Sandbanks Chain Ferry

 FERRY SERVICE STATUS – 28 February 2021

17.30 – We are currently only taking traffic from Poole to Studland at the moment as Sandbanks is gridlocked as the car park empties. We are taking foot passengers and cyclists/motorcycles only from Studland to Poole until the roads clear and we can unload the Ferry.

Please take care

 

Footpath Closed

 

Dorset Council has had to close the foot path in front of  the Highcliffe area due to a risk that a structure is at risk of collapsing. 

Whilst the structure has been damaged for some time the cliff fall this week has seen it move further and a survey by engineers needs to be carried out. 

Please keep clear of the barriers and if using the beach be aware of the tides which have been high this week. 

In an emergency call 999 Coastguard

Flood Defences

 The team deployed last night and this morning for the high tides to ensure the sea defences were not breached. 

Conditions were not as bad as Friday however there was overtopping and waves were sweeping across the parade. 

Working with the Councils and Environment Agency the road and path closures  will remain in place for the protection of the public and for a safe working area for workers. 

We ask people to respect the closures which are put in place for public safety. 

In an emergency dial 999 Coastguard 

Flood warning

 This morning the team along with colleagues from St Albans Coastguard were tasked to provide safety cover in the lower high street , square and sea front areas after a flood warning was issued due to the high seas and wind conditions. 

Several of the large concrete flood barriers had been pushed out of place and the sea was over topping the wall. 

The Coastguard teams closed off a section of the parade  near to the quay and gave safety advice to people gathering to take photos 

During the morning a person was spotted going into the sea for some reason and team member immediately deployed to ask them to come out due to the risks to them being swept out or injured in the surf. 

 The Swanage Lifeboat crew were paged due to the sea state and the risk a person could be swept away.   On arrival the teams located someone going body boarding, with some persuasion and advice they left the sea.   The lifeboat was cancelled and the teams carried on patrolling. 

Working with the Councils , Environment Agency and Dorset Police measures were put in place for safety and to provide a safe working area for the emergency services and agencies. 

The  wind strength dropped and changed direction , the tide dropped so the risks decreased and the teams were stood down.  The Environment Agency have repaired the barrier and Coastguard teams will deploy for the next two high tides to monitor it. 

Swanage Sea Front was closed due to the amount of foam blown up.

The sea pushed the concrete box’s out of position 

The High Street was closed off due to the debris washed up 

Cliff falls continue

 

We were contacted today advising of another cliff fall in the Highcliffe area. 

A section of a garden had given away and fallen mostly behind the huts although some debris has landed on the roofs of the huts. 

The team was not deployed on this occasion but the local authority were informed. 

We ask people to stay safe in the coming days as further falls are expected as temperatures rise. 

In an emergency 999 Coastguard 

Warning signs and tape

 

So why the tape and signage? It happens every year and it is a natural process. 

Just some of the questions the team were asked whilst working at Sheps Hollow yesterday. 

The fall yesterday whilst small to start with maybe have been the start of something bigger.  The concern was less than a minute before about 3 tonnes of rock fell someone was walking right on the spot to get around the groyne which is about five feet high.  In fact the slip happened as they stepped off the rocks the other side. 

You could see further cracks developing and movement whilst you stood there. 

The role of the Coastguard is to assess and report back to the council and today an engineer will attend the site. 

As we said the cliff falls will continue , we advise you stay clear of any cliff base as debris can fall at any time. 

In a coastal emergency call 999 Coastguard.  

High risk of landslips

 The team deployed this afternoon to check the cliffs after several reports of slips to the north of Swanage. 

This is not unusual at this time of the year and a natural process however after heavy rain and the report of some very cold weather ahead this could see  an increase in slips. 

The area was checked from Ocean bay with signage and tape placed in some high risk areas. 

As the team approached Sheps Hollow and were talking to a member of the public several tonnes of rock fell onto the beach at Groyne 17. 

Due to the height of the groyne people struggle to get over it and clamber over some rocks under the cliff which is very close to the section that gave away. 

We continue to work with Dorset Council to get a section of the groyne removed to make access easier and stop people going to an area which could see debris fall on them. 

We ask that people are aware of the risks and not to ignore the tape - it’s there to protect you. 

We also remind people that the steps at Sheps Hollow are closed and are unsafe. 

The slip by Sheps Hollow. 

Several active slips are being monitored 

Previous damage to these huts is now getting worse 

Risk of further falls remain in several places 

Search after flare sighting

 Coastguard and lifeboat crews have been searching this evening after a vessel reported seeing a flare between Ballard Point and Old Harry. 

Shoreline searches have been carried out whilst both Swanage Lifeboats searched off shore. 

The report came in just after 9pm reporting a handheld type flare but despite searching for two hours nothing further has been located. 

All search assets have returned pending any further information.