Beach Open but take care

The beach is open for a walk but we remind people to take care.   Due to the tides there are times the beach is not accessible to the north Sheps Hollow.

If you are cut off by the tide or see someone you think is in trouble dial 999 and ask for Coastguard

Wartime items uncovered

Some interesting items have appeared in the last week on the beaches of Swanage and Studland.

With coastal erosion comes past history being uncovered.  Here a roll of barbed wire and support pole being uncovered probably dating from the Second World War. 

With this area heavily involved in D Day preparations other items could be uncovered and we ask for people to be careful and report items that could be dangerous and hazardous. 

If you find anything on the beach and not sure what it is - dial 999 Coastguard. 

Landslip at North Beach

Coastguard and Police are currently investigating reports of multiple land slips at the North end of Swanage bay.

After many weeks of rain the cliffs are now seeing some slippage due to the water content and high tides.

Please stay clear from the base of cliffs , mud slides and be aware of the tides.

Please observe the warning signs and tape.

In an emergency call 999 and ask for Coastguard

Coastal Erosion

A Boxing Day walk at Studland shows how much the recent bad weather has had an effect on the coastline.

 The area around middle beach has seen some recent slips and erosion.  The debris is a sign how much has moved.

Please take care around the base of cliffs especially near fresh slips.  Don’t walk on fresh slips or go behind any areas closed off.

In an coastal emergency 999 Coastguard .

Happy Christmas

We would like to wish all our readers a Merry Christmas.

Teams are on call all through out  Christmas and ready to respond to maritime and coastal emergencies.

Ground conditions remain very wet with the risk of land slips high due to the water.

Please be aware of the tides and areas you could be cut off.

In an emergency dial 999 and ask for Coastguard.

A special 👍🏻To all our colleagues who are working over the festival period in our operations room.

John Bentham

It is with great sadness and regret we  advise that our team member and great friend John Bentham sadly passed away on Friday after a long brave battle with illness.

John was so much to us and the community,  always giving  everything to others.

To many of us he was a hero and role model with never a cross word about anyone.

We are so sad and send our condolences to his wife and two daughters.

Our flag at the station will  fly at half mast as a mark of respect for our lost friend.

John if you are looking down, we will never forget  you.

Supporting Dorset Police

The team were called out this evening to support Dorset Police with an incident along Swanage beach.  

As the team arrived and commenced a search along the sea front the person was found safely.

Rescue 175 from Lee on Solent and Swanage Lifeboat had also been requested.

Sunday Morning Training

The team headed up to Old Harry today for an exercise under the watchful eye of our Senior Coastguard Operations Officer.

The focus today was a rope set up with team members swapping positions for the various descents and recoveries.

Rope rescue is just one area of work for the volunteer rescue teams , if you would like to know more about becoming a Coastguard Rescue Officer in Swanage then please do come to the Coastguard Station  North Beach Car Park on Thursday evening between 7 and 9 pm.

 

Could you be a Coastguard ?

Have you ever thought of becoming a Coastguard Rescue Officer ?

We are holding  a recruitment evening on Thursday 28th November at the Coastguard Station North Beach Carpark De Moulham Road Swanage between 19.00 to 21.00.

Drop in during those times for an informal discussion with the team and discover what we do and how you could become part of that team that responds to over 100 incidents a year.

HM Coastguard is a UK emergency  service responsible for maritime search and rescue on the coast and out to sea.  Here in Swanage we are a rope, water and search team on call 24 hours a day. 

If you are interested in becoming a Coastguard  in Swanage and have a few hours a month to train , patrol and respond to emergency call outs then please drop into the station on the 28th to find out more. Full training is given with monthly training once qualified for professional development. 

To become a Coastguard Rescue Officer , you need to be 18 years old or  over and hold a UK driving license.  You will be required to have a medical and may be required to have a DBS check. 

If you can not make the Thursday then come and see us in the Square on Saturday 30th between 13.00 and 15.00 where we will be taking part in the towns festival event.  

Persons cut off by tide.

The team were called on Tuesday night to a report of persons cut off by the tide north of Sheps Hollow.

On arrival it appeared there were several people cut off by a high tide which was hitting the base of the cliff.

