Fog

The fog last Wednesday.......in the distance is Ocean Bay.

This picture reminded me of the incident last year when the patrol was out on Ballard Down and came involved in quite a few lost runners. The fog had set in and made the route rather tricky with runners confused where the next check point was.

As we start a new year are you thinking of organising an event in a coastal area? If so perhaps as part of your risk assessment you contact your local Coastguard MRCC for some advice? Its free and may just save a call out during your event.

Our local MRCC is Portland Coastguard and they can be contacted on 01305 760439. (this number is for non emergency calls) For readers around the rest of the country please contact you local MRCC, the number will be in the phone book or at http://www.mcga.gov.uk/

Questions

Someone left some questions on one of our blogs earlier. (They are doing a project on the emergency services, good they have picked the Coastguard in my book!)

When did you become Station Officer?

On checking the records (I was quite surprised) 20th July 2002, Austen become Deputy Station Officer 1st May 2007

Have you received any certificates or awards for any rescues?

Tricky to answer this one as I'm not sure how far back you want us to go so will cover the period of our longest servicing member (John Bentham).

John was part of the team when they recovered the body of a climber in 1988 which they received a Chief Coastguards Commendation.

Ian received a letter from the District Control (1997) for the rescue of a swimmer at Studland

John received a letter from the Chief Coastguard for his work at Portland MRCC during the Napoli incident.

Ian received a letter from the Chief Coastguard for the work done to get the new Station.

Ian presented with a Paul Harris Fellow award from the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International in 2010 for work in the community.

John Bentham will be presented his Clasp to his 20 year long service medal for completion of 30 years service to the Coastguard Rescue Service. (waiting for him to get well)

Ian will be presented his long service medal for 20 years service (waiting for it to be minted!)

I think that's about it, thankfully the question wasn't how many telling offs have you had.....!

Do all MRU's (our vehicles) have the name of the station on the front doors?

This is an unofficial thing that some Coastguard teams do once the vehicle arrives on station. Its not something the Coastguard Service provide but done under a local agreement and cost.
As mentioned in the flag pole blog, the Coastguard has nearly 200 years of traditions and teams are fiercely proud of their patch and equipment. If you look at very old photos of the LSA teams they use to have their station names on their carts and slowly in modern times this tradition has come back. There is a slight problem with this as sometime vehicles are needed to be swapped about for various reasons!

Finishing touches

This morning some of the team met at the station for a New Year coffee.

We took sometime out to put together our flag pole for the first time. The flag pole was given to us by the family of the late Ian Surface who passed away in 2009.

When the Chief Coastguard opened the station in Feburary 2008, he touched on the fine traditions of the Coastguard Service, something here at Swanage we are very keen to continue.
All Coastguard stations use to have flag poles and when we had the new building it was something we felt was missed but very important to mark events

So at last in memory of a long serving Auxiliary In Charge (now known as a station officer) the station has a flag pole that can be put up (its not a fixed structure) to mark official events.

New Year

New Year's Day and the team met to compare who had the best Christmas presents. Tom was struggling with his new heavy duty fishing rod whilst Gareth is so pleased with his tea mug he hasn't put it down since Boxing Day.

Full details of what was really happening will follow, courtesy of the boss. In the meantime, Happy New Year to all our readers.

Go Safe

We wish everyone a safe evening tonight.

Happy New Year and we will be back new year!

Crimewatch...Swanage

Last night whilst the DSO parked his car around the corner from the station in Burlington Road, some nasty waste of space decided that they would steal his hub caps from his car.

Why anyone would require to take 4 plastic (slightly cracked) Peugeot 106 caps who knows but sadly they did.

Dorset Police are currently investigating but we ask did anyone see anything or perhaps know someone who has been offered a set?

Oh forgot to mention, the caps had been security marked so they are no good to anyone else.

Of course should they turn back up at the door to the station then that would be a result (but I doubt the thief would be reading this let alone have the nerve to return them.)

Review of the Year: Other Highlights

Carwasher of the Year : Rid

The car was blue when he bought it, constant cleaning has taken it back to its red undercoat.

Meringue eater of the Year: Ian


"I might manage another small one."



Best attempt to cut through an armoured electrity cable with a spade: Nick (Don't ask)



"Are you sure this is safe?"
(don't panic HQ health and safety it was all under control)



Most chips consumed in one sitting (or standing) this year:- Austen

"Chips? Moi?"

Review of the Year:- Comedy Fall.

Comedy Fall of the Year was Mr T back in April.

"Terry, Terry, where are you?"

"I'm here, in the hedge"

Review of the Year:- Malcolm

And who could forget team member 'Malcolm the Gingerbread Man.'

Who was sacked by the heartless Station Officer.

He even was asked to open Corfe Fest 2010 ...no really he was!

..and his untimely demise at the paws of Wilf.

Moos Headlines.

Daft cow.

Silly moo.