Dedicated

In 1923 the Coastguard, placed under the Board of Trade, was dedicated to life saving, salvage from wreck and administration of the foreshore. The new force was sanctioned by the Coastguard Act (1925). The early Coastguard had been caught between the demands of different government departments, but change could now focus on the needs of seafarers, especially the scope for new technology to improve both safety and rescues.

The 1920s Coastguard kept a visual watch. Stations overlooking major shipping lanes and hazards, maintained constant watch day and night and were able to summon auxiliaries to intermediate stations should visibility decrease or bad weather set in. An enquiry in 1931 correctly predicted that increased use of radio would eliminate the need for visual watches; this initiated a controlled reduction in Coastguard stations, lookouts and personnel, which continues in this century.

In the 1930s effective watch and communication reduced the number of shoreline casualties. Coastguards warned vessels approaching danger in time to take evasive action or alerted lifeboats, now with engines, which could quickly assist vessels still offshore. This preventive role has evolved with specific modern tasks. Since 1967 shipping between Margate and Beachy Head has been separated into northeast and southwest bound lanes. Using computer enhanced radar; Coastguards monitor this Channel traffic, warning vessels which contravene the special rules. Following the "Torrey Canyon" (1969) oil spill, Coastguards were tasked as the early warning system for pollution control. In the 1970s the Coastguard support vessel "Miranda" began to accompany British fishing fleets into northern seas. After the "Braer" incident (1994) Emergency Towing Vessels were added to Coastguard resources for assisting disabled vessels. Coastguards provide liaison and training to enhance search and rescue awareness for the merchant marine and oil/gas industry.

Pleasure boating became popular in the 1960s and, today, from the 12,000 plus incidents handled annually by the Coastguard, most result from the ever growing list of coastal pursuits, from hang-gliding to wreck diving. The scope of Coastguard co-ordination has extended as new facilities have been created to match modern rescue situations. The RNLI and independent groups introduced Inshore Rescue Boats. From 1964, Coastguard rough terrain vehicles have increased mobility and provided mobile communication bases. In 1971 Coastguards improved their access to rivers and remote coastal areas with patrol boats. Military helicopters were first used for rapid rescue from the late 1940s. Coastguard helicopters supplemented military cover in the 1980s when minimum response times were set. Fixed wing, military aircraft can also be tasked for long-range searches.