The team proceeded down to the beach via another route and soon found two fisherman safe and well.   They were aware of the tide and planned to remain fishing until the tide went out.  

The team retraced their route and returned to station.

Clothing located on beach

As the town finished it’s remembrance parade , the team were tasked to near the Mowlem after clothing was located near to the sea wall.

An immediate search was started along the shore line with the RNLI inshore lifeboat requested to assist.

The beach and shoreline was checked from the pier to Ocean Bay with the all weather lifeboat also joining the search.   Several sweeps of the beach were made but nothing further has been located and no new information was received.

Both the Coastguard team and lifeboats have been stood down.

If you have information that may assist in locating the owner of the clothes please call 999 Coastguard.

“Danny” the dolphin

This afternoon the team attended the pier after numerous reports of people going into the water to get to the dolphin.

The dolphin had been reported caught on a mooring line some distance from the pier. 

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue team had been monitoring the dolphin since this morning but due to the conditions had been unable to reach the dolphin.

The team provided safety cover and advice to the public due to the rough conditions.
   A local fisherman has managed to get to the mooring and free the dolphin which has been seen to swim off.

The BDMLR will monitor the area but our request is not to put yourself or others in danger in these conditions.

Washed up Kayak

The coastguard team are currently attending an incident at the North End of Swanage beach which involves a washed up Kayak.

If you are aware of the owner please can you contact Solent Coastguard on 023 9255 2100

10.10 - Thank you , owner located

Washed up sea birds

Yesterday saw some sea birds wash ashore in Swanage covered in an oily substance.

Further incidents were reported on the Isle of Wight.

This one was successfully picked up and cleaned and will be cared for before being released.

The substance is being investigated by the Coastguard , any reports of pollution should be notified to the Coastguard via 999.

In the Purbeck area contaminated sea birds can be reported to Chance Wildlife Rescue on 07795296887

Did you leave something behind

Was anyone at Knoll Beach Slipway with a kayak ?

This afternoon ( Sunday 20th October ) the patrol were made aware of a kayak trolley left on the beach close to the slipway at Knoll Beach Studland.

A search of the beach and shore line was carried out from the harbour entrance  to Old Harry in case someone was out and struggling to return.

No one was located so if you forgot your equipment on your return please can you contact the Coastguard just so we know your safe and we will return your trolley ( on the correct identification of it)

Please call Solent Coastguard if you have any information, 999 in an emergency or 023 9255 2100 for routine matters.

#WillDoes

Well done to all those who took part in the walk and run from Knoll Beach up on to Ballard and back via Old Harry.

 The patrol headed to Ballard and thank you to all those who said hello.

Really good to see people out and about enjoying the area and taking part for such a good cause.

Dog and Owner Located safe

A fisherman returning from Blackers Hole called Coastguard after hearing a dog in a distressed state near to Belle Vue Farm. 

Concerned the owner may have been injured or stuck somewhere, the National Maritime Operations Centre tasked the team to search the area. 

Both Swanage RNLI lifeboats who were on exercise were tasked to search the cliff in case a climber was stuck. The St Albans Coastguard team were requested to assist in the search around Dancing Ledge. 

Coastguard officers located the dog near to Spyway Barn and shortly after found the owner who had been out searching for their dog for over two hours.   With everyone confirmed safe all units were stood down. 

A call with good intent

On Saturday , three Coastguard teams from St Albans , Kimmeridge and Swanage were tasked to Chapmans Pool for a possible unexploded shell.

On arrival it certainly looked like a shell however a closer inspection and it was confirmed to be a polystyrene fishing marker. 

A further item was located further around the beach but again on closer inspection this turned out to be an old pipe. 

Both these items looked like unexploded ordnance and the persons who located them were right not to get too close and call the Coastguard via 999.  

An early and late call

A 999 call from the Anvil Point emergency phone had two of the team heading to check the area at 5am.

The weather at the time was poor with heavy rain and poor visibility.   The phone and area were checked with nothing found.  The call was put down to the weather conditions.

Just after 9pm , Dorset Police requested assistance at Studland with a search. The team deployed again in heavy rain to search areas.  Just before 10pm the Police confirmed the male had been located  safely and not in the Studland area.  

