About Jersey Coastguard
Jersey Coastguard provides maritime and aviation search and rescue (SAR) within Jersey’s territorial waters.
We:
- coordinate pilotage and shipping movements for the Ports of Jersey
- run the vessel traffic services for the ports
- undertake operational liaison with the shipping companies which serve Jersey
- manage the counter pollution and salvage response for the Island
- maintain the voyage safety reporting service for all vessels on passage in territorial waters
- assist the other emergency services where people are at risk on cliffs or the shoreline
Other services
As well as the above, we also:
- operate a 24 hour pilot boat service to assist vessels to dock in port and to clear local reefs and other dangers
- conduct maintenance and inspection of aids to navigation, harbour and offshore reef structures
- carry out salvage operations, oil pollution response, anchor handling, guard boat duties, mooring maintenance and other contract work
- carry out hydrographic surveys
Search and rescue (SAR) incidents
In 2016,
there were a total of 144 incidents that required the use of the SAR Service
225 people were assisted during the year
15 people were saved from imminent danger
Problems at sea
Members of the public raised 37 "alarms with good intent" in respect of a potential problem at sea. We investigated each of these alarms from either the shore or by using a SAR unit.
In 2016, there were:
- 62 vessels that needed help
- two that needed saving from imminent danger
The most common reasons for incidents were mechanical failure or "alarms with good intent" and persons cut off by tide.
Missing people
With the States of Jersey Police, we conducted eight coastline searches for missing persons.
This included the use of the Channel Islands Air Search aeroplane and a French Navy Helicopter.
Beach lifeguard service
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) run the seasonal beach lifeguard service and work with Jersey Coastguard.
The RNLI provide 10am to 6pm cover for four beaches from April to September.
Table: Jersey Coastguard sea rescue statistics, 2003 to 2016
| 2003 | 27 | 2 2 | 49 | 1 | 56 | 11 | 0 | 36 | 173 |
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| 2004 | 22 | 23 | 30 | 2 | 34 | 14 | 1 | 24 | 129 |
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| 2005 | 14 / 11 | 14 | 20 | 3 | 30 | 5 | 0 | 27 | 102 |
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| 2006 | 15 / 15 | 10 | 17 | 9 | 32 | 15 | 2 | 33 | 99 |
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| 2007 | 17 / 18 | 21 | 17 | 7 | 46 | 17 | 5 | 21 | 119 |
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| 2008 | 30 / 25 | 14 | 26 | 4 | 26 | 21 | 3 | 42 | 133 |
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| 2009 | 45 / 27 | 17 | 35 | 9 | 52 | 21 | 4 | 59 | 175 |
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| 2010 | 32 / 19 | 18 | 23 | 1 | 40 | 23 | 1 | 34 | 148 |
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| 2011 | 31 / 19 | 22 | 24 | 7 | 59 | 22 | 3 | 36 | 160 |
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| 2012 | 46 / 17 | 28 | 19 | 11 | 78 | 29 | 5 | 48 | 174 |
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| 2013 | 34 / 23 | 23 | 37 | 5 | 63 | 21 | 3 | 24 | 159 |
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| 2014 | 39 / 23 | 21 | 26 | 1 | 40 | 23 | 1 | 20 | 140 |
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| 2015 | 29 / 23 | 24 | 31 | 2 | 74 | 17 | 1 | 18 | 152 |
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| 2016 | 25 / 21 | 21 | 37 | 5 | 64 | 23 | 10 | 37 | 144 |
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Source: Jersey Coastguard
Further reading: Jersey Coastguard website
gov.je