HM Coastguard - Western Isles, Skye and Lochaber

13/03/2026

This weekend we were delighted to host our annual Station Officers weekend. This year we traveled to Inverness and were joined by members of the Stornoway Operations Room, Paul Tunstall from the Counter Pollution team and our Casualty Care lead Danny Hopkins. Each took the time to discuss their roles and answer questions our Coastgaurd Rescue Officers had.

The second day we traveled out to the coast to carry out some casualty care skill stations; focusing on child basic life support, internal bleeding, splinting and immobilisation as well as running an excercise to cover stabilising the spine after a fall from height.

These weekends are always important to strengthen the team relations from around our area, sharing good practices, stories from jobs and reminding all we’re one big team. 🏅💪🏼

In an emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

04/02/2026

Last week we teamed up with our Division 6 colleagues from Area 16 and Area 17 to do some continuous professional development (CPD) at Pinkston Watersports Glasgow. 💦
Focusing on the skills used for Water Rescue and to freshen up and strengthen our skills as trainers.💪

Pinkston provides a range of challenging conditions including varying levels of water flow and ability to practise with the inflatable rafts that are new to Area 18 operational support kit.

In an emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.🚨

20/01/2026

🔔We are recruiting!🔔

Was your New Years Resolution to try something new this year? Are you looking for an exciting and rewarding challenge?
We’re currently looking for new Coastguard Rescue Officers to join our area.

HM Coastguard is the UK’s 999 Maritime and Coastal Emergency Service. Our Coastguard Rescue Service is made up of teams who carry out rescues and help those in distress around our coast.

As a Coastguard Rescue Officer, you could be involved in a range of situations, from cliff and water rescues to searches for lost & missing people.

Recruiting in the following teams;

Western Isles -
•Ness (Ballantrushal-Ness)
•Bragar (Breasclete - Ballantrushal)
•Miavaig
•Harris
•Uist (North, Benbecula, South)
•Barra

Skye -
•North Skye
•Dunvegan
•Kyle of Lochalsh (Broadford and surrounding- Kyle of Lochalsh)

Lochaber -
•Mallaig
•Salen (Acharacle, Strontian, Loch Aline)
•Kilchoan
•Knoydart

For more information about the Coastguard Rescue Service or to apply to become a Coastguard Rescue Officer, visit

www.hmcoastguard.uk/volunteer
or please contact [email protected]

The Coastguard Rescue Service is made up of volunteers who carry out rescues and help those in distress around our coast.

11/01/2026

Weekending 11th January

As we wonder where the Christmas break went, the recent snow and ice has seen our teams and Duty officers tasked to provide support to enable essential care workers to access patients across the area on numerous occasions.

This weekend, with demand having now returned to normal we were in Strontian on Saturday 10th revalidating rope rescue technicians from both Salen and Mallaig Coastguard Rescue Teams and familiarising ourselves with vehicle based anchor systems - in this instance a Fire Appliance.

Sunday 11th saw us training in and around Portree harbour area revalidating our in water rescue skillsets with team members of the 3 Skye Coastguard Rescue Teams - Dunvegan, North Skye and Kyle of Lochalsh.

Our readiness and training continues year round, in all weathers by day and night - because we have to be prepared to respond 24/7 in any weather.

31/12/2025

31st December

Our teams in Lewis (Ness, Bragar, Miavaig and Stornoway Coastguard Rescue Teams) along with Duty Officers S18D, S18G and All Terrain Vehicle Viking 18 tasked at 2 pm today to rescue a dog from the bottom of cliffs in Crowlista, Uig. Once teams were on scene our rope rescue equipment was set up and a rescue technician lowered to the bottom of cliff, the dog was then retrieved and returned safely to owners with all teams back at station shortly before 8 pm. This happy tale rounds off 2025, and we reflect on a year of highs and lows, good outcomes and sad outcomes with the area having been steady in terms of incidents to which Coastguard Rescue Teams have been tasked.

We’d like to thank our followers, supporters, friends, families and partner services without whom we couldn’t do what we do. As the new year dawns we’d like to wish you all a happy, healthy and safe 2026 from the volunteers and full time staff that make up the Coastguard Rescue Service in this area. Slainte!

