Mud Flows

Today’s patrol visited the Sheps Hollow area to check the progress of any slips and access issues. 

In two locations either side of Sheps Hollow there is a build up of soft mud and clay debris that is slowly moving across the beach.   The last time this happened in 2012/13 two people and several dogs got stuck in this soft ground. 

We would recommend that people keep their distance from the mud flows and this includes the sand in front of them that becomes soft due to the water content.

In an emergency dial 999 and ask for “ Coastguard”

Dorset Coastguard Team of the Year

We are pleased to announce the team have been awarded the ‘Jean Dean Memorial Award’ for the best Dorset Coastguard Team. 

The award is presented by the Senior Coastguard Management team for Dorset and this year it was awarded for “Resilience “. 

  The team have dealt with some significant incidents in the past 18 months but despite the pressure those incidents brought, the team maintained emergency cover and a professional outlook. 

The award will have a yearly theme that is set by the management team and at the bequest of the late Jean Dean to a Coastguard Team in Dorset. 

We are honoured to be the first team in Dorset to receive the award.

Erosion take a piece of history

After further land movement at Middle beach Studland, the National Trust had to make the difficult decision to take down this building in the last week.

We believe it may have been a previous Coastguard structure or modelled on a previous Coastguard building close to this site.   A newer Coastguard lookout is just above this one in the Middle Beach Car park and may also be moved in time due to stabilisation plans for the area.

The Coastguard has just had its 198th Birthday and during its many changes the Coastguard were very much based at Studland since the 19th Century. The previous Coastguard housing station is just behind the Middle Beach car park.   If this structure was a Coastguard lookout , it would have been there for the prevention of smuggling before the modern Coastguard moved to its rescue work.

We only have limited information on the Studland Coastguard which finally closed in the 1980’s transferring those still serving to Swanage.

Today’s Coastguard patrol in vehicles and Middle Beach is a regular stopping point for the team.

Slip watch update

Today’s patrol were tasked to near to the Grand Hotel after a further report of movement and safety concerns.

The area was checked and the team liaised with the landowner.

Whilst the area remains open , our advise is to not walk under or near any landslips.

In an emergency dial 999 and ask for Coastguard.

Don’t snap the tape

An early morning check of the cliff line today sadly found the boundary tape placed to protect the public from the slips had been snapped in several places.

We know the weather may has an impact on the tape  but it was clear the tape had been snapped and moved.

The tape is in place to protect the scene and not cause an inconvenience.

Dorset Council are assessing the area but please do not put yourselves or others at risk by ignoring or damaging signage or barrier tape.

Mind the Edge

North Swanage is not the only area that is suffering from landslips at present.

Peveril Point and the Downs are also an area that has seen slippage.

 At Peveril Point there is a section of cliff that is an overhang. Please stay away from the edge.

 A section has slid near to the toilets at Peveril Point.  With various slips this can increase the risk of debris falling on to the beach.

Please observe the safety signs and in an emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Tasked to further landslips

After heavy rain last night , several reports of landslips at the northern end of the bay saw the team tasked  to investigate.

The first task was to check that no one was  trapped and then  tape the debris where it had fallen onto the footpath.

There were several slips  at Burlington Chine , near to the Grand Hotel and under Highcliffe where a beach hut had been pushed forward.

Having checked the area the team returned to station.  The sites will now be assessed by the Council.

These areas are still active and we would recommend that people observe from a distance.

In an emergency dial 999 Coastguard

Watch the weather and tides

A key factor in some recent incidents has been the weather and tides.

Ground conditions are wet and for the next couple of days there is more rain on the way.

The tides also impact accessing areas of the beach and some days combined with the weather will make areas difficult to get to.  

We want to join our colleagues at the RNLI in confirming that you CANNOT walk from Swanage to Studland ( or the other way round) around the base of the cliffs.  No matter what super tides we may get there is a section you cannot navigate in the dry.  There is also the risk of crumbling cliffs , the route to take is OVER Ballard Down via approved footpaths.

Further call outs

The team were tasked this morning to a person who had fallen on rocks at Peveril Point.  Assisted at scene by a couple of lifeboat crew and further Coastguards from St Albans the female was provided with first aid.

