Trouble?

I was called out to the station last night by a neighbour concerned at a group of youths messing around at the station. It appeared that about a dozen older teenagers were messing about in car and riding skateboards along the station ramps. Yours truly popped over to check out the situation and offer a few words of advice. It appears that much like moths, the station floodlights attract skateboarders also.

To be fair they were polite, apologised and moved on.

Watch your head

Yesterday's patrol were tasked to Durlston after a member of the public reported concerns for the cliffs in Durlston.
As in most years the cliffs have taken a battering this winter which has resulted in some large cliff falls which has left some large over hangs.
A report has been made to Portland MRCC who will be in contact with the council to review access to the area.

Our advice at the moment is to stay clear of the area for a bit, there is no doubt going to be some more cliff falls as the cliff dries out and gravity takes over as in the picture above.

Its Sunday

Morning to all our readers

Sorry to readers this morning who tried to log on and were redirected to a donation site, it would appear "Austen's Hamster" corrupted the site so we have sent him off to a new home (the hamster not Austen........but having said that anyone seen Austen this weekend?)

As deputy blog said, a very big welcome to Dee who is now active on the team after a new long process to join the Coastguard. Hopefully we can now look at recruiting the next person to bring the team up to full strength, please do get in touch if you are interested in joining the team.

Can I just point out that in the photo from yesterday I was proving the Station Officer does do the sweeping in the station!

I understand its a beach clean day today so the patrol will go and have a look and see what has been collected.

Coastguard Rescue Officer Lima

Today is the first patrol for our newest

Coastguard Rescue Officer

– Dee Bowden – Call sign ‘Lima’.

Above: Dee hiding in the truck


This afternoon she’s been put under the wing of our most experienced CRO – John Bentham who will show her the ropes and is under orders to get her brand new coastguard boots muddy. Probably a spot of driving the truck too!

Dee has worked as a Swanage Beach Warden over the last year so brings a new set of skills to the team; we’ve decided she’s very brave joining a team full of blokes. Still, from what I’ve seen she can more than handle herself.

She’s been training with the team over the last few months just learning the equipment and passing through all the paperwork bits and pieces and today she goes ‘live’ so to speak. Well done Dee, the team are all looking forward to working with you over the coming years.


A nice photo and more about Dee soon....

16:32...The truck is back safe with four wheels, but her boots are still pristine! "Well, I'm not getting out of a warm truck to get my boots dirty." said Dee like a proper Coastguard.

Further Industrial Action

http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga07-home/newsandpublications/press-releases.htm?id=E1B53C0D2F1CF3CF&m=3&y=2010

Sadly on Monday and Tuesday certain staff of the MCA will take part in Industrial Action over their continued pay claim.

Coastguard Rescue Officers (us!) will not be taking part in this action.

Brian's New photo?

Last week Brian was concerned that his Coastguard musghot made him look silly.

Luckily I found this photo instead.....

...which relatively speaking makes his mugshot look quite sensible. (Note Rid and John in the background trying not to laugh!)

Brian is like an Invisible Snow Leopard ...no one has a decent photo of him.

Nothing to report Sir!

All is "Q" at the moment....you can say the "Q" word as it tends to come back and bite you.

Training this week was carried out in the station as several members of the team had to work that night, but it was nice to be joined by Coastguards from Lymington and Hill Head who were in Swanage on a 4x4 driving course.
Whilst Lymington isn't mega miles away its still good to share ideas and practises and in fact they showed us a technique they learnt using some rope equipment on a steep slope.

Cup of coffee and a few biscuits later, we put the world of Coastguard right and everyone was happy.

On a team front, I had a nice day out in the Thames Valley area yesterday, Eric is still winning the "grow your own beard competition" Brian has gone into hiding so we cant take a new photo of him, Gareth has managed to "pop" a rib or two, he says he was coughing so hard he hurt his ribs.......(investigations still going on) .

On the equipment front we had a metal box arrive this week, more on this when we have worked out what it is for!

Brian's Not Happy

Complaint from Brian ......"I don't like my photograph on the main website...can you change it?"

Whats wrong Brian?....."Well my helmet isn't on straight for a start, I look a right ******!"

OK Brian, leave it with me and deputy blog!

Perhaps readers would like to have a look?


http://www.dtnetnt.net/swanagecoastguard.org.uk/

Watching the Sunrise

Above: New South Wales Ambulance Helicopter.

A chap falls asleep on cliff face waiting for the sun to rise; feel free to make your own comment.

Austen's Hamster

The team have bought Austen a hamster. No reason....we just thought we'd get him a pet.

The hamster is in the bottom right hand corner of this blog.

Feel free to feed and water him........hopefully he'll last the week.