Coastguards deliver various duties as watch assistant, watch officer, coastguard rescue officer volunteer etc. Depending on the position you hold, you will need certain qualifications, which include good eyesight, extensive experience at sea, good written and spoken communication skills, computer knowledge, familiarity with computer keyboard, etc. There aren't many formal educational qualifications to meet. If you have experience at the Royal Navy or Merchant Navy, or other activities that include spending extensive hours in the sea also count. If you have mechanical skills (building or repairing a boat) also will come handy. You can also gain experience as a coastguard by first joining as a coastguard rescue officer volunteer.

Once you are taken in as a coastguard, you can get further training from Maritime and Coastguard Agency Centre, where you will receive classroom and practical, on the job training. Being a coastguard is a challenging task and not everyone can survive as a coastguard.