HM Coastguard is a part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, which is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport. It has primary responsibility for co-ordinating search and rescue around the 10,500 miles of UK coastline. Fleetwood is in the Fylde Sector of the Liverpool District, which itself is part of the Wales & Western Region. The RNLI is one of the most important assets available, and a close working relationship is essential.

At local level HM Coastguard operates on very similar lines to the RNLI. Here in Fleetwood, the town has the benefit of both an RNLI crew, and a Coastguard team. Local people, from all walks of life, who put themselves on call 24 hrs a day to assist people in danger or distress. Whilst the lifeboats are at sea, there are always members of the Coastguard either on the beach searching, or simply watching over the crews.

Fleetwood has had a Coastguard presence since long before the town was built. The current team consists of Paul Whelan (Station Officer), Mark Sumner (Deputy Station Officer), Jim Wright, Dave Mallett, Steve Adams, Mike Parkinson, Martin Poole, Jim McLaren, Stewart Hird, and retired members Keith Marham & Bill Ritson.

The team have relocated from their base at the rear of the old Coastguard houses on Princes Way, to their new accommodation located in the same building as the RNLI. This marks a new phase in the relationship of the two teams and can only strengthen the already excellent working, and social, bonds.

STOP PRESS

Pictured above is Fleetwood Station Officer Paul Whelan aboard his Fast Action Rescue Tram (FART 1). With panoramic views of the shoreline, Paul's mobile nerve centre can be anywhere on the Fylde coast in a matter of minutes.

It's also useful for bringing the lads back to Fleetwood after a night on the town.

This is a significant step forward in maritime Search and Rescue, said Paul.  We can pick up fares along the way to help with the shortfall in government funding. It should also help us to get Stuart and the Hoff back on the rails too.