'Unique and challenging environment' - Why the Coastguard was out on the marshes Over Wyre

Fleetwood and Knott End Coastguard teams joined forces for a night-time search exercise to practise finding missing people across challenging marshland.

Coastguard teams were out on the marshes Over Wyre on Tuesday evening (October 13) as part of a training exercise designed to prepare them for searches for lost and missing people.

Fleetwood Coastguard Rescue Team joined colleagues from Knott End Coastguard Rescue Team for the exercise, with the North Flank team welcoming them to put their search skills to the test.

The marshes present a challenging environment for search teams, with open ground, artificial woodlands, hidden creeks and channels, as well as changing light and tides that can complicate operations.

Fleetwood Coastguard said many of its callouts involve searches, with teams regularly tasked with helping to locate vulnerable and missing people. These incidents can involve walkers who have lost their bearings, people who are overdue on the shoreline or individuals experiencing a crisis.

The exercise focused on several key areas, including search planning, team deployment and coordination, systematic search techniques and working safely together in the dark across difficult terrain.

The teams also used the session to share ideas and learn from each other's experience, helping them work together effectively when responding to real incidents. Fleetwood Coastguard said good teamwork and communication were essential during searches, helping crews locate people as quickly and safely as possible.

The team thanked Knott End Coastguard Rescue Team for hosting the exercise and helping make the evening worthwhile. It added that regular training sessions were vital to keeping members prepared for the challenges they could face when the next call for assistance comes in.