Governor Opens New Sea and Land Rescue Facility

17 July 2025

Government, Press Release

On Monday 14 July 2025, His Excellency, The Governor, Mr. Nigel Phillips CBE, opened the extended and renovated sea and land rescue base building. The official opening took place during the Governor’s tour of key operational facilities.

The Ascension Island Government’s Sea and Land Rescue Service provides a vital search and rescue capability for both land and maritime emergencies. The service’s operational capability was enhanced by the rescue vessel ‘Ascension Guardian,’ which was launched in May 2025. Under Herby Meth’s leadership, AIG maintains a dedicated team of trained search and rescue volunteers.

In his remarks at the official opening of the Base’s renovated building, the Governor said:

“The refurbished sea and land rescue base is another significant step forward in building capability and resilience in the provision of emergency response on Ascension Island. It is a good example of infrastructure improvements being managed and delivered by AIG, using UK Government funding, under the One Island Vision, for the benefit of the community. I want to acknowledge the support of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, and the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, and the Department for Transport in funding a number of maritime related projects, including these building works.”