Ian Brown BEM

Some really good news to share as we reach the end of 2020, not only one of the strangest years we can remember, but our busiest on record.

We learned last night that our Station Officer Ian Brown has been awarded the British Empire Medal in recognition of his service with the Team. Ian has been serving with the Swanage team in his local community since 1990 and has been involved in many high-profile incidents where his calm authority has provided support for his teammates and others in often traumatic situations. Ian has also given of his own time to promote maritime safety in the local community and leads his team’s attendance at a number of local events which is another opportunity to engage with the public.

Ian said: “I am extremely proud to receive this award in recognition of my work with the Coastguard Rescue Service during the last 30 years and I feel honoured to represent the organisation in rescue work and in the wider community. This award also reflects the support I receive from my family, friend and some amazing colleagues in HM Coastguard and our partner agencies.”

Ian was also awarded the 'Swanage Coastguard of the Year' by his team mates last year

MCA Chief Executive Brian Johnson said: “We can never thank enough those who go beyond the call of duty, putting the safety and wellbeing of others first. Dedication like this should be rightly recognised and I am so proud that our people have been honoured by Her Majesty.”

We will have a look at Ian's thirty years of service in a day or two, but for the meantime Ian, many congratulations from all your colleagues on the team, both past and present.

Merry Christmas

 

From us all at Swanage Coastguard , we would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. 

Our opening hours are as above and along with our colleagues in the Operations Centre will be ready to respond to emergencies over the festive period. 

We remain in a difficult time so  please help us to stay safe by following the national guidelines in line with the tiered system. 

Please be aware that over the next few days the weather is also going to deteriorate with some very strong winds coming in. Please check the forecast closely. 

Finally thank you to you all for support during this year . 

Take care near cliffs

With gloomy weather and news  you may be tempted for a walk along the beach in the week. 

The rain has seen an increase in small landslips especially to the north end of the beach. 

Keep clear of the base of any cliffs here in swanage or elsewhere along the coast.  Small mud slips can cause small dogs to get stuck and as these develop may cause problems for walkers. 

In an emergency call 999 Coastguard. 

SW165

 

One year ago today we lost John after such a brave battle.

Forever in our thoughts, his humour , strength , advice and friendship is missed so much. 

Whichever Landrover he’s driving now , he’s never forgotten. 

Torch lights cause concern

 

Some torch lights under Ballard this evening saw the team tasked to investigate. 

Some local walkers were concerned that some people were caught out with the high tide and we’re looking for a route out. 

The team were unable to access the area safely north of Sheps Hollow so the lifeboat was requested but as the crew were assembling a group of fisherman seeing the emergency blue lights of the Coastguard vehicle called the Coastguard and confirmed they were safe and fishing. 

This was a genuine call which we would rather check than ignore.  If concerned dial 999 and ask for Coastguard. 

After a stormy day

 

After a stormy day on Saturday , a brighter but colder day. 

If you are taking a walk please ensure you take care on footpaths or uneven ground after the rain yesterday. 

The easterly wind may have washed items up on the beach so please if you are unsure what it is call the Coastguard. 

In an emergency 999 Coastguard. 

Swanage Coastguard website

 Our website at www.swanagecoastguard.org.uk has had some work done on it so some  people may see an error message. 

It is still running and you may need to delete your history and this seems to correct the problem. 

On the website is a list of our incidents and our history. 

Four incidents in a day

 In the summer we would expect a busy day but not normally four incidents during the day in November. 

The first call today was a report of a washed up life raft near to Old Harry.  The team deployed and located an oil drum washed up but were unable to get to it due to it location and the tide.  The local authority have been informed but it will be difficult to recover in its current location. 

Retuning from that incident the team investigated a fire on the beach at Middle Beach.  Thankfully it was controlled burning. 

Later in the afternoon the team were paged again to support South Western Ambulance near to the chain ferry.  A male required to be stretchered to the ambulance having fallen and suffered possible spinal injuries. 

