The Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) is currently recruiting volunteer officers to join the local group.

CRTs are made up entirely of specially trained and equipped volunteer rescue officers who are on call 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year to respond to a wide range of emergency incidents including persons in the water, technical rope rescue incidents, vulnerable missing person searches and provide a response to flooding both locally and nationally.

Coastguard Rescue Teams also work closely with the RNLI and assist with broken down vessels being towed into marinas as well as visiting schools, clubs and community events to promote coastal and water safety.

As a Coastguard Rescue Officer you may be called out at any time of the day or night in all weather conditions and may have to work in hazardous situations and carry out physically demanding tasks. As a volunteer you won’t be paid however can claim a small amount for your time and expenses.

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Full training and equipment is provided and no previous emergency service or maritime experience is required.

If you are interested in joining you must have good availability to respond to incidents; be aged 18 or older; reside and/or work within 10 minutes (approx.) of Montgomerie Street, Ardrossan; be physically fit; be subject to a criminal record background check; and hold a full UK driving licence.

You must complete a full medical and be available to attend initial new entry training at Greenock Fire Station from January 23-27, 2023; February 11 and 12; and March 4 and 5.

An open evening will be held at the Ardrossan station in Montgomerie Street on Wednesday, August 24 between 7pm and 9pm.

E-mail: ardrossan coastguard@gmail.com to request an application pack. The closing date is Sunday, September 11.