1. Home
  2. Explore careers
  3. Coastguard

Coastguard

Alternative titles for this job include

Coastguards co-ordinate search and rescue operations, monitor shipping and organise pollution clean ups around the UK coastline.

Average salary (a year)

£25,000 Starter

to

£37,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 43 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays at short notice

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • working towards this role
  • volunteering
  • applying directly

Work

You may be able to work your way into this role by starting as a coastguard watch assistant and applying for promotion when you've got more experience.

To apply, you'll need literacy, numeracy and IT skills.

Volunteering

Voluntering is a good way to get experience of working in the coastguard service. You could volunteer to become a coastguard rescue officer.

You'll need to be:

  • over 18
  • physically fit
  • live close to your chosen coastguard station

As you get more experience, you could apply for a paid position when vacancies are advertised.

Direct Application

You can apply for jobs with HM Coastguard if you have relevant skills and knowledge. Jobs include call centre operations and maritime watch services.

You'll need a good standard of literacy and numeracy, and good eyesight and hearing.

More Information

Career tips

For some jobs, it may be helpful to have experience working at sea. This might be from:

  • the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force or the Merchant Navy
  • sailing or working at sea
  • teaching watersport activities
  • volunteering as a coastguard rescue officer

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a coastguard from:

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • customer service skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • leadership skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • physical fitness and endurance
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

You'll need to live within 30 minutes of the coastguard rescue location you wish to work at.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a coastguard, your duties will depend on whether you work in an operations centre or in the rescue service.

You could:

  • give advice about sea and coastal safety
  • monitor radio and satellite communications, as vessels pass through UK waters
  • offer navigational support and send out weather and tidal reports
  • respond to emergency distress calls
  • co-ordinate air and sea resources
  • take part in search and rescue operations
  • handle reports of wreckage, pollution or debris along the coast or at sea
  • train staff and volunteers

Working environment

You could work in an office or at sea.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a senior coastal rescue officer, or control centre operations manager.

You might specialise in a particular area of work, such as:

  • vessel traffic management
  • anti-pollution and salvage
  • maritime security

You could also work in other parts of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a coastguard right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

BTEC Diploma in Public Services L3

  • Provider: CITY OF PORTSMOUTH COLLEGE
  • Start date: 09 September 2025
  • Location: Portsmouth

LV3 Extended Diploma in Public Services

  • Provider: COVENTRY COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: COVENTRY
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.