When the wind blows

 A very busy day for the Coastguard not only in Swanage and Studland but right across Dorset today (Sunday). 

The patrol were at Studland when the strong offshore wind started to cause problems with several incidents in very quick succession. 

They spotted two inflatable kayakers struggling off Studland and via the control room requested lifeboat assistance.  Poole RNLI lifeboat was tasked to bring them ashore. As the lifeboat arrived a further large paddle board with four people on it was spotted also struggling so again the lifeboat was tasked to assist. 

Two people were then spotted on a double kayak in the main shipping channel were then assisted and brought ashore to the team. 

The full team were then requested for a medical incident at Studland and with a very busy ferry road the team arrived to assist the ambulance crew. 

Both Swanage RNLI lifeboats and the Rescue helicopter from Lee on Solent ‘Rescue 175’ were tasked to Swanage bay for two  young men blown out towards Ballard Point. The Coastguard team proceed to Ballard Down to search from the high ground when news came in that a local boat owner had located the pair and with the help of the ILB brought them ashore to the Mowlem to be met by the Coastguard team. 

Whilst this was happening other members of the Coastguard team had stayed in Studland and spotted another paddle board with two ladies on board being blown out to sea at Knoll Beach.  With the help of a local boat owner the pair were brought ashore for some safety advice. 

The team regrouped back at Studland and again a further paddleboarder was assisted ashore with the strong wind at a knoll beach.

Having been out for nearly five hours the team stood down however just before 8pm both Swanage and St Albans Coastguard teams and RNLI lifeboats were tasked to the Stone Quay for a report of a person in the water.  After some enquires and eye witness accounts it was confirmed they were safe. 

A lot of safety advice was given out today with regard the strong offshore wind and equipment when using paddle boards.  In a maritime emergency dial 999 and ask for Coastguard. 

A little piece of history

 

With the antiques roadshow being filmed in Swanage this week, a short story about some of our history turning up a few months ago. 

It started with a “something for you” card  from the post office in our letter box.  On arrival at the post office there was a parcel wrapped in brown paper addressed to Swanage Coastguard. 

On opening, an old station log was found dating back to between 1920 and 1940 covering the Studland Bay area which formed part of the former Swanage division in those days. 

Inside are details of several rescues in the area during that period which is a fascinating insight into HM Coastguard nearly 100 years ago. 

The information is slowly being collated and we hope to bring some of those details in the future. 

So to the anonymous sender, thank you we don’t know your connection or where it was located, but it is now safe and helps us piece together our history. 

Two serious incidents

 A call to the chain ferry and then to Dancing Ledge saw the team working with partner agencies today. 

The first call saw the team sent to the chain ferry after a report of a car running down the slipway.  Thankfully the owner was reported safe having got out the vehicle before it rolled forward. 

The team stood by with Poole Coastguard attending the north side of the harbour.  The car remained afloat for a while before sinking.  The chain ferry service was suspended for a period of time until the location of the car was confirmed. An operation has seen the car now recovered. 

As that incident was on going the team were retasked to Dancing Ledge to a report a male with a lower leg injury having fallen.  Along with St Albans Coastguard, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, South Western Ambulance , Dorset Police and both Swanage RNLI lifeboats the male was treated before being airlifted by the air ambulance to a field about Dancing Ledge and a waiting ambulance.