999 calls to the Coastguard are important
Without the public's input , many lives could be at risk so if you see something or think someone is in trouble dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Never think that someone else will call it in....often only one call is taken reporting something to our MRCC's
Thinking someone is in trouble is very different to a Hoax call, we would much rather be called out to check or be cancelled on route than not be called and someone losing their live.
Sometimes we turn up and there is a simple answer to what the member of the public has seen. A good example of this is a report of flares off Old Harry which we often get. When we arrive or checks are made, its found to be an aircraft going into Bournemouth Airport but this should NEVER put people off calling, this is what we call a FAWGI or False Alarm With Good Intent.
Saturday, 8 January 2011
Friday, 7 January 2011
Oiks
Some little oik has jumped off the radio mast and swung on the gutter which as you can see has knackered it. Still the gutter is razor sharp so I doubt he'll do it again. Ouch.
We'll have a look at the CCTV footage and see who was playing silly beggars.
Thanks
Austen and Nick have received thankyou letters from the family involved in the incident they attended last week. This a very nice touch and although nobody does it for the thanks or recognition, it's still nice to be appreciated. Our main concern as ever is that everyone ends up safe and well.
We never seek to judge the people we rescue nor pass comment although where appropriate we offer safety advice to try and prevent repeats, particularly with incidents at sea. Over the years we have operated regular Accident Prevention Patrols at weekends and we'd like to think this helps keep our casualty rates down. That said, with increased stay-at-home holidays last year our call out figures were higher than ever.
The way the Coastguard Service operates is currently under review; if you want to know what's planned or want to have your say please click the Consultation link on the right.
We never seek to judge the people we rescue nor pass comment although where appropriate we offer safety advice to try and prevent repeats, particularly with incidents at sea. Over the years we have operated regular Accident Prevention Patrols at weekends and we'd like to think this helps keep our casualty rates down. That said, with increased stay-at-home holidays last year our call out figures were higher than ever.
The way the Coastguard Service operates is currently under review; if you want to know what's planned or want to have your say please click the Consultation link on the right.
Thursday, 6 January 2011
Piles
It was the great 2010 clear out this week. Bring all the records up to date, empty the filing tray and put it into storage for 5 years.Its amazing how much paper work can be generated in a year.
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Training
Training tonight....................We start the year as we mean to carry on, tonight its the 1st session for 1st aid to be followed up with another 2 sessions which will include the assessment with the Sector Manager.
Other training this year will be, more rope work, water rescue, driving, and a big project on local knowledge. We will tell you more about this project as it happens.
Lads....time to put the colouring books away!
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
Portland Coastguard (MRCC) and the Kayakers
The Dorset Echo report on the kayakers; again this incident reinforces how important local MRCCs are to your Coastguard service:-
Coastguard watch manager Ros Evans told the Dorset Echo: “Knowledge of the local area is very important but it’s also having that awareness of the area.We all live locally and from the minute we leave our homes we know what the wind is doing and what the tides and Race are doing.”
She added: “With our local knowledge we know which is the most appropriate lifeboat to use and how to task the resources.
“We know which coastguards live nearest the hospital to go and organise the helicopter landing site.
All this can be taught but it takes years before it becomes an instinct.”
She said: “They were extremely lucky. We are really glad they are all right.
If you have views about the reorganisation of MRCC's in the UK please take a look at the Consultation document on the right hand side of this blog.
Coastguard watch manager Ros Evans told the Dorset Echo: “Knowledge of the local area is very important but it’s also having that awareness of the area.We all live locally and from the minute we leave our homes we know what the wind is doing and what the tides and Race are doing.”
She added: “With our local knowledge we know which is the most appropriate lifeboat to use and how to task the resources.
“We know which coastguards live nearest the hospital to go and organise the helicopter landing site.
All this can be taught but it takes years before it becomes an instinct.”
She said: “They were extremely lucky. We are really glad they are all right.
If you have views about the reorganisation of MRCC's in the UK please take a look at the Consultation document on the right hand side of this blog.
