Poole Harbour

A scene looking west close to the ferry road.

CG66 - Why not register now.

On Saturday, in the space of only 30 minutes the National Maritime Operations Centre (NMOC) were co-ordinating rescue or assistance to 5 separate boats that had broken down - all within 10 miles of Swanage.

So how do we know who is who? 

Well every boat should have a name - a callsign - and it makes it a whole lot easier if the boat details are logged with the Coastguard on a CG66

So is Big Brother always watching us?....well yes.... and sometimes it is watching over us in a good way.

The Maritime Coastguard Agency have a voluntary sceheme called CG66- The Voluntary Safety Identification Scheme.

If you are at sea and get into difficulty and you are unable to raise assistance, is there anyone ashore who knows what to do if you fail to return at your estimated time?

Would a friend or relative know who to contact? Would they have sufficient detail about your vessel and your likely whereabouts to be able to assist the Coastguard to locate you?

Would it not be a comfort to know that when you set out, the Coastguard has the details of your vessel on a database that is accessible to all Coastguard Co-ordination Centres throughout the UK so that they have the information they need to mount a search and rescue operation should you get into difficulty? 

Quite simply, join HM Coastguard's CG66 Voluntary Safety Identification Scheme. You can join online. Forms can also be obtained from any Coastguard Co-ordination Centre or Sector Base, MCA Marine Office, RNLI boathouse; or look out for them in your Local Marina or Sailing Club.

The scheme is free and is for the benefit of the owners and skippers of all types of leisure vessels and small craft including kayaks.

Information provided on the CG66 will only be used for Search and Rescue and Safety purposes.

Please register online now.

Major Search for Missing Diver off Swanage

Press release from the MCA press office. (19:39)

A further press release has just been issued.

Updated press release. (00.00)

Post incident work

Following yesterday's incident of a boat on fire off Old Harry, the truck headed out on patrol.

Oddly every time the truck stopped , a strange odour followed us and we managed to clear at least 3 ice cream queues in seconds.


On return to the station we discovered the reason ......... We managed to collect most of the cows pats between Studland and Old Harry on the incident.

Now if any scientist is reading this and looking for a material that sticks on despite a jet spray at a million psi, get in touch we have found a solution.

(Team - just note who is actually cleaning the vehicle in the photo)

Eurovision

If the Coastguard pagers go off tonight, an onion seller, frankfurter and oompah band leader will attend!

Hector takes a tumble and is rescued.

The Swanage Coastguard team along with the St Albans Coastguard team were paged just after 6pm to a report of a dog stuck on side of the cliff on the Downs.

The worried owner had run to the NCI lookout after their dog fell over the cliff. Two members of the public offered to go over the cliff but thankfully the owners declined their offer.

The Swanage Team set up above the last known location of the dog, sending their rope technician to look. The dog could be heard but not seen.

Can you see Hector?

Having got level, Kerry our technician wasn't quite able to reach Hector and he wasn't coming near a strange Coastguard.

So the St Albans team set up and deployed their Technician some 50 ft away and with a second technician heading down the cliff, Hector decided he was probably better off towards Kerry.

With some gentle discussion Hector finally decided Kerry was the only safe way back up the cliff.

Kerry delivers the dog safely back to his owner who were very very grateful.




Hector arrived back in the Coastguard Animal Bag

Hector thanks Kerry for being rescued.

A great outcome with both teams working very well.

Always keep dogs on leads when near cliffs - in an emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Terry 'Orbison' Edmunds.

Community Defibrillator goes into service.

On the 7th October 2004 , Mike "Spike" Williamson collapsed and died in the town despite the efforts of Paramedics.

Spike was the assistant pier master and a valued member of the Coastguard team for 30 years.

In memory of Spike a community project to provide a defibrillator finally was realised and went into service on Saturday.

The device was provided via the De Moulham Trust which provides funding for community projects which directly benefit the community of Swanage.

The trustees felt this project fitted the values of the trust and provided funding for two devices along with a local business which provided a training device.

HM Coastguard very kindly agreed to the siting of the device on the Coastguard building in North Beach Car Park off De Moulham Road. The siting at this location was choose to cover the North end of Swanage.

At the start of the month South Western Ambulance officially approved the device and most importantly added it to their system so the public would be given access to the code to open the box in an emergency.





In an emergency that may require the device, it is really important to call 999 and ask for the Ambulance.

There are full instructions next to the cabinet but these will be given by the Ambulance if you call 999.

There are further devices at

Tourist Information Centre Shore Road Swanage ( Inside)

Masonic Lodge Marshal Row Swanage

A further device is now being sought for Station Road in Swanage.

Joint patrols at Studland

A Special Date for your diaries.

Ten Days in May - Durlston

Julian always takes stunning photographs and this is well worth a visit over the weekend.

999 Coastguard - Every Second Counts

Know who to call when you're in trouble at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

50% of the UK public don't know who to call in an emergency at the coast or at sea. Every second counts in search and rescue so be sure you ask for the Coastguard when you see someone in trouble or you need help at the coast.  

Don't become a statistic. 

Last year we dealt we dealt with over 19,000 incidents around the coast and at sea. There are over 3,400 coastguards around the UK coastline on call at a moments notice to come to your rescue.  

Coastguards can also call on the other emergency services and emergency responders including lifeboats for help.

Remember to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard if you see someone in trouble at sea or at the coast, and make sure those with you know as well.

Climber airlifted from Guillemot Ledge

The Swanage and St Albans Coastguard teams along with Rescue 106 were tasked to Guillemot Ledge just after 6pm.

A climber had been stuck on the head by a rock dislodged by his climbing partner. The climber then fell into a small crevice and was treated to start with by other climbers in the area.

Rescue 106 lowered their winch-man to treat the climber whilst the Coastguard teams set up their equipment. With head and hip injuries the climber was flown to Dorchester Hospital whilst the Coastguard teams stood by whilst the other climbers climbed back to the top of the cliffs.

Roger gets a lift

The team were very lucky to visit the helicopter base at Portland to have a training input by the crew of 106.

We work closely with the helicopter and it was nice to speak to the crew in a quiet and safe environment rather than the noise and difficult working situation we often find ourselves in.

We got some instruction by Steve and Buck on loading and the equipment carried on the aircraft which is a serious medical asset to the local area.

Roger kindly showed us the lifting capability of the winch and actually should you need to be rescued, how uncomfortable the rescue strop may be.

Our thanks to CHC, especially the crew for giving up a valued few hours.

Portland SAR Flight

Last night the team took a trip down to the Search and Rescue (SAR) Flight at Portland to discuss operating procedures and be shown the medical kit that Coastguard 106 carries.

Lots of photos in the next few days.

Swanage High Low Tide Times

The BBC offer Tide Times for Swanage on their weather page.

Seven led to safety at high tide

A team of 3 Coastguard Rescue Officers lead the group to safety with a rising tide.

Swanage RNLI had escorted the group from under Ballard to start with.

Check your tide times.

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