Whilst dealing with the medical incident the team were made aware of a possible ordnance incident at Knoll beach. The team joined police and waited for the EOD team to arrive. 

The object was heavily corroded and the EOD have taken it for disposal. 

We shall remember them

 

In these difficult times we must not forget those both military and civilians who lost their lives in previous conflicts. 

We may not be able to carry the normal service but they remain in our thoughts. 

We will remember them. 

Incident at Studland

The Coastguard team were tasked to a report of two swimmers in difficulty at Studland yesterday morning (Friday).  On arrival the team recovered a male from the water and found the other person had managed to make it ashore. 

Joined by the crew of the RNLI lifeboat from Poole, Rescue 175 from Lee on Solent , a Critical care team, Dorset and Somerset air ambulance , South Western Ambulance and Dorset Police both casualties were given urgent medical treatment on the beach. 

Sadly despite the efforts of all those attending one male sadly passed away.  The second male was transferred by ambulance to hospital. 

Our thoughts are with the family and friends. 

Search in Poole

 

The team were tasked at 3am this morning to support colleagues from Poole and Southbourne in a search for a missing female. 

In poor weather conditions the team arrived at Hamworthy to be briefed on the search plan but thankfully the Police confirmed they had located the female safe in the town centre. 

Returning back to Swanage the team stopped to remove a large branch that was blocking the road at Sandford and a wheelie bin which had blown into the road in Corfe. 

Assistance to a walker

 

The team were tasked this afternoon to a report of a walker with a broken leg at Peveril Point. 

On arrival colleagues from NCI were assisting a lady who had slipped on the muddy surface. 

Due to the pain the lady was in, assistance was sought from the Swanage RNLI lifeboat as they carry pain relieving  gas which would help us move the casualty off the wet ground whilst waiting for the Ambulance. 

Working together and with the arrival of the ambulance the lady was stretchered to the ambulance and on to hospital.  

Search for possible missing swimmer

 Coastguard and lifeboat crews have been searching Studland bay for a possible missing swimmer tonight. 

A member of the public was concern for a swimmer seen heading out from Middle Beach Studland and didn’t see them return to the beach.

Swanage Coastguard carried out shore line searches from South Beach Studland to the Chain ferry whilst lifeboats from Swanage and Poole carried out sea searches off shore. 

Searching for two hours the beach was checked for clothing or any person. 

If you were swimming off Middle or South Beach Studland around 5pm tonight (Monday) please urgently contact the Coastguard on 999. 

Dorset Police also attended the incident and confirmed no one was currently missing in the area.

Search assets have been stood down pending any further information.

Multi Agency Incident

 The team were tasked this morning just after 9am to a report of a body at Old Harry. 

The Swanage RNLI inshore lifeboat , St Albans Coastguard , Rescue 175 from Lee on Solent and Dorset Police were also tasked to the incident. 

On arrival a body was located and recovered.  Dorset Police are investigating the circumstances for HM Coroner. 

Our thoughts are for the family and Friends. 

A medical weekend

 Starting on Friday the team were called to Studland along with South Western Ambulance after a female fell from a horse on the beach.  First aid was given until the arrival of colleagues from the Ambulance. 

Moving to Saturday both the Swanage and St Albans Coastguard teams were tasked to Old Harry and a report of a person injured falling from their bike. A female was located with a broken wrist and arm and first aid provided until paramedics arrived.  The teams then provided safe transport back to the ambulance and back to the main road. 

Sunday’s patrol were out at Rempstone Forest when they took a call from an off duty team member reporting a lady injured at the Coop in Swanage. 

Whilst not in the usual area of operation , the operations room gave permission for the team to attend and provide urgent first aid until the ambulance arrived. 

Returning to station and cleaning the equipment , the patrol were drawn to an incident in the car park where a lady test driving their grandsons scooter fell heavily to the ground.  Again first aid was provided and advice  was given before finally the equipment was packed away. 

The bins are safe

So after the storm yesterday things have calmed down and the big clean up has begun. 

