Beach Open but take care

The beach is open for a walk but we remind people to take care.   Due to the tides there are times the beach is not accessible to the north Sheps Hollow.

If you are cut off by the tide or see someone you think is in trouble dial 999 and ask for Coastguard

Wartime items uncovered

Some interesting items have appeared in the last week on the beaches of Swanage and Studland.

With coastal erosion comes past history being uncovered.  Here a roll of barbed wire and support pole being uncovered probably dating from the Second World War. 

With this area heavily involved in D Day preparations other items could be uncovered and we ask for people to be careful and report items that could be dangerous and hazardous. 

If you find anything on the beach and not sure what it is - dial 999 Coastguard. 

Landslip at North Beach

Coastguard and Police are currently investigating reports of multiple land slips at the North end of Swanage bay.

After many weeks of rain the cliffs are now seeing some slippage due to the water content and high tides.

Please stay clear from the base of cliffs , mud slides and be aware of the tides.

Please observe the warning signs and tape.

In an emergency call 999 and ask for Coastguard

Coastal Erosion

A Boxing Day walk at Studland shows how much the recent bad weather has had an effect on the coastline.

 The area around middle beach has seen some recent slips and erosion.  The debris is a sign how much has moved.

Please take care around the base of cliffs especially near fresh slips.  Don’t walk on fresh slips or go behind any areas closed off.

In an coastal emergency 999 Coastguard .

Happy Christmas

We would like to wish all our readers a Merry Christmas.

Teams are on call all through out  Christmas and ready to respond to maritime and coastal emergencies.

Ground conditions remain very wet with the risk of land slips high due to the water.

Please be aware of the tides and areas you could be cut off.

In an emergency dial 999 and ask for Coastguard.

A special 👍🏻To all our colleagues who are working over the festival period in our operations room.

John Bentham

It is with great sadness and regret we  advise that our team member and great friend John Bentham sadly passed away on Friday after a long brave battle with illness.

John was so much to us and the community,  always giving  everything to others.

To many of us he was a hero and role model with never a cross word about anyone.

We are so sad and send our condolences to his wife and two daughters.

Our flag at the station will  fly at half mast as a mark of respect for our lost friend.

John if you are looking down, we will never forget  you.

Supporting Dorset Police

The team were called out this evening to support Dorset Police with an incident along Swanage beach.  

As the team arrived and commenced a search along the sea front the person was found safely.

Rescue 175 from Lee on Solent and Swanage Lifeboat had also been requested.

Sunday Morning Training

The team headed up to Old Harry today for an exercise under the watchful eye of our Senior Coastguard Operations Officer.

The focus today was a rope set up with team members swapping positions for the various descents and recoveries.

Rope rescue is just one area of work for the volunteer rescue teams , if you would like to know more about becoming a Coastguard Rescue Officer in Swanage then please do come to the Coastguard Station  North Beach Car Park on Thursday evening between 7 and 9 pm.

 

Could you be a Coastguard ?

Have you ever thought of becoming a Coastguard Rescue Officer ?

We are holding  a recruitment evening on Thursday 28th November at the Coastguard Station North Beach Carpark De Moulham Road Swanage between 19.00 to 21.00.

Drop in during those times for an informal discussion with the team and discover what we do and how you could become part of that team that responds to over 100 incidents a year.

HM Coastguard is a UK emergency  service responsible for maritime search and rescue on the coast and out to sea.  Here in Swanage we are a rope, water and search team on call 24 hours a day. 

If you are interested in becoming a Coastguard  in Swanage and have a few hours a month to train , patrol and respond to emergency call outs then please drop into the station on the 28th to find out more. Full training is given with monthly training once qualified for professional development. 

To become a Coastguard Rescue Officer , you need to be 18 years old or  over and hold a UK driving license.  You will be required to have a medical and may be required to have a DBS check. 

If you can not make the Thursday then come and see us in the Square on Saturday 30th between 13.00 and 15.00 where we will be taking part in the towns festival event.  

Persons cut off by tide.

The team were called on Tuesday night to a report of persons cut off by the tide north of Sheps Hollow.

On arrival it appeared there were several people cut off by a high tide which was hitting the base of the cliff.

The team proceeded down to the beach via another route and soon found two fisherman safe and well.   They were aware of the tide and planned to remain fishing until the tide went out.  

The team retraced their route and returned to station.