Boscastle is a village that knows what community really means. We’ve lived it, we’ve relied on it, and we’ve seen the difference it makes when people step up for one another. And few people step up more — or more often — than our Coastguard Rescue Officers. They’re not just emergency responders; they’re our neighbours, our friends, the people we chat to on the harbour or see enjoying an occasional pint. They are part of the heartbeat of Boscastle.
Which is why what’s happening to them right now is nothing short of unacceptable.
For years, Coastguard volunteers across the UK have been operating on a remuneration package that barely acknowledges the scale of what they do. They train to a professional standard. They respond 24/7, 365 days a year. They put themselves in danger on cliffs, in storms, in the dark, in the worst conditions imaginable, they do jobs that even they don’t like to talk about. They leave their families, their jobs, their warm beds — instantly — because someone out there needs help.
And what do they get for it? A small allowance that hasn’t kept pace with inflation, risk, or responsibility. But now, unbelievably, it’s about to get worse. Come September, that allowance will be removed entirely. Not reduced. Not reviewed. Removed.
That means our Coastguard volunteers — the very people who run towards danger when the rest of us are running away — will receive nothing. No recognition for their time. No support for their fuel. No compensation for lost income. No acknowledgement of the physical and emotional toll this work takes.
This decision sends a message, and it’s a disgraceful one: “Your work doesn’t matter enough to fund.”
Well, Boscastle knows better. We know exactly how much they matter. We’ve seen them in action. We’ve watched them save lives. We’ve relied on them in moments when everything hangs in the balance. And we know that communities like ours — all around the UK — depend on these volunteers every single day.
Removing their remuneration isn’t just unfair. It’s dangerous. It risks the future of Coastguard teams everywhere. It risks slower response times, fewer volunteers, and ultimately, lives.
A petition has been launched calling for this decision to be reversed and for a fair, modern remuneration package to be put in place. Signing it is the least we can do — and it’s one of the most powerful ways to show that Boscastle stands with its Coastguard team.
Sign the Coastguard petition – Introduce legislation to make it possible to renumerate emergency volunteers – Petitions
Let’s make it clear: We value our Coastguard volunteers. We respect them. And we will not stay quiet while they’re treated like this.
Watch the ITV news piece here: https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2026-06-16/former-coastguard-officer-slams-ridiculous-move-to-no-longer-pay-volunteers
This article has been submitted by Ray of The Toby Jug Café and reflects the author’s views regarding proposed changes to Coastguard volunteer remuneration.