The casualty was stretcher off the rocks to a safer location before the arrival of the ambulance and on to hospital.

Then just as it was getting dark the team were tasked again to search Studland for a missing 8 year old child.  Backed up with colleagues from Poole the teams were heading to their stations when the child was located safely so everyone stood down.

A busy weekend for several teams and lifeboats in Swanage.

Two saved in tide mishap

A really busy afternoon for the maritime services today.

The patrol were at Anvil Point when they discovered 14 cows escaped from their enclosure and were on the coastal path.  The rangers were called and the team members assisted getting the cows to safety and back within the fences area.  The issue was traced to a gate left open on the track.

The patrol then headed back to the location of yesterday’s incident with the possible ordnance to ensure markings were in place to stop further calls.  As the team members were trying to locate the item the Coastguard Operations Centre requested the team to Anvil Point after a 999 call reported a female with a broken ankle.

The team proceeded to Durlston but a further 999 call from two persons trapped between Ballard Point and Old Harry meant the team had to divert due to the risk involved.  Swanage RNLI ILB was requested and the Coastguard Team head to the top of the cliffs.

The ILB located the two peoples in a small cave which was submerged with the fast rising tide.
In a rough sea the ILB managed to get to the two persons and get them into the boat.   The all weather boat launched to assist and take the two back to Swanage.

Swanage ILB getting to the two people cut off by the tide whilst monitored by the Coastguard team 

Meanwhile whilst this incident was unfolding the St Albans Coastguard had been tasked to Anvil Point and the broken ankle.  The team along with an ambulance crew has located the female and due to the location a decision is as made to request a helicopters. 

With the lifeboats heading back to Swanage the Swanage team made their way back to Anvil Point to assist with the injured female. Rescue 175 arrived and was soon heading to Poole with the casualty. 

Rescue 175 on scene west of Anvil Point 

A busy afternoon for all those involved 

First call of 2020

The team were tasked to a report of a possible pierce of wartime ordnance this afternoon north of Sheps Hollow.

Team members were quickly on scene and established it was a jockey wheel that has been there for some time.

Following calls previously to this wheel, the item had been marked in a way that could confirm that this was a wheel rather than a hazardous item.   With low tides other wartime structures were visible and we do ask that all suspicious items are reported to the Coastguard via 999.

A good call to make report this , we have been to this several times and due to its location and weight we can’t remove it. It has been marked so we can identify it quickly  but we will always check a report.  These old wheels are often used as mooring weights for boats. 

Further old wartime defences being uncovered by the very low tide. 

Goodbye to a Legend

Today we said a heartbreaking goodbye to John Bentham - SW165

Family , friends , colleagues and team members came together at St Mary’s church to pay tribute to him.

We would like to thank our colleagues from St Albans , Poole , RNLI, Dorset Police , Dorset and Wilts Fire,  South Western Ambulance, DorSAR, Swanage Town Council and Dorset Council   for their assistance and support  today.

John , when you look down on us - you are a true legend and we will miss you.

John Henry Bentham

BENTHAM 

John Henry

Having fought so bravely for such a long time my darling Hen finally lost his battle on the 13th December 2019, having just celebrated his 58th Birthday.

Sammy, Coral, Will and I are so very proud to have been blessed with him in our lives.

His funeral service will take place at St. Mary’s Parish Church, Swanage on Tuesday 7th January at 11:00am.

Family flowers only please but donations, if wished, to Poole Hospital Arne Ward or Forest Holme Hospice Charity, may be made on-line at funeraldirector.co.uk/john-bentham or sent to James Smith Funeral Directors, 60a Kings Road, Swanage, BH19 1HR, Tel: 01929 422445.

Happy New Year

A happy new year to you all.

After the night it could be time for that new year walk ( despite the rain we currently have).

Please take care on coastal paths and on the beach.

If you are taking your dog out please ensure you keep it on a lead near cliff edges.

The beach is open but to the north of the bay it’s is difficult to get over some of the wooden groynes.
Please be aware of a drop on the other side of some of them.

Stay safe in 2020.