Canoeist in difficulties at Studland

A female canoeist practising rescue techniques off Middle Beach saw the team along with both Poole Lifeboats tasked to assist.

On arrival the lady was found ashore safe but needed some medical treatment.
The teams were joined by ambulance crews who treated and took her to Poole hospital.

Shortly after a child was treated for a cut foot at Knoll Beach and then the team searched for the parents of a found child along the beach.

Our new vehicle

So we are a bit late but here is our new vehicle.

A change from the traditional blue and yellow - we went to silver and now the vehicles are white.




The team are getting use to its new functions and where the equipment is stowed




So it was out and about to learn it’s controls and ensure we can access our routes to locations.

Goodbye Nessie

So it all change again at the station with our vehicle “ Nessie” departing from Swanage and was redeployed to Poole.

Having come down from Scotland the vehicle was a temporary one until our new one was completed.

.......so come back tomorrow and see what we have.

Thanks !

You may recall we had a busy Sunday evening recently, including an incident at Studland Middle Beach where an elderly lady had fallen and sustained a nasty gash to the back of her head.

At the time we treated the injury, bandaged it, monitored it and kept the lady warm and in good spirits whilst we liaised with the ambulance service about taking her to hospital (at the same time we were also dealing with a young lad also in some distress with a broken arm further down the beach).
With no ambulance available, the lady was finally assisted from the beach and taken to hospital in our vehicle.

We received a lovely letter from the lady today, thanking us for our kindness and care and wishing us well.

It's great to hear from folks we've helped!

Training Continues

Even though we are going through a busy spell at the moment, that's no reason not to train.

A few nights ago the team were in the Boulder Ruckle area looking at options  for potential rope rescues in that location

Missing Person at Studland

The team were tasked to Studland just before 5pm to support Dorset Police in searching for a missing 17 year old.

On route to Studland the team were stood down when the person was located safe and well.

Paddleboards at Studland

Just as it was getting dark last night, the team was alerted to a group of 9 paddle boarders potentially in difficulties in Studland Bay; a passing vessel had contacted HM Coastguard with concern for welfare.

Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs) were deployed to South Beach, Middle Beach and Knoll Beach in an attempt to find the paddleboarders, with another unit going to the higher ground at Old Harry for a better view.

The group was soon spotted; all appeared to be in order and they were tracked back towards Knoll Beach where they were met by the team there.

As suspected, everything was fine and the group had just been out for an evening paddle to Old Harry and back were never in difficulty.  We did discuss letting HM Coastguard know if they were likely to be out late again or on a route away from the shoreline and we put the incident down as FAWGI - false alarm with good intent.

If you ever see anybody in difficulty or who appears to be in difficulty  on or near the coast then please call 999 Coastguard.  We'd rather be called to a false alarm than miss someone in danger.

Stand Up Paddleboards (SUPs) have become a growth leisure activity over the last few years with more and more people taking to the water and we'll be offering some safety advice in a coming blog.

Take Two!

In an almost carbon copy of Friday's incident, the team was tasked back to Winspit today to help SW Ambulance with the extraction of a 13 year old boy who'd twisted, and possibly dislocated his knee on the rocks.

Working with St Albans CRT, and under the watchful eye of the paramedic,  the team soon had the  boy on the stretcher and, using some of the rope rescue equipment as a security measure, carried the stretcher to a place where the boy could be safely transferred to the waiting ambulance.

Dancing Ledge Incident

Rescue teams were tasked to Dancing Ledge yesterday afternoon to a report of a Male with a serious head injury pulled out of the sea.

Both Swanage and St Albans Coastguard teams were tasked along with both Swanage RNLI Lifeboats.

Conditions at the time were rain showers , heavy sea swell and strong winds.

The teams arrived to find the group on the cliff top having got out of the water. One male had suffered an asthma attack in the water whilst another had a possible broken hand and leg injuries received whilst get the first casualty out the water.

Both casualties were transported for urgent ambulance care at the top of Dancing ledge and then to Poole hospital.

Both Lifeboats remained on station and assisted in radio communications which are difficult in the area.

Landslips warning

Around the country in the last week there have been some large landslips sadly with a fatality.

The weather has been been very dry and now with some heavy rain this may see further cliff / landslips.

So advice has been given out painter agencies across Dorset.

Winspit

Both Swanage and St Albans Coastguard Rescue Teams were tasked yesterday afternoon to assist SW Ambulance with a male who'd fallen and injured himself at Winspit.

