Coastguard Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

You could work in the coastguard service as a coastguard watch assistant, coastguard watch officer or coastguard rescue officer volunteer.

You would usually start as a coastguard watch assistant, providing administrative support and working in operations rooms.

Your tasks would include:

• receiving and handling 999 calls
• monitoring equipment
• providing information on safety at sea to the general public
• recommending safety procedures to skippers of small craft
• providing meteorological information and local weather reports
• updating logs and completing general administration.

As a coastguard watch officer, you would be involved in all aspects of the service. Your tasks would include working in operational centres.

As a coastguard rescue officer volunteer, you would be trained to respond to emergencies and paid for the hours you work.

Hours

You would usually work 42 hours a week on a shift system over seven days. Part-time hours may be available.

As a watch officer, you would go to sea in all weathers, on patrol or on rescue missions, and would be involved in cliff and coastal search and rescue. You must be prepared to work anywhere in the UK.

Income

Watch assistants can earn around £17,000 a year. Watch officers can earn around £20,000 a year.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

You would usually join the coastguard service as a watch assistant. For this job you would need a good standard of literacy and numeracy, and IT and typing skills.

To become a watch officer you would also need a good standard of literacy and numeracy, plus good hearing and eyesight, and extensive seagoing experience. This could be from:

• the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force or the Merchant Navy
• other activities involving boat work and navigation
• experience as a coastguard rescue officer volunteer.

To become a coastguard rescue officer volunteer you must be at least 16, and have an interest and concern for safety at sea. For more information on this role, see the Maritime and Coastguard Agency website.

• Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Training and development

As a new coastguard, you would start by receiving training at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Centre at Highcliffe, Dorset.

After this, you would join a programme that combines classroom-based learning, self-study and on-the-job training.

As a volunteer, you will be expected to attend regular training.

Skills and knowledge

To be a coastguard, you should have:

• an interest in the sea and maritime issues
• an understanding of the use of communications equipment
• the ability to work under pressure and in emergency situations
• the ability to assess situations quickly and make sound decisions
• a clear speaking voice
• the ability to work as part of a team
• leadership ability, as you may have to take charge in an emergency situation.

More information

Maritime and Coastguard Agency
www.dft.gov.uk/mca

Opportunities

You would be employed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) at locations around the coast.

Rescue officer volunteers and watch assistants are recruited locally. Contact the District Operations Manager at your nearest coastguard station for details of opportunities. See the MCA website for locations.

• MCA

Watch officer vacancies are advertised in the press and on the MCA website.

With experience, you could be promoted from coastguard watch assistant to watch officer, then to watch manager or section manager.