Coast Guard Coastal Unit Vehicles

A standard search unit is equipped with one 4x4 crew cab vehicle and one all terrain vehicle (ATV). If an individual teams equipment allowance is too great for a 4x4 capacity a van is issued in addition.

A cliff unit is normally issued with a van in addition to its 4x4 jeep.

In exceptional circumstances where a boat unit is not also a cliff unit (and has no van to tow its ATV or respond to the incident on land) a second 4x4 or van will be issued.

In exceptional cases a 4x4 tractor may be required depending on launching/recovery conditions locally.

The vehicles are 4-wheeled drive off road 'jeeps' particularly adapted to a Coast Guard specification for the launch and recovery of Coast Guard boats and rough terrain driving.

The vehicles can tow both inflatable and rigid inflatable boats (Ribs) and carry a complete boat and shore crew and their rescue and survival equipment for launching and recovery in remote areas.

The vehicle is also used for:

• carriage of the Initial Response Group on activation of a call-out.
• unit patrol vehicle for accident prevention and marine safety awareness.
• crew transport.
• emergency response equipment transport.
• towing of all terrain vehicle (ATV)
• mobile communications and search vehicle
• search vehicle in inhospitable areas or on long open stretches such as beaches
• removal of injured persons and equipment from seafront
• carriage of heavy equipment to and from an incident site.

The 4WD vehicle is coloured in white and marked in the Coast Guard livery including blue flashing lights and siren. Vehicles are equipped with a range of communications equipment.

Most IRCG coastal units have between 12 and 22 members in the teams, all of who live within 5 minutes of their Stationhouse.

The team, all volunteers, are equipped with a vehicle, an all terrain vehicle (quad bike), area lighting equipment, first aid equipment and training, line throwing rescue gear, night search equipment, pyrotechnics and communications and paging systems.

Equipment vans are used for the carriage of cliff climbing and rescue equipment in response to incidents and as a Mobile Communications and search vehicle.

ATV's

ATVs assist in carrying equipment such as stretchers, climbing gear, first aid equipment, generators, etc from the public roadway to the site of any incident. It can also be used as a search vehicle in inhospitable areas or on long open stretches such as beaches. ATV drivers are equipped with marine VHF sets for communication with their parent unit and other mobile units.

The ATV being issued presently are Suzuki 500cc model, coloured in emergency red and fitted with blue flashing nights and nighttime capability. The ATV is also supplied with a specially designed trailer. The Coast Guard volunteers undergo an ATV training course.