Coastguards

Coastguard Phone Numbers

The Coastguard organisation consists of Maritime Rescue Centres and Maritime Rescue Sub-Centres. The Rescue Centres are given in Bold type.

Dover – 01304 210008

Solent – 023 9255 2100

Portland – 01305 760439

Brixham – 01803 882704

Falmouth – 01326 317577

Information to give Coastguards

When you contact a Coastguard have to hand the following information, which they will want to note down :

• name of the organisation to which you belong

• number of people going afloat and number of kayaks going on the water (there maybe double kayaks)

• colours of the kayaks ( if you are in a small group)

• general plan of the trip

• start and finish times

• start and finish positions

• name and telephone number of a shore-based contact

• whether a radio is being taken on the trip

• confirmation that flares are available in the group.

Remember that while the coastguard will endeavour to monitor any notified activity, they will not necessarily initiate any search and rescue action for an overdue group unless alerted by a shore contact or by some other means.

The coastguard is always available to give factual and weather forecast information but it is your responsibility to decide whether or not to do the trip.