Southend Coastguard Rescue Team: Meet the volunteers

The HM Coastguard Southend territory covers roughly 70 miles of the coastline of the Thames Estuary, including Southend’s seven miles of beaches. 

The team is made up by volunteers from all walks of life and backgrounds that have all come together with the joined goal of helping anyone in need. 

Station officer Del Christie and coastguard rescue officers Alan Manson, David Hadjicostas, and John Gillies have revealed the vital roles they play in the rescue team.

For Del, joining HM Coastguard was inspired by witnessing the team’s lifesaving efforts along the coast. 

Drawn to the selflessness of the volunteer crew, Del felt compelled to join what he fondly refers to as “his kind of selfless people”.

Heroes - Southend Coastguard team (Image: HM Coastguard)

Being a part of the team for many years, Del has also attended several events. However, one of the slightly more humourous incidents involved a sheep.

Del said: “I once hiked two miles to rescue a stranded sheep on a salt marsh. To my surprise, I soon discovered that sheep can swim. Upon reaching the area, I found that the woolly casualty had self-rescued and returned to its field.”

As station officer, Del’s viewpoint is unique as he reflects on the team’s strengths and weaknesses, aiding in building confidence across the team’s varying skills.

Coastguard rescue officer Alan Manson, a worker in the City of London, was influenced by his upbringing in a “999 family”.

His father served more than 30 years in Essex Fire and Rescue Service. For Alan, HM Coastguard was a natural extension of his family’s legacy of service.

Alan says that the team is like a second family, emphasising that being a team player is crucial when supporting a front-line emergency service.

He has also attended many incidents in his time, including a pursuit of a small dachshund dog which lasted more than 12 hours, across mudflats and marshland.

The incident concluded happily, though not before various news outlets and regional TV programmes had picked up on the story.

Brave - Southend Coastguard team rescue casualty (Image: HM Coastguard)

Despite the positive end, Alan admits it is challenging when the outcome is not always as planned.

He added: “Without doubt, there are times when the outcome of an incident is not what we had hoped for, but training kicks in and the team does the best they can for anyone affected or involved.

“HM Coastguard has a great support mechanism in place for colleagues, and participation is actively encouraged.”

David Hadjicostas, a decorated Armed Forces veteran and former fire and rescue service member, found the coastguard to be a perfect match for his skills.

Although initially unfamiliar with coastal life, he quickly adapted and embraced the challenge.

The theory elements of the training were initially challenging for David, who had been unfamiliar with the acronyms and terminology often used by people working on the coast or at sea.

But since joining, he has gained new skills, including working safely and confidently both in and around water.

Once he had completed his training, he went on holiday to Cyprus, where all the coastal activities he saw took on a new perspective.

Meanwhile, lifelong seafarer John Gillies, a retired chartered surveyor, joined HM Coastguard to give back to his community and share his extensive knowledge of maritime safety.

John has developed an appreciation for the sense of belonging that comes from being a part of a UK-wide organisation with a common purpose.

He points out that, as well as the team being there to save the lives of total strangers, they also protect their colleagues too.

While serving on the Southend Coastguard team, John’s discovery of a fully armed Victorian explosive set hares running when it was found in a precarious position next to Southend Pier.

If you are inspired to be a part of a coastguard team, visit www.gov.uk/volunteer-coastguard.