1 of 35

HM Coastguard

Collaborative working towards marine safety – across the UK

1

2 of 35

Personal Intro

Richard Wasson

Community Safety Lead – UK Wide

Richard.wasson@mcga.gov.uk

September 2025

2

3 of 35

What we will cover

Quick overview of HM Coastguard

Key updates since last time

Two examples of “Solutions Through Partnerships”

One public facing – One behind the scenes.

3

4 of 35

His Majesty’s Coastguard (HMCG)

Maritime SAR
Vessel Traffic Management
Counter Pollution
Maritime Safety Information
Maritime Security
Disaster Response

Civil

Maritime

SAR

Civil Aeronautical SAR

4

Centre: Where HMCG sits and the delegation of responsibilities for SAR

Emergency response arm of MCA, MCA has two main directorates, the other being UKMS (Flag State Functions – such as ship’s registry, seafarer certification and survey and inspection)

MCA is part of the UK civil service and executive agency of DfT. DfT is lead department for civil aeronautical and maritime SAR on behalf of the UK government which is overall responsible as contracting state to ICAO and IMO.

Top left: Coast Guard functions HMCG is responsible / lead agency in the UK.

Bottom left: UK SRR, 1 million sqnm, in E and S boundary lines with our European neighbours, N just under the arctic circle, W mid Atlantic excluding the Irish SRR

Top right: UK JRCC, supported by 10 MRCCs and a MRSC working in a national network that allows access to all systems and resources from every operator position and also the distribution of workload between individual stations.

5 of 35

Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (UK JRCC)�UK Mission Control Centre (UK MCC)�Southampton, England

5

6 of 35

Maritime Rescue

Coordination Centres

(MRCCs)

Falmouth
Milford Haven
Holyhead
Belfast
Stornoway
Shetland
Aberdeen
Humber
London (MRSC)
Dover

JRCC

MRCC

MRSC

6

7 of 35

7

8 of 35

SAR Facilities

£9m

Coastguard Rescue Service

Circa 3,500 Volunteers
Circa 300 CRTs
Mud / Rope / Water Rescue and L&MPS
All shore based

Declared / Other Facilities

400+ Lifeboats
Beach Lifeguards
Coast Watch Units
Mountain Rescue Teams

SAR Aircraft

Operating circa 22 aircraft from 10 bases across UK
Fixed wing / UAS

8

9 of 35

Types of Coastal / Maritime Activities in the UK?

Highly Diverse Coastline

Vast increase in Coastal / Water recreation in recent years

Coastal walking accounts for our highest number of recreational incidents – 2659* in 2024.

Vessel Machinery Failure – highest maritime based incident – 2117* in 2024

*HM Coastguard Data

9

10 of 35

Update on UK National Water Safety Forum Structure

National Water Safety Forum (RoSPA)

Water Safety Wales

Water Safety Scotland (DIR)

Water Safety NI (Pending)

10

11 of 35

Update on UK National Water Safety Forum Structure

National Water Safety Forum

Water Safety Wales

Water Safety England

Water Safety Scotland

Water Safety NI

Purpose:

Prevent accidental drowning fatalities in the UK by working in partnership to ensure consistent guidance for the safe enjoyment and management of activities in, on and around water.

11

12 of 35

UPDATE - �Haverfordwest Incident, Wales

30 October 2021

4 Fatalities at Town Weir – hydraulic towback

Organised tour

12

13 of 35

13

14 of 35

Today’s examples of partnership working��1. Joint Boating Safety Campaign – HMCG, RNLI and RYA��2. Water Safety Scotland’s Drowning Incident Review �

14

15 of 35

Boost your skills: ��A safety campaign for recreational boating

A collaborative project by the MCA, RNLI and RYA

15

16 of 35

Background

Data – Data – Data!

In 2024 and previous years, recreational sailing and powerboating incidents noted to be increasing – the majority being recorded initially as vessel machinery failures.

In 2024, RNLI launched lifeboats to these vessel types 1,900 times, assisting many vessels and saving 42 lives.

Risks of lifeboats towing other vessels.

MCA, RNLI and the RYA collaborated to launch a collaborative campaign aimed at encouraging boaters to take proactive steps in preparing their vessels, with a strong focus on maintenance and safety checks.

