Feeding time at the zoo

The team always needs feeding and this was the scene after last Saturdays incident in the boat park. This was Roger's third trip to the table, whilst Nick just kept going round the table moving from the sandwiches to the puddings.  Tom thought he was out of the shot but clearly got caught with a sandwich in his hand.

Still........Austen's "milk only diet" is going well despite his protest.

A load of Bollards

An early morning patrol today due to Mothers Day (get out and back before the ladies in the house have got out of bed).

Part of the reason we carry out patrols is to check access routes and here at Durlston we thought we would try the new key out and work out how the bollards work.

Tom thought you unlocked them and pulled, Roger (well trained in the building of such things) unlocked, twisted and pushed down. The Station Officer just thought it was amusing that someone was pulling and the other pushing!

So another important lesson learnt and it was off to test the breakfast facilities at one of the local cafes.

Big Cat Sighting

On one of the call outs last week, Tom decided he had seen a big black cat up near the old Forres School.....Of course the team were fully supportive of their colleague and believed him (not). Was it a badger? A larger than usual black cat?


Well actually I also came across a panther last week.......at Legoland.

Burglar Alarm = Job

I ran over the station earlier as someone had set the burglar alarm off, it transpired that Nick our newest member had forgotten the code. Rather than get flustered he left the alarm to ring and got into his Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) as we had a job.

Shortly afterwards Austen turned up and we were off to Knoll Beach Studland to assist South West Ambulance with a spinal injury and ensure the air ambulance could land safely. On the way Nick put his radio comms training to good use advising Portland of our position.

On scene and the casualty was moved to the heliciopter for the short hop over to Poole Hospital; as ever our thoughts are with the casualty.

Above: Nick in Full PPE

Meanwhile Tom turned up to assist and provided an impromtu training session. Today's lesson was how to find Tom's mobile phone that he had dropped in the sand. As they set about looking I went and asked a National Trust Warden whether it had been handed in.

The warden confirmed it was a battered, knackered old thing covered in paint and well passed its sell buy date and that we should replace it.

"The Phone or Tom?" I asked.

Above: Tom reunited with phone.

Obviously not one to stop a good training session I left them to search.

Diversity

When we had the Mayors visit, Tom decided it best to get his new pair of overalls out rather than use his normal one.

Like a child at Christmas he ripped the packet open, gloating he was the only one with a clean pair and how they fitted him so well (I'm sure you have gone up a size Tom??)
Anyway it was sometime before the little problem was spotted.......yes the clothing people must have miss heard the order, Yes Swanage not Swansea !

See our cousins in Wales get a little extra written on their kit, perhaps someone can confirm the rumor it means "Guardian of the Sea?"

So our new member Tom Jones will be keeping his new suit just to be different!

Terry and Tom

Looks like Terry and Tom, our very own Stadler and Waldorf have been on the internet again!

I’m so dead for this.

“But this isn’t very ‘Coastguardy’?!” I hear the reader cry.

Well it is sort of, more later of how Waldorf and Stadler do actually play a part!

Kayak Racing Vs Salty Old Sea Dogs

At 7.00 sharp the kayak racing began. The Clock Tower to Ocean Bay. This was interesting in itself but for more amusement there were two men in a little boat. Swanage Coastguard's own Tom and Austen providing safety cover - off duty. Ian and I provided safety cover for the safety cover if that makes sense.

We have been trying to think who this lovely couple remind us of.....

is it Jack and Rose (Titanic), Captain Barbosa and his monkey... Pugwash and Master Baits... Captain Birdseye (x2)... Captain Jack (and his) Sparrow.... the Owl and the Pussy Cat. Answers on a postcard please!

Thankfully everyone got safely to shore - including the safety boat!

Dont Panic

Like a scene from Dad's army, our very own Corporal Jones, a.k.a. Tom Simmons, shows what would happen if this Country ever was threaten.



Yes CRO Simmons would be the front line, fear not.

Thankfully Sgt Rockett was on hand to show Tom which end of the gun to hold!

All he has to do now is point it in the right direction.

Day 2 of war games at Studland is tomorrow at Fort Henry.

Puppet on a String

The question is will the new crew room have the space to dangle Tom from the ceiling?

Let's hope so.

Photo: Tom hanging around.

No, he’s not a Thunderbirds Puppet (Not sure if he’s Scott, Virgil, or Lady Penelope)…he’s actually training on a cliff harness.

You will probably make out that there a number of buckles, clips etc on the harness; and sessions like this allow us to practice how to put these on quickly, and more importantly properly.

It’s pretty difficult to get one on in the back of the Rescue Vehicle, when we’re driving quickly off road in the dark!

Balloons

Team members Rockett and Simmons were tasked to a report of a person in the water off Durlston. Naturally the team burst into action only to find the person was actually a bunch of balloons floating on the water. The importance of the situation had obviously been blown up. Feeling slightly deflated the team popped back to station.

Police are on the lookout for a German lady called Nina who apparently now has only 94 Red Balloons.

See her naff 80's hit here: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=14IRDDnEPR4

Tomorrow Rockett and Simmons take on the French!

Energy Efficiency

With the price of electricity, gas and petrol going through the roof everyone is looking to be more energy efficient; even Swanage Coastguard.

Note the energy saving techniques deployed here by Tom and Eric. (It was training!)

Citizen Day!

Thanks to Austen (DSO) and Tom who took time off work yesterday to attend Sandford Middle School’s Year 5 Citizen Day. A number of other emergency services including the Police, Fire Service, Ambulance and RNLI were in attendance.

The children took part in a number of real life situations, including practise phoning for an ambulance, reporting a crime, and even had a look at some first aid. Austen and Tom were there to promote beach safety and awareness through the MCA’s SeaSmart campaign.

https://mcanet.mcga.gov.uk/public/c4/seasmart/index.htm

Obviously highlights for the kids were the flashing blue lights and sirens on the Coastguard Rescue Vehicle! We like them too!

I’m told a good day was had by all with everyone going home with SeaSmart bag including a pen and key ring!