergency services partners.”

27/10/2026

A visit from the High Sheriff of Hampshire 👋

The High Sheriff of Hampshire, William Maltby, and his wife Sarah joined us at HM Coastguard’s Lee-on-Solent helicopter base and the search and rescue facility.

During their visit, they learned more about how our helicopter crews operate, the skills and training needed to work in challenging conditions, and the daily preparation that keeps them ready to respond to emergencies.

Lee-on-Solent is one of ten helicopter bases around the UK providing a 24/7 search and rescue service. It was a pleasure to welcome William and Sarah and give them a closer look at the important work of our crews.

25/10/2026

The clocks have gone back, and it's getting darker earlier in the evenings 🌙

That doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying the coast, but a little preparation can make all the difference.

Watch our video for simple tips to help you stay safe on your next coastal trip.

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

24/10/2026

Sheringham Coastguard Rescue Team has been presented with the Freedom of Sheringham 🏆

It’s the town’s highest civic honour, recognising the team’s professionalism and dedicated service to the community.

At the presentation ceremony, Mayor Councillor Sue Brisbane praised both the current team and the generations of coastguard rescue officers who have helped people in difficulty along the North Norfolk coast over the years.

Senior Coastal Operations Officer Jon Payne said, “We are immensely grateful to STC Sheringham Town Council for recognising, in this way, the vital role Sheringham Coastguard Rescue Team – and all our teams in North Norfolk – fulfil in keeping our communities safe on the coast.”

Congratulations to the team on this well-deserved recognition 👏

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

23/10/2026

Behind every rescue is a team coordinating the response.

HM Coastguard has Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres across the UK.

From receiving alerts and gathering information to planning searches and coordinating the rescue response, our teams are ready when someone is in difficulty along the coast or out at sea.

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

22/10/2026

Join us at the final two Regional Fisheries Groups sessions taking place this month, organised by the Marine Management Organisation - MMO.

We’re inviting policy makers, regulators and people working in the fishing industry to join us in the South West of England. It’s an opportunity to share views, discuss industry challenges, and help shape future fishing safety conversations.

Swipe to find out more ➡️

22/10/2026

Take extra care as Storm Austen and Storm Boelo approach ⚠️

Storm Austen is set to arrive overnight and into the morning of Friday 23 October. An amber weather warning for wind has been issued for Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and parts of west Devon, with further weather warnings in place across the UK.

Over the weekend, Storm Boelo will bring more strong winds and heavy rain, with the strongest winds expected across Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern England.

Check the latest weather forecast and warnings before heading to the coast. If conditions are unsafe, save your trip for another day.

Always stay away from cliff edges as sudden gusts can cause you to lose your balance. Avoid the base of cliffs as rocks can fall without warning and watch out for flying debris.

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

21/10/2026

Bravery in extreme conditions earns HM Coastguard’s Prestwick helicopter crew a prestigious award 🚁

The crew received the Edward and Maisie Lewis Award for their role in rescuing an injured yachtsman 40 miles south-west of Barra in September 2025. The award was presented at the Annual General Meeting of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society at Fishmongers’ Hall on Tuesday 6 October.

Jamie Ross, Harry Howell, Alan Robertson and Mark Warters were called to the incident after the winch paramedic aboard HM Coastguard’s Stornoway helicopter was injured during the initial rescue. Working in extreme conditions, the Prestwick crew continued the operation and brought the yachtsman to safety.

Deputy Chief Coastguard John Craig said: “Recipients of the Edward and Maisie Lewis Award demonstrate exceptional courage, skill, and bravery in pursuit of saving lives. In this case, the actions of the helicopter crew saved the life of a seriously injured seafarer in exceptionally challenging maritime conditions.”

At the same event, another helicopter crew from Prestwick, comprising Mark Randall, Harry Howell, David Rigg, Emma Atkinson and James Vallance were commended for rescuing a solo kayaker experiencing a medical episode in August 2025. For crew member Emma, it was her first operational response following her qualification. The casualty was safely winched onto the helicopter and taken to Whitehaven Hospital for urgent medical care.

HM Coastguard was also praised for coordinating multiple rescues at sea, including the rescue of a Royal Navy Merlin helicopter crew off the coast of Dorset in 2024 and its ongoing work to ensure safety for cross-Solent ferry operator Wightlink.

20/10/2026

Storm Austen is set to bring disruptive wind and rain ⚠️

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind across parts of southern England and Wales for Friday 23 October.

Gusts could reach 50-60mph, and coastal and exposed areas could see 70mph or more.

Stay safe at the coast:

• Stay away from cliff edges as sudden gusts can cause you to lose balance

• Avoid standing directly beneath cliffs as rocks and debris can fall

• Keep back from the shoreline and look out for large breaking waves

Visit the HM Coastguard website for more advice on staying safe at the coast.

If you see someone in difficulty at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Address

Southampton

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+442380329100

Website

https://linktr.ee/maritimecoastguard

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Maritime and Coastguard Agency posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.