HM Coastguard which helps keep the South Hams safe celebrated it’s 200th birthday on January 15.

They have operations bases at Dartmouth, Prawle, Bigbury, Hope Cove and Yealm in part of what is known as Area 10.

Claire Hughes, director of HMC, said: “From our volunteers to full-time staff, we are all immensely proud of the coastguard’s distinguished and fascinating history, which has really helped to shape the incredibly important work HM Coastguard carries out today.

“We look forward to upholding HM Coastguard’s commitment to keeping the public safe at the coast for many years to come.”

Over the past two centuries, HMC has gone from strength to strength, with coastguard operations centres coordinating responses to emergency situations at the coast – calling upon approximately 310 Coastguard Rescue Teams – made up of around 3000 dedicated volunteers – and 10 search and rescue helicopters.

It is now one of the UK’s four frontline emergency services, operating a 24/7, 365 day a year search and rescue service to save lives along the coast and at sea.

Safety has always been at the heart of what the coastguard does and, with technology ever evolving, HMC continues to strive to be at the forefront of innovation in order to carry on its vital work improving and saving lives.