HM Coastguard Crosby

17/10/2026

🌊 Cold water, teamwork and a well-earned pizza! 🍕

This morning, the Crosby team and Southport team headed to Crosby Lakeside for water training, with the water sitting at a chilly 11°C — thankfully, the sun was shining! ☀️

We worked through a range of scenarios covering throw bagging, tethered swimming and raft rescues. A fun, cold and wet session, with plenty of teamwork and learning — just how we like it! 💪

Back at the station, it was time for the clean-down before one of our CROs earned some serious brownie points by treating everyone to a pizza delivery. He can stay! 😂🍕

A huge thank you to Crosby Lakeside for their continued support and partnership. Working together helps us keep our skills sharp and be ready when our community needs us.

16/10/2026

⚓ MEET YOUR COASTGUARD ⚓

This week, we’re introducing Dom from HM Coastguard Crosby! 👋

With nearly 30 years in the maritime industry, a passion for helping others and a love of cycling, Dom brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the team.

From inspecting some of the world’s largest cruise ships to responding to emergencies along our coastline, here’s your chance to get to know Dom a little better! 🌊

❓ Why did you join HM Coastguard?

For many years, our whole family has been involved in various charitable and community projects. Helping others seems to be in our DNA! I’ve also spent nearly 30 years in the maritime industry, where safety always comes first, so joining HM Coastguard felt like a natural fit.

A few years ago, my job changed from being quite active and out in the field to spending much more time at a desk. I missed being on my feet and doing something practical.

I wanted a new challenge where I could use my energy and skills to help people, while making new friends outside work. It’s also a good way to step away from the desk and put my energy into something worthwhile.

❓ What is the most unusual incident you have attended?

I’m still fairly new to the team, so I’m not sure I can pick a most unusual incident yet. But one callout that stays with me was the first time I gave casualty care to someone: a person who had been stung by a jellyfish on Crosby Beach.

I remember the rush of adrenaline, then realising that the training was kicking in. I worked through what I needed to do, step by step. The first aid itself was fairly simple, but it was a difficult moment for the person involved. Hearing them say thank you afterwards meant a lot. It reminded me why we do this.

❓ What is the most unusual place you’ve been when your pager has gone off?

I’m always a little wary of getting into the shower when I’m on duty, but the pager hasn’t caught me there yet!

It did go off once while I was walking our dog. When I’m available for callouts, I try to stay within about 10 to 15 minutes of home. Naturally, we were almost at the furthest point of our walk when it happened.

We sprinted home together. Our labrador thought it was the best walk ever. I was just pleased that my breathing was nearly back to normal by the time I reached the station!

❓ What is the most challenging part of your role?

Juggling work, home life and Coastguard duties is probably the biggest challenge. The middle-of-the-night callouts take some getting used to as well.

One moment you’re fast asleep, perhaps dreaming of a sunny island. The next, it’s 2am and you’re trying to read the pager message, respond, find both socks and get out of the door. I’m still working on the switch from deep sleep to a fully awake brain! But when someone needs help, you get moving.

❓ Which local beach is your favourite and why?

It has to be our Formby Beach. We live nearby, and I love the dunes, the pine forest and the wide stretch of sand. It reminds me of the Baltic Sea coast, where I grew up.

It’s where I go to clear my head or walk our dog. It’s beautiful, though, like any beach, it has its hazards and can get very busy in summer.

❓ What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team?

The people. There’s nothing quite like coming back to our cosy Crosby station after a busy task, having a cup of tea and a chat, and sharing a laugh with the team.

I enjoy that same spirit when we’re doing the less exciting jobs around the station, too. There’s a lot of warmth and good humour here, and it’s lovely to be part of it.

❓ What new skills have you learned as a CRO?

One of the most important things I’m learning is how to talk with someone who is going through a really difficult time. Some of the people we’re called to help need someone to listen, stay calm and help them take a step towards safety.

You can practise putting a dressing on a wound until the steps become familiar. Finding the right words for a person in distress is different. I’m grateful for the training we’ve had, and I know it’s a skill I’ll keep learning.

❓ What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working or on duty?

I’m a keen road cyclist, so you might find me putting in the miles around Lancashire or taking part in a cycling event. I also teach and tutor at the Polish Saturday School in Liverpool.

If there’s any free time left, I like going for a walk or a run with our labrador. And I love food – both cooking it and eating it!

❓ What do you do for a living?

