After more than 20 years of service as a volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officer, Ventnor’s Andrew Woodford has taken up a full-time role with His Majesty’s Coastguard.
Andrew is now the Isle of Wight’s Senior Coastal Operations Manager (SCOO) overseeing the work of the Island’s Coastguard Rescue Teams as well as supporting the rest of Hampshire and Dorset. He is also responsible for the training of existing and new volunteers and will help coordinate larger incidents across the Island.
The experienced 36-year-old joins the Area 9 management team and will be based here on the Isle of Wight. The role was previously held by Michael Forsyth-Caffrey from Sandown, who retired in 2019 after 29 years of service – of which 18 years were as the SCOO for the Isle of Wight.
Andrew, who enjoys working within the theatre scene as a musical director, has said goodbye to a career in the NHS to pursue this opportunity with HM Coastguard. He started in his new full-time role back on 3rd January.
If you or someone else is in difficulty on the coast or at sea, or if you spot what you think may be unexploded ordnance, then dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Further safety information can be found at https://coastguardsafety.campaign.gov.uk/.
Get help faster by giving emergency services your exact location by using ///what3words.
what3words have divided the world into 3m squares and given each square a unique combination of three words, which means when you are in a remote area of the Isle of Wight you can get assistance much quicker without the need for local knowledge.
Leaving the NHS ,,surely not
well done your
obviously a dedicated person with the role your undertaking
Well done, Andrew, man of many talents.