Stats
Its that time of year again when the figures are added up and we reflect on 2010.
I would like to start with a huge thank you to the team, 2010 was an outstanding year with incidents up to figures we have never seen before. The support from the families and the community of Swanage was brilliant. Special thanks go to St Albans Coastguard for backing us on a number of occasions, Swanage Police and Swanage Ambulance crews,NCI Swanage and all the crew at Swanage Lifeboat.
Incidents 2010 - 165 compared to 112 in 2009
5 EOD incidents
11 Incidents involving animals (mostly dogs fallen from cliffs)
69 Marine incidents
9 Miscellaneous incidents
3 Pollution incidents
6 Cliff incidents
23 Medical incidents
4 Investigations
9 Searches for missing people
26 Minor incidents - incidents where the team dealt with someone but not logged by the MRCC
The full team were called out 14 times
The MRU drove 2549 miles
Austen was called out the most (or created more incidents) 68
Sunday at 2pm remains our busiest time for call outs
We haven't been called out between 03.30 and 04.30 in five years
Wednesday's remain the quietest day in the week.
2469 hours of Coastguard work was put in during 2010 by the volunteer team.
Eric is the eldest in the team, Rid the youngest.
I would like to start with a huge thank you to the team, 2010 was an outstanding year with incidents up to figures we have never seen before. The support from the families and the community of Swanage was brilliant. Special thanks go to St Albans Coastguard for backing us on a number of occasions, Swanage Police and Swanage Ambulance crews,NCI Swanage and all the crew at Swanage Lifeboat.
Incidents 2010 - 165 compared to 112 in 2009
5 EOD incidents
11 Incidents involving animals (mostly dogs fallen from cliffs)
69 Marine incidents
9 Miscellaneous incidents
3 Pollution incidents
6 Cliff incidents
23 Medical incidents
4 Investigations
9 Searches for missing people
26 Minor incidents - incidents where the team dealt with someone but not logged by the MRCC
The full team were called out 14 times
The MRU drove 2549 miles
Austen was called out the most (or created more incidents) 68
Sunday at 2pm remains our busiest time for call outs
We haven't been called out between 03.30 and 04.30 in five years
Wednesday's remain the quietest day in the week.
2469 hours of Coastguard work was put in during 2010 by the volunteer team.
Eric is the eldest in the team, Rid the youngest.
Monday, 3 January 2011
Busy start to 2011
After the two rescues mentioned in our last entry, the ops team at Portland MRCC have been busy again today according to this BBC news story
Another busy day at Portland MRCC
Portland MRCC staff had another busy afternoon yesterday.
1st down at Lulworth with a dog and owner over the cliff.
http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga07-home/newsandpublications/press-releases.htm?id=04FBD832ED445906&m=1&y=2011
Then off Portland Bill in the tide race 16 kayakers got in trouble. 2 rescue helicopters, 2 lifeboats, Customs cutter, Portland Bill Coastguard, NCI Portland, Wyke Coastguard, a Sector Manager, South Western Ambulance all got involved.
http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga07-home/newsandpublications/press-releases.htm?id=17F5E2E07997592B&m=1&y=2011
1st down at Lulworth with a dog and owner over the cliff.
http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga07-home/newsandpublications/press-releases.htm?id=04FBD832ED445906&m=1&y=2011
Then off Portland Bill in the tide race 16 kayakers got in trouble. 2 rescue helicopters, 2 lifeboats, Customs cutter, Portland Bill Coastguard, NCI Portland, Wyke Coastguard, a Sector Manager, South Western Ambulance all got involved.
http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga07-home/newsandpublications/press-releases.htm?id=17F5E2E07997592B&m=1&y=2011
Standards
The other evening I popped up the station to check the building and found the truck in a muddy state! In fairness the IRT had been out until 23.00 the night before and its not the best time to clean the vehicle and upset the neighbours.Thankfully within an hour the vehicle was back to proper standard, clean, tidy and ready to go.
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