A dispute has emerged over the pay and status of coastguard rescue officers (CROs) following a landmark legal ruling that recognized these individuals as paid emergency workers rather than unpaid volunteers. The controversy centers on the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) response to a 2026 Court of Appeal decision, which affirmed that CROs, who receive about £11 per hour for attending callouts and training, meet the legal definition of workers entitled to basic employment protections.

Martin Groom, a former CRO and station manager at Bembridge on the Isle of Wight, initiated the legal action after his dismissal in 2020. Groom challenged the MCA’s classification of CROs as volunteers, arguing that they should have access to union representation and other worker rights during disciplinary proceedings. The court ruling confirmed that CROs enter into a contractual relationship when attending emergency callouts or training, mandating payments that meet at least minimum wage standards.

Despite this legal victory, the MCA announced plans to cease payments to CROs by September 2026 and introduce a new model where CROs would serve as unpaid volunteers. Under the proposed framework, volunteers would receive some compensation limited to expenses such as training, equipment, uniforms, personal protective equipment, and operational support, rather than hourly remuneration. The agency justified the change by emphasizing the need to preserve volunteers’ choice, flexibility, and ability to serve alongside their primary employment.

Groom and several CROs have strongly criticized the MCA’s approach, warning that it risks undermining the coastguard’s effectiveness and public safety. Groom described the agency’s plans as “shameful” and expressed concern that many current CROs would leave or significantly reduce their availability if payments were withdrawn. He cited internal surveys indicating that approximately half of CROs might quit, while 60 percent could cut back on their hours. Ian Bugler, a CRO from Dorset and fourth-generation member of his coastguard family, echoed these fears, saying he was likely to resign because he could not commit time without compensation.

The coastguard rescue service, a central government-funded emergency provider, operates 287 volunteer teams across the UK’s coastline and waterways. CROs are integral to search and rescue missions and currently receive a minimum payment covering at least three hours per incident. Groom warned that the MCA’s policy shift could lead to a shortage of trained personnel, increased workloads for remaining members, and ultimately compromised emergency response capabilities.

The MCA maintains that it values the contribution of CROs and remains committed to delivering a “robust, effective search and rescue response.” The government indicated it is reviewing the issue following remarks from Keir Mather, the maritime minister, who acknowledged the concerns raised and said an impact assessment had been conducted. Mather stated he would consider long-term recognition for coastguard volunteers.

The unfolding dispute highlights tensions between legal employment standards and operational models that rely heavily on volunteer emergency responders. With a potential reduction in paid roles, the future of the UK’s coastguard rescue capacity remains uncertain, and stakeholders caution that public safety could be affected if sufficient numbers of CROs withdraw from service.