Coastguard Watch Assistant/Officer

Coastguard watch assistants (CWAs) and coastguard watch officers (CWOs) work for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), operating a 24-hour emergency service, to keep a permanent watch over UK coasts and waters and a large part of the North Atlantic Ocean.

They respond to emergencies and requests for assistance by co-ordinating the actions of their own response teams and those of volunteer coastguard rescue officers (CROs), specialist rescue helicopters, lifeboats, air-sea rescue, emergency towing vessels and the emergency services, as well as other vessels that may be nearby.

CWOs and CWAs normally work about 42 hours a week in shifts or watches, including nights and weekends. They mainly work in modern, well-equipped operations rooms and offices. Uniforms are provided.

Salaries for CWA and CWO posts range from £16,823 up to £23,960 a year. Some senior posts have salaries of over £50,000 a year.

CWOs and CWAs need:

• to be able to work under pressure, especially during emergency situations
• normal sight and hearing
• a clear speaking voice
• to be comfortable working alone as well as in a team
• a serious interest in the sea and maritime matters in general.

CWAs and CWOs are employed by the MCA. There are just over 1,200 regular staff employed in the UK, based in any one of 18 maritime rescue co-ordination centres located around the UK coastline, or at the MCA's headquarters in Southampton. Volunteering as a CRO can provide valuable experience for those seeking employment.

Entrants often start as CWAs and in time apply for promotion to become a CWO. No minimum educational qualifications are set for entry, although applicants should have good literacy, numeracy and IT skills. Appointments may be subject to medical and security checks. Applicants with experience in a professional search and rescue role may be able to join directly as a CWO.

The initial training programme for CWAs and direct-entry CWOs is mainly on the job, supported by a workbook and periods spent at the MCA's training centre. The training covers all the competencies needed to do the job, including search planning, coast rescue, chart and map work, and communications. CWA training lasts ten months. CWO training lasts between nine and twelve months.

Typical opportunities for promotion are from CWA to CWO, and then to more senior posts. Taking further training courses run by the MCA may help candidates progress to senior positions. Applicants may need to move around the UK to achieve promotion.

Further details