Coastguard recruitment a 'struggle' in rural areas
BBCA Coastguard station officer says getting enough volunteers to provide daily, 24-hour cover has become a "struggle".
Ian Woods leads the team at Howick in Northumberland and says getting day time, weekday cover is most difficult, as many volunteers also have a paid job.
Stations along the Northumberland coast are all looking for new recruits who can help respond to emergencies along the coast.
Mr Woods said: "In areas like Howick and Seahouses, there are lots of holiday homes and a smaller permanent population than in some areas, so getting the right people can be hard."
There are more than 3,500 coastguard rescue officers (CROs) who volunteer around the UK coast and are trained in search and rescue.
They help people trapped on cliffs, stuck in mud or struggling in the water.
They are also trained to search for missing people and go to reports of suspected unexploded ordnance on beaches.
"We can still get a team out whenever needed, but more recruits would be a big benefit to us," Mr Woods said.
"I'd love to see a few more come forward."
Howick Coastguard teamVolunteers need to pass a medical, have a driving licence and live within 20 minutes drive of their nearest station.
Although it is an unpaid role, some expenses are paid.
"Anyone can be a volunteer, as long as you're over 18 and there is no upper age limit," Mr Woods said.
"You do have to have an understanding employer, but hopefully you'll learn skills which will be useful in any place of work.
"The big thing is for you to go out and make someone's day better, they're in trouble and you go out and help them."