November 31st

Just checked the team agreement to see who's on call tomorrow (under CG rules, we're not allowed a rota so we have an agreement amongst the team as to who will assume IRT cover on a particular day, and then the boss writes it down in Excel format for easy reference. But, its definitely NOT a rota).

So, the team agreement shows Messrs Craker and Brown on IRT for the night of 31st November.

Hang on a sec......31st November?

Mutiny ....

A mutiny was averted last night due to the swift deployment of jaffa cakes. (Purchased by Dee)

Meanwhile one of the chaps accidentally brought a Michael Buble album to the station. Fair to say that whilst Mr Buble can hold a tune, it's not something to bring on a Coastguard Station unless you're up for two hours of merciless leg pulling. Driving legend ‘Ian Moustache’ also turned up to help in the harassment.

‘Fly me to the moon, doo doo doo the stars, …….La la la la Jupitar or Mars’

On a serious note the kit night is about checking kit properly and we have found two failures. Both items of equipment are immediately taken out of service and quarantined.


Blogger- iPhone

He wasn't joking....

Deputy Blog reported earlier about a threatened Mince Pie ban at kit night tonight.

Sad to say that this turned out to be perfectly true, and despite the odd gentle reminder none materialised. Apparently, its still November.

On a brigher note, the boss has now offered us Easter eggs in January and fireworks in June, so its not all bad.

Mince Pie Ban

In what can only be described as a complete and utter massively disappointing let down we shall not be having mince pies tonight at kit night. The management (aka Ian) promised them and has now decided that we shall have none.

To quote the management ….. “No Mince Pies it’s bloomin’ November” …..or words to that effect.

Well Ian’s always saying training is important and the team are of the view that we should get in training for Christmas by eating some now.

There may be a mutiny on deck tonight.

Stay OFF !

As the cold continues to bite and ponds, rivers and lakes freeze over its perhaps time to remind people to stay off the ice.

Already this weekend there has been tragedy where someone went into a river to rescue their dog only to lose their life.

Please stay away from the water.

Should an animal go in DO NOT FOLLOW, call the emergency services.

If you see someone in trouble, DO NOT attempt a rescue, call the emergency services.

Today

Well the weekend passed without any "snow" type incidents for us.

This morning Austen, Gareth and I met at the station to check the building, it was freezing in the garage.....yes the temperature was zero!

This afternoon Gareth and Austen popped out for an hour to give the truck a run, whilst we aren't carrying out accident prevention patrols at the moment, its important to keep the truck in working order.

Tomorrow, the truck, trailer and winch are in for a service.

Be Prepared

Swanage has woken this morning to a light dusting of snow on the hills, but generally its just very cold.

Gareth has been round to the station and gritted the path, and I've given the truck a run around the car park in case the neighbours wondered what I was doing.

The next 48 hours remains interesting, it all depends where two weather fronts decide to meet and then dump their stuff! (as explained to me by a watch manager at Portland.....!).

Coastguards remain on standby to assist their local communities and support the other emergency services if called on.

Its cold

Weather warning now covers Dorset, risk of sleet and snow, with a warning of ice in the morning.

Probably a night for staying in. Brrr

Squashed tea

When I arrived at the incident last night I chucked my work bag into the truck and started to get briefed by Austen. Thankful the incident was nearly finished and we were soon on the way back to the station for a de brief.
Back at the station I asked where my bag was and some kind person shouted its ok its in the truck....... I recovered my bag from the back seat and discovered that my tea.....a Cornish Pasty was now the size of a sausage roll......

So come on who sat on it please?

A date in time

2010 will see the end of the Coastguard Calendar........no longer will they be produced.

With the belt being tightened the calendar was seen as an expense that could be cut.

So a couple more years and these could be worth some thing on one of those auction sites!