§ Mr. Knox Cunninghamasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what are the duties of coastguards in the United Kingdom with regard to vessels in distress; and whether they are under a duty to render assistance to such vessels.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe duties of H.M. Coastguard with regard to vessels in distress off the coasts of the United Kingdom are to watch for such vessels from their own stations and to "warn off" any ships which are standing into danger; to listen for reports of distress calls from neighbouring Coastguard Stations or Coast Radio Stations; to initiate search and rescue measures directly a ship is in distress; and to keep in touch with the progress of those measures.
The Coastguard is under a duty to render all possible lifesaving assistance to vessels in distress, by mustering the local company of the Coast Life Saving Corps with its rocket apparatus, by informing the local secretary of the Royal National Life-boat Institution and by informing any other authorities who may be able to help, including those in a position to send aircraft or helicopters.