Back in Action

The team was back in action on Tuesday night, involved in the search for a male who got seperated from the rest of his party on a walk back from Seacombe to Langton. Unlike the clear cold days of the last month, the weather turned damp yesterday with a heavy mist and this combined with failing light, cold temperatures and slippy conditions served to disorientate the walker who ordinarily knew the area well.

When the alarm was raised, the ops team at Portland Coastguard put their extensive knowledge of the area to good use and directed the search which also involved our coastguard rescue colleagues at St Albans and Dorset Police.

The story had a happy ending when the walker turned up after nearly six hours, cold, wet, tired and very muddy, but otherwise safe and well. If you're planning a walk along the coast path over the next few days, take care -after the recent snow, it's very muddy and slippery and when it's dark and foggy and you're tired, lost and alone it's not the best place to be!

Review of the Year:- Funniest Photo

The funniest photo of the year has to be this one.....the DSO on his driving assessment.

Station Officers Incidents of the Year

During 2010, two incidents come to me that were not exactly "Coastguard standard incidents"


There I was sitting enjoying a cup of tea, the next.


And no we didn't start the fire, someone left a BBQ to near the grass and the next thing it went up. Thanks to our prompt action along with some members of the public the fire was put out before a major heath fire was started.
The other incident was a mountain biker who was seriously injured on Godlingston Hill, Ambulance couldn't get near the site, so along with the crew of Rescue 106 the male was airlifted to Poole Hospital.

Both incidents highlight our role in the community and that its not always maritime incidents we deal with.

The blog returns

After the Christmas break, we are back.....

Thankfully the team had a quite few days with no call outs, although a windsurfer caused the watch keeper at NCI some concern this afternoon. Just as he liaised with Portland MRCC the windsurfer managed to get ashore safely.

So as we approach the end of the year, we will highlight some of the incidents that occurred during 2010.

To all our readers

To all our readers, A Merry but safe Christmas

Remember to stay safe over the Christmas holidays, and if you are talking a walk with your dog, please keep it on a lead near the cliff edge......we really do not want our 10th dog incident !

Coastguards all around the country remain on call and staff in the Operations Room will be at work over the Christmas holidays.

Pause for thought

Christmas is a time for family and friends, we should all take time to stop and think about people who aren't going to have a Christmas to remember due to illness for example.

One of our team, "John" is still very ill in Poole hospital and all our thoughts are directed to him and his family at this time.

On behalf of the team can we thank everyone in the town who have sent their best wishes, these have all been passed on .

Take a few minutes today to pause and think about someone you know who isn't going to have a Christmas to remember...........it could be the best present they receive.

Not the best headline

I've just got in to be greeted by this headline in our local paper. Already a family member has been on the phone concerned its our station that is closing.

I fear my phone will be busy again tomorrow explaining to our local supporters what this consultation is all about.
Remember our earlier Blog about the difference between our station and a MRCC, we urge everyone to read the consultation document (see the link to the right) and reply on the points raised.

Merry Christmas from Gareth

The great Christmas card exchange took place tonight, except Gareth decided that he would exchange ginger bread biscuits instead.
Interesting idea and I see his point....swap cards or eat biscuits !

December Kit Night

Now that the ban has been lifted.


December Kit Night tonight, which means one thing:-

Eat mince pies.


Actually two things:-

Check the kit properly and eat mince pies.

Driving

Someone left a question on one of the recent blogs asking if we have nominated drivers for the vehicle?

Not a easy question to answer as many factors come into play.

When you join and if you have a driving license, you start to learn to drive the vehicle on dry roads . From there you progress on to other conditions and other terrains, sand, mud etc. but still not under emergency condtions. Only when the Sector Manager and Station Officer are happy can you progress to "blue light" driving and then again going through all the different terrain conditions.

There is also trailer driving, which these days can cause a problem as not everyone has a trailer entitlement on their licenses anymore.

Down here we dont get snow very often so training under these conditions doesnt happen very often.

So to answer the oringinal question, yes everyone can drive the vehicle, however it depends on the incident, the location and the training the individual has had.

Currently with this weather its down to a Risk Assessment, discussed with the Operations Room, the Sector Manager, Station Officer or Deputy Station Officer.