Hi Martin,
Would you mind looking up my Gt gt gt grandfather: George Merwood Gale (born 1822 in Winterton, Norfolk, died 1867 in Gosport). He was a coast guard in Weston-super-mare for around 20 years from 1842, then later Bridgwater and then Coverack. I understand his coast guard service was interspersed with naval service. I do have access to his original coast guard and naval service records.
Many thanks
Keith