Her Majesty's Coastguard celebrates it's 200th birthday today
It was initially set up to prevent smuggling, way back in 1822
Her Majesty's Coastguard turns 200 years old today.
With personnel across Norfolk and the rest of the country, casting out throwlines to sea, to recognise this very special day.
The Coastguard is one of the UK’s four frontline emergency services, operating a 24/7, 365 day a year, providing a search and rescue service to save lives at the coast and at sea.
In 2020 it responded to over 33,000 incidents.
It was initially a small group, set up to prevent smuggling but now there are an estimated 310 Coastguard Rescue Teams, consisting of around 3000 volunteers, and 10 search and rescue helicopters.
Stephen Howell is the Deputy Station Officer for Hunstanton's branch.
He told us the team are one big happy family, most of the time:
"The team are like a load brothers. Me being one of the oldest on the team, I'm more of a father figure. My son is a coastguard as well. We have our moments as they say, but yes I thoroughly enjoy it".
He went on to say that coming back from a successful mission is really satisfying:
"When you come off a job, especially after finding lost children and things like that, it's really pleasing to be the team that's achieved that".
Mr Howell also told us that it really is a full-time job:
"I've been shopping with the wife and pager's gone off and all she's seen is the door shutting as I've gone. We've been out to meals and it's gone off and we've had to cut short lunches and and evenings, as well. It can be a bit annoying at the time, but once you get going it's all about making what fun you can".
He concluded by saying there's one thing that always separates the wheat from the chaff:
"If it's a nice sunny afternoon and your pager goes off- happy days! But if its 2am, throwing it down with rain and its freezing cold, that sorts them out".