Check the conditions

Today’s Coastguard patrol spotted two paddle boarders head off shore from South beach Studland and quickly head north with the help of a strong wind and tide. 

The patrol headed along the beach monitoring the pair whilst also monitoring a storm cloud which was making the wind stronger and wave height increase. 

The pair noticed they were being monitored and managed to make it ashore.  They confirmed the sea conditions had got worse since they set off, they noticed the patrol and thought they had better try and make it ashore.   With some distance from their car and with the help of the National Trust , both the paddle boards and owners found themselves safely back at Knoll Beach. 

The wind was quite strong and in the shelter of the hill the sea was calmer but stepping offshore and with storm clouds the wind increased so always check the weather when heading out on the water. 

If you see someone you think may be in trouble call 999 Coastguard.

This weeks calls

A busy week for the team which has seen five call outs, a trip to the emergency services show and training. 

On Wednesday an early call out to a boat washed up at the stone quay followed by another incident when a small dinghy was located at the Swan Brook outlet by the Mowlem. 

Thursday saw a call to Peveril Point to a lady with a cut leg.  First aid was provided along with a visit  to Swanage hospital for further treatment. 

Later in the day a second call to Studland beach and an urgent medical incident. Dorset Police , South Western Ambulance and the air ambulance attended.  The team provided assistance at the scene and provided a safe landing area for the helicopter.  We regret despite the efforts of many on scene the Person sadly passed away.  Our thoughts are with the family and friends. 

Today a 999 call to the National Maritime Operations Centre saw the team and RNLI crew deployed to a windsurfer in trouble in the middle of the bay.  On arrival the windsurfer confirmed they were ok and was resting at the time.   A search was carried out but no other person was located. 

After a sunny week, the weather is starting to change and some rain on the way so ensure you check the weather for your activity.

Male located

The Coastguard team were involved in a large scale search yesterday in the Swanage area.

Coastguards from Swanage , St Albans , Kimmeridge, both Swanage RNLI lifeboat , Dorset Police , NPAS and DorSAR started the search just before 14.00 and carried out searches of the local area.

During the search the assets  had to deal with other  incidents including a possible broken ankle and a sinking boat.

Following extensive searches the Police helicopter spotted a male and directed Coastguards to him and confirmed the safety of the individual.

The teams were stood down at 23.00.

We would like to thank everyone who assisted the teams during that time.

Concern for Dog Owner

The team have been called out this evening to the Downs and a concern for a dog owner.

   A member of the public called Dorset Police concerned a dog made its way up the cliff and was running about in a distressed state.   Due to the concern for the dogs owner , the team carried out a cliff top search for a person and for the dog.

The team put out an urgent appeal for information and made house to house enquiries asking if anyone had see any person or lost a dog.

As a person could have been missing the Swanage RNLI inshore lifeboat was requested to check the lower part of the cliff and beach.  With the areas checked both the team and lifeboat were stood down with nothing found.

If anyone has further information please contact the Coastguard via 999.

A different view

Last week we were treated to a boat trip to see our area from the sea.

Normally we only get the view from the top of the cliff  looking down, but thanks to Divers Down they took the team out for a trip to see our cliffs.

 It all looks different this way round !

 A massive thank you to Pete , Pat and Dave for our trip and little bbq along with the lifeboat crew and friends after.

Search

A large scale search was launched last night for a missing male which involved Police, Coastguard , RNLI lifeboats, NPAS and many volunteers.

With light fading Coastguards from Swanage and St Albans  deployed to the beach front and an area from Peveril Point to Sheps Hollow along with Ballard Down. Both Swanage RNLI lifeboats launched and conducted shore  line searches with Police searching the town.   The Police helicopter was also deployed and covered areas of the town.

Swanage RNLI Inshore lifeboat spotted the missing male at Ballard point and safely recovered him in the boat and brought him back to the boat park where Police ,  Coastguards and Ambulance were waiting.

We would like to thank everyone involved in locating and safely finding the male.

Knowledge is Power

Well, maybe not power exactly, but local knowledge is certainly very useful when we get tasked to incidents along the Coastline between Durlston and Dancing Ledge.

As you may know, there isn't a nice tarmacked road along the cliff top, so we have to make a call as how best to reach some of the more popular climbing locations. 

