HM Coastguard: Voluntary Work
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what factors were taken into consideration in the determination of the September 2026 transition date for the Maritime Coastguard Agency's revised volunteer model.
Answered by Keir Mather
Changing the Coastguard Rescue Service (CRS) operating model was not something which we wanted to do but is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling.
Recruitment into membership of the CRS continues as it has previously. The new model of volunteers with expenses but no hourly remuneration is due to be implemented in September 2026.
Careful consideration was given to the options for a revised operating model. The legal position, the operational implications, and the wider organisational impact have all been looked at in detail, as well as the feedback Coastguard Rescue Officers (CRO) have given us through recent surveys and engagement. The CRO’s were clear that serving their community was a major reason why they volunteer.
Public safety remains our priority. Changes will be carefully managed to protect resilience and response capability.
Alongside the Coastguard Rescue Service, HM Coastguard will continue to draw upon the full UK Search and Rescue system, including HM Coastguard aviation assets, RNLI and independent lifeboats, independent rescue teams, lifeguards and other emergency services as they do today.
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