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. 

Sunday's Calls

 A busy afternoon to round off a weekend of many calls for the HM Coastguard along the south coast. 

On Saturday the team attended an incident near to the stone quay after a female slipped over.  Later the patrol assisted at another medical incident near to Station Road. 

Sunday afternoon had the team meet the Swanage RNLI lifeboat towing in a catamaran which had its mast collapse on them to the South of Durlston head. 

The team then headed out on patrol when they spotted a small sailing boat struggling in rough conditions off the Hook Sands at the entrance to Poole Harbour.   The team monitored before calling for assistance at the same time as the occupants also requested assistance.  The Coastguard helicopter passing on a training flight assisted and monitored the situation until the Poole RNLI lifeboat was on its way. 

The lifeboat arrived and took two people ashore to be met by the patrol and then Poole Coastguard before returning to tow the yacht back to a yacht club. 

Swanage Lifeboat at the local sailing club

Coastguard Helicopter assisting on the situation with the yacht off the Hook Sands. 

Poole RNLI alongside the yacht with four persons aboard. 

End of an era

 This afternoon after 23 years of Coastguard service , our Eric had his last official patrol. 

Following a number of years in the lifeboat service , Dorset Fire he then joined HM Coastguard in 2002. 

Eric was recently awarded a lifetime award by Swanage Town Council but was away on the night of the presentation so we called in to see Cllr Chris Moreton a huge supporter of the local emergency services. 

A visit to NCI and their cake and tea stall was a must 

From us all in the team , we thank you Eric ( and of course Jackie).  We aren’t sure where we will get our Information from now.  We will of course be having something official in the near future to mark his service. 

Medical evacuation

 On Friday evening, Coastguard teams from St Albans, Swanage and Kimmeridge were tasked to Chapmans Pool to assist in carrying a stretcher for a medical incident. 

Supporting SouthWestern Ambulance colleagues with a lady with a broken leg, the “carry out” was difficult in places due to the narrow path and ground conditions. 

Climber falls

 

The team along with St Albans Coastguard team and both Swanage RNLI lifeboats were tasked to west of Anvil Point and a climber fallen. 

With the Coastguard teams setting up on the top of the cliff , lifeboat crews reached the injured climber who had an ankle Injury. 

The male was transported by lifeboat back to Swanage to be met by Ambulance crews. 

Studland Fire

 Coastguard teams were tasked to support partner agencies at Studland after a large fire on the heath. 

Dorset and Wilts Fire and Rescue were tasked to the ferry road around 13.00 yesterday (Friday 17th). The ferry road and chain ferry were closed for a time to protect fire crews battling the fire. 

Coastguard teams were tasked at the request of the fire commander to support the incident and warn beach users on the main beach. 

As night fell, the incident was scaled down with resources stood down. 

Walker falls at Dancing Ledge

 A multi agency response to a fallen walker started at around 13.00 yesterday ( Friday 28th March). 

Coastguard teams from Swanage , St Albans , Kimmeridge and Poole along with both RNLI lifeboats from Swanage , Rescue Helicopter 175 from Lee on solent , Dorset and Somerset air ambulance , Crews from South Western Ambulance and Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue all attended. 

The male walker was trying to get to the lower ledges when he fell from the ledge receiving a head injury. 

Having reviewed medical treatment at scene he was flown to the Poole hospital helicopter landing site by the air ambulance being met by the Poole Coastguard team who cleared the site at whitecliffe. 

Medical Incident on Ballard

 

The Coastguard teams from Swanage and St Albans were tasked on Sunday afternoon to Ballard Point to a female suffering from an allergic reaction. 

Weather conditions on the cliffs were difficult at the time with strong winds and rain making treating the casually difficult. 

Due to the medical situation both an ambulance and the rescue helicopter from Lee on Solent were requested, thankfully on arrival the paramedics confirmed the situation didn’t require the helicopter which was then diverted to another incident. 

With the medical incident stabilised the Coastguard teams assisted the ambulance crews in moving the casualty to the nearby ambulance. 

Dog rescued at Old Harry

 

📟 #2 - At 13:35 today (02/01/2025) Swanage Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) were tasked to their second incident of 2025, supported by St Alban's CRT - dog over cliff on the coast path North of Old Harry Rocks. The owner did exactly the right thing by calling 999 and asking for the 

Arriving on scene the team quickly located the owner, Harley the spaniel fell 120 ft (over 35 metres) and was on the rocky beach below.

Due to accessibility and risk associated with putting a Coastguard Rope Technician over the cliff, the Office in Charge (OIC) requested assistance from Swanage RNLI's Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) who would be able to, more safely, get Harley secure.

Whilst awaiting Swanage ILB, another Collie type dog narrowly avoided running off the cliff edge because they too were not on a lead, it was only the quick actions of Coastguard Officers present by grabbing the dog that prevented this.

Swanage ILB successfully collected Harley from the rocky beach and transported her to South Beach, Studland where her owners would be waiting.

Coastguard.

At this time, we do not believe Harley has suffered any major injuries from the fall, owners were encouraged to take Harley to a vets immediately.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind the public to keep dogs on leads near cliff edges, it only takes seconds for your family walk to end in disaster and even the most well behaved dog can become distracted by a scent or wildlife.

If the worst does happen, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard just like the owner of Harley did.