18/12/2025

Earlier this month, some of Fort William Coastguard Rescue Team and Senior Ops Officer Jaimie Alexander (S18C) had the pleasure of visiting Banavie Primary school and sharing what we do and how to stay safe on the coast and near water with the pupils. They had great fun, and we look forward to seeing the again 😊

15/12/2025

Surfing is an exciting way to enjoy Scotland’s stunning coastal waters but staying safe is essential. In this video, Mark Boyd from Scottish Surfing shares key tips on how to stay safe in the water. Watch now to learn how to protect yourself while making the most of your time surfing in Scotland.

Surfing is a thrilling sport with a myriad of benefits and it's a great way to enjoy Scotland's beautiful coastline. From the Isle of Tiree to Belhaven Bay there are plenty of waves to catch. However, there are several dangers and risks that you need to be aware of before heading out on your board.

05/12/2025

Incidents and call outs, weekending 05th December.

Thursday 27th: Ness, Bragar, Miavaig and Stornoway Coastguard Rescue Teams along with Duty Officers S18D and S18G tasked to missing person in Stornoway area in support of Police Scotland Highland & Islands. Located safe and well.

Kyle Of Lochalsh and North Skye Coastguard Rescue Teams tasked to assist Scottish Ambulance Service with medical evacuation of a sick crew member from Fising Vessel alongside in Kyleakin.

Friday 28th: Fort William and Oban Coastguard Rescue Teams tasked to red kayak in Loch Leven. Incident resolved with no life at risk.

Sunday 30th: Barra Coastguard Rescue Teams tasked to assist with medical transfer from Barra.

Tuesday 02nd: Ness, Bragar, Miavaig, Stornoway, Harris Coastguard Rescue Teams, Duty Officers AC18, S18B, S18G and Search Adviser S18F tasked alongside Stornoway RNLI Lifeboat in support of Police Scotland Highland & Islands to search for missing person in Stornoway. Located safe and well. Also tasked (stood down before proceeding) were Hebrides Mountain Rescue Team and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Friday 05th: HM Coastguard Benbecula Rescue Team tasked to assist with medical transfer at Benbecula airport.

Photo - Ness Coastguard Rescue Team practising rope rescue (dog rescue) techniques this summer. Not incident related.

02/12/2025

This weekend we were out conducting rope rescue ‘operator’ training in Stornoway for teams across the area. This cadre are now online and able to safely operate rescue systems day or night.

27/11/2025

We’ve been conducting our annual casualty care revalidation for our teams in Lewis over recent weekends. Remaining on top of our pre hospital care is crucial year round, and our late autumn revalidation is part of that cycle.

The live exercise phase of this has been down on Melbost beach where we dodged the worst of the weather and made use of the group shelters made for us by Lyon Work & Rescue. Good casualty care starts with the basics done well, and controlling the climate around the patient is vital here in North West Scotland

24/11/2025

Incidents, call-outs and area activity - weekending Sunday 23rd November:

Tuesday: Stornoway Coastguard Rescue Team tasked to assist Scottish Ambulance Service with evacuation of an ill crew member from a Fishing Vessel inbound to Stornoway harbour.

Wednesday: Miavaig Coastguard Rescue Team tasked to provide safety cover for British Divers Marine Life Rescue following stranding of dolphins in Uig, Isle of Lewis.

Knoydart First Responder Team and Coastguard helicopter Rescue 948 tasks to an anaphylactic casualty in Inverie. Casualty transferred to Broadford hospital.

Thursday: Barra Coastguard Rescue Team tasked to assist NHS Western Isles and Scottish Ambulance Service with patient transfer from Saint Brendan’s Hospital.

Saturday: Barra Coastguard Rescue Team and Barra Island RNLI Lifeboat tasked to report of surfer overdue on West side of Barra. Incident resolved safely.

As always training has continued across the area. Featured pictures are revalidation of Water Rescue and Casualty Care qualifications in Stornoway for our teams in Lewis and Harris courtesy of Area Commander Murdo Macaulay, Senior Ops Officers Kayleigh Macdonald, Colin Smith. Also, Senior Ops Officer Ronad Maclean featured in the Maritime and Coastguard Agency feature for international men’s day.