On a lighter note, a photo put on by the press pa  reporting the incident seemed to focus on the fact the Coastguard were rescuing a couple of wheelie bins ! This report was fuelled by some of our colleagues in our partner agencies and a couple of mischievous locals. 

We shall protect the author of this report but just say our time will come ! 

This post seemed to go national and I know there was great concern for those bins so when the team returned to monitor the later high tide, the bins really were recovered and both are doing well. 

So back to the serious stuff 

At the time when the bin photo was taken the team had seen a boat in the surf but were unable to recover it. This morning it’s been confirmed as a sail and had come from the sailing club and now safely recovered. 

Patrols deployed last night and again this morning to check the area. Various debris has been moved for the local authority to collect. 

This stone and other bits of debris perhaps shows why when we arrived on scene yesterday we stated there was a risk to life along the coast.  The power of the sea should never be underestimated to throw up sizeable stones on to the road. 

One person was treated yesterday for a cut to their leg after been caught on the shore line. 

Finally as ever, a massive thank you to the  local traders who brought out or offered warm drinks to us yesterday during the incident. 

Flood Barrier installed

The team were requested to support the Council whilst they deployed larger sandbags to protect the lower high street. 

With very high seas the risk to life was high so our colleagues from St Albans Coastguard were drafted in to provide further safety cover along the sea front. 

Working with Police various roads were closed for safety and to allow contractors to work safely. 

The team will redeploy for tonight's high tide. 

It’s an emergency gate

We really hoped that we didn’t need access to this gate. 

If everyone did this we might not get access in an emergency.  Please don’t obstruct gates , not only does it slow the emergency services down - your property could be damaged if it has to be removed. 

 

Missing walker located

 

Police , NPAS and Coastguard were tasked this evening to search around Studland and  Agglestone Rock for an over due walker. 

The 69 year old female was last seen around 14.30 today near to the village but failed to turn up at the agreed meeting place. 

The team deployed with three search teams along with Police Officers and a NPAS Helicopter. 

One of the Coastguard teams located the female safely near to the golf club and brought her safely back. The lady confirmed she had got lost but suffered no injuries. 

The teams stood down and returned to station. 

Missing diver safely located with a surprise

 The team were tasked this afternoon at 15.48 to a report of a possible missing diver off Shell Bay Studland. 

A member of public reported seeing the male earlier on the beach and was concerned for his welfare after a few hours. 

The team arrived and quickly located the diver who then presented a piece of ordnance he located on the sea bed.

The team is currently waiting for a bomb disposal team  with part of the beach at Shell Bay cordoned off. 

Round up

 A busy few days last week with a yacht aground , sadly a dog Lost over the cliff on Ballard , male having a medical incident at Dancing Ledge , a lost female, a motor boat aground and a yacht reported struggling in the tide. 

This speed boat ended up on Studland beach having snapped its mooring. 

Devon air ambulance landing at Dancing Ledge 

Team tasked to yacht aground

 The team had an early start yesterday ( Thursday) when a yacht grounded on Swanage beach. 

The person on board had made it ashore but the team attended to ensure their safety and check for an pollution. 

The yacht was made ready for a ref lost later in the evening which the team were going to attend however were tasked to another incident.  More on this in the next few days. 

Back to patrols

 So after a few manic months , the team have starting to get back to traditional ( if that is the new normal) patrols. 

So yesterday it was route checking and checking of a few gates to ensure we have good access. 

Not all our routes have tarmac to them 

Then you get a great view! 

Remember if you see something out to sea or on the coast 999 Coastguard. 

A yacht , injured knee and a head injury

 A busy Saturday for the team on the first day of the bank holiday. 

The first call came in 07.00 to a report of a yacht aground at Studland.  Poole lifeboat has also been tasked and took the vessel in tow back to its mooring at Shell bay. 

Poole lifeboat towing the yacht back through the harbour entrance yesterday in the shadow of one of the visiting cruise ships. 

The team were then tasked along with St Albans Coastguard and both Swanage RNLI lifeboats to Dancing Ledge with a person in the water with a knee injury. 

