Concern over safety amid changes to coastguard service following court case

Concerns have been expressed that ongoing changes to the coastguard service introduced following a landmark court case could compromise safety on the Fylde coast and elsewhere.

In May 2024, the Employment Appeal Tribunal issued a judgment in the case of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency v Groom which determined that a former Coastguard Rescue Officer - Martin Groom from the Isle of Wight - was a 'worker' in circumstances when he was carrying out an activity for which he was paid.

That overturned a previous decision by an Employment Tribunal in 2022 and in January this year, the Court of Appeal upheld the judgment that Coastguard Rescue Officers are 'workers' in circumstances where they are carrying out a remunerated activity.

Following the judgment, the decision has now been taken to move the Coastguard Rescue Service to a revised volunteer model.

That means volunteer are entitled to some compensation, but maintaining the choice and flexibility inherently important to the people who choose to volunteer alongside their primary employment.

Volunteers will continue to receive training, equipment and operational support as well as uniforms and protective equipment.

But a Fylde coast-based Coastguard Rescue Officer who wishes to remain anonymous has expressed serious concerns about safety following the change.

“This issue is particularly relevant locally,” said the officer.

“Only last weekend, emergency services responded to a tragic incident at Rossall Beach, where a woman died and a man was left critically ill after entering the sea while trying to rescue their dog.

“This is exactly the type of incident where local emergency response capability, availability and experience matter.

“My concern is if Coastguard Rescue Officers are moved to a purely unpaid model, who will be available when incidents like this happen?

“Fleetwood Coastguard Rescue Team is one of the busiest teams in the country and regularly supports incidents across the Fylde coast, including Blackpool. #

“Coastguard Rescue Officers are often required to leave work and family commitments at short notice and can be committed to incidents for many hours.

“This is not about volunteers demanding payment. It is about whether removing remuneration entirely will affect recruitment, retention, availability and the loss of experienced personnel.

“These skills take years to build and cannot be replaced overnight.

“The Coastguard Rescue Service is part of the UK’s emergency response system. Local people expect that when they dial 999, trained and available responders will be there.

“I am concerned this decision risks weakening that resilience.”

But a spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson issued a reassurance, saying: “This decision follows a legal judgment, which means we need to change how the service operates.

“This new model protects choice, flexibility and the ability for people to volunteer alongside their primary employment.

“We deeply value and recognise the significant service Coastguard Rescue Officers provide along our coastline, and we will be supporting them during this transition.

“The Coastguard Rescue Service will continue to maintain a robust, effective search and rescue response, ensuring the highest quality of service and levels of safety."

Along with Fleetwood, the Fylde coast has HM Coastguard stations at Knott End and St Annes.