But in these real-life Christmas call-outs from last year, we see what Christmas looks like for some of HM Coastguard’s workers and volunteers on round-the-clock readiness.
Suddenly an officer at a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre could be taking a 999 call, or a volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officer’s bleeper might go off signaling someone in distress.
Here’s a true taste of what it was like responding with HM Coastguard on Christmas Day 2024.
01:01:43
It’s a very early start on Christmas morning for the volunteers of Benbecula and Lochboisdale Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRTs) in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland.
An emergency call comes into Shetland Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) about a vehicle which has gone into the water on the island of South Uist.
The CRTs are sent to assist a search – but good news soon comes in. No one is in danger and the person from the vehicle has got themselves to safety.
09:42:13
In some homes presents are being swapped and unwrapped but on the Essex coast there’s a report of a medical emergency, with the call handled by an operations officer at Dover MRCC.
Someone has fallen ill and paramedics need help to transfer the patient to their ambulance. In case they are needed, an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter is sent as well as an RNLI inshore lifeboat.
But with Walton and Clacton CRTs on the scene, the casualty can be carried by stretcher to the waiting ambulance to be taken to hospital.
10:28:07
There’s an emergency at Brancaster, Norfolk, where a report has been made of two people cut off by the tide. Humber MRCC sends Hunstanton and Wells CRTs to the rescue.
They are soon stood down, however; before they arrive the pair make it back to shore – soaking wet but safe.
11:14:33
Kitchens are warming up with people preparing their Christmas lunch. But at Exmouth, Devon, attention is focused on a swimmer reported missing at the beach.
The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Fareham, Hampshire, manages the response. Exmouth and Beer CRTs are sent to search, along with the RNLI’s lifeboats from Exmouth.
There’s relief as the response ends in quick-time when the person is found safe and well on shore.
12:59:21
It’s lunchtime, but for Inverness CRT and the RNLI’s lifeboat from Kessock in Scotland, there’s the crew of a yacht to rescue, which has gone ground in the Moray Firth, near Inverness.
They’re sent to assist by Shetland MRCC but, fortunately, everyone is accounted for. The two people on board make it onto the beach safe and well, with the lifeboat standing by as a precaution.
The pair are checked over by the CRT before being passed into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service.
13:21:22
Twelve drummers drumming is the final verse from the 12 Days of Christmas.
There’s just one (container) drum washed up at West Kirby, Merseyside – but it might be filled with toxic material, according to a report from a member of the public handled by Holyhead MRCC.
Wirral CRT are sent to investigate to ensure it’s not a threat to anyone out for a Christmas stroll on the local coastline. They establish it is empty and place it safely for the local authority to collect.
14:07:37
A little way up the coast at Birkdale, a man has become disorientated and lost in the sand dunes. Southport and Crosby CRTs are sent by Holyhead MRCC to help him find a way out, supported by Southport Offshore Rescue quadbikes.
The man is located safe and well before being guided back towards home to enjoy the rest of his Christmas.
17:20:13
On the south coast in Hampshire, a man needs help after falling ill on a vessel moored at Fareham.
Hillhead and Portsmouth CRTs, together with an RNLI lifeboat from Portsmouth, are sent by the JRCC to help transfer him onto dry land.
The teams work together to bring the patient ashore and pass him safely into the care of the ambulance service.
17:42:59
Darkness has fallen and Milford Haven MRCC receives a report of a bright red flare spotted in the night sky over Swansea Bay, south Wales.
It could be someone signalling they are in danger, so Mumbles and Port Talbot CRT are sent to investigate, along with the RNLI lifeboat from Mumbles.
South Wales Police join the response and establish it was an accidental release from the shore.
18:47:19
As people around the UK are starting to sag into their sofas in front of the TV, Holyhead MRCC receives a report of concern about a person who might have been cut off by the tide at Lytham, Lancashire.
Lytham St Annes CRT are sent to ensure no one is in danger. There’s relief when it is established no one is in distress, and the response is stood down.
21:00:46
While some people are thinking of going to bed after one more slice of Christmas cake, Milford Haven MRCC is coordinating HM Coastguard’s support for a missing-person search in Swansea, led by South Wales Police.
Mumbles and Port Talbot CRTs are sent plus both RNLI lifeboats from Mumbles. It’s a good result: the person is found safe and well.
HM Coastguard is ready round-the-clock to respond to calls for help every day of the year.
For an emergency at sea or by the coast, call 999 and ask for Coastguard.
Happy Christmas!
