North Wales residents are being urged to consider volunteering with HM Coastguard, as teams across the region — including Llandudno Coastguard — look to recruit new members to help keep people safe along the coastline.

With dramatic cliffs, busy beaches, popular walking routes and one of the UK’s most visited national parks on its doorstep, North Wales sees thousands of visitors heading to the coast every week. But for the men and women of HM Coastguard’s Rescue Teams, that beauty also brings risk — from walkers stranded on cliffs to swimmers in difficulty, paddleboarders caught by tides, and people injured on rocky shores.

Now HM Coastguard is calling on local people to step forward and help protect their communities by joining one of its volunteer rescue teams.

In Llandudno, the local Coastguard team plays a crucial role along the Great Orme, the promenade and the busy beaches that attract visitors from across the UK. Working alongside teams across Conwy, Gwynedd and Anglesey, Llandudno Coastguard responds to incidents ranging from cliff rescues and missing persons to medical emergencies and coastal searches.

Volunteers are trained to deal with some of the most challenging environments in the country — including cliffs, mudflats, rough seas and remote coastline — and are often among the first on scene when someone needs help.

A Coastguard Rescue Officer’s role includes responding to emergency call-outs, supporting search and rescue operations, giving casualty care, and helping keep the public safe in dangerous conditions. No previous experience is needed, as full training is provided, including specialist rescue skills and first aid.

The Coastguard says it is looking for people who can stay calm under pressure, work as part of a team, and commit time to training and call-outs. In return, volunteers gain new skills and qualifications, strong friendships, and the pride that comes with helping save lives.

With increasing numbers of people exploring the North Wales coast for walking, swimming, paddleboarding and sightseeing, demand for Coastguard support continues to grow — making recruitment more important than ever.

Applications are now open, with a nominal deadline of 31 January 2026, although HM Coastguard has warned that some locations may close earlier if enough interest is received.

Anyone interested in joining can apply online via the UK Government website Apply to become a Coastguard Rescue Officer.

As teams like Llandudno Coastguard stand ready day and night to respond to emergencies, HM Coastguard says now is the perfect time for local people to step up and become part of something truly lifesaving — helping protect North Wales’s coast and everyone who enjoys it.