Stolen - Team Member's Paddle Sports Equipment

Many of the team have 'outdoors' type hobbies,  such as walking, cycling, climbing, kayaking, diving etc which is partly what makes them good Coastguards - the fact that they know the local terrain and understand the sports that go on here and the mishaps that can sometimes happen.

 

So it was particularly frustrating today when one of our Coastguards discovered that a whole load of specialist kit had disappeared from his washing line where it had been drying.

If you see or are offered any of the following paddle sports kit, please either let us or the police know:

 

-Palm Torrent dry suit - blue XL
-Black WRSI helmet with green visor
-Red Peak River Guide Buoyance Aid with rescue kit and first aid kit in front pocket and cow's tail attached
-Black Five Tennies paddle sports boots size 10
-Whetman spray deck with RAY written on the grab loop
-Palm neoprene socks (heaven knows why anyone would pinch those!)
-Pink plastic tub

Happy Retirement

We would like to join our colleagues down in Devon in wishing our previous Senior Coastguard Operations Officer, Pip Hall a happy retirement from the Coastguard.

Pip left us in 2010 and headed west to Torquay and the East Devon area.

Our very best wishes from all at Swanage.

Search for Gaia

In the last two weeks volunteer Coastguards joined emergency service colleagues, volunteer search teams and the public in the search for Gaia.

Coastguards from many stations across Dorset came and provided additional support here at Swanage with the searches.

It's been difficult for us all but where there are no words , please know the silences are carrying the thoughts of all of you.

Diver in distress

Shortly after returning from the major search the team were paged to a report of a diver in distress under Swanage Pier.

An off duty St Albans Coastguard heard a diver in possible distress being taken on a strong current.

The team arrived to find the male ashore but rather cold.
An ambulance arrived and treated the male which released the Coastguard back to the station.

Search Update

For the last 24 hours , Dorset Police again requested assistance in the search for Gaia Pope.

Today Volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers from several Dorset Coastguard stations deployed to assist in the search.

Joined by colleagues from DorSAR , Dog units, Dorset and Wilts Fire and Rescue a full multi agency search was conducted at the direction of Dorset Police.

Search - Coastguard update

Swanage and St Albans Coastguard Rescue Teams, alongside Dorset Police and members of the public have extensively searched the Swanage area for the missing teenager, Gaia Pope.

Dorset Police are now concentrating their search efforts inland and the teams have been stood down.

There are no plans to resume searching the coast and shorelines unless HM Coastguard is instructed to do so by Dorset Police.

We would ask members of public who are continuing or considering joining the search, to not take unnecessary risks or place themselves in danger along the coast

A Good Read

The eagle-eyed Station Officer spotted this letter in the local newspaper this week.
It's always good to hear reports of a job well done and we are pleased to hear the lady is making a good recovery.

Gaia Pope : the Search Continues

The team were out yesterday and have been out again this morning checking routes,tracks and access points along the coastline.  We'll be back out this afternoon, and again tomorrow.

Search Update

Volunteers Coastguards continued to support Dorset Police from 20.00 until midnight working along side DorSAR.

The teams have now been stood down by Dorset Police.

Missing Teenager - Search Update

Both Swanage and St Albans Coastguard Teams have been searching this afternoon for the missing teenager Gaia Pope.

Fifteen Coastguard volunteers conducted a thorough search from Peveril Point and the Downs up the coast path and undercliff to Durlston and from there up to Anvil Point and onto Dancing Ledge.

After over six hours the teams were stood down by the Police and have returned to base to eat and rest and await further instructions.

We understand that members of the public  are continuing to search this evening and we would urge you to take great care and please stay away from cliff edges, coast paths etc. These areas have been thoroughly searched today and nobody wants to see further missing persons or injuries etc as a result of searching unfamiliar terrain in the dark.

To repeat: the coastal areas from Peveril Point to Dancing Ledge have all been checked this afternoon.

Training counts

Coastguard teams regularly train to maintain their competencies and practice in different locations and conditions

On Sunday afternoon the team headed out to Old Harry Rocks to practise a rope rescue.




A low tide enabled a safe area at the base of the cliff.




The face of the cliff was very loose and slippery to get to the casualty who had slipped down the 90ft cliff

The first technician arrived and treated the casualty requesting further assistance.





Down came a further two team members to assist.




The casualty was placed on the stretcher.



The casualty being lifted back to the top of the cliff.



The team at the top worked hard to carry out several descents and lifts.





It's all about being a volunteer Coastguard, how do you spend your Sunday's?

Team tasked to Sheps Hollow

At 8.50 the alerting system requested the team attend a person cut off by the tide at Sheps Hollow.

Along with colleagues from the RNLI ILB the team arrived and started to search from Ballard to the Bull and Boat.

The team spoke to several people but no one had seen this male.
Speaking to the 1st informant it was confirmed the location of the last sighting which was checked so it's presume the person had managed to reach safety before the rescue assets arrived.


Swanage RNLI ILB searching


The high tide North of Sheps Hollow

Flares are not Fireworks!