'Coastguard Day' 🛟 4 August

Simon O'Donovan
Aug 3
2 min read

Coastguard Day – 4 August

Today we're celebrating the dedicated people who help keep us safe at sea. Every day, HM Coastguard, the RNLI and beach lifeguards work together to protect swimmers, sailors, walkers and anyone who gets into difficulty around our coastline. Many of these brave men and women are volunteers, always ready to answer the call when someone's life is in danger.

We'll begin by learning more about these remarkable lifesaving services before testing our memories with a sea rescue challenge. We'll follow the journey of an emergency rescue from the moment a "shout" is raised, discover why Britain's famous lighthouses no longer need lighthouse keepers, and look back at some memorable TV safety campaigns that many of us will remember from years gone by.

We'll also meet some famous seafarers from television and the movies, compare the adventures of Robinson Crusoe and Tom Hanks' Cast Away, and finish by enjoying a selection of classic songs inspired by the sea.

Today's Activities

🌊 Facts about HM Coastguard
🚤 Facts about the RNLI
🏖️ Facts about Beach Lifeguards
🧠 Memory Challenge – Name as many lifesaving items used at sea as you can
🚁 Emergency Response – What happens when a rescue "shout" is raised?
💡 Did You Know? – Why all UK lighthouses are now automated
📺 Memory Challenge – Can you name the classic TV safety campaigns?
⚓ Memory Challenge – Name the famous TV and movie seafarers
🏝️ Factoid – Robinson Crusoe vs. Cast Away
🎵 CST Songs of the Day
- Blow the Man Down
- Drunken Sailor
- Rock the Boat
- Sailing
- Message in a Bottle
- Wellerman

Let's Talk

Have you ever watched an RNLI lifeboat launch, seen a Coastguard rescue, visited a lighthouse, or spent happy days beside the sea? What are your favourite memories of the British coast?