COASTGUARDS in Watchet have welcomed a number of new recruits who completed their eight-day induction course this week with a demonstration of rope cliff rescue equipment and basic set up.

The new Coastguards have already gone on call ready to respond to incidents alongside more experienced colleagues as their learning continues and they develop further operational and technical skills.

However, the Watchet team is still looking to fill more volunteer vacancies at the station on The Esplanade.

Volunteers need to be aged 18 years or older, be able to drive, and live or work reasonably close to the Watchet station to be able to respond to coastal incidents.

They will also need to be healthy enough to pass a Coastguard medical examination.

A Coastguard spokesperson said in return the volunteers can expect ‘to be called out at any time of day or night, no matter the weather, when booked on as available through our tasking and alerting system’.

Successful applicants will also be required to attend eight training days next year on January 24 to 27, February 1 and 2, and February 8 and 9.

More information about what to expect as a Coastguard rescue officer can be found here and anybody who feels they fit the criteria and can commit their time can apply by selecting the ‘Area 12’ option on the website here.

HM Coastguard co-ordinates maritime search and rescue operations 24 hours a day through its network of coastguard stations such as those in Watchet and Minehead.