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Coastguard
Coastguards help prevent the loss of life along the coast and at sea by co-ordinating and supporting search and rescue operations.
Average salary (a year)
£20000
Starter
£30000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
41.0 to 43.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends / bank holidays
on shifts
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:working towards this role; volunteering; applying directly
Work
You may be able to work your way into this role by starting as a watch assistant and applying for promotion when you've got more experience.
You'll need literacy, numeracy and IT skills, as well as seagoing experience.
Volunteering
You could start by becoming a coastguard rescue officer volunteer, then apply for a paid position when vacancies are advertised.
Direct Application
You can apply directly for jobs if you have some of the relevant skills and knowledge needed for this role.
You'll need a good standard of literacy and numeracy, good hearing and eyesight to become a watch officer.
Employers will often ask for seagoing experience, for example from
the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force or the Merchant Navy, activities involving boat work and navigation, experience as a coastguard rescue officer volunteer
More Information
Further Information
You can find out more about becoming a coastguard from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Civil Service Careers.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    Knowledge of public safety and security
    Customer service skills
    The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
    Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
    To be thorough and pay attention to detail
    Sensitivity and understanding
    The ability to work well with others
    Physical fitness and endurance
Digital Skills Level
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Other Requirements
You'll need to live within 30 minutes of the coastguard rescue location you wish to work for.
You must be prepared to work anywhere in the UK.
Related Restrictions
meet the Civil Service nationality requirements
be over 18 years of age
pass a medical check
pass a fitness test
have a full driving licence
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
In this job, you could
monitor vessels' radio and satellite communications, give information and advice about coastal and sea safety, offer navigational advice along particular stretches of water, send out weather and tidal reports, respond to emergency distress calls, supervise and assist search and rescue operations, handle reports of wreckage, pollution or debris along the coast or at sea, co-ordinate training
Working environment
You could work in an office or at sea.
You may need to wear a uniform.
Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
With experience, you could be promoted from coastguard watch assistant to watch officer, then to watch manager or section manager. You could also work in other parts of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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