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
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
You would usually work 42 hours a week on a shift system over seven days. Part-time hours may be available.
Environment
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.
Travel
You must be prepared to work anywhere in the UK.
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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.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- maritime security
- air traffic management
- accident prevention
- capacity planning
- risk register
- contingency planning
- strategic leadership
- mitigation
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta 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 each section to find more information about getting into this career.
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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