The lifeboat crew recovered the female and brought her back to the Swanage and transfer to the ambulance service. 

Having just returned for that incident the team were then tasked to near the lifeboat station and a male with a head injury who had fallen over on the coast path. 

Paddle-boarders Rescued

 

 Three paddle borders were rescued off Studland yesterday after the strong winds caught them out. 

Both Swanage RNLI Lifeboats, a training lifeboat and both Coastguard teams from Swanage and St Albans were tasked to search for the three. 

The mother and two children visiting the area had been on the water when the conditions blew them off shore sparking the rescue operation.  All were picked up and brought back to the lifeboat station at Swanage. 

Always check the conditions inshore and offshore. Ask at the local visitors centres about the conditions and the safe areas to participate in activities. 

In an emergency 999 Coastguard 

Are You Feeling Lucky....?

 Are you feeling lucky………… or would you be better off being prepared?

Paddleboarders, Kayakers and Sailboarders: it would help us and increase your chances of being rescued when afloat if you:

(1) Have a shore contact, who is aware or your plans, who will contact the Coastguard by calling 999 or 112 if you become overdue.

(2) Carry on your person a means of Calling for Help:

• A PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) `transmits a distress call, indicates your position and does not require a mobile phone signal.
• A mobile phone in a waterproof case, preferably with the SafeTrx app installed https://www.rya.org.uk/knowledge-advice/safe-boating/keep-in-touch/Pages/safetrx.aspx
• Mobile phone signals can be unreliable in coastal and rural areas.

(3) And a visual means of indicating distress either:

• Orange smoke flare
• Red hand flare
• Or an EVDS (Electronic Visual Distress Flare), commonly known as a laser flare

You are strongly advised to mark your equipment and watercraft with contact details, if it is discovered we can check you are safe and it increases the chance of you recovering your lost equipment.

Remember:

Wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid

Always carry a means of Calling For Help

Check the weather and tides

Have a shore contact

Social Media

 

First of all we apologise for the lack of blogs but this week has been very busy for us , but also for  most Coastguard teams in Dorset. 

We have noticed this week that reports of items washed up, concerns about people and possible incidents are being reported on social media but not via 999.    

Social media is not monitored routinely via the emergency services. 

If you find something or want to report something its really important that 999 is used - someone’s life could depend on it. 

Social media can be useful for appeals but don’t delay , make the call 999 Coastguard. 

 

Boat incident at Studland

 A multi agency response to a boat incident off Studland was launched this afternoon  at 4pm

Poole lifeboat, Rescue helicopter 175 , Dorset Police , Swanage Coastguard , South Western Ambulance and  a critical care team all responded after 3 people ended up in the water. One further person was still on the speed boat that came to an abrupt stop.   

The Coastguard team remained on shore to coordinate the response working with the ambulance and police whilst the helicopter , lifeboat and a couple of other vessels went to speed boat. 

One person had a spinal injury and another had a face injury were transported by lifeboat  to the north haven landing stage near to the chain ferry and met by the ambulance and coastguard team. 

Poole Coastguard were tasked to meet the speed boat in  Poole. 

Busiest Day

 Along with the whole of HM Coastguard , it was a very busy day with the team out for twelve hours. 

HM Coastguard dealt with 340 incidents around the UK which made it the busiest day on record. 

The day started for us  with concern for a double sit on Kayak off Old Harry. The patrol monitored that until it was safely back away from the tide race. 

It was then off to Tilly Whim Caves for a report of people inside the closed area. Searching the caves nothing was found. 

The patrol were then tasked to the beach by the Mowlem for a unconscious female and provided first aid until the ambulance arrived. This was further complicated when a further report of an unconscious person came in by the wellington clock tower.  The team split up and provided first aid until another ambulance arrived. 

The patrol were then tasked to Chapmans Pool for a female stung by something in the water. 

After a short break it was off to Studland for first aid to a badly cut hand and three incidents involving fires. 

Despite the warning signs people still choose to ignore the ban on BBQs and fires. 

