Public Inquiry Recommendations

CR1 Response Pending

Cranston Inquiry (2026)

Network flexing risk mitigation

Given the risks associated with HM Coastguard's use of network flexing for small boat search and rescue – whereby its workforce is split between different geographical locations – HM Coastguard …

CR2 Response Pending

Cranston Inquiry (2026)

Technology for duplicate incident reconciliation

HM Coastguard should seek, at pace, to invest in the technology required to support its ability to reconcile duplicate small boat incidents. Where this cannot be accommodated within the existing …

CR3 Response Pending

Cranston Inquiry (2026)

Regular assessment of assets and resources

There should be regular assessments by HM Coastguard of the adequacy of the available assets and human resources to respond to both current and reasonably foreseeable levels of small boat …

CR4 Response Pending

Cranston Inquiry (2026)

Training on normalcy bias

HM Coastguard should provide frequent training and retraining for their staff in aspects of search and rescue specific to small boats, one being the need to avoid normalcy bias, in …

CR5 Response Pending

Cranston Inquiry (2026)

Mass Persons in Water Triage procedure

Those involved in maritime search and rescue should adopt formally the Mass Persons in the Water Triage procedure to govern the operational response to a maritime search and rescue incident …

CR6 Response Pending

Cranston Inquiry (2026)

Joint exercises on triage procedure

Those involved in maritime search and rescue should continue to undertake joint exercises on the application of the Mass Persons in the Water Triage procedure.

CR7 Response Pending

Cranston Inquiry (2026)

IMO recommendation on triage tool

The Department for Transport must consider recommending to the International Maritime Organization that it consider incorporating an in-water mass casualty triage tool within its policies and procedures.

CR8 Response Pending

Cranston Inquiry (2026)

Survivability advice to persons in distress

HM Coastguard should amend its existing policies to incorporate the need to provide more comprehensive advice about survivability to people in distress at sea.

CR9 Response Pending

Cranston Inquiry (2026)

Cold water survivability modelling

HM Coastguard should examine whether it is using the most appropriate modelling for survivability in cold water. HM Coastguard should amend its existing policies to ensure that they consistently identify …

CR10 Response Pending

Cranston Inquiry (2026)

Equipment and techniques development

HM Coastguard must continue to liaise with search and rescue partners in the UK and abroad to identify opportunities for the development or deployment of equipment and techniques to assist …

CR11 Response Pending

Cranston Inquiry (2026)

Coastguard role in legislation

The role and functions of HM Coastguard should be set out in up-to-date legislation.

CR12 Response Pending

Cranston Inquiry (2026)

Independent external oversight body

An independent external body should be given responsibility for the regular assessment of the effectiveness and efficiency of HM Coastguard. Consideration should be given to extending the remit of His …

CR13 Response Pending

Cranston Inquiry (2026)

Reconsider Border Force SAR function

The government should reconsider Mr Downer's recommendation in his independent review of Border Force that Border Force Maritime should not be providing an ongoing search and rescue function in the …

CR14 Response Pending

Cranston Inquiry (2026)

MoU between Coastguard and Border Force

For so long as the current arrangements in relation to search and rescue in the English Channel remain in place, the roles and responsibilities of HM Coastguard and Border Force …

CR15 Response Pending

Cranston Inquiry (2026)

Joint training exercises plan

HM Coastguard should develop and implement a plan for joint training exercises, to occur at set intervals, with participation by those involved in maritime search and rescue in the English …

CR16 Response Pending

Cranston Inquiry (2026)

Mass rescue operation plan

HM Coastguard should develop a mass rescue operation plan that includes command and control, co-ordination, external stakeholders, medical and law enforcement roles, and public and external affairs.

CR17 Response Pending

Cranston Inquiry (2026)

Protocol for duty to assist referrals

HM Coastguard and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency should establish a protocol for referrals by HM Coastguard to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's regulatory compliance investigations team, identifying the threshold …

CR18 Response Pending

Cranston Inquiry (2026)

MAIB publication of implementation measures

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch should make publicly available on its website, as soon as possible after they are received, the details of implementation measures taken by those to whom …