Coastguards direct 24-hour search and rescue operations throughout the UK. They are also known as Maritime Operations Officers.

The Work

You could be:

• giving ships information about weather, tides and sea conditions
• receiving radio messages, including distress calls, from ships
• handling emergency calls and arranging search and rescue operations
• requesting emergency help from lifeboats, helicopters, other ships and from emergency services including ambulance
• training and supervising rescue teams, which may include coastguard rescue officers (CROs) – volunteers who support the work of their full time colleagues
• maintaining high technology equipment
• giving information on navigation, safety and coastguard matters to individuals (including small boat owners), groups, the media or the government
• observing and recording weather conditions and sea conditions, and keeping logs of daily activities.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on where you work.

You would start as a maritime operations officer (MOO) on £27,631 a year plus additional shift allowances of up to £7,500 a year. 

A senior coastal operations officer can earn up to £41,000 a year including allowances.

Coastguard rescue officer (CRO) is a voluntary role, however you are entitled to claim expenses for training and responding to emergencies.

Conditions

Coastguards work for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), a UK government agency. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Fareham, Hampshire, is the heart of the national coastguard rescue coordination system, linking 10 Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) around the UK. Three of these centres are in Scotland: Aberdeen, Shetland (Lerwick) and Stornoway

• You would work mainly indoors at these centres.
• You would have to take part in investigations or search and rescue operations, outdoors in difficult weather conditions. You may have to work at heights, particularly if you are involved in cliff rescue work.
• The work can be hazardous and physically demanding.
• You would work 12-hour shift patterns, both day and night shifts.
• You would wear a uniform and, when necessary, protective clothing.

Useful Subjects

• SfW Uniformed and Emergency Services

Getting In

You can start in one of two ways.

• Most entrants start as a maritime operations officer (MOO). There are no set entry requirements although you should have a good standard of literacy, numeracy and IT skills. 
• As a senior coastal operations officer (SCOO) you would need extensive experience of the sea or experience in a professional search and rescue role, together with an acceptable standard of literacy and numeracy.

You could also apply to be a voluntary coastguard rescue officer (CRO) to gain experience, which may be of benefit when paid jobs become available. Find out more about this on Gov.uk website.

Whichever level you start at you must note the following information.

• You must be at least 18 years of age.
• You must have a UK driving licence.
• For SCOO posts, the need for experience of the sea or search and rescue means that this is often a second career.
• You must be very fit and pass a medical examination – you need stamina and strength for rescue work.
• You need good eyesight, hearing and a clear voice.
• Volunteer coastguard rescue officers must live or work within 30 minutes travelling time from the rescue station.
• Previous experience as a coastguard rescue officer may be helpful – contact your nearest coastguard station for details.

MOOs are recruited locally and you should contact your nearest coastguard station if you are interested. Vacancies are advertised on the MCA website. SCOO posts are advertised in local Jobcentre Plus offices, on the Find a Job website and on the MCA website.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland

2026

5283

1.7 %

RISE

2031

5374

  United Kingdom

2026

65051

2.7 %

RISE

2031

66820

LMI data powered by Lightcast

What Does it Take?

You need to have:

• a strong sense of responsibility and reliability
• an awareness of safety issues at sea and in dangerous situations
• a good knowledge of the area.

You need to be able to:

• judge a potentially dangerous maritime situation
• work alone or as part of a team
• make decisions that affect others
• remain calm under pressure
• give clear instructions to others who may be in danger.

Training

• Training for MOOs lasts around 18 weeks. You have to travel to the Coordination Centres in Fareham and Southhampton frequently throughout your training (travel expenses and accommodation are provided).
• You would sit an examination on completion of your training.
• CROs are trained in search and rescue techniques including first aid, rope rescue and water rescue.

Getting On

• If you take further MCA training courses it may help you to gain promotion.
• With experience you could be promoted from MOO to SCOO.
• You might then move on to become a Coastal Operations Area Commander (COAC).
• It helps if you are willing to move location – sometimes it is essential.

More Information

Visit the HM Coastguard website for further information.

Video

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.