Yacht runs aground at Old Harry Rocks

Swanage RNLI ILB standing by the yacht which ran aground off Old Harry Rocks. Portland Coastguard tasked the Swanage Coastguard Team along with both RNLI lifeboats from Swanage.

Safety in Numbers

Training last night saw the team out along the coast between the lighthouse and the Western Mile Marker, checking access routes, making sure locks were working and discussing the best access/exit points for us and our kit in any given situation.

For incidents near Anvil Point we'd use routes through Durlston Castle and the visitor centre car park, but as we get further along the coast towards the Cattle Troughs area (a popular climbing area) we'd probably think about access through Belle Vue Farm at the top of Benlease Way.  In the event, we drove in at Durlston last night and having re-familiarised ourselves with the various tracks, we left via Belle Vue.

All in all, a good couple of hours invested which could save crucial minutes in an emergency.

How many coastguards does it take to open a lock?  Well quite a few - this lock had siezed and so took several minutes' persuasion and a good dose of WD40.  The rest of the guys are looking out for a herd of cows that had taken an interest in both them and our truck.  Other pics taken by the chaps looking back from the gate will show the truck surrounded by the ferrocious beasts, some even licking it and attempting to eat it, but I don't have any of those pics.  Not me, I'm not daft, there's no way I was getting out.

Know your boat

Saturdays Initial Response Team were tasked to the pier to meet a brand new boat being towed in by a local boat.

The boat had been purchased that morning and suffered engine failure off Swanage which caused it to drift.

Once ashore the team offered some advice on safety to the owners including ensuring the boat was registered with the Coastguard.

The voluntary scheme run by the Coastguard is called the CG66 and is simple to complete.

Once registered the Coastguard have your details in an emergency.

Coastguard Assist Air Ambulance at Agglestone Rock

This afternoon, Coastguard Rescue Officers assisted Paramedics with an incident at Agglestone Rock near Studland.

A child had sustained a back injury at the rock and due to the remote location the air ambulance was called in however finding a suitable location to land was not easy.

Safely on the ground the crew joined the paramedic in treating the child and soon had the patient on board and on route to Poole.

Location:Coastguard assist Air Ambulance at Agglestone Rock

Water Rescue Training

Last night the team carried out some refresher water rescue training at the storm drain at Victoria Avenue which leads to the sea.

This area is currently dry but come a heavy down pour it becomes a raging river and a hazard should someone fall in.


We decided that Nick could be the casualty and placed him in the "river"


Under instruction from Allan the Sector Manager we then used various methods to rescue Nick. Note the grill behind Nick - this stops rubbish being swept down the tunnel. At the base of the grill was some water which did not smell very pleasant.

Off shore wind causes problems at Swanage

The strong offshore wind caused two incidents this afternoon in Swanage.

The Station Officer noticed a dinghy being blown out to sea off Shore Road Swanage and then one of the occupants jump into the water and start struggling in the water. A second person then jumped into the water to assist the 1st person and at this point an immediate call to Portland coastguard started the rescue response.

Portland Coastguard immediately tasked the RNLI inshore lifeboat and Coastguard team.

A pedalo along with the hire boat owner went to the assistance of the two in the water and brought them ashore to the Coastguard team. The lifeboat went and picked up the dinghy and brought it shore.

Due to the amount of water one of the young males had swallowed an ambulance was called.

During this incident a further dinghy was seen to be blown out to sea and again the RNLI lifeboat responded but confirmed all was well. It was then a family member of the 1st incident started to suffer chest pains so 1st aid was given until the ambulance arrived

The 2nd dinghy was then seen to get into further trouble so the inshore lifeboat returned and brought the two ashore to the waiting Coastguards.

Coastguards and the lifeboat crew remained in the area for a while to ensure no one else got into trouble.

What's the number?

An enquiry last month to our website asked "How do you get in touch with the Coastguard if I need them?"

Slightly worrying these days that people still don't who the Coastguard are or how to contact us.

So........

If your house was on fire ...... 999 ( or 112) ask for Fire
Crime in progress ......999 ( or 112) ask for Police
Medical Emergency ......999 ( or 112) ask for Ambulance

Maritime Incident, cliffs or beaches ... 999 ( or 112) ask for COASTGUARD

Boat Owners should also have a VHF radio

For less urgent enquiries in the Dorset area you can contact
Portland Coastguard on 01305 760439