Ah, this is the question that usually needs a bit of explaining!

I’m a naval architect and chartered engineer. I work for DNV, a company that checks the safety of ships and offshore structures. My work has involved inspecting ships and auditing crews and shipping companies, all with the aim of helping keep people, the environment and property safe.

I’ve been lucky enough to work with all sorts of vessels, from barges and tankers to some of the world’s largest cruise ships. For the past six years, I’ve led DNV’s operations in the UK and Ireland. It’s a job I still find exciting, even if it means I spend more time at a desk than I used to!

⚓ A big thank you to Dom for sharing his story!

From maritime safety to muddy boots, midnight pager calls and sprinting home with the dog, Dom is another great example of the different backgrounds, skills and personalities that make up HM Coastguard Crosby.

Keep an eye out for our next Meet Your Coastguard feature as we introduce more of the people behind the uniform! 💙

📞 Coastal emergency? Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

13/10/2026

🌅 Monday Night Training | HM Coastguard Crosby

😎A slightly lighter training night this week as we prepare for our in-water training session this coming Saturday. 🌊

🧽Part of the evening focused on equipment maintenance, post-checks and keeping our kit clean (with the focus on its looks clean, but is it) , safe and ready for when it’s needed. We then rolled up our sleeves for a much-needed deep clean of the station! 🧹

😉It might not always be action on the coast, but it’s the little things behind the scenes that help make the big things happen. 💪

🎂 Happy Birthday, Chloe! We hope you had a fantastic night out celebrating! - we certainly did🥃

And to finish the evening, a little quiet time taking in the sunset and enjoying the calm along our coastline. 🌅

🌊Trained, prepared and ready — whatever the coast brings.

12/10/2026

09/10/2026

🌊 MEET YOUR COASTGUARD FRIDAY🌊

This Friday, we’re introducing you to another member of the HM Coastguard Crosby team - Andy.

🏅From kitesurfing and adventure sports to mud rescues, medical training and the ever-present pager, Andy gives us an insight into why he joined, some of the memorable incidents he’s attended and what he enjoys most about being part of the team.

❓Why did you join HM Coastguard?

I’ve always had a natural attraction for the marine environment, but the real spark came from home. My wife has been a dedicated volunteer for years, and seeing her fulfilment inspired me to find my own way to give back. As my professional life settled down, the timing felt right. When I saw a recruitment drive advertised at my local kitesurfing club, I knew immediately — this wasn’t just something I wanted to do — it was something I needed to do.

❓What is the most unusual incident you

I’ve been with the team over a year now and I’m still learning that there is no such thing as a “usual” day. However, a call-out to Hale Bank definitely stands out. We were tasked to rescue a person and their dogs stuck in the mud. En route, we received a report that the individual was armed with a sh***un. That certainly heightens your focus!

It turned out to be a wildfowler who had ventured a bit too far off the beaten track. Rescuing them across the soggy, vast moorland was a physical challenge, but seeing both the owner and his dogs back on solid ground made it all worth it.

❓What is the most unusual place you’ve been when your pager has gone off?

I was in the middle of a car dealership, literally about to close a deal on a new vehicle. I think the sales rep was genuinely stunned when I suddenly cut him off and bolted for the door…

He didn’t quite grasp the urgency at the time, but luckily, he was forgiving enough to let me come back and sign the paperwork the following day.

❓What is the most challenging part of your role?

It’s definitely the “mental standby.” You’re constantly balancing the need to be 100% present in your daily life with the knowledge that you could be needed for a “shout” at any second.

Learning when to switch off and when to stay “online” for the team is a skill in itself. During busy periods, that balancing act between work, family, and the pager can be quite the juggle.

❓Which local beach is your favourite and why?

It has to be Wallasey Beach. The tidal lagoons and sandbanks make it an incredible playground for water sports, especially kitesurfing — it’s where my local club is based, so it feels like home.

That said, Crosby is a very close second; there’s something special about that stretch of our coastline.

❓What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team?

It’s honestly hard to pick just one thing! There’s the deep-seated sense of belonging that comes from working with a group of like-minded people who all have the same goal.

But then there’s the “reward” side — the incomparable feeling of helping someone who is in genuine danger.

Of course, it’s also about the smaller, quieter moments: catching a world-class sunset while out on patrol or the technical satisfaction of learning to operate the fantastic rescue assets and equipment we have at our disposal.

