Daniel Jamson (2009 Leaver) – Working in Maritime Rescue

Working in Maritime Rescue

Inside the MRCC co-ordinating an incident

Since joining the Coastguard some 5 years ago now, whilst still at University in Aberystwyth, my time in the service, if nothing else has been varied. I am a Coastguard Rescue Officer at the Liverpool and Crosby Team. This covers an area from Ainsdale all the way along the coast, including the Dock systems, to Runcorn Bridge. I am on call 24/7, 365 days of the year and this can be to any number of different incidents, from a missing person on the beach all the way to the Yellow Duck incident last Summer. However, this is all voluntary, and we all have full time jobs. It just so happens to be that my full time job is also with the Coastguard as a Watch Officer in the Maritime Rescue Co-Ordination Centre based in Hall Road.

The station last year coordinated near to 4000 incidents around our Search and Rescue Region: from the Point of Ayr, North Wales around the coast to the Mull of Galloway, Southwest Scotland including the Irish Sea, waters around the Isle of Man and the four main lakes in the Lake District. The Watch Officers listen to the maritime distress channel as well as answering 999 calls for coastal incidents including lost children, people fallen off cliffs and people stuck in the mud. The list is truly endless.

The Mud & Water Rescue Unit at the Pier Head

These operators co-ordinate the rescue mission and draw up search instructions for any Search and Rescue units that are tasked, be that Lifeboat, volunteer Coastguard Teams, Helicopters or any passing vessels. As an example, a man over board in the Irish Sea at 11pm at night on a cold January evening with howling winds can be very challenging (speaking from experience). To create the search instruction it is necessary to work out the casualty’s drift pattern taking into consideration tide and wind speed and direction amongst other factors.

We work in watches for 12 hour shifts working 2 days, 24 hours off then 2 nights then have 3 full days off, working an 8 day week. Working in challenging situations makes the team bond quicker and the brew at the end tastes that bit sweeter when you have located a lost vessel all safe and well and returned them to shore.

Daniel Jamson (2009 leaver)