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 

Take care out there

It’s another mile stone today , people will be visiting areas that perhaps haven’t been open for a while.

Please remember the basics -

Social distancing still applies.
Large groups are not recommended.
Dispute the weather NO BBQ’s on the beaches - this will continue for the summer.
Check the weather and tides.
Have the correct clothing for the activity you are doing.
Does your activity carry risks if it goes wrong?

If you see someone in trouble 999 Coastguard

The team were tasked to Old Harry to assist three paddle boarders being swept out to sea east of Harry Old Rocks.

Thankfully someone spotted them and dialled 999 which saw the Swanage Lifeboat launched and the Coastguard team set to monitor and then meet them when they were brought ashore.

A passing yacht which responded to a broadcast message from the Coastguard managed to assist until the lifeboat arrived.

As the lifeboat made for Knoll Beach a further paddle boarder was spotted struggling in the conditions and was collected and brought ashore to be met by the Coastguard team.