Core Operating Rules

Plan around local slack-water and skipper instructions, not a generic tide app alone.
Use a drysuit or equivalent cold-water protection, with redundant gas and equipment appropriate to depth and conditions.
Carry a delayed surface marker buoy and reel; know the charter's pickup, recall and separated-diver procedure.
Keep wreck penetration outside the plan unless every diver is specifically trained, equipped and briefed for it.
Stay near shelter where instructed because current can strengthen sharply away from the island wall.
Abort for cold stress, seasickness, equipment problems, low visibility or loss of team control.

Incident Response

At sea, call HM Coastguard on VHF Channel 16 or by dialing 999 or 112 and asking for Coastguard. Keep a suspected decompression-illness casualty lying comfortably, give the highest available concentration of oxygen, protect from cold and follow professional instructions. Do not drive a casualty toward a chamber without coordination; the British Hyperbaric Association directs the correct receiving facility.

Core Operating Rules

Plan around local slack-water and skipper instructions, not a generic tide app alone.
Use a drysuit or equivalent cold-water protection, with redundant gas and equipment appropriate to depth and conditions.
Carry a delayed surface marker buoy and reel; know the charter's pickup, recall and separated-diver procedure.
Keep wreck penetration outside the plan unless every diver is specifically trained, equipped and briefed for it.
Stay near shelter where instructed because current can strengthen sharply away from the island wall.
Abort for cold stress, seasickness, equipment problems, low visibility or loss of team control.

Incident Response

Seahouses has local primary-care access, while minor urgent problems can be directed through NHS 111 and regional urgent treatment centers. Serious illness or trauma is managed through the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington, reached by ambulance when clinically necessary. The nearest suitable hyperbaric destination is not a walk-in local service. The British Hyperbaric Association's 24-hour line coordinates assessment and lists a category 1 chamber in Hull for North East England and Yorkshire. International visitors should carry medical and dive insurance that covers ambulance, evacuation, recompression and repatriation.

Current can accelerate rapidly away from walls and through gaps. Use local slack-water calculations, stay inside the skipper's route and deploy a delayed surface marker buoy for open-water ascents.

Main-season water is still cold, and the boat ride can cool divers and swimmers further. Use appropriate exposure protection, carry dry layers and stop early if dexterity, judgement or shivering deteriorates.

Wind, swell and visibility can change quickly, causing site swaps, shortened runs or cancellation. Never pressure a skipper to force an exposed wreck or landing.

Multiple local vessels may work the islands. Know the charter's lost-diver procedure, surface visibly, stay with the team and avoid lingering at shallow stops outside the planned pickup zone.

Wildlife and Island Rules

Let seals choose the encounter. Never chase, touch, feed, block, crowd or enter the water to approach mothers and pups.
Back away when seals wake, move suddenly, stampede or dive, or when birds leave nests, alarm-call or attack defensively.
On Inner Farne, keep to the boardwalk, wear a soft hat for Arctic terns and do not bring dogs, including assistance dogs.
Clean footwear and equipment, use sealed bags and carry no plants, loose seeds, compost or similar biosecurity risks.
Kayakers should remain at least 100 m from nesting cliffs and follow local ranger guidance.
Leave wrecks and marine life undisturbed. Any wreck material recovered from UK territorial waters must be reported to the Receiver of Wreck within 28 days.

Contact	Role	Phone	Availability
HM Coastguard	Immediate emergency response at sea or on the coast	999 or 112 and ask for Coastguard	24 hours
HM Coastguard marine radio	Distress and urgency calls from a vessel	VHF Channel 16	24 hours
British Hyperbaric Association emergency helpline	Diving-medicine assessment and chamber coordination in England and Wales	07831 151523	24 hours
NHS 111	Urgent medical advice when the situation is not immediately life threatening	111	24 hours
National Trust Farne Islands	Visitor access, island landing and conservation enquiries; not an emergency service	01289 389244	Published visitor contact hours

Farne Islands (Seahouses)

Safety And Conservation

Top Risks

Dive safety

Core Operating Rules

Incident Response

Safety And Conservation

Top Risks

Dive safety

Core Operating Rules

Incident Response

Snorkel and freedive safety

Wildlife and protected areas

Wildlife and Island Rules

Emergency contacts