Much of our patch is accessible only by 4x4 vehicles

In the worst case we can park at the lighthouse and walk kit in, but there also routes from Swanage via the Old Dump Lane, via Belle Vue Farm at the top of Benlease Way, via Gully and Verney Farm and via Langton and Spyway Barn.

The SO discusses the route down to the Western Mile Markers before a drive down there

One of our August training sessions saw us reminding ourselves of the various routes and access points and driving those that were passable.  There are some 4x4 routes along the top which we drove as well to refresh the memory and check gate locks etc.

The back roads!

All in all a very useful session, and the follow up session later in the month was to see the same views from the water, and to get a feel for the cliffs from a different angle.  More on that another time.

The Bank Holiday

As the sun sets on another bank holiday weekend , the team reflects on six incidents over the three days.

On Saturday the team were called to Studland to assist the ambulance service with a carry of a patient from the beach.  In the afternoon they were again called out to Durlston for a male who had fallen from a step over a wall twisting or breaking his ankle. 

Sunday saw two yachts collide off the beach at Swanage and the patrol monitor the situation whilst the inshore lifeboat went to assist. 

After that the team monitored a power boat with a mooring rope caught around its propeller until the crew managed to untwist it. 

Monday saw the patrol tasked to Middle Beach for a 5 year old missing and last seen in the water. The full team were sent along with both Poole RNLI lifeboats. Immediate searches were carried out by the team and National Trust staff who located the child safe and well some distance up the beach. 

The patrol were then flagged down at Knoll beach by a male who had been stung in the mouth by a wasp.  Immediate first aid was given with the males airway monitored and treatment given. Thankfully after 30 minutes the pain had reduced and with no further swelling the team resumed. 

Keep your children safe on the beach

Check the wind

The team were called out on Monday to a report of a female and child being blown out to sea on an inflatable at Studland.  The team arrived along with the Poole RNLI Lifeboat.

The female and child had managed to get ashore , cold but otherwise not injured but was check by a passing off duty doctor.

The situation had developed when the off shore wind pushed the pair out.

On Wednesday the team were tasked to Durlston to assist the Ambulance service with a collapsed male near to the globe.

In an coastal emergency call 999.

Plan your trip

Sunday saw a busy afternoon for the team , the first call was during the teams regular weekend patrol when they were tasked to the coast path to Old Harry Rocks.

A 999 call to both South Western Ambulance and Coastguard reporting a person taken ill had the patrol followed up by the rest of the team soon arrive. Assisting the paramedics the male was taken back to the ambulance for treatment and later to hospital.

Having just returned to Swanage , the patrol were made aware of the Poole RNLI Lifeboat tasking  to a kayaker in the water off Shell Bay Marine.  The team made for the area and liaised with the lifeboat crew who had located both the male and his missing kayak which he had become separated from.

The male was checked over and advised to get checked at hospital due to being in the water for sometime.  Some safety advice was also given about equipment to carry - keeping your phone in a water proof bag for example.  Thankfully the male had been wearing a life jacket which was vital in keeping him afloat until a passing boat spotted him and the arrival of the lifeboat.

Just before 7pm the team were called to Knoll beach and a yacht aground.  Due to the location and wind , Poole Lifeboat was requested whilst the team provided support.

 The team stood by and deployed two water technicians to assist the solo sailor on his yacht.

The yacht had struggled in strong winds before grounding , thankfully no one  was injured.

With the tide rising and some pushing and a tow from the lifeboat the vessel was freed and escorted by the lifeboat to a safe mooring. 

In a maritime emergency call 999 or VHF Channel 16 

Medical assistance

Two incidents on Saturday to assist our colleagues at South Western Ambulance. 

The first was as the patrol arrived at Knoll Beach Studland where the team assisted an eight year old with a broken arm.   Working with the National Trust the young man was taken to Poole Hospital.

Later on just before 7pm the team were tasked to Shell Bay and an 11 year old who had dislocated his knee.  Despite being very brave the young man required pain relief which was provided by the ambulance crew before the knee was put back in place.  The team then stretchered him to the ambulance and a trip to Dorchester hosiptal and an X-ray. 

Weather

With another unseasonal wet night with strong winds, a reminder of the good weather a few weeks ago.

