Isle of Wight East MP Joe Robertson and Bembridge resident Martin Groom have taken serving Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs) from across the UK to Westminster to urge the Government to reconsider plans to remove the modest remuneration they receive for attending call outs, mandatory training and other duties.
The Parliamentary drop-in event, held on Wednesday (1st July), gave MPs the opportunity to hear directly from serving Coastguard Rescue Officers about concerns that the proposed changes could damage recruitment and retention within the Coastguard Rescue Service.
The Government’s decision follows the Court of Appeal judgment in Maritime and Coastguard Agency v Groom, a case brought by Isle of Wight resident Martin Groom. Groom served with Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Service for 35 years before being removed from his role in 2020.
Coastguard Rescue Officers are trained emergency responders who work alongside the Ambulance, Police and Fire and Rescue Services. They respond to cliff rescues, flooding, missing person searches and other life-threatening incidents around the UK’s coastline.
Serving officers say the current remuneration – around £11 per hour for callouts, mandatory training and related duties – enables them to make the significant commitment the role requires.
The Westminster event coincided with a debate in Westminster Hall, during which Mr Robertson criticised what he described as the “callous approach” of Coastguard management and its unwillingness to engage with frontline Coastguard Rescue Officers.
Following the event, Joe Robertson MP said:
“Coastguard Rescue Officers save lives, protect our coast and support public safety. The Government’s decision to remove their remuneration is an insult to our brave men and women working on the frontline to keep our coastlines safe. It must not remove modest remuneration in a way that drives trained volunteers out and puts local Coastguard teams at risk.
Article continues below this advertisement “Martin’s case exposed a legal problem. The Government must not respond to a legal problem by creating a public safety problem. I am calling on Ministers to pause these changes, properly consult Coastguard Rescue Officers and find a practical solution that protects our vital emergency service.”
Martin Groom said:
“Being a Coastguard isn’t what you do, it’s who you are. But in September, if these changes go ahead, someone who calls 999 and asks for a coastguard may find there is no one available to respond.”
