The vital role performed by the Isle of Man Coastguard was recognised during a recent awards ceremony to honour long-serving local volunteers.
The organisation is a key element of the Island’s emergency response capability, working alongside the Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Service and Ambulance Service to help maintain public safety.
A network of 80 volunteers supports the full-time service, which is part of the Department of Infrastructure’s Ports Division.
The Isle of Man Coastguard has teams based at Douglas, Peel, Castletown, Port Erin and Ramsey who carry out more than 450 coastal patrols and respond to approximately 200 requests for assistance each year.
The event at the Sea Terminal saw three Coastguard volunteers receive the first clasp to their long service medal after completing 30 years of service.
The awards were presented by Ray Harmer MHK, Minister for Infrastructure, and Tim Baker MHK, Department Member with responsibility for Ports, to:
- Jeffrey Kelly, Section Leader at Peel Coastguard
- Simon Cooper, Station Officer at Peel Coastguard
- Andrew Cunningham, Deputy Station Officer at Douglas Coastguard
James Kneen, Station Officer at Douglas Coastguard (2nd clasp to long service medal for 40 years of service) and Anthony Kelly, Station Officer at Ramsey Coastguard (1st clasp to long service medal for 30 years of service) were also recognised for their long service to the Isle of Man Coastguard, but were unable to attend the ceremony.
Mr Baker said:
‘The Isle of Man has a proud tradition of helping people in their time of need and Coastguard volunteers devote many hours of their own time each year to help protect seafarers and members of the public. Having teams at strategic locations around the Island means the Coastguard can provide an emergency response to any part of our coast within minutes.’
He added:
‘The commitment shown over many years by Jeffrey Kelly, Simon Cooper, Andrew Cunningham, James Kneen and Anthony Kelly, and indeed all those involved with the Isle of Man Coastguard, is to be commended. It is testament to the outstanding community spirit of our Island.’
