HMCG Oxygen and Analgesia

His Majesty's Coastguard (HMCG) is a division of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and is one of the UK’s frontline 999 services. HMCG is responsible for the initiation and coordination of civil maritime search and rescue within the UK Search and Rescue Region (UKSRR). This includes the mobilisation, organisation and tasking of adequate resources to respond to persons either in distress at sea, or to persons at risk of injury or death on the cliffs or shoreline of the UK.

HM Coastguard delivers 6 Coastguard functions as part of the UK's Coastal State responsibilities:

• Search and Rescue (SAR)

• Pollution Response

• Vessel Traffic Management

• Maritime Safety

• Maritime Security

• Emergency and Disaster Management

The Coastguard Rescue Service (CRS) forms a key part of this response. The CRS is made up of around 350 Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRTs) located across 11,000 miles of the UK’s coastline. It is available 24/7 operating within the littoral area of the coast and certain designated inland waterways. All CRTs are SAR teams with training and equipment to deliver SAR operations; Casualty Care (first aid, casualty packaging, evacuation, rescue stretchers), Search, Water Safety and Rescue. Where required teams are equipped with additional technical rescue equipment to enable them to perform Rope Rescue and Mud Rescue.

In keeping with UK SAR framework and the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, HMCG will also assist other emergency responders inland where practicable. The CRS provides critical support to other emergency services, NHS and communities across the UK through responding to mutual aid requests, for example major cross emergency services incidents, extreme weather, lost, missing and despondent persons, inland flooding and pandemics. The CRS is also integral to the current Maritime & Aviation SAR and Counter Pollution delivery model and is a key part of operational response and business continuity plans.

HM Coastguard are looking to introduce the provision of medical gases to its national network of Coastguard Rescue Teams and a number of full-time officers.

Participants in the market consultation and future procurement should be aware that our current locations include :

• England (Including Isle of Wight, Isles of Scilly & Lundy)

• Scotland (Including Highlands and Western Isles, Shetland and Orkney)

• Northern Ireland (including Rathlin Island)

• Wales