Swamped boat and washed up canoe

On Wednesday the crew of the Swanage RNLI Lifeboat were called to a 14ft speed boat off Old Harry.

The boat which had come from Mudeford had been hit by a wave which had swamped the small boat.

The team met the lifeboat on its return to discuss the safety issues with the owners.

We urge all small boat owners to ensure they wear lifejackets.

On Thursday an email arrived about a yellow canoe washed up by the old stone quay.

On investigation it appeared to have been in the water for some time and was filled with a lot of sand.

The canoe was removed from the water and the team returned to station.

If you want to report an incident , in an Emergency call 999.
The non emergency number is 01305 760439

Patrol tasked to Shell Bay

Saturday's patrol were diverted to Shell Bay to assist South Western Ambulance.

A male had dislocated his ankle on the beach and required assistance to get to the ambulance.

The full team were tasked to Studland to assist with the incident.

Take care on cliffs

Despite putting a warning out of the dangers of cliffs , this photo was taken last week at Old Harry.




The person in this photo is stood on a cliff less than a foot wide. It's not a foot path and a slip or trip could have ended with a serious injury.




These warnings are for a reason

Patrol provide first aid

The Easter Sunday's patrol were flagged down whilst at Knoll Beach and provided some first aid.

A young female had received a small head injury which required some treatment and advice by the volunteer Rescue Officers.

All around the Coast, patrols take place to ensure the safety of the community. HM Coastguard is a Cat 1 emergency responder just the same as the Police , Ambulance and Fire.

#999 Coastguard

Cliff edges

Today's patrol witnessed some very near misses with people stood on the edge of cliffs.

In some cases there wasn't a great deal underneath where people stood.

Please take a few steps back , it only takes a slip.

# 999Coastguard

We are prepared, are you ?

The Easter holidays are on the way..........

The volunteer teams are on standby 24/7 to assist when called along with our colleagues in the National Maritime Operations Centre ,  RNLI and helicopter crews.

We are ready,  are you ?

Have you had your boat checked and serviced?

Do you have lifejackets ?

Have you a way to contact the Coastguard in an emergency ?

Mobile phones don't always work on the coast

Do you have the right clothing ?

Check the weather and tides

#999 Coastguard ......... on the Coast and out to sea.

Making easy access

On a recommendation from us the District Council have removed part of the gyones at the North end of the bay.


The Landslip is still active and our advice is to keep away from the base of the cliffs.


#999 Coastguard

Paraglider lands in the water

The patrol on Saturday along with Swanage RNLI ILB and Rescue 106 were tasked to Ballard Point to a report of a Paraglider landing in the water.

Rescue 106 arrived and confirmed the male had managed to get ashore and into a cave near to Ballard Point. Swanage RNLI ILB arrived and picked up the man and his equipment returning him to the Lifeboat station.

The Coastguard Patrol originally tasked to Ballard , returned to the lifeboat station to discover the events leading to the Paraglider ending in the water.

With no injuries all rescue assets returned to their stations.

Back in 1979

The above photo recently appeared on the Coastguard Association website highlighting our history and rescues. They have kindly agreed that we could use it on our blog.

One of the team brought it in so off we went to look in the archives.

We actually think this rescue occurred on the 16th June 1979 , two climbers were involved and one was sadly badly injured.

The helicopter ( a Wessex) was from Lee on Solent and the photo was taken from the Swanage Lifeboat.

A trip to the new Swanage lifeboat station found the old casualty board which again confirmed the date of the incident.




38 years later the volunteers of the Coastguard and lifeboat regularly attend climbing incidents between Anvil Point and Dancing Ledge

#999 Coastguard

Training on the Downs

Training on the Downs tonight.

The team enjoying the lighter nights and out doing the basic rope set up.

Lining Up

Before we can use a new rope it has to be soaked and dried.

The line number is recorded in several places and then sealed in a rope bag before use.

The above line is 250 metres long.

Listen to the advice

Despite our warning on Friday , we were sad to hear via social media that a group of youths were cut off by the tide on Friday night.

Thankfully the group were all safe after wading through the water to get home.

In a coastal emergency 999 Coastguard.


Meanwhile in other news , two off duty Coastguards went to the aid of a 97 year old who managed to tip his mobility scooter over at Swanage railway station this morning.

Having righted the scooter the male was assisted back onto firm ground.

#neveroffduty