Two large motor vessels had grounded at South Beach so advice was given especially as they were so close to rocks.

Finally after 12 hours the final call was a report of a jet ski floating near the Mowlem.  A check found it secure on a long line. 

Despite the signage and ban, people are still ignoring 

the risks of fire on the beaches.  

Just trying to get to the beach for us was a problem with a car blocking the emergency access. 

“Please keep access clear for Emergency vehicles” clearly isn’t applicable to some. 

Please respect our beaches

 It’s going to be another warm day. 

If you are heading to the beach please respect the local communities. 

Read and obey the signage. 

Respect others and follow socially distance rules.

Have a good and safe day. 

Take your rubbish home. 

3 kayakers rescued

Yesterday the team took part in a joint operation with many partner agencies to help reduce the number of incidents involving anti social behaviour on the water. 

During the afternoon the patrol spotted three people on kayaks that seemed to be struggling about 400 metres offshore at Studland. 

Having monitored the group for a while it was clear they were drifting out to sea and a lifeboat was requested. The group were monitored during this time until the lifeboat arrived and found them nearly 2 miles off shore. 

The group were brought ashore and it was established that they had lost their mobile phone in the water so had no means to ask for help. 

With everyone safely ashore and medically checked the lifeboat and Coastguard were released. 

Please stay safe, ensure you have the right clothing on and that your mobile phone is in a waterproof case and attached somehow. 

999 Coastguard 

Female slips from cliff

A large multi agency response to a 65 year  old  female who had slipped off the cliff edge at Old Harry falling 60 feet. 

Coastguard teams from Swanage backed up by the St Albans Coastguard team, Both Swanage RNLI lifeboats , South Western Ambulance , Dorset Police , Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue , Rescue helicopter  175 , Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance , HEMS car all attended to assist in the rescue. 

The female had suffered some serious injuries and was air lifted from the base of the cliff to be treated by medics on the cliff top before being flown for specialist treatment at Southampton hospital. 

A large area was temporarily cleared and closed to allow the emergency services to work including landing two helicopters. 

It is understood the female was close to the edge when she slipped whilst out walking. 

Members of the public called 999 reporting the incident after witnessing the fall. 

 

Drifting motor boat

The team were tasked yesterday (Wednesday) to the northern end of Studland beach. 

A speed boat had suffered engine failure and drifted ashore. 

The RNLI lifeboat from Poole arrived and took the vessel in tow. 

Shortly after dealing with the boat the team were made aware of a male having a medical episode close by and provided first aid until the arrival of an ambulance and police. 

It was like a Carnvial Day but just without the Carnvial !

It should have been Carnival Day today and that is sometimes a busy day for us.  Sadly Carnival was cancelled due to COVID but we still managed to have  a really busy day.

Just after 1.30pm the team were tasked to support colleagues at Chapmans Pool with a stretcher lift of a female with a broken ankle.
The teams worked on the steps near to Chapmans Pool to bring the casualty to safety before a trip to hospital.

The patrol were then tasked to the Poole Harbour entrance and a report a paddle bowser in trouble. As the team got to Studland the person had got ashore safely so the team stood down.

Whilst at Middle Beach the team spotted a catamaran capsized off Old Harry, with the lifeboat on route the team started to head to Old Harry for a better view however on route were diverted back to Middle Beach after a 999 call reported a female and child being blown out to sea in a Kayak.

A passing boat and local RIB went to the kayakers assistance and brought them ashore as the lifeboats arrived.  It was then back to the catamaran and whilst the lifeboats escorted it back to shore the lifeguards at Swanage reported another paddle boarder struggling in the conditions.  Both lifeboats made at best speed with the patrol heading to meet them on the beach.

2018 Carnvial Day 

 

Assisting ambulance

The team were tasked to Studland last night to assist South Western Ambulance.

A female walker has fallen on the track some distance from fire point six breaking her arm and receiving head and spinal injuries.

The team assisted the ambulance crew before carrying the casualty to the ambulance and further treatment at Poole hospital.