16

17 of 35

Campaign objectives

1. Contribute to preventing boating incidents and fatalities

Promote key safety behaviours

Foster collaboration between organisations

Engage experienced boaters

17

18 of 35

Campaign strategy

Phase 1 (March 2025): Pre-season readiness

Objective: encourage preparation before the boating season begins

Messaging: "Get ready before the season"

Activities:

Print assets (checklists and posters)
Web page hosted by RNLI with links to downloadable resources
Press release
Print advertorials and digital amplification in Yachting Monthly and Practical Boat Owner, The Yacht Market mailer and newsletter
First case study video and written piece

Phase 2 (May 2025): In-season awareness

Objective: promote safety behaviours during active boating months

Messaging: “Pre-trip checklist and briefing crew”

Activities:

Second case study video and written piece
Social media posts
Resources also to be hosted on a campaign page on the HM Coastguard’s website
Distribution of checklists and posters through RNLI and RYA
Further features in industry relevant outlets.
Free advertising in the Almanacs

18

19 of 35

Advertorials in Practical Boat Owner: �66K average issue readership

19

20 of 35

Advertorials in Yachting Monthly: 80K average issue readership

20

21 of 35

HMCG website landing page

21

22 of 35

Nautical Almanac advert

Almanacs contain navigational data and other essential information for yachtsman and are the bestselling guides of their kind.

22

23 of 35

Posters & checklists

23

24 of 35

Connected by Mission

Strategic collaboration�The MCA worked hand-in-hand with the RNLI and the RYA, two of the UK’s most respected maritime safety organisations. This united front amplified the campaign’s credibility and reach.

Trusted voices, consistent messaging, multiple platforms�By coordinating campaign messaging across MCA, RNLI, and RYA platforms, the MCA ensured that boaters received consistent, expert-led guidance wherever they turned, whether via a government channel, a boating magazine, or a charity newsletter.

Shared goals, shared impact�This campaign showcases the power of a mission-driven approach: working beyond departmental boundaries to solve real problems.

Public trust through partnership�Rather than relying solely on government voice, the campaign leverages the authority and trust already held by RNLI and RYA within the boating community. This helps ensure that safety advice is not only heard but also followed.

24

25 of 35

Case study & social media

16,889 impressions, with an average engagement rate of 8.1% and 1,106 interactions. The accompanying written post garnered 34,600 impressions, a 5.1% engagement rate, and 1,691 interactions.

25

26 of 35

26

27 of 35

�Water Safety Scotland Drowning Incident Review

A collaborative process with the overall goal of reducing drowning in Scotland

27

28 of 35

What is the Drowning Incident Review Process?

DIR aims to gather data and understand the contributory factors of a water-related incident to help gain a better understanding of how to prevent similar incidents occurring in future.

28

29 of 35

How does it work?

Traditionally we do SAR debriefs.

This process is about establishing

what happened in the first place.

Gains a better picture of contributing

factors.

And informs future strategy and

interventions by relevant authorities.

29

Im only going to speak from our perspective – we were asked to take part along with other emergency services in Scotland.

I won’t get into the long boring details of the whole process – happy to talk about that after in more depth. It does take a few months from incident to completion.

Traditionally we are good in Search and Rescue about doing SAR debriefs – what went well / improvements for the SAR response overall. Radio black spots etc etc.

But this is different – not about putting any scrutiny on SAR – this is a debrief by all parties to establish what actually went wrong in the first place. Recreational incidents only. NOT about blame – about establishing causal factors.

All parties come around the table and share their insights. We share our SAR perspective and insights from the incident. Other such as police can share theirs. Experts in particular activities are invited to share their insights – e.g. Paddle Scotland or Scottish Swimming NGBs for recreational activities.

30 of 35

30

31 of 35

31

32 of 35

32

33 of 35

33

34 of 35

Conclusions ��Questions

The power of stories
Data driven decisions
Govt. Policy
Consistent advice / training
Future technologies / AI?

34

35 of 35

��Thank you! ��Richard Wasson�Community Safety Policy Lead��Richard.wasson@mcga.gov.uk

35