Penny the Spaniel

The Coastguard team have just returned from the first call out of the year after a report of a dog fallen at Old Harry Rocks

On arrival the owner reported the dog had fallen from the right side of Old Harry but swam round to the left side where she was sat at the base of the cliff. 

With the tide out the Coastguard team requested the launch of the Swanage Inshore Lifeboat as it would be safer than deploying a rope technician to the base of the cliff.

 

The Coastguard monitoring the situation from the top of the cliff  ensuring the public didn’t lean too far over the cliff to see what was was happening. 

The Coastguard team lowered the dogs collar and lead down the cliff to the lifeboat crew as often this helps calm the dog before being approached. 

The lifeboat crew approached Penny and soon safely recovered her to the boat for a short trip to South Beach and a reunite with her owner. 

Penny was a little cold and shocked after her ordeal and was being taken to a local vets to be checked after her 90ft fall. 

Please keep your dogs on leads near cliff edges.  In an emergency call 999 Coastguard. 

Recognition of Service

 

After many delays we finally caught up with two team members who retired from the team. 

Tom Simmons who had provided 18 years service , stepped down in September 2021 after being a very active member of the team.  

Nick Field the Deputy Station Officer stepped down in March 2022 after 11 years service again having been in the team and jointly running the team. 

Allan Norman Senior Coastguard Operations Officer paid tribute to both of them along with their families supports for many years of dedication and service. 

The team came to together to review their service and some of the lighter moments of them being on the team. 

We wish them both well in their retirement and adventures.

K

Sunday morning assessment

 This morning the team headed out for an assessment  under the direction of our Senior Coastguard Operation Officer. 

Due to the wet ground conditions we found a small area out of the wind to work in. 

The team were required to carry out a number of scenario with a number of emergency situations. 

A successful rope rescue assessment that we have on a regular basis to ensure our competence as a team .  We are pleased to say everyone passed after 4 hrs of assessments. 

Thank you

 

Today we say good bye to a very special place in Studland. 

Middle beach cafe closes today after 30 plus years to the community and visitors to the area. 

Parking at the middle beach cafe was ideal for the team to give them a good view from Old Harry to the training bank during a patrol, a refreshment stop and a central location to respond to incidents in and around Studland. 

The location of Middle Beach has a lot of Coastguard history with the old housing station and lookout just above this key location. 

We would like to say a massive thank you to the family for looking after us and allowing us to look after the visitors. 

You will all be sadly missed.