HM COASTGUARD

HM Coastguard operates a fleet of aircraft, including helicopters and fixed-wing planes, for search and rescue operations around the UK. These aircraft are crucial for responding to incidents at sea and along the coast, including inland rescues. The aircraft are equipped with advanced technology to assist in locating individuals in distress.

Specific Aircraft Types:

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

      • Search and Rescue: HM Coastguard's primary role is to respond to distress calls and conduct search and rescue operations at sea and along the coast.
      • Pollution Detection: Fixed-wing aircraft, particularly the King Airs, are used to detect and monitor oil spills and other pollution incidents.
      • Coordination: HM Coastguard's operations room controllers coordinate all emergency responders and resources, including aircraft, for effective rescue operations.
      • Technology Integration: HM Coastguard is actively implementing new technologies, including drones and enhanced situational awareness systems, to improve its search and rescue capabilities.

Locations:

      • HM Coastguard operates from 10 main bases around the UK, with plans to add seasonal bases during busy periods.
      • The aircraft are deployed from these bases to respond to incidents across the UK's search and rescue region, which covers approximately 2 million square miles.

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We provide a 24-hour maritime and coastal search and rescue emergency coordination and response service for the UK.

The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) based in Hampshire is the heart of the national coastguard rescue coordination system, connecting 10 Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) around the UK from Falmouth to Shetland - covering over 11,000 miles of coastline.

Our helicopters operate from 10 strategically located bases and are regularly called out to incidents on the water and along the coast, as well as to help with inland rescues where a helicopter is needed, such as mountain rescues.

There are also over 300 coastguard rescue teams based in communities around the coast made up of around 3,500 volunteers.  

HM Coastguard bases key

Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Fareham

Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs)

Helicopter bases

What you need to report

If you recover wreck material, for example parts of a ship or its cargo, you must report it to the Receiver of Wreck within 28 days.

If you do not report it within 28 days, you could be fined £2,500. Reporting wreck material gives the legal owner the opportunity to have their property returned.

What counts as wreck material?

Wreck material includes things found on the seashore or in tidal water that have come from a ship, aircraft or hovercraft (vessels). This could be parts of the vessel, its cargo or equipment.

There are 4 main categories:

  • Flotsam - goods that have remained afloat after being lost from a ship that has sunk
  • Jetsam - things that have been cast overboard from a ship that was in danger of sinking 
  • Derelict - property that has been abandoned at sea without hope of recovering it, which could be vessels or cargo 
  • Lagan - goods that have been buoyed (so they can be recovered) before being cast overboard from a ship that then sinks

Wreck material does not normally include:

  • Boats that have come off their moorings
  • Buoys, like marker, data, or mooring buoys (unless part of fishing equipment)
  • Fishing nets

If what you’ve found is not from a vessel, it might be officially defined as treasure. You must report treasure to the local coroner within 14 days of finding it.

Contact the Receiver of Wreck if you’re not sure whether something is wreck material.

Reporting wreck material

To report wreck visit [Report wreck material - GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/report-wreck-material "(opens in a new window)").

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Report royal fish

What are Fishes Royal?

Fishes Royal (or Royal Fish) are deceased cetaceans and sturgeons that have been stranded on the UK’s shores. They are called Royal Fish because they are a Royal Prerogative and the Crown (or grantee) has the right to claim them. 

In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, Royal Fish include all whales, porpoises, dolphins, and sturgeons. In Scotland, Royal Fish only include whales over 25ft long.

History and the Fishes Royal Prerogative

The Crown’s right to claim Royal Fish dates back to the 12th century when a stranded cetacean would have been a valuable commodity. Today, in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the Fishes Royal Prerogative is administered on behalf of the Crown by HM Coastguard’s Receiver of Wreck. 

What should I do if I find a deceased Royal Fish?

If you find a deceased whale, porpoise, dolphin or sturgeon on the coast please contact the Receiver of Wreck on 0203 817 2575.

In a coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

What happens to Royal Fish after I’ve reported them?

By reporting Royal Fish to HM Coastguard, you are supporting scientific research into the health of whale, porpoise, dolphin, and sturgeon populations as well as the wider marine ecosystem. As part of reporting, you may be asked to provide a photo and note the location, condition, and type of stranded animal found.

After a Royal Fish is reported, the Receiver of Wreck works to ensure the relevant authorities are informed and that a post-mortem can be performed if appropriate. After this, the carcass is removed and disposed of in line with relevant health and environmental legislation. In particularly remote locations where there is no health hazard, the carcass may be left to degrade naturally.

What should I do if I find a stranded marine animal that’s still alive?

If you find a stranded and alive cetacean, sturgeon, turtle, shark or marine mammal DO NOT touch it. 

Please notify the Coastguard as soon as possible for advice.

There are a range of organisations you can reach out to for help or advice, such as the Cetacean Strandings Investigations Programme or the DAERA Marine Wildlife team (NI).