Mud Rescue Training on Southport Beach

Our crew recently carried out an evening of mud rescue training exercises on Southport beach. Mud rescue is a vital skill in our toolkit, as our operational area contains several patches of mud and soft sand where people can easily become stuck.

The Southport Offshore Rescue Trust is one of the only independent, declared mud rescue teams in the UK. Our volunteers train regularly to ensure they know the most efficient and safe ways to extract someone from the mud.

These aerial shots were captured using our Unmanned Aerial System (UAS, or drone), which helps us search for casualties, plan and assess incidents more effectively, and ensure the safety of both the public and our crew.

At night, we can even attach a powerful search light to the UAS to illuminate scenes and assist crews working on the ground.

🛑 Please note: All flights were conducted with full permissions from the CAA and Sefton Council, as this area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). We operate with qualified remote pilots, are fully insured, and all flights are carried out in line with legal and environmental regulations. Drone operations over SSSIs must only be carried out with appropriate permissions to protect sensitive habitats and wildlife.

⚠️ If you're heading out onto the beach, please take care - tides and mud can catch people out very quickly.

In an emergency, always call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.