Duncan's Patrol

Despite the weather, Coastguard patrols have continued to head out to check the area and keep the public safe.

Patrols are important for a number of reasons. Promotion of the Coastguard Service, Public safety, Local knowledge checks and community engagement to name a few.

Our patrols in Swanage tend to head out around 2pm as traditionally that's when many of incidents occur so it makes sense to have a patrol out to meet that demand.

Thankfully yesterday the area was safe so Duncan engaged with the public explaining the role of the Coastguard and assisted the public in their photo requests.




Duncan at Anvil Point assisting at the photo shoot.

Eric The Old Shunter

Coastguard Bravo has been on his hols and spotted Eric in Cornwall. 

This is Eric - he is an old shunter in a blue livery. He is powered by a 22hp Perkins engine. He has 6 wheel drive for traction up the steep incline to the station. He is 10 and 1/4 inch gauge.

This is Eric  - also in blue livery. He is powered by roast dinners and has two wheel drive for traction up the steep hill after an afternoon in The British Legion.  I can't comment on his gauge. 

                              

The official Swanage Coastguard rain gauge

We had some rain this week - let's hope it stays dry for the weekend with the events on over the bank holiday.

Remembering Graham

Sadly at the moment we have been unable to locate the famous white Range Rover

Graham Baume

It is with Sadness this morning that we have heard the passing of Graham Baume.

Graham was the owner of several businesses in the town including the bike shop in Court Hill for a number of years. Graham was also a local Town Councillor for Swanage.

Graham served in the team from the 15 January 1974 until 2 November 1987.

Graham will be sadly missed by all those who knew him for his guidance and knowledge of many topic.

Our thoughts are with all his family

RIP SW124

The flag at the Swanage Station is at half mast today in memory of Graham.

Seacombe Quarry - Backing up St Albans Team

Swanage Coastguard Team were tasked to assist St Albans Coastguard Team and South West Ambulance extract a lady who had fallen whilst walking near Seacombe Quarry, Worth Matravers.

The walker was airlifted to hospital, and we wish her a speedy recovery.

Sunrise at Peveril

Big Ten Four - Rubber Ducky! Smokey's on our tail.

Blog Reader, Blog Reader, this is Swanage Bravo, Swanage Bravo,...radio check requested, over!

Wednesday night was to be cliff training, but we didn't want to get the kit wet ;-) so we did some radio training instead.

Each Coastguard Rescue Officer (CRO) is issued with a personal radio on joining the Coastguard in order to allow communications within the team, with the Coastguard NMOC, the Coastguard Helicopters, and the RNLI amongst others.

Currently we use an ICOM IC-M1EUROV VHF Marine Transceiver which is a great all round bit of kit. They’re pretty much bulletproof and will even survive being dropped in a cup of tea for 30 minutes! Not that we’d do that.

A marine VHF (Very High Frequency) Radio set is basically a combined transmitter and receiver and only operates on standard, international frequencies known as channels. Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) is the international calling and distress channel; while the Channel 00 is the dedicated Coastguard channel.

The VHF system isn’t there for people to use as a way of chatting to their mates on the water, much like you would on a mobile phone. It is meant as a means of seeking and providing information for those on or in the water and for the rescue services to have a means of communicating and coordinating dealings with emergencies. As you might expect there is a lot to learn about procedure and the correct words to use; or ‘prowords’, such as ‘Over’, ‘Out’, ‘Roger’ etc etc. All very confusing for the newer Coastguards; still its important stuff to learn.

As for 'Over and out,' you would be shot out of the water if you used the phrase on marine radio. 'Over' means 'I have finished speaking and am awaiting a reply.' 'Out' means 'I have finished the communication.' 'Over' and 'Out' should never be used together in serious radio communication.

We learn ABC - Accuracy, Brevity, Clarity.

Swanage Bravo Out.

Old Harry

Sandbanks Chain Ferry

A slightly different view of the Swanage Patch.

Roger on the Piddle

Slightly unusual incident last night when the team were requested to help Dorset Police with an incident on the river Piddle.

A small child's inflatable had been seen upturned near to the river bank and whilst the Police had searched the area they wanted the item recovered to ensure no one tried to recover it themselves.

A water rescue technician deployed and recovered the dinghy which was handed over to the Police.

Swanage LifeBoat Week

Our friends at the RNLI have been fundraising all week towards their new boat and boat house, and tonight there's a musical spectacular at Prince Albert Gardens with two local favourites, firstly Jim Etherington and then the Reptiles.  Naturally enough there'll be a bar and BBQ too, so you have no excuse.

The fun continues on Saturday with more activity on Prince Albert Gardens, including the Build-a-Boat competition. (Rules: get a piece of plywood and some nails, make it look like a boat, try to row it, sink, get laughed at) and later on, the Annual Raft Race (Rules: get some barrels and nails, make them look like a raft, try to row it, sink, get laughed at.)

Coastguard Nick's Build-A-Boat entry from 2013 - we tried to deny he was anything to do with us.