It’s a unique mix of high-stakes work and a very special “view out of the office”.

❓What new skills have you learned as a CRO?

The technical rescue training is brilliant, but the Emergency Casualty Care has been the most impactful for me.

I’ve come to believe that everyone should have a grasp of First Aid and Basic Life Support. Being trained to handle complex, high-pressure medical scenarios — and knowing you have the skills to potentially save a life — honestly feels like a superpower.

When you’re not working or carrying out your role as a CRO, what do you enjoy doing?

I’m a bit of an adventure ju**ie. If it involves being outdoors, I’m in — kitesurfing, rock climbing, alpine skiing, sailing, cycling, or hiking — you name it.

My favourite thing is sharing those passions and exploring the great outdoors with my girls.

❓What do you do for a living?

In my “day job,” I run a niche software company developing solutions for the waste and recycling industry.

It’s a world away from the mud and salt water of the Coastguard, but being my own boss gives me the flexibility to respond to calls at odd hours, which is essential for the role.

⸻

👏Andy’s story is a great reminder that there’s no such thing as a typical day on our coastline — and that the skills, experiences and interests of our team can be as varied as the incidents we attend.

🙏Keep an eye out next Friday when we introduce you to another member of HM Coastguard Crosby.

🌊 HM Coastguard Crosby – Here when you need us.

08/10/2026

Proud to see our Mersey Ferry featured in this important message from the MCA. ⛴️ Accessibility and inclusive travel matter, helping ensure everyone can travel with confidence across our waterways.

Ferries City Region Combined Authority

06/10/2026

🌊 HM COASTGUARD CROSBY | HITTING TASKING 234

It’s been a busy week for the team, with taskings coming thick and fast — and we now have hit tasking 234.

From Lost and Missing Persons (LAMPS) in Liverpool, to mud rescue on Crosby Beach, a casualty evacuation in Formby, a fish royal (porpoise), ARGO cpd and a number of other sensitive incidents that we won’t go into detail on — the team has continued to respond when needed.

And those Crosby mud jobs don’t just finish when the casualty is safely out or the social media updates are posted. Once back at station, it can cover multiple days of cleaning down, drying and stowing away kit, vehicles and everything else that has had the misfortune of meeting the mud! 😂

Check out the pictures — our mud techs and the kit that gets put through its paces. If you ever wondered why we spend so long cleaning, the pictures probably explain it! 🤣

But despite the workload, Monday night still meant training. 💪

🔹 LANYARDING

A key technique for safely accessing casualties around structures and the water’s edge.

• Working while securely attached to the structure
• Using twin runners to progress safely around obstacles
• Maintaining protection from slips, waves and unstable surfaces
• Using spotters and the calls “Gopher” for hazardous waves
• Protecting and securing the casualty where required

🔹 RUNNER RESCUE

We also worked through runner rescue techniques, using multiple anchor points and a controlled line system to allow a rescuer to reach and recover a casualty.

• Progressive movement using runners
• Controlled line tending and body belay
• Maintaining protection from being swept from the structure
• Casualty protection and recovery
• Practising the principles across coastal environments

As always, the priority is rescuer and casualty safety — equipment can wait if we need to leave a scene safely.

And finally, a massive well done to CRO Chad who smashed out a PB at the Manchester Half Marathon! 🏃‍♂️👏

234 taskings, Monday night training and still finding the energy for a CRO to run a half marathon! 😂

Ready. Trained. Local.

05/10/2026

When you've had a bad day and are feeling a little bit sensitive 😅👇
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1528671005731299&set=a.511010244164052&__tn__=%2CO*F

04/10/2026

Enjoy your coastal walk, but remember to stick to signposted paths 🚶🍂

Going off the path could take you across unstable ground or too close to cliff edges. Rain can make the ground slippery, and unexpected gusts of wind could cause you to lose your balance.

Unofficial routes to beaches or hidden coves could also leave you cut off by the incoming tide, with no safe way back.

Remember to check the weather forecast and tide times before heading out.

In an emergency at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

02/10/2026

🌊 MEET YOUR COASTGUARD 👋

It’s Friday, so we’re introducing another member of the HM Coastguard Crosby team and finding out a little more about the person behind the uniform.

This week, meet DSO David👋

⸻

🚨 Why did you join HM Coastguard?

I joined HM Coastguard 14 years ago while working offshore on a boat in what was quite a slow-paced and monotonous job.

