Coastguard
Rescue people from danger at sea and on the cliffs and shores around the United Kingdom.
Also known as: coastguard watch officer (cwo), coastguard watch assistant (cwa), coastguard rescue officer volunteer
About the job
Salary
Source: National Careers Service
Weekly
£385
Entry level
£577
Experienced
Monthly
£1,667
Entry level
£2,500
Experienced
Yearly
£20,000
Entry level
£30,000
Experienced
2,800
people are currently employed
Low growth
200 fewer jobs in 5 years
These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics
What it's like
You would help to rescue people who are in danger at sea, and on the cliffs and shores around the United Kingdom.
You’d work for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and co-ordinate search and rescue operations along the British coast. You could also investigate illegal shipping activities and pollution incidents.
You’d identify and respond to maritime and coastal emergencies. You’d work closely with a team to get help to the location as quickly as possible. You’d help people who have got into difficulty in a boat or are trapped on the cliffs, mudflats and rocks around the coast.
You would:
answer and handle 999 calls at an operations centre
check the equipment
give the general public information about safety at sea
advise people in charge of boats on safety procedures
give out weather information and local weather reports
update logs and do general administration
As a coastguard watch assistant you’d provide administrative support and work in the operations room.
As a coastguard watch officer you would be involved in all aspects of the service.
As a coastguard rescue officer volunteer, you would be trained to respond to emergencies and paid for the hours you work.
Hours
Environment
Travel
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:
- cooperating
- verbal communication
- listening
- attention to detail
- developing a plan
- managing resources
- making decisions
- taking responsibility
- reliable
- resilience
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.
You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.
Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
PE (Physical education)
Skills for Work: Maritime Skills
Skills for Work: Uniformed and Emergency Services
There are no set requirements to enter the career as a coastguard watch assistant (CWA) although you should have a good standard of literacy and numeracy and it helps if you have qualifications at SCQF level 4/5.
To enter as a coastguard watch officer (CWO) you need extensive experience of the sea or experience in a professional search and rescue role, together with an acceptable standard of literacy and numeracy.
To become a coastguard rescue officer volunteer you must be at least 18 years old, and have an interest and concern for safety at sea.
Learn more about who can apply and how to do this on the HM Coastguard website.
a driving licence
to pass medical and fitness tests
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