Not sure what you have found ?

So over the Christmas holidays you are out on the beach and you find something that looks out of place on the beach.

Thousands of pieces of ordnance are still out at sea and wash up on the coastline of the UK.

If you find something, don't touch - call 999 and ask for Coastguard.

New Coastguard Helicopters arrive in Newquay

The new Coastguard helicopter arrived at Newquay today with the base becoming operational in January.

The Sikorsky S92 is a little larger than the Agusta Westland AW139 which we are familiar with here in Swanage.

Subject to operational requirements who know we might get this aircraft visit us ?

Swanage Coastguard of the Year

Last night was the annual Swanage Coastguard Christmas Dinner which included a couple of awards handed to team members for performance related contributions during the year.

This year the Mike "Spike" Williamson Swanage Coastguard of the year went to Brian Craker.

The award is in memory of Spike who passed away in 2004 and is awarded to the team member who puts that little extra into the team during the year.

Brian's sense of humour and input have really kept the team going this year.





congratulations Brian, well deserved.

In depth training

This week some specialist training took place at the Fire Training tower in Poole.

Keep it Clean!

We always clean and check our kit after we've used it and before it is put away, and Terry has found  novel way to make sure everyone's boots are clean before they go into the station following a muddy cliff exercise last month.

Terry's actually a bit of a demon with the pressure washer, and it has to be said, when a new one arrived on station recently it was as though all his Christmases had come at once!

What is it?

A stroll along the beach at the weekend revealed this object washed up - or more likely, uncovered by the winds and rains having been washed up or left there some years ago.

Does anyone out there know what it is or was used for?  If you do, please comment below.  Its not in the best of health, but I'm sure a spray of WD40 and some TLC should soon see it as good as new!

It is generally accepted that there's lots of spent and un-spent ordnance in and around the bay, and the stormy weather that we've seen lately often uncovers some of it and brings it into view.
If you do spot anything that you believe to be ordnance, or believe could be ordnance, do not touch it, do not pick it up, but call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Day of Rest

Last week, someone was asking for an update and some pictures of the stabilisation works underneath the Pines Hotel. 
We popped along yesterday, but being a Sunday, there wasn't a lot going on.


The seafront access point was all secured up.....

 

....with vehicles parked at the top of the ramp to the beach

At the worksite itself, a reminder that there is no longer a guaranteed all-states-of-the-tide safe route to the north end of the bay.  Anyone finding themselves cut off on the 'wrong' side of the works should look to exit the beach at Sheps Hollow

Desmond's effects on the South

Whilst we escaped the major effects of Storm Desmond it was still felt along the South.




The scene at Durlston Head yesterday afternoon.

Gale force 8 - Moderately High waves with breaking crests forming spindrift. Well marked streaks of foam are blown along wind direction. Considerable airborne spray.

Wave height 5.5 to 7.5.






Slightly quieter at Studland due to the protection of the land but still the sand was being moved at a rate.

Neil Hardy MBE - Congratulations

Our friends at Swanage Lifeboat had cause to celebrate yesterday when their Operations Manager Neil Hardy was presented with the MBE for Services to Maritime Safety at Windsor Castle.

Congratulations from all of us at HM Coastguard Swanage.

Click for further details and photo on the Swanage RNLI Facebook Page

Rest and admire

The team have all had a busy week so finally a patrol got out today.

So when this was found in the wall at Durlston, this is what what was found.  After lots of rain the paths are muddy and slippery in places.


The view looking toward Peveril , Old Harry and Bournemouth