Do you know your waves?

With the beach work on going , we thought we would remind you of the different waves that can occur along our shores.

Whilst we might not recommend a swim at this time of year , the different waves will come up the beach in different ways and we don't want people knocked over or cut off.

Always check the tides and weather and if you see someone in trouble dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Just a reminder that at times heavy machinery is operating along the beach from Shore Road to the North End of the beach.

Team clear boat debris from Swanbrook

The team were tasked to assist the Environment Agency this week to clear part of a small boat from the Swanbrook.

Earlier in the day the team were made aware that this section of dinghy had washed up the brook on the high tide. With concern around the further hide tides and rain a request was made to secure or remove this.

The team deployed their water rescue equipment and soon recovered the section of boat for disposal.

Cliff work continues

Work has now started on the raised platform under the Pines Hotel.

This area can be cut off by the tide so care should be taken especially around the rocks that have been laid to construct the ramp.

Flood Alert Issued

A Flood Alert has been issued by the Environment Agency for East Coast of Dorset.

Flooding is possible for Castletown, Weymouth, Preston Beach, Swanage Bay, Studland Bay, Sandbanks, Poole Harbour, Bournemouth Beach, Hengistbury Head and Christchurch Harbour Thursday morning.

Low lying coastal land and roads will be affected first.

Be prepared.



This Flood Alert effects the whole of the East Coast of Dorset particularly at Weymouth and Swanage and will remain in force for two hours following the time of high tide.

The time and date of the forecast high water for which this Flood Alert is in force is : 07:30 am on 29/10/2015.

The forecast wind direction is South South Westerly

The forecast wind strength is Force 7




Stay tuned to radio weather, news and travel bulletins on Heart Solent, BBC Radio Solent, Wave 105, Wessex FM and The Bay.

- Be prepared to protect yourself and your property.

- Keep your colleagues informed about the situation.

- Be careful along beaches, promenades, coastal footpaths and roads.

- Avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water.

- Farmers should consider moving livestock and equipment away from areas likely to flood.

- Keep an eye on local water levels and weather conditions. Visit the Environment Agency website www.gov.uk/environment-agency for river level and flooding information.

- Call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 using quickdial 04532 for up-to-date flooding information.

Boats washed up on Studland beach

The team were called to these two boats on Monday on Studland beach.

At first it was a bit of a mystery how the two boats came to end up on Knoll beach, but thanks to Poole Harbour Commissioners the owner was located and confirmed safe.

Previously moored off Studland the slight change in the weather saw both boats end up on the beach. Recovery of both boats was to take place in the next few days.

Coastguards attended to ensure no one was in trouble, then to find the owners and then to ensure there were no pollution issues.

Stabilisation Work start

Walkers on Swanage Beach may have noticed some work started on the beach in the last few days.






This ramp is being built to allow access to the beach and allow stabilisation work under the Pines Hotel to start.

The Town Council have allowed contractors access on to the main beach to allow machinery access to carry out this important work.

There are more details on the Town Council website which gives the contact details of the contractors should the public have any questions or concerns.

A similar ramp will be built under the pines, today Coastguards visited the contractors to look at the site.




Machinery will be moving about during low tides and the public are being urged to observe the safety notices.

There will be occasions on certain tides that the beach will be cut off, please check the tide and stay off the ramps.

In an emergency call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Mud

The view towards Goathorn during yesterday's patrol.

The patrol headed out yesterday to check the high risk areas ( areas known for previous incidents).

Whilst the above view was stunning , it reminded us of the dangers with the mud at low tide.

Never be tempted to take a short cut as you will soon get stuck, use well defined footpaths.

If you get in trouble or see someone in trouble dial 999 ask for Coastguard.

Keep your dogs on a lead

With a nice autumn day ahead of us, no doubt a few will be out walking - if your taking the dog please keep them on a lead near cliff edges.

Loggerhead Turtle spotted off Swanage

There are reports of Loggerhead turtles off Swanage with a request for the Marine Conservation Society asking them to be informed and not for the turtles to be returned to the water.

Stretcher Training

After we'd seen the video of stretchergate, we decided to step up our own training regime to avoid any similar mistakes, and on Sunday we ran our first session.

As a starter level stretcher carrying course, the team stayed on the flat, but soon we'll be progressing to steps and other hazards.

Eagle eyed readers will have only noticed the different coloured safety helmets, whereas the more inquisitive ones will have also wondered why.

Well, in the white helmet is Allan, our Senior Coastal Operations Officer (SCOO) from Poole,  He is paid for the privilege of looking after us, and as the senior officer, he wears a white helmet for instant recognition.

Ian and Kerry are wearing standard blue helmets, which are often fitted with a light for working in the dark.  If you are going to be at the front, its important to get your sunglasses out of your car when there's a shout, just in case there's a photo op.

Finally, the orange helmet is used to denote an untrained person, and on a cliff (rope) rescue, we use it for the casualty before bringing them back up the cliff.  When two or more teams work together, we don't always know who's who, and the orange reminds the rest of the team. In this case, Duncan was the trainee stretcher bearer, and will switch to a blue helmet when he is signed off.

So what's really happening.....?
Actually, this was part of the incident on Sunday.  We'd prepared the helicopter stretcher for the casualty, but in the event he was able to walk to the helicopter, so the team were simply returning the empty stretcher to the helo.
And the helmets?  Well, the white, blue, orange hierarchy still applies, but as in this case, the orange also gets used from time as a spare, when a coastguard finds himself at an incident without his own helmet!