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by flir 853 days ago
> the RNLI, also mentioned in the article, is the maritime search and rescue service for the UK

HM Coastguard.

2 comments

Yes technically true. HMCG are recognised in international law as responsible for maritime search and rescue operations in UK territorial waters. Practically speaking in most cases if you have a problem in UK (and Irish) waters the RNLI is probably going to search for and rescue you, if it’s really bad you’ll get a helicopter dispatched as well from Bristow helicopters who are subcontracted to HMCG but I think there’s only about 6 choppers covering the whole of the UK.
HM Coastguard and the RNLI do different roles though - the former is more about co-ordination amongst different rescue agencies and the RNLI runs lifeboats.
mm. The loss of the RNLI would leave a major hole. More details for anyone who is interested: https://hmcoastguard.uk/news/whos-who-search-and-rescue-your...

But i still maintain HMCG best fits the description "the maritime search and rescue service for the UK". I mean, if you call RNLI with an emergency they'll tell you to hang up and dial 999.

I suppose being the UK there would never be easy answers to questions like that....