Saturday's Patrol

Chris and I headed out visiting the Zig Zag and Durlston bay 1st of all.

Then down to National Coastwatch at Peveril to see what was happening and be told about some divers they had some concern about earlier.

A slow drive up the sea front and out to Studland and Knoll Beach and watch the Coastguard helicopter return from Bournemouth very quickly and low over the water.
We then noticed a Easter egg hunt at the education centre at Knoll so thought we had better check it out. To qualify you had to take part in a trail and answer questions before returning to the centre to claim your chocolate.

The questions were well hard so we are going to return on Thursday to do it during training. Off then to Middle Beach to see how much seaweed had washed up and have a coffee (of course).
Checked the access at South Beach and out to Old Harry before returning to Swanage and a visit to Divers Down.

Chris was surprised at the number of people I waved at whilst driving around (I didn't know anyone really but he thinks I have lots of friends now!)

Finally back to the Station to see Lee (on his new patrol bike) Roger and Ali.

Station Officer - the many roles

In a new series for the blog, "The many roles of a Station Officer" we will show you all those extra little things that happen behind the scenes.

In the above photo (taken by David Haysom) it shows how useful a Station Officer can be as a ribbon holder. More to come will include, Station Officer does the washing up and Station Officer empties the bins.......bet you can't wait.

Beach Watch

A view over the bay yesterday shows plenty of folks making the most of a particularly low tide giving a much larger beach area than normal.
The extended beach easily accommodated the high number of Bank Holiday visitors and it is hoped to drain the tide in this way on other peak weekends throughout the summer.

Peveril Point

During the opening of the new information board at Peveril Point yesterday. The Mayoress, The Mayor and Sally Maltby.

A lovely weekend for a walk.....

Going walking this weekend? Please check the weather, take the right kit, tell someone what time you're back and most importantly have fun!

Here's some peeps having 'fun' on Crib Goch - Snowdon.

Peveril Point - another great project

Another wonderful example of partnership working was opened yesterday at Peveril Point.

The idea by Sally Maltby, a resident of Peveril Point and a watch keeper of The National Coastwatch lookout at Peveril, sees information boards put up in the old gun emplacements.

The project was opened by the Town Mayor - Bill Trite, Sally Maltby and John Master of NCI (oh some Station Officer was used to hold the tape)

I have to declare an interest in the project, as I had an input on a couple of the boards but alot of local people, swanage museum, companies, Town Council and partner agencies came together to give a insight into life at Peveril Point. The boards contain information on The Coastguard, wildlife, shipwrecks, World War Two, National Coastwatch, history of Peveril Point just to name a few.

So pop on down and have a read of the boards - there is a education booklet which encourages children (and adults!) to read the history and answer questions.

My favourite board (below) - it would be of course I co wrote it !

Beach Wardens Hut

The new beach wardens hut is nearly finished and goes to show how working together gets things done.

This project was partner working at its best - Swanage Town Council and the Swanage Hospitality Association being the main parties.

This hut or shall we call it a cabin (as it did replace an old beach hut) will assist the beach wardens operate a little better, giving them a view over the banjo jetty for example. More room to provide 1st aid or take details in private of a lost child and for a Coastguard team to keep dry in the rain?

Well done everyone - goes to show what can be done.

Helicopters at Swanage

In the continued series of "helicopters at Swanage" - here is the air ambulance coming in at Peveril.

Wheres Roger?

Where's Rog..... Its a bit like Where's Wally but the Swanage Coastguard version.

Well actually we know where he is.....FRANCE !

Roger is currently sat by a lake somewhere in FRANCE, fishing - yes FISHING.

Whats wrong with Poole Park we asked but got ignored !

We hear that the tally is 8 however there is no independent verification on this.

So Roger if you are reading this....you take it easy and don't worry I took your plastic bottles to the recycling centre for you.

Successful Sunday Search Studland

The Team have just returned from a successful search on Studland Beach for a missing elderly man.  CROs Simmons and Kitching with DSO Rockett in attendance.

Thanks to the St Albans Coastguard Rescue Team for providing additional search support.