In any river or harbour there can be an overlap of responsibilities between different organisations, but here is a list of things on which you may need advice or assistance, and your first point of contact:

Incidents and Emergencies on the River:

Dial 999 and ask for Coastguard

The Coastguard will call out Emergency Services and Search and Rescue resources such as Lifeboats, Helicopters, Fire Brigade, Police and Ambulance.

For non-emergency advice and reports on marine safety matters call HM Coastguard, Dover Tel 01304 210008

Police Matters

Dial 999 in case of emergency (24 Hours)

Essex Police HQ main switchboard Tel. 01245 491491

Essex Police Marine Unit
49-51 Station Road, Burnham on Crouch, CM0 8HF

Call 999 in an emergency situation like these:

    • there is an immediate danger to life
    • someone is using violence or is threatening to be violent
    • A crime is happening right now

If you accidentally dial 999, please stay on the line and tell the operator you’re safe and that no crime has occurred.

Hearing or speech impairments

    • If you have a hearing or speech impairment and you’ve pre-registered with the emergencySMS service, you can use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999.
    • If you’re a British Sign Language (BSL) user, you can call 999 BSL to use a remote BSL interpreter.

 Silent 999 calls

 

NON-EMERGENCY

Report online

Visit www.essex.police.uk and select the ‘Report online’ tab

Call 101 for non-emergency enquiries or 01245 491491 if calling from out of the county.

Live chat

Our live chat service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can use this service to report crime and get advice and information.

Textphone

On your textphone, dial 18001 101 and follow the on-screen instructions to make an emergency call. View further information about the textphone service.

Relay UK App

On the Relay UK app, dial 18001 101 using a relay assistant through Relay UK. View further information about the Relay UK App.

 

Crimestoppers

Tell us What You Know about Crime, Not Who You Are
0800 555 111

Call anonymously with information about crime
We never ask your name and cannot trace your call

Crimestoppers is an independent crime-fighting charity which offers an anonymous and secure 24/7 service for you to give information about crimes or criminals.

We will never ask for your name and we cannot trace your call or any information you give online. It is what makes Crimestoppers different.
That information is passed to the appropriate Police Force or other Agency

Remember, Crimestoppers is not an Emergency Service. If you see a crime taking place, dial 999 immediately.

Disposal of Out of Date Flares

From 31st December 2022, HM Coastguard have stopped offering a voluntary, public-facing flare disposal service to private individuals who have personal flares to dispose of. Private individuals will need to use a third-party disposal service.

Contact details for third -party disposal services providers:
The Green Blue webpage https://thegreenblue.org.uk/environmental-facilities-map hosted jointly between British Marine and the Royal Yachting Association provide contact details of registered disposal service providers.

For further guidance and information please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/disposing-of-unwanted-marine-flares.

Crouch Harbour Authority Matters

The CHA is responsible for:

  • Marine Incidents/Damage/Injuries (Non – Emergency)
    NB. Marine related incidents involving damage to vessels or property or injury to persons must also be reported to Marine Accident Investigation Branch, Maritime and Coastguard Agency
    Tel: 023 8023 2527
  • Navigation marking and signage
  • Hazards and obstructions to navigation
  • Oil Pollution (from ships/boats /marine sources)
  • Commercial Shipping/Pilotage
  • River works / Construction
  • Dredging
  • Speed Limits / River Behaviour

Environment Agency Matters

To report an environmental issue:
Please click on the online 24/7 link: https://www.gov.uk/report-environmental-problem
By Telephone: Incident Hotline on 0800 8070 60

General Enquiries Tel. 08708 506506
Floodline Tel. 0345 9881188
Incident Line 24 Hours Tel. 0800 807060

  • Flooding
  • Flood Warnings
  • Seawalls and Flood Defences
  • Oil Pollution (non-marine sources)
  • Pollution (other) and Water Quality

Fisheries Matters

Kent & Essex IFCA
The Sail Loft
Shipyard estate
Brightlingsea
Essex
CO7 0AR
Tel. 01206 303261 or Main Kent Office 01843 585310

Reporting a Dead or Stranded Marine Mammal

For Live Strandings
RSPCA
Tel: 0300 123499

For Dead Strandings
CSIP (Cetacean Stranding Investigation Programme).
Tel: 0800 652 0333