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.