Deal HM Coastguard

12/03/2026

Last Tuesday, we welcomed our SAR colleagues from Walmer RNLI to Deal Coastguard Rescue Station for a joint familiarisation session.
The team were shown the equipment tests we carry out on the rescue vehicle before moving on to a demonstration of our rope rescue capability. Coastguard Rescue Officers demonstrated the system in action, before giving several of the Walmer crew the opportunity to get involved themselves — operating the lines and experiencing what it’s like to be in a rescue harness.
Sessions like this are a great opportunity to share skills, strengthen working relationships, and ensure we continue to work seamlessly together when responding to incidents along the coast.

11/03/2026

HM Coastguards from the Area 8 Flood Team joined West Sussex Fire & Rescue for joint training at the Cardiff White Water Centre, strengthening our skills and our partnership. Great to train as one team, ready to support our communities together.

Well done to Ryan Clements (Deal 03) .... for successfully completing the training.

08/03/2026

On International Women’s Day, it’s important to recognise the dedication, resilience, and professionalism of the women who serve within the Coastguard.

At Deal Coastguard Rescue Team and within HMCG, women play a vital role in frontline search and rescue operations, responding to incidents along the coastline, supporting those in danger, and working seamlessly as part of a highly skilled team. Their commitment, operational capability, and teamwork help ensure the safety of our local communities and those who enjoy the sea.
Today is a chance to acknowledge the contribution of the women within the team and across the wider Coastguard service—demonstrating leadership, strength, and expertise in what can often be challenging and demanding environments.

10/01/2026

05/01/2026

A couple of different shots from this weekends flood team event! 🥶

04/01/2026

Flood Team training! 🌊

Three officers from HMCG Deal joined up with other Coastguard Rescue Officers in Shoreham over the weekend, as part of the Area Flood Team's annual CPD and revalidation.

The weekend involved practicing and developing specialist water saftey and rescue techniques, both during the day and overnight in the dark in moving water. With ice forming on the rescue sleds and rafts it was a cold one! 🥶

When major flooding occurs, HM Coastguard flood teams are ready to respond as one of the UK’s four emergency services — not just along the coast, but inland too.

All Coastguard Rescue Officers are trained in water rescue and first aid (DEFRA type D) , but some also develop specialist flood response skills (DEFRA type C) . When disaster strikes, these volunteers can be deployed from around the country to form Flood Response Teams, supporting communities when they need it most.

Training often takes place alongside partner emergency services and can include rescues from flooded vehicles and assisting people stranded in fast-moving water.

Behind the scenes training — so we’re ready when it matters. 👍

31/12/2025

As 2025 draws to a close, HM Deal would like to extend our warmest wishes for a joyful and safe New Year to everyone who has interacted with us in any way.

Throughout the year, with the help of our flank teams HM Coastguard Margate, HM Langdon Battery & HM Folkestone, we’ve undertaken a variety of tasks.

- Searches for missing adults and children
- Assistance to individuals in the water
- Rescue of persons in water craft
- Assistance with ordnance or suspected ordnance
- Multiple cliff rescues
- Providing medical assistance
- Various other taskings

Every time our pager goes off, a dedicated team of skilled volunteers immediately drop everything to respond. They are supported by partners and families who stand by them throughout.

We truly appreciate everyone who shares and follows us to help deliver crucial safety messages.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year from HM Deal.

In a coastal emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

30/12/2025

A look back at 2025....

28/12/2025

***Please Be Aware*****
There have been reports of Palm Oil on our local beaches. This substance is toxic to dogs, so please keep your pets on a lead while at the beach.

For anyone finding what they suspect is palm oil on our local beaches, please report the location to HM Coastguard asap. The Coastguard will then log it with the Counter Polluntion Salvage Team and the local council for clearance.

Please find a link below with further information.

https://hmcoastguard.uk/news/when-palm-oil-washes-ashore-answers-sticky-question

24/12/2025

A couple of weeks ago, HMCG Deal enjoyed a well-earned few hours off pager to come together and celebrate Christmas as a team.

We kicked the day off with our annual Crazy Golf Tournament — a huge thank you to Roman Landings - Walmer Adventure Golf for hosting us once again.

Afterwards, we headed to the Royal Hotel, where we were treated to a lovely meal. The table looked beautiful, and the service was absolutely 5-star. Thank you to the whole team there.

As always, Deal's management presented the annual awards:

🏆 Top Attender
Awarded to Ben, who has tipped out to an incredible 102 taskings this year.

🎄 Best Christmas Jumper was
awarded to Hannah, one of our newest Coastguard Officers — who also earned the coveted ‘Wooden Spoon’ for most shots at crazy golf!

⛳ Crazy Golf Champion
This year’s winner was Aaron, finishing with an impressive score of 46.

⭐ New Award: Coastguard of 2025
This year’s inaugural award went to Ryan. Ryan has been with the team for just over four years and in that time has gained his DSO rank, qualified as a Rope Technician, Search Team Leader, Officer in Charge, is an active member of the National Flood Team and is an Mentor/Buddy to one of the new officers.
Huge congratulations, Ryan — very well deserved.

A brilliant day with an outstanding team. Proud of you all.

19/11/2025

New Recruit Announcements:

HM Coastguard Deal is very pleased to welcome 3 new Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs) as part of our 2025 intake of newly qualified recruits to the Deal Coastguard Rescue Team.

All new recruits have undergone intensive training over the past 8 weeks, having successfully completed and passed their new entry training and now been certified to go live on operational duties.

We are incredibly proud to have Hannah, Terry & Tony on our team and we wish the three of them and all the other new recruits across 'Area 8' the very best in starting their HM careers.

Should you see anyone in trouble on or near the coast, don’t hesitate to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard, you could save someone’s life!
To Search
To Rescue
To Save Lives