Sunday 21 July 2024

Drone Pilot rescued on cliff

 

The Swanage and St Albans Coastguard teams were tasked on Friday evening to a drone pilot stuck on the cliff near Ballard.  The pilot had been trying to retrieve two of his drones by climbing down on a rope and then was unable to get back up. 

The teams set up the equipment to secure the male before recovering him and his two drones safely to the top. 
Whilst drones are expensive never put yourself in danger trying to recover a crashed one on a cliff. 

#999coastguard 

Thursday 20 June 2024

Student Narrowly Escapes Serious Injury in Cliff Fall


 

This afternoon, emergency services, including the Swanage and St Albans Coastguard teams, both Swanage RNLI lifeboats, Dorset Police, South Western Ambulance, and a Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Critical Care team, responded to an incident in Studland.

A 999 emergency call reported that a male  had fallen from the cliffs at Old Harry Rocks. Lifeboat crews arrived to find the young male being attended to by a local activity company. Remarkably, despite falling 60 feet, he had sustained only minor injuries.

The Coastguard teams, arrived  at Old Harry Rocks and Knoll Beach, ensured that no others were in danger and coordinated with the lifeboat at Knoll Beach. Due to the significant height of the fall, the ambulance service was requested, and the student was medically assessed.

Emergency crews were astonished by the absence of serious injuries. After a thorough evaluation, the student was released back to his group with some strong safety advice about his actions to return home 





Thursday 6 June 2024

We shall remember them

 It was an honour last night to lead the Swanage Coastguard Team to a location to the east of Corfe Castle where eighty years ago in 1944 a bomber returning from France tragically crashed and exploded with the loss of all nine crew members on board. 

The United States Army Air Force B-24H Liberator (28838) “Misery Agent” returned with a full payload as there was total cloud over the target area of Caen.  Sadly as it flew over Norden Farm the aircraft ran out of fuel and crashed. 

We were  joined by local author of “Wartime Purbeck” Bob Bunyar  who had previously placed a wreath at this location. 

On the eightieth anniversary of D Day we took some time to remember this young air crew who were lost. 




The memorial made by Terry recording the names and service  numbers of the crew lost on the 6th June 1944 


A small simple memorial created by ‘Westie” to ensure the memory of the nine crew lives on. 

WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM 


Tuesday 16 April 2024

Ernie the dog falls at Peveril

 Ernie the dog was out with his owner when suddenly he decided to explore  the cliff at Peveril Point. 

The cliff was about 60 ft high and Ernie was stuck down about 20ft when his owner called 999 for the Coastguard. 

Both Swanage and St Albans Coastguard teams were tasked to investigate locating the dog stuck. Setting up the rope equipment the teams were about to deploy the rope technician when suddenly Ernie decided to come back up without the help of the Coastguard teams. 

Having thanked the Coastguard teams Ernie ( now on a lead) headed back to town with his owners. 

Ernie the dog returned after falling over the cliff. 

Ernie thanking the teams and discussing the importance of wearing a lead when near the cliff edge. 

In a coastal emergency dial 999 and ask for Coastguard. 


Wednesday 10 April 2024

Missing walker located safely in thick fog

The Coastguard team were tasked this evening to Ballard Down after a walker got disoriented in thick fog. 

Having  walked from Old Harry rocks darkness and the fog descended and knowing the risks of the cliff edge the walker called 999 and the Coastguard. 

The team deployed and started to search the area identified by used the phone data provided during the  emergency call. Shortly after searching the male was located safely, checked medically and taken back to his car in Studland. 

The whole incident from the initial call to the male being safely returned to his car was 55 minutes.  The walker did exactly the right thing, stopped and called for help.  

In a coastal emergency call 999 - Coastguard. 


 

Monday 1 April 2024

Visiting our twin station

 



Coastguards have a close bond and it doesn’t matter where you are in the country , a Coastguard is always welcome at another Coastguard station. 

In Swanage we have a close link with Watchet Coastguard and it was a pleasure to visit last week. 

Then whilst at Minehead we discovered this little Coastguard guarding the coast ! 

Coastguard Rescue Officers have been on call over the Easter weekend ready to respond to coastal emergencies. 

In an emergency call 999 and ask for Coastguard. 

Thursday 28 March 2024

Surfer rescued at Peveril Point

 Coastguards and lifeboat crews were tasked just after 18.00 this evening to 999 reports of a surfer in distress on the Peveril Ledge. 

The Coastguard team arrived at Peveril and spotted the surfer who had got the Swanage side of the ledge. 

Swanage RNLI lifeboat was launched and picked up the surfer who was cold but otherwise ok. Both the Coastguard and lifeboat then carried out a further search to ensure no other surfer was in trouble. 

With everyone accounted for the team and lifeboat were returned to their stations. 

Swanage RNLI lifeboat picking the surfer up off Peveril Ledges. 




Saturday 2 March 2024

Walker Carried out

 Coastguard and Fire personnel came together this afternoon to assist a walker who had slipped on the coast path near to Dancing Ledge. 

The 29 year old from London slipped injuring their lower leg and was unable to walk any further. 

Coastguard teams from Swanage and St Albans along with Fire service personnel from Swanage and Poole worked together to stretcher the male to Spyway Barn for an onward trip to Poole Hospital. 



Great partnership work today with ground conditions very difficult due to the recent heavy rain. 



Saturday 20 January 2024

Dog rescued at Old Harry

 


A family walk to Old Harry turned into an emergency this afternoon when “Lillii” took a tumble over the cliff falling about 80ft. 

Coastguard teams from Swanage and St Albans (Worth) were tasked by Solent Coastguard who received the 999 call from the family. On arrival the Coastguard team made the decision to request the lifeboat as it would be a safer recovery rather than deploying a Coastguard down the cliff to the small bay. 

Both Swanage RNLI Lifeboats were tasked with the inshore lifeboat heading in shore to pick up the dog.  

The lifeboat then headed to South beach to meet other Coastguards and the family. 

lillii was taken straight to a vet and we have just heard there has been fractures to a knee joint and toes.  She will be staying at the Vets for a few days. 

The family thanked everyone involved today. 

When near cliffs please keep dogs on leads - In an emergency 999 Coastguard