Swanage Coastguard of the Year

 

Swanage Coastguard – Coastguard of the Year 2025 

The Coastguard of the Year Award is presented annually in memory of the late Mike “Spike” Williamson, who served as a Coastguard for 30 years before sadly passing away in 2004.

This award recognises a team member who has shown dedication beyond the normal level, supporting the team in many different ways.

For 2025, the award goes to Steve “Westie” Westwood 👏

Westie has gone above and beyond in his support of the team, including his role as Mess Manager, where he oversees the day-to-day catering, hospitality, and administrative operations that help keep the team running smoothly.

The whole team would like to thank and congratulate Westie on this well-deserved recognition. 🌊🚨

#SwanageCoastguard #CoastguardOfTheYear #Teamwork #Dedication #WellDeserved

Light on cliff sparks search.

Coastguard teams, along with both Swanage RNLI lifeboats, were tasked following reports of a person stuck on Ballard Down after a light was seen partway up the cliff.

On arrival, it was confirmed the light was from a yacht close to shore with its mast light illuminated.

This was a false alarm with good intent, as from one side of the bay it did appear to be a person shining a light from the cliff.

Thankfully, no one was in danger. All Coastguard teams and lifeboats were stood down and returned to station.

Always call #Coastguard on 999 if you are unsure 🚨

The light from a different angle showing the yachts mast light 

Search for Reported Fishing Vessel off Peveril Point

Just after 9.00pm last night, HM Coastguard coordinated a multi-agency search following reports of a small fishing boat believed to be sinking off Peveril Point.

Coastguard Rescue Officers searched the shoreline while two RNLI lifeboats and a Coastguard Rescue Helicopter from Lee-on-the-Solent conducted extensive offshore searches. Despite freezing conditions, crews searched for over two hours.

No evidence of the vessel was found, and the sole person believed to be on board—thought to have come from Poole—has not been located. With no further information or reports of a missing person, the search was stood down pending any new information.

HM Coastguard coordinated a large search area throughout the operation.

Anyone with information that may assist is urged to contact the Coastguard by calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard.

Call to Agglestone Rock

 

The team were tasked this afternoon to the 100th incident of the year and to support our colleagues from South Western Ambulance called to a horse rider fallen at Agglestone Rock. 

At times the route was a little tricky but on arrival the injured person had managed to get back to a local stables. 

The ambulance were escorted back to the new location where they treated the lady for an arm injury. 

Carnival 2025 comes to a close

 

So eight days of Swanage Carnival came to a close last night with the final firework display. 

An amazing week and congratulations to the Swanage Carnvial Committee for their hard work. 

Thank you for all the public support during the week. 

Carnival Day wrapped up

 What a difference 9 hours makes. 

This morning at 06.30 following our call-outs to a swimmer requiring assistance. 

9 hours later the town was very busy with the towns carnival. 

Climber Rescued west of Anvil Point

 Having just completed a training exercise , the Swanage Coastguard team were paged along with colleagues from St Albans Coastguard to a climber reported stuck 500 metres to the west of the Anvil Point Lighthouse

On arrival the teams located the climbers partner  confirming he believed the stuck climber had managed to get back to the base of the cliffs. 

The Coastguard teams then set up safety equipment and requested the  lifeboats search and locate the climber. 

On arrival the lifeboat confirmed the climber was safely at the bottom and was recoverable by the inshore lifeboat. 

As darkness fell the lifeboat crew assisted the climber and was he was brought back to the lifeboat house tired but no further injuries. 

Swanage lifeboat located  the climber who had become exhausted and made the decision to return to the base of the cliff. 

Coastguards monitored the lifeboats and were prepared to go over the cliff to recover the climber had the lifeboats not been able to get ashore. 

With a successful transfer both boats returned to the boathouse with the climber whilst  Coastguards assisted the climbers friend to recover equipment before reuniting the pair. 

With little 999 mobile phone coverage in the area  the emergency phone at Anvil Point yet again proved its value of being at the lighthouse for these incidents. 

Climbing Incident at Anvil Point

 Coastguard’s , Coastguard Rescue  Helicopter , Devon Air Ambulance , South Western Ambulance, Dorset and Somerset Critical care team were tasked on Saturday morning to a climber fallen onto a ledge at Anvil Point. 

The male climber had fallen 8 metres whilst climbing with a group near to the Anvil Point lighthouse. 

The Coastguard Rescue Helicopter from Lee on Solent lowered their winch man to provide treatment before lifting the male to the top of the cliff to hand over to the critical care team.  

Having been assessed the Devon air ambulance flew on to Southampton hospital. The Coastguard team then ensured the remaining climbers returned to the top safely. 

Anvil Point became a busy landing site , meaning walkers  having to divert to ensure safety. 

Close working to ensure a success rescue and the public staying safe. 

A number of personnel required for the rescue 

Rescue 175 from Lee on Solent 

Four Incidents and a wedding

 Busy weekend for the team , with  four incidents on Sunday. 

It started on Saturday night when the team were invited to a wedding in the Goathorn area.   The invite came via a 999 call reporting  smoke flares on the shores of line. 

On arrival a wedding party was located who apologised sincerely, the smokes were used as part of the weddings photos. Having confirmed there was no maritime incident the team returned to station. 

Whilst they weren’t maritime flares , coloured smoke on the shore line could indicate an emergency and the caller did the right thing by calling 999.  If you are considering using smoke for an event like this please contact the Coastguard for advice. 

At 13.00 on Sunday the team were tasked along with the Swanage RNLI lifeboat to a report of a red speed boat in distress off Anvil Point.  The lifeboat soon had the boat on tow back to Swanage to be met by the team.  The four persons on board were ok and only brought the boat the day before.  Some safety advice given and the team departed. 

Whilst this incident was occurring the St Albans Coastguard were tasked to Studland for a medical Incident.  Part of the Swanage team proceeded. 

With both incidents concluded, the patrol headed off but were tasked to Poole to an incident near to a sailing club. This incident was resolved quickly with the Poole Coastguard arriving releasing Swanage back south. 

Just as the patrol finished Poole RNLI Lifeboat was tasked to near Bournemouth pier to a sailing vessel with engine failure. 

The vessel was towed to Studland where the owner was met by the Coastguard team for some advice on safety equipment. 

If you have recently purchased a boat please make sure you have equipment like lifejackets , portable radio , clothing for the vessel you have and you understand how your vessel works making short journeys to start with. 

Climbing incident at Dancing ledge

 

Coastguard teams from Swanage and St Albans were tasked last night to Dancing Ledge and a climber who had fallen. 

With a severe ankle injury the Dorset and Somerset air ambulance attended to treat the male. 

Both Swanage RNLI lifeboat were tasked and acted as a Communications link due to the locations the teams were operating in. 

The Coastguard teams assisted with a stretcher to the aircraft which flew to Poole where the Poole Coastguard cleared the landing area.