In the evening there'll be more music at the amphitheatre and more beer and burgers to be had too.

On Sunday, there's a fun run in the morning, lifeboaty-type stuff at Prince Albert Gardens through the day and then the Lifeboat Service on the Pier at 7pm - well worth a visit if you've never been.

More details and times at www.slbw.org.uk

Lull before a storm?

Taken on Tuesday, a very still night with flat calm sea.



Tonight a weather warning is in place for possible heavy thundery rain.

Sand Hole Collapse Training

Tonight's training took place on Swanage Beach with the scenario of a person trapped in a sand hole.

There are various emergency actions and a controlled system for rescuers to dig someone out should they get trapped.

The exercise brought a crowd and some strange looks from the public walking past

The team found it was actually hard work and quite strenuous.

Quite a lot of sand was moved not once but actually twice as the hole is made larger.

Hang on - we started with 10 Coastguards!

Of course having dug a deep hole - we had to fill it again !

Its why we do patrols

Four patrols headed out this weekend to monitor the area and events.

Little did we know heading out last night to the Studland area that we would be out a quite a while.

Several checks of members of the public who had consumed a few drinks and decided to lay down in various locations.


A group spoken to in danger of getting cut off by the tide. Two boats full of people given words of advice regarding their behaviour on the water.

Then we decided to attempt the ferry road - it wasn't long before we go flagged down by a cyclist who had hit a parked car and had quite a head injury. The team started to treat him where he had managed to walk too with his broken bike when a coach driver advised us that another cyclist had hit the same parked car.

The team immediately split up and found quite a badly injured female in the hedgerow again with a nasty head injury.

Treatment was given until the arrival of the Police and the ambulance. Having treated the female it was back to the 1st cyclist and wait for another ambulance to arrive to treat him.

Finally at 2am the patrol carried out a final sweep of the Ferry Road before returning to station.

Studland Beer Festival

The Studland Beer Festival has started at the Bankes Arms.

It's normally a very well attended event with visitors arriving on foot, car, bike , bus and boat.

Coastguard patrols will be out and about to promote water safety to those attending by boat. We strongly recommend the use of lifejackets for all boat users.

We also urge motorists to lower their speed on the ferry road due to the number of cyclists on the road.

If you are cycling make sure your bike is fitted with working lights if your staying late.

Fits like a Glove

Its that time again when we get to order our uniform for the coming year....Click 'Uniform' on the bloggies on the left for previous anecdotes (those little keywords that you never realised were there nor what they were for...)

Its also the time for the annual struggle to find a tape measure.  Which'll probably explain why Terry's new shirt will fit more like a glove.  Just order XXS Terry, and then turn it up when it arrives!

10 year old Terry Edmunds getting fitted for his new school uniform.

We haven't come very far in the last five years.....here's Brian being measured for his cap back in 2010! But at least we have the new Keela kit!

Lead by Example

Today the team is launching its " Lead by example" campaign using the attached poster to highlight the dangers of not keeping dogs on a lead near cliffs.

Mr Hobbs goes to the America's Cup

During Carnival , all you could hear was .... Hello Mr Hobbs, as past and present students of a local school acknowledged their very own Geology Teacher.

So to get a day off recently Mr Hobbs took a trip to Portsmouth and helped out at the America's Cup.

Warning Signs

Warning Signs are there for a reason........

This picture was sent to us by a local person out walking early one morning on the Downs.

Not an official camp site and let's hope the occupants don't sleep walk.

Busy Coastguard Day

Busy afternoon for today's patrol.

It started with a diver being airlifted of a local dive boat in Durlston Bay, the patrol attended Peveril Point just in case the helicopter wanted to land.

Whilst on scene at Peveril Point the patrol monitored a small motor cruiser whilst it went through the tide race. The race was very rough and strong , the boat made it through however broke down just off the pier.

The patrol then proceeded down to the pier to meet the dive boat and speak to the broken down motor boat which had run out of fuel.

Having been to Studland the patrol was heading up to Durlston when they were made aware of a road accident in the Lower High Street.
Arriving on scene a car had been in collision with a motor bike which had two riders on. The Coastguard team along with an off duty fireman, A&E nurse and lifeboat man delivered 1st aid whilst waiting for two ambulances to arrive.

The Lower High Street is now reopened.

The fourth Incident  today came after 9pm when the crew of the Swanage Inshore Lifeboat launched to a small sailing boat which has dragged its anchor under the Grand Hotel. The Team attended as the tow had been connected and helped recover some items for safe keeping.

Anvil Point lighthouse

The Anvil Point lighthouse has recently been painted and looking in fine form.

Probably one of the most iconic buildings in Swanage.

The many faces of the Station Officer

Tough week for the team during carnival week especially the Station Officer.

The volunteer team mostly all take leave from their normal jobs to ensure there is strong cover for the busiest week ( people wise).

So I think it was a little unfair that the several times the Station Officer just relaxed it was caught on camera.

Once


Twice


Ok third time but ready like a coiled spring

Once in a blue moon