The transfer market

The football transfer market is not the only "market" closing today.

After many months of official talks and a medical we have "Sold " Richard Curtis (aka Rid) to the Poole team. I regret to say the final fee remains a closely guarded secret but it did involve biscuits.

Four and a half years after joining, Rid is moving beyond them hills and with a very heavy heart we had to let him go. The good news is that he is allowed to stay in the Coastguard and will transfer to the Poole team and continue his service over the water.

Life over the Poole side is a little different to Swanage, they do not have many cliffs but plenty of mud. So on behalf of the team, thanks Rid and good luck with the move. We will miss your energy and enthusiasm. Who are we going to have to do all the running?

The 2012 Incident Map is now live!

The 2012 Incident Map is now live!

DORIS

This is part of DORIS or DORset Integrated Seabed Survey. Partly funded by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, this is one of the most fascinating displays around and currently being shown at Durlston Castle.

The image of the how the seabed is formed, showing old rivers, where the land use to be before the sea covered them and even wrecks is out of this world.

You can see more at http://tinyurl.com/dorismap, however I would recommend a visit to see this on display.

Lost Property?

During last nights incident, one of the teams located a cap....not that unusual, items of clothing are often found on our travels, however this one seemed to have a connection.

We have not been Auxiliary Coastguards for some years (now Coastguard Rescue Officers) and our caps either have MCA on them or HM Coastguard.

It appears well worn, but not by one of the Swanage team?

So its all a bit of a mystery who it belongs too and how it got up there to be found by a Coastguard team !

19:22 Kimmeridge Coastguard Team say its not them either!

Busy few hours.

The team were tasked to the Obelisk last night to assist South Western Ambulance with a male collapsed on the path. 'Alpha' team took the path from the bottom by the water works and had the difficult task of searching upwards. 'Bravo team' collected the Paramedics and had the slightly easier/warm approach in searching around the top.

For our new member Roger, it was a baptism of fire walking up the footpath at a pace however it was done rather well reaching the top with nothing found. Rescue 106 joined the search and using the FLIR camera located the group halfway between the Obelisk and Old Harry.

The male was transferred to the helicopter and flown to Poole, the group that had stopped to help the male were then transported to their cars in town as the incident had delayed their walk and darkness had fallen.

Later on just after midnight, the IRT were tasked to again assist South Western Ambulance in the town. A female had a back injury and with a narrow twisting staircase it was going to be difficult to transport her to a waiting ambulance. Coastguards are always up for a challenge and the transfer was completed safely.

It was then an early start as training was scheduled for a 9am start..... lets just say one or two members of "alpha" team did appear to be walking slowly.

Running into people

The SO and DSO have just taken the MRU out for a run as in colder weather it needs a run at least every week.

We headed out to Studland and found a load of Police cars and EOD team (Bomb disposal team) in the dunes by the ferry toll booth. A National Trust Warden had found a long piece of corroded metal and unable to identify it called in the Police and EOD team.

Thankfully this time the item turns out to be a solid metal tube, however you can never be sure at Studland and the right people were called in to check.

Keeping safe at the coast

The MCA have five key safety messages

Get trained

Check the weather and tides

Wear a lifejacket

Avoid Alcohol

Keep in touch

Simple really and could save a life.....YOURS!

Here at Swanage we would like to add two of our own and these will be our key message for the year.

Be aware of off shore winds

Keep your dog on a lead when near cliffs.

Over the coming months we will featuring these key messages on a regular basis along with who's who's in the search and rescue world.

Muddy Truck

Oh no, the Coastguard rescue truck has accidentally on purpose got muddy!

...if only there was a place we could go and wash it on Saturday morning :-).

Oh what's that?
You mean the Swanage Lifeboat crew will wash it for us?
At their SOS Fundraising Event
For only 10 pence?
Really?

Can we trust the crew not to squirt us with water and press the 'nee nars / blue light' buttons?

Water Rescue through the ages

Check out the lifejacket

Dogs, Dinner and a Car Wash.

I saw on Swanage Lifeboat's Facebook page that they have some video footage up of 'Bobby' the dog.

Also next Saturday they have two charity events planned.

The first is Charity Car Wash at Jewson's yard, Swanage 09:30-16:00 (Note: this is the time it is open, not the time it will take them to wash your car). - You pays your money and they wash your car. You pays more money and they wash it even better.

Incidentally I think the Coastguard Rescue truck needs a run over the muddy cliffs early Saturday morning and I know just where I'll be taking it for a wash at 09:30!

Jewson's Yard.

On the same day is a 'Soup and Sweet' lunch function between 12:00 and 14:00 at the Roman Catholic Hall, Rempstone Road. Tickets £5 from Corbens Estate Agents on Station Road. You pays your money and you get some Soup and a Sweet; in different bowls obviously.

All the money raised will go to their Lifejacket Appeal.