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.

Multi agency incident at Studland

 Emergency services have been called this afternoon to near Jerrys point at Studland and a dog walker having slipped and broken their leg. 

Due to a high tide , South Western Ambulance requested assistance from the coastguard.  Due to the slippery conditions and location the team requested assistance from St Albans Coastguard and the Fire Service. 

Fire crews from Swanage, Wareham and Poole were sent to assist with the stretcher carry back to the ferry road. 

Just after 18.00 all units were returned to their stations. 

Missing Dog

 Just as the team had finished the remembrance parade and were enjoying a cup of tea , they were paged along with colleagues from Poole Coastguard and Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue to a reported person and dog stuck  near to little sea at Studland 

Coastguard teams started searching and located a male and his dog in a wet area close to little sea. 

The male was assisted to firm land and taken to his car at Knoll Beach. 

The male out walking was looking for another dog that was heard barking.  Following the rescue both Coastguard and Fire searched the heath for the missing dog using thermal cameras but there has been no further sign of the dog. 

Anyone in the area of little sea is requested to take care as the ground conditions are very wet.  If the missing dog is sighted please do not put yourself at risk but to call 999 Coastguard/Fire.