If you are heading out over the weekend, don’t forget to check the weather forecast and tides.

Weather

The predicted weather has arrived and its not the normal weather we expect in August.

Whilst there are plenty of warnings and cancellation of events, they are done to protect people and not to spoil peoples fun or activities.

Please consider if your activity is appropriate in these unseasonable conditions.

The forecast is currently 10th August 09.49

Southwest 6 to gale 8 occasionally severe gale 9 at first decreasing to force 5 later.

Rough or very rough becoming moderate or rough

Squally Showers.

Another great Carnival

Sorry for the late post , but that's down to operational call out.

Another excellent and fun carnival week done and many thanks to the members of the carnival committee and all those behind the scenes for making it a great week.

The weather might have got the better of a few events but the air shows were good and lets hope lots of money for local causes was raised.

Motor Boat Aground on Main Beach

The team was tasked this evening following a number of 999 calls about a motor boat which broke free from its mooring and came aground half on and half off the Mowlem slipway.

A number of members of public entered the water to try and help move it, but there was a degree of confusion and a risk of injuries to them - crushed feet etc - and so once the team arrived it took control of the situation and asked the members of public to return the beach.  Some folks had tried to pull the boat further onto the beach, but our preference was to try and refloat it - a boat marooned on the main beach on the busiest week of the year would not be ideal with the security and pollution risks and the inevitable issues of moving it.

Appropriately dressed in drysuits, boots and lifejackets, and with a tether to a buddy on the shore, a number of Coastguards went into the water to move the boat away from the slipway where there was a risk of it being holed and of subsequent pollution.

The RNLI was requested owing to the number of people in the sea and as safety cover for the Coastguard team.

The team pushed and manoeuvred the vessel, timing each push with the larger waves until the boat floated free.  Shortly afterwards, the lifeboat arrived and with the risk to personnel now gone. it took the vessel under tow and took it to the boat park slip where is was loaded onto a trailer.

Many thanks to those called 999 and to those who tried to assist.  However, please don't put yourself at risk.  Some folks could have lost toes had the boat landed on on them, and there's always the potential for slipping and being caught under the boat. 

Swanage Carnival 2019

It was Carnival Day in Swanage today and that often means a busy day .......

Many of the team take holiday this week from their full time jobs to be about and help during the week.

First of all it was the annual Joint Emergency Service briefing  Breakfast Meeting, a time to catch up and discuss the day ahead.

The words ..... probably see you later were going to come true.

The team started to gather ready for the procession when they were asked to help with a medical incident on Shore Road.  The event ambulance team arrived and took over.
As that incident was being resolved we were made aware of another medical incident and again the team stepped in to assist.  The St Albans Coastguard just arriving in town were requested to assist take the male to the local hospital but as that was on route an ambulance arrived to deal.

The procession started and we were all enjoying the crowd when some youths decided to start throwing plastic bottles at our vehicles.   They weren't expecting the team to go and give them some advice on how to spend the rest of their day.

Half way round we were tasked to Studland to assist South Western Ambulance with a medical incident.  The team arrived and set up a landing site for the Coastguard helicopter which was then cancelled to allow the air ambulance to attend.  A male had been taken ill whilst walking the northern boundary, due to his condition the helicopter was required so he could be flown to Bournemouth hospital.

The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance ( the usual yellow one is away for maintenance.)

Before the team left they were tasked to search the South side of the harbour entrance for a possible missing male before another tasking of some clothing left on the beach.  The team quickly located the owner who confirmed all was well.

Finally everyone got back to the Carnival just before 7pm

Early Morning Search Success

The team was tasked just before 3am today, Thursday, to search for a male missing from Dorset.
He'd last been seen earlier this morning in the area near the Downs and so the Initial Visual Search (IVS) concentrated around the Pier, Downs and Peveril Point.

The profile of the missing person led us to extend the search area and whilst police searched areas of town, Coastguard teams supported by police dogs concentrated on the areas around Durlston.  Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue attended with their mobile operations room to provide an indoor search base.

As daylight started to break, the male was successfully located and handed over to the care of the Police. The team were left to enjoy the company of Rodney the search dog and a beautiful sun rise over the bay before returning to the station for a well deserved mug of tea.