When an incident comes into the Coastguard, either through a direct 999 call, a maritime report, or from another emergency service, Maritime Operations Officers (MOOs) and Senior Maritime Operations Officers (SMOOs) at HM Coastguard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) are among the first to respond.
MOOs and SMOOs work on shifts within teams, managed and led by a Team Leader, to handle emergency calls, gather information and provide safety information.
From requesting RNLI lifeboat assistance and seeking air support from HM Coastguard’s Rescue Helicopter fleet, to liaising with a volunteer force of more than 3,000 Coastguard Rescue Officers across the UK, MOOs and SMOOs are a vital part of the UK emergency response.
“I started my career in the Merchant Navy at 18, where I became an Officer of the Watch. I served four years and then decided to work ashore when my daughter was born,” says Max Brewster from Tenby. Max has been a MOO at MRCC Milford Haven for just over two years.
“I saw a Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) advert for the role of MOO at Milford. It included some things I’d never done before, but it was the sense of teamwork that really shone through and appealed to me – that’s what convinced me to apply.”
Norman Bridges has worked as a SMOO at Belfast MRCC for more than 11 years. He says: “I started in the Ops Room at Belfast after working as a fisherman and as voluntary RNLI lifeboat crew in Kilkeel.”
“When an incident comes in to us, we start by gathering up as much information as possible. It could begin with a 999 call, a maritime mayday, alerting beacon or transponder or through concerns raised by volunteers at a Lookout Station.”
“I love HM Coastguard. We’re such a close-knit team and we do great work. Above all it’s good to know that there’s always friendly people to talk to if you’ve had a stressful, long or challenging shift.”
Speaking about his shift pattern as a MOO, Max says: “It’s definitely not a nine-to-five job, but I really enjoy that aspect of our roles! It’s two days and two nights in the Ops Room per week, which is brilliant. It’s very flexible and hours go by in minutes because each day is so different – I really enjoy being busy, and being a MOO keeps me on my toes!”
MOOs qualify after 12-18 months of training, some being on-the-job and some being through an extensive modular programme at MCA Headquarters in Southampton. There’s additional training in specialisms for progression opportunities to senior and Team Leader roles.
“People in the Ops Room often explore career progression at HM Coastguard and MCA, and there are many ways to better yourself here.
"For me, I’m concentrating on my current work. I’d like to specialise in key areas of my role through Continuing Professional Development,” says Max.
“Senior Officers tend to have additional responsibilities and sit in on responses, search pattern planning and co-ordination actions. It’s great to draw upon their knowledge and wealth of experience for my role.”
Roles aren’t restricted to the Operations Room either, as colleagues can work across the MCA, including in areas of Policy, Counter Pollution, and Survey and Inspection. Norman is also a Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator (SMC) and Associate Trainer, qualified to plan out search activity to support a rescue operation.
Hearing about Norman’s two decades of experience volunteering with the Coastguard Rescue Service, alongside his role in the Ops Room, Max says that he’s also exploring how he can become a Coastguard Rescue Officer or CRO.
“At HM Coastguard, such a big part of our work is helping people and giving advice, and I just find that incredibly fulfilling. I’ve always done a lot of charity work, and having seen first-hand how our coastguards work to save lives, I’m also exploring how I can volunteer to become a Coastguard Rescue Officer too."
Read more about current Maritime Operations Officer vacancies