Winspit is a disused quarry on the cliffs near Worth and until around 1940 was used to quarry stone, providing material for buildings in London. During World War II it was used as a site for naval and air defences. After the war the caves were opened to the public and today it's popular with walkers, swimmers an climbers.

It was agreed that owing to the nature of the injuries and the remote location, the casualty should be flown to hospital and so Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 175 was summoned. The teams helped make the casualty comfortable and then stretchered him to a more convenient position to load onto the aircraft before it flew to hospital in Dorchester.

Lifeboat Week starts today!

Our friends at the RNLI have their big fundraising week coming up, and it all starts tonight with a new event - the outdoor cinema.
Best wishes for a successful week.

Large Fire on Ballard

A large Multi Agency Incident has been taking place in Swanage tonight after a fire was spotted on Ballard Down.




With fears that someone was stuck on the cliff the Coastguard deployed to assist colleagues from Dorset and Wilts Fire and Rescue Service.




The fire soon started to spread as the emergency services were on route. Further assistance came from Dorset Police , NPAS and both Swanage RNLI Lifeboats.


The wind and cliff made it difficult for firefighter to tackle the blaze. Coastguard provides assistance in closing the paths and checking for any persons trapped.


All services worked very closely to ensure the safety of the public


The use of Swanage Lifeboat sending live pictures to the Coastguard for use by the Fire Commander greatly assisted the assessment of the situation.


Just after 00.30 the fire was out and the fire commander stood all assets down.

Despite rumours on social media that this was caused by a flare this has currently been discounted and the cause is still being investigated.

Washed up flare

The team were called out yesterday morning after a flare washed up on the beach.

The Town Council contacted the Coastguard after their beach maintenance team found the item.

On arrival an assessment was made to identify the type of flare it was . a small section of the beach was closed for a short time.

The flare was transported to Poole for safe destruction.

Flares can be dangerous and should always be disposed at a registered site - for Dorset this is at the RNLI collage in Poole.

Busy in Studland

The area was very busy with visitors yesterday.

The patrol were heading to Studland and a report of a speeding boat close to the shore when they were alerted to a 93 year old who had fallen and received a nasty head injury.

The team provided immediate care for the lady before being made aware of a 5 year old with a broken arm near to Knoll Beach.
The team divided and gave first aid to the boy and were gratefully assisted by the crew of the Swanage RNLI Inshore lifeboat who brought some pain relief for the little boy.

Due to demand on the ambulance service the 5 year old was transported to the families car and escorted by the Coastguard team to the chain ferry for an onward trip to Poole hospital.

The Coastguard then returned and transported the lady to Swanage hospital for treatment.

In the middle of the incidents a report of an inflatable saw the lifeboat deploy and check no one was missing.

We would like to thank the National Trust, Swanage RNLI and Swanage hospital for their assistance during these incidents.

We never located the speeding boat however would like to remind people that the speed limit in Studland and Swanage is 5 knots.

Secure your craft

If you are out visiting the beach or town make sure you secure your craft before leaving it.

Whether by anchor or tied up, take a minute to ensure it’s holding or that someone can’t “ borrow “ your craft whilst you have popped ashore!




Yesterday’s patrol came across two “ young chaps” struggling to row in this dinghy.

On getting ashore they admitted it wasn’t theirs and they thought they were free to use !

Well Done Carnival

It’s been a long fun week for the community and visitors to Swanage.

Well done Swanage Carnival for your hard work and all the other volunteers and services who have done their bit to ensure the week has gone so well.




That’s the Swanage Neighbourhood Policing Team , Swanage Coastguard and South Western Ambulance signing off ( well when their shifts finish)

Are you sea smart ?

With temperatures on the rise are you planning a trip to the beach ?




Just a little reminder to stay safe when visiting the beach.

Two incidents in Studland

The team were tasked to Studland this morning to support South Western Ambulance with a person in cardiac arrest.

Joined by colleagues from Dorset Police and the Air Ambulance the male was located in the dunes.

Sadly despite the efforts of everyone attending including National Trust Rangers the male sadly passed away.




The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance takes off after the incident.

As the team were about to leave the Police made the team aware of a missing family lost in the heath behind Studland beach.

Police had called in the NPAS helicopter from Exeter to locate them which had to land to get to the two adults and three children.

The Coastguard headed into the area locating the helicopter and family leading them out to safety. With some advice to stick to the proper paths the team returned to Station.




NPAS Exeter coming into land to pick up their crewman dropped to the lost family.