One incident lead to another

Today’s patrol have just spent five hours going from one incident to another.

The 1st incident was a report of a sailing dingy capsized at Peveril.  The Inshore lifeboat launched and started to deal whilst being monitored by the patrol.  As they were dealing with that the lifeboat was tasked to a Dory boat off Ballard Point ,broken down with five people on board.
The all weather lifeboat launched and took the boat in tow back to the boat park and the waiting patrol.

Another call came in reporting an adult and two children drifting towards the chain ferry in an inflatable kayak.   The patrol were tasked along with the lifeboat to the harbour entrance.  Thankfully all on the kayak made it ashore but the patrol went to check no medical assistance was required.

The patrol then found a BBQ hidden in a dry wooded area and due to the high fire risk requested colleagues from the Fire service.  Despite plenty of signage banning BBQ’s people are ignoring the risks.

 Sadly despite signage saying no BBQ’s people are still having them and putting the area at risk.

And this is the result - including the food that was left on it 

It wasn’t over yet - whilst Fire dealt with the BBQ , first aid was given to a cyclist with dehydration.

Another inflatable kayak was spotted drifting into the main channel at the harbour entrance with its owner determined to swim after it until the patrol stopped and asked the owner to return to shore and not risk his life. 

Finally the seventh incident - yes another BBQ but this time a gas one which the owner thought didn’t apply to the BBQ ban ...... NOPE , that one also extinguished. 

Please no BBQs on any of our beaches at present due to the fire risks and do not use inflatables in strong off shore winds. 

999 Coastguard 

Overdue diver

The Coastguard team were tasked yesterday  to a report of a overdue diver off Swanage Pier.

The Swanage RNLI lifeboat were requested but as the team arrived the male diver was safely located. 

The diver had been out for some time and was due back when reported over due.  The Coastguard requested a shore line search before he was located. 

The team  were stood down having offered some safety advice. 

In an Emergency dial 999 

Is your craft fit for the water ?

Yesterday the Swanage RNLI lifeboat went to the aid of a broken down speed boat off Swanage.  The  boat drifted fast in the ebb tide and the lifeboat finally located them past Dancing Ledge.

On their return to Swanage the lifeboat crew requested to be met by the Coastguard team to offer some safety advice.

The boat had little safety equipment and only a mobile phone to raise the alarm.  Thankfully their 999 call was received by the Coastguard but once below Anvil Point communication was lost.

The lack of life jackets , anchor , rope and clothing were all points raised.

Be prepared and ensure before you take your boat, you have the correct safety equipment.

What we did during June

Just quickly looking back to last month and some of the data;

33 incidents which included some multi agency accident prevention especially with reducing the fire risk at Studland.

A total of 307 hours in incidents across the month.

Over 400 miles in patrols

A lot of BBQ’s asked to be extinguished.


In a coastal emergency dial 999 Coastguard.

All in the afternoon

In just two hours this afternoon the team dealt with five  incidents.

The first was a report of a dog fallen from the cliffs out towards Old Harry Rocks, despite the fall the dog had survived and managed to get to South Beach , met by the patrol and the owners.
The owner were very relieved and the dog didn’t appear to have suffered any injuries.

The team were then tasked to reports of two inflatables being blown off shore at Studland. With two adults and three children in the dinghies the team , three lifeboats and the rescue helicopter were tasked.  A local boat also went to their assistance and managed to get them ashore.  The lifeboats stood by whilst the team ensured all were ok.

As that incident closed the team were tasked to the swanage boat park and a report of a injured male with possible spinal injuries.  On arrival the lifeboat crew and ambulance crew were treating an injury   received on a towed inflatable.

During this incident the returning lifeboat was concerned for a windsurfer in Studland, so the Station Officer searched the area.  Passing members of the public confirmed the windsurfer had got on to a boat and was safe.

Finally a yacht entering Poole lost its mast and started to drift. Poole Lifeboat was tasked and the yacht was monitored by the team until the lifeboat arrived.

If you see someone in trouble 999 Coastguard