How Long

A question was raised some weeks back about whether our cliff lines were in fact long enough when we went over Ballard !

Now I was told that Ballard at its highest point was 375ft converted to metres is 114.3 metres, length of lines we currently hold 250 so thats loads left over ( 137.5 metres left??)

Well that's ok then, but remember that Ballard is not a sheer cliff its quite a slope in fact, we don't descend straight down and often go down at an angle to avoid bits of rock etc. We also don't set up the equipment right on the edge but several metres back from the cliff edge, and the rope technician carries quite a lot of spare rope in his bag to allow adjustment, so that 137.5 suddenly starts to decrease.

Oh heck were we going to have to get the church bell ropes from St Mary's Church like they use to when someone was stuck on the cliffs?.........

Thankfully no, Austen headed off and reached the bottom (the beach) in about 10 minutes and the good news was there was plenty of rope left in the bag. We use to have 200 metre ropes and that use to get very tight, now with 250 metre there is plenty spare.

Long Day

This is the device the Coastguard team looked after for nearly six hours until the Royal Navy confirmed it was a container.

With modern technology the picture of the tube was sent via email to our Operations Room in Weymouth in 5 minutes of arriving on scene, the problem was not knowing what was in side and that's why a bomb disposal team was called, sadly that involved a long drive from Plymouth.

Whilst we can take a picture we are not allowed to touch the device, just observe the markings and sit and wait having put a large cordon to protect the public.

So it was rather annoying that it was empty other than having sand inside......better to safe than sorry

Its kicked off

Busy couple of days for the team,

Sunday a broken down jet ski off Round Island in Poole Harbour, we don't get called down there very often!

Then to King Georges playing field for a medical evacuation by Rescue 106.

Today started with a mystery item on the beach, a long six hours later the team find out what it was. Photo's will hopefully be on tomorrow's blog.

Finally the team get called to Anvil Point for a climber fallen, Rescue 106 again in the patch.

Trailers

A lot of Coastguard teams have Rescue Support Trailers ........posh words for a good old trailer.

Its used for several things, carrying extra equipment or for removing large items off the beach or when we moved stations it came in very handy!

Now only one small problem these days with trailers, you have to have to have a trailer entitlement on your driving licence to tow one. Us old folk have what is known as Grandfather rights and can tow one without having to have taken the extra test, sadly that has changed.

So as time goes on less people will have trailer entitlements as they never thought at the time to take the extra test, a slight problem if you want to tow a caravan or a Coastguard trailer!

So the other day I visited the station to find Rid parking his car as above, "Rid are your practising towing a trailer?", "one small thing, you need a hitch!"

Moonlightling?

Deputy Blog mentioned this incident this week, a chap using a road guide to sail around the UK!

Well the Sun Newspaper ran the story, but our interest was more taken but the Coastguard on the left. Is this our Terry we all said? We know he travels the world but we never thought he took his overalls!

Kit Night

Kit night is not just about the equipment, there is cleaning of station and now the warmer weather has arrived two of the team have decided to tidy up around the back of the station.

John and Dee were busy filling in holes and gathering up sticks and rubbish so the grass can get established.

There was talk of a fountain, picnic bench and bbq.........keep you posted

Around and aground

A chap who is currently trying sail around Britain.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/8648011.stm

The less said the better!

Diversity

When we had the Mayors visit, Tom decided it best to get his new pair of overalls out rather than use his normal one.

Like a child at Christmas he ripped the packet open, gloating he was the only one with a clean pair and how they fitted him so well (I'm sure you have gone up a size Tom??)
Anyway it was sometime before the little problem was spotted.......yes the clothing people must have miss heard the order, Yes Swanage not Swansea !

See our cousins in Wales get a little extra written on their kit, perhaps someone can confirm the rumor it means "Guardian of the Sea?"

So our new member Tom Jones will be keeping his new suit just to be different!

Your in safe hands

Like a major DIY store on a Wednesday, we also run special days out for a certain age group and today it was the turn of Terry and Eric.

Despite the looks, (yes we think he looks like Inspector Frost on the TV series A Touch of Frost), Terry is the Team's medical advisor and through his advice (sometimes at the end of the telephone) and his skill people's injuries have been treated a lot quicker and improved their recovery.

So as the patrol headed down the ferry road they came across a young man who had fallen off his bike and with skin versus tarmac, there is only one winner!
So our secret weapon got straight into action and started treatment until the ambulance arrived.

Every team should have one.....

Rock Samphire

A perrenial member of the carrot family, it is distinctive and rather beautiful plant with succulent grey- green leaves and delicate white flower heads . Great with fish or steamed or boiled with butter.

Rock Samphire grows on the Dorset coast but doesn't like to get it's feet wet.

Shipwrecked off Beachy Head in 1821 four shipwrecked sailors clung to rocks in total darkness with the tide coming in fast. About to take the desperate step of trying to swim to shore before the rising tide overwhelmed them, a flash of lightning revealed a patch of Rock Samphire. They now knew that the sea would never cover the rock completely and that they would be safe until daybreak when they were rescued.

Source: River Cottage Handbook No.5 Edible Seashore: John Wright and Hugh Fearnly-Whatshisname.