I worked a rotation that gave me four weeks at home at a time, and I wanted to use some of that time to give something back to my local community and help people who genuinely needed it.

I’ve always got a real sense of satisfaction from helping others, so the Coastguard felt like a perfect fit. The pager system, emergency callouts and blue-light response were right up my street, and it gave me the challenge and purpose I was looking for.

I have loved being part of HM Coastguard ever since.

⸻

🛟 What is the most unusual incident you have attended?

For a Coastguard Rescue Officer, one of the most surreal incidents I’ve attended was the Liverpool FC parade, where I was among some of the first responders on scene with medical capability.

It was an extremely challenging and fast-moving situation. From memory, we treated or assisted around 40 casualties in one way or another throughout the incident.

It was unlike anything I’d ever expected to deal with as a Coastguard, and it’s a day that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

⸻

🛁 What is the most unusual place you’ve been when your pager has gone off?

Probably the bath!

I had literally just got in after a long, cold day when the pager went off.

Needless to say, the bath had to wait! 😂

⸻

🧠 What is the most challenging part of your role?

One of the biggest challenges is maintaining such a broad range of operational skills alongside normal working lives.

A CRO can be expected to carry out casualty care, search operations, water rescue, communications and navigation, as well as specialist disciplines such as mud or rope rescue.

We can also support other emergency services during major incidents, flooding and searches for missing or vulnerable people.

Because some of these skills may not be required operationally for many months, skill fade is something we always have to be conscious of.

Regular training is therefore extremely important, but keeping every discipline current and maintaining confidence across such a wide skill set can be a real challenge.

For me, that’s probably the biggest challenge — making sure that when the pager goes off, whatever type of incident we’re responding to, the knowledge and skills are there and ready to use.

⸻

🏖️ Which local beach is your favourite and why?

My favourite is a small, secluded stretch of Hightown Beach, just north of the sailing club near the Alt Estuary.

It’s somewhere that very few people seem to know about, and that’s part of what makes it so special.

It’s incredibly peaceful and beautiful, with wild samphire growing along the saltmarsh. On a hot, clear summer’s day, it can genuinely feel as though you’re somewhere much further away rather than just down the road from home.

It’s one of those places where you can completely switch off and appreciate how lucky we are to have this coastline on our doorstep.

⸻

🤝 What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team?

Being part of a team can be challenging at times, particularly because everyone brings different views, approaches and ways of thinking.

For me, though, the real strength of the team shows when things become difficult.

That might be during a late-night, protracted search that continues for hours or even days, or during incidents that have a particularly difficult outcome, including situations where a life has been lost.

What I value most about my team is the way we look out for one another during those moments.

When things are at their darkest, there is a genuine sense that everyone is there for each other and ready to offer support when it’s needed most.

That sense of trust, support and togetherness is probably what I appreciate most about being part of the team.

⸻

🪢 What new skills have you learned as a CRO?

One of the skills I’ve really taken to is knot work.

There’s something surprisingly therapeutic about tying knots, and I genuinely enjoy practising and refining that side of the role.

I’ve also developed a real passion for planning incidents and making the best use of the team during 999 callouts.

I’m qualified as an Officer in Charge (OIC), which only a small number of people on my team hold, and that has given me the opportunity to take responsibility for coordinating responses and making operational decisions.

I find that I thrive when the pressure is on. Having to assess a situation quickly, make decisions at pace and direct resources effectively is something I really enjoy and take a lot of pride in.

⸻

🏡 What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working or on duty?

Outside of work and the Coastguard, I love spending time with my family.

I’m also happiest at home in the garden with my chickens and the dog.

Cooking is probably my biggest passion in life. I really enjoy taking the time to make good food, usually with a glass of w**e in hand, and that’s one of my favourite ways to switch off and relax.

⸻

💼 What do you do for a living?

I own and run a group of businesses across a few different industries.

We manufacture log cabins, import and distribute Spanish cleaning products throughout the UK, and I also own a lovely little café in Kirkby.

It keeps me extremely busy, but I enjoy the variety and the challenge that comes with running different businesses.

⸻

🚨 That’s a little more about the person behind the pager!

A huge thank you to Dave for letting us find out a little more about life both inside and outside the Coastguard.

We’ll be back next Friday to introduce you to another member of the HM Coastguard Crosby team. 👋

🌊 HM Coastguard Crosby
🚨 Always Ready. Always There.

#999