Weather Watch

Blimey, its rough out there today!

Take care, particularly on cliff tops and exposed ledges; the wind is very strong and very blustery and forecast to remain so for the rest of the day.

Weather Warning

There are various weather warnings in place for the next 24 hours.  Please check the forecast before heading out.  Strong winds and more heavy rain which may causing flooding in places are expected.

Watch and make.....a Swanage Coastguard special

The other Saturday when dressed in our posh uniform we suddenly found the need to find some protective gloves.  Normally our overalls are full of them but we got a little caught out and the box in the back of the truck had gone missing.

So a box of gloves, pair of scissors, labelling machine, Velcro, two plastic takeaway containers and a cup of tea........ 

Take sip of tea, then cut some Velcro and stick it to the back of the plastic containers.  Using scissors can be dangerous so full safety glasses should be worn and an adult present for this bit.

Make some labels saying "Medium gloves" and "Large gloves" and attach to lid of containers.  Sip of tea, then fill the containers with the correct gloves.  Stick the containers to the truck using the sticky Velcro strips

Job done - a mark one Swanage Coastguard simple and cheap solution to ensure gloves are to hand !

Merchant Navy

In non-Coastguard related news, the second steam excursion in as many weeks has just arrived at Swanage Station on the Swanage Railway.

Approximately 450 day trippers from London will have about 3 hours to enjoy a beautiful afternoon by the seaside and spend their money in the town before returning to the capital this evening.

Actually, on reflection, maybe it is Coastguard related as the engine pulling the train is a restored 'Merchant Navy' class, no 35028 Clan Line making its first visit to Swanage.

Trees

The scene at the station has changed a lot this week with the removal of the trees that are in the car park.

This work had nothing to do with the Coastguard but was a decision taken by our Landlords (of the car park) - the Town Council.

When the station was built the trees were meant to be taken down but at the last minute were just trimmed.  3 years on the tree roots are damaging the car park and also the properties next door to the station.

Since being cut down it was been discovered that some of the trees were also quite rotted so it an important thing they came down before falling down.

The good news is that in the Autumn some more suitable plants will be replanted.

Rough Seas - safety advice

A drive a long the sea front this morning showed how stormy it was with gusty winds and high seas.

Watching the morning news, one of their reporters was carrying out a live report on the weather on a sea front  with large waves breaking over the wall which could have put the reporter at risk.

Breaking waves can be dangerous as there can be a dragging effect as the water falls back towards the sea.

Our advice is to stay clear of sea walls, break waters and the beach when conditions are poor. "Wave Dodging" looks fun but can be dangerous, watch from a distance.

See someone in trouble along the coast......dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Helicopters at Swanage

We continue this critically acclaimed feature with the most up to date shot yet - the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance taking off from Peveril Point on 21 April 2012. (..more exciting than Slipwatch!)

For those who wish to know, its a Eurocopter EC135 twin engined machine operated by Bond Helicopters. Its registration is G-DORS and its call sign Helimed One-Zero. The Air Ambulance can operate on one engine only if one should fail.

The vehicle in the foreground is our Mobile Response Unit (MRU) or Austen's truck as we call it. Its a Nissan Navara single engined machine operated by HM Coastguard. Its registration is HF53 AUS, call sign Swanage Mobile. It has a striking yellow bonnet and some nee-nahs on the roof. Sadly it cannot operate if its engine fails although it is useful to shelter behind when the helo takes off.

Swanage Pier Rescue

I've just been going through our old video links...... I forgot about this one from 2009!

A diver was taken ill with the bends and needs a medivac to the Poole decompression chamber.....

• Option 1 - Gareth and Tom take the boat out and have the winchman land on the back; mmmmm tricky.

• Option 2 - Winchman lands on Swanage Pier; mmmmm tricky.

Key to success

Part of the patrols are to maintain knowledge of routes and ensure access can still be gained.  We have quite a few locked gates in the patch so have a selection of keys. 

Pictured above is the main set of keys and the "Special Key" should all else fail and we need to gain access quickly.

A little reminder.......Flares

Over the last few weeks several "Flares" have been left several locations in the town which has caused a few problems.  Please act responsiblily - flares are dangerous in the wrong hands and can cause serious injury. 

Please dispose of flares properly - as the sign says, to discuss disposal call 01305 760439