Monday 29 February 2016

Shore Road closed for two weeks

Just a reminder Shore Road is closed today for a couple of weeks to allow Wessex Water to do some work near to the Bull and Boat.




Although it says open for access , that is only down to the battlemead walkway.

Saturday 27 February 2016

Eric takes a tumble

As widely reported on social media today , our Eric had a little tumble on his moped which brought Swanage to a halt - literally!

Thankfully no serious injuries , cuts , bruises and a sore shoulder.

Our thanks to colleagues from Dorset Police, South Western Ambulance and members of the public who stopped and helped.

The Red Baron will ride again ( once we have straighten a couple of bits on the bike).








Friday 26 February 2016

Keep your dog on a lead near cliff edges.






If you are visiting the coast over the weekend please remember to keep your dogs on leads.





Thursday 25 February 2016

Wednesday 24 February 2016

Tuesday 23 February 2016

Those who served

Our history is at the heart of our service, and the volunteers who have served are what makes HM Coastguard so special.



We have been undertaking a project to identify all those who have served and have the records dating from 1883.



The role has changed a bit but the value of rescuing has not.






247 volunteers have served in Swanage Coastguard since 1883.



We have a little more work to do but will keep you posted on the project.

Monday 22 February 2016

Swimmers Rescued in a rip tide in Cornwall

Colleagues in Cornwall were tasked to Hollywell Bay after  five swimmers  were caught in a rip tide .

Three swimmers self rescued but two were airlifted by the Coastguard Helicopter from Newquay.

If you see anyone in trouble in the water, dial 999 - ask for Coastguard.

Sunday 21 February 2016

Landslip at Old Harry

Recent photos from a mobile Coastguard Rescue Officer on her bike checking the coastline.











Remember to keep clear of the edge.





In a coastal or maritime emergency 999 Coastguard

Saturday 20 February 2016

Multi Agency Search

Swanage, St Albans and Kimmeridge Coastguard teams, along with Dorset Police, DorSAR and RNLI Swanage were involved in a large search today.


We are pleased to say the missing male has been found safe and well in the Swanage area.


We would as ever like to thank the public for assisting and support today.

UK Coastguard statement

Friday 19 February 2016

What happens around our coastline





The Coastguard have produced a new set of short videos explaining what we do.

The videos also show our National Maritime Operations Centre in action.









Thursday 18 February 2016

Emergency on the Coast











In trouble on the coast or out to sea ?

999 Coastguard , watch the new video




Wednesday 17 February 2016

Coastal Erosion

A walk along the north of the bay this week showed the erosion so far this winter.








A fresh collapse, by Sheps Hollow

Stay clear of the base of cliffs

In a coastal or maritime emergency 999 Coastguard.

Tuesday 16 February 2016

The other side of the Landslip




Round the other end of the path at the Zig Zag. What is not known is what is happening at the top and underneath the slip and needs assessing before any possible clearance.

This is the main reason the path has been closed for the time being and the diversion of South West Coast Path put in place.

Please don't ignore the closures anywhere along the coastline. It is done to ensure the safety of the public and prevent incident like at Highcliffe yesterday.

Monday 15 February 2016

Landslip warning

If you saw this sign , what would you do?

Turn back and follow the instructions or ask the Coastguard patrol if its safe to carry on ?

Then despite the warning sign and words of advice from the Coastguard you choose to ignore and carry on in the hope you and your family don't get hurt.

Of course it's only advice until an accident occurs and then...........







This is a recent fall and the Country Park wardens asked if the area could be taped off until another survey could be carried out on Monday.





We taped the area off at the request of the wardens , it's there for a reason not to be ignored. Whilst the slip has occurred there may be further movement which could put you and others at risk.





Please take notice of signs, tape and barriers - it's there to protect you ,not to spoil your day.

We can confirm this is in the Zig Zag area of Durlston.

In an Coastal or Maritime Emergency - 999 Coastguard

Sunday 14 February 2016

Wreck and Salvage

We were having a spring clean at the station and came across this book on the shelf.




Today we have the Internet and the rules and regulations can be found here

Friday 12 February 2016

Thursday 11 February 2016

999 Coastguard

UK Coastguard is responsible for the co ordination of maritime search and rescue on the coast and sea.

This may involve its own rescue teams or partners like the RNLI.

Remember 999 Coastguard on the Coast.





Wednesday 10 February 2016

A few more training photos




The Station Officer proving he can still do the cliff tech bit !


Cliff edge looking back


All under the watchful eye of Allan our SCOO



Tuesday 9 February 2016

Rope training

The team headed up to Old Harry on Sunday along with some colleagues from the St Albans team.







Cliff edge safety watching the cliff technician go over the cliff.


Monday 8 February 2016

Flood alert

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 this evening.

Low lying coastal land and roads will be affected first.

Be prepared.

The flood alert for the East Coast of Dorset will remain in force overnight, as a precaution, following Storm Imogen. The time of the high tides along the coast are Preston Beach 19:00; Swanage 20:45; Poole Harbour 21:15; Christchurch Harbour 21:13. Waves will continue to affect the open coast, although easterly facing coasts will be more sheltered. The forecast wind strength is force 6 to 8. The wind direction is westerly.



Imogen bites

Storm Imogen hits the south coast.
Big rolling seas off Durlston Head this morning.


















See someone in trouble at sea or on the coast - 999 Coastguard

10.30 Middle of Swanage ( not exposed coast line) wind force 9 but over night a gust of force 11 ( 60 mph )



Sunday 7 February 2016

Peveril Point Incident

Further to the incident report on Saturday

We regret that Dorset Police issued a further statement this afternoon informing us the lady sadly passed away this morning from her injuries.

Our thoughts are with the family , friends  and all those who tried so hard on Saturday to carry out the rescue.

Imogen is on the way






Another big storm is just arriving off the west of the UK and due to cross the country.

Storm 10 winds are possible going into tomorrow (Monday)

An amber weather warning has been issued - be prepared , is your journey necessary in the next 24 hours for example.

The storm will create large waves of the South Coast and we urge readers to take care and not to venture too close to breaking water.

17:55 - flood alert

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 this afternoon and early evening.

Low lying coastal land and roads will be affected first.

Be prepared.



This Flood Alert affects the whole of the East Coast of Dorset particularly at Preston Beach. The time and date of the forecast high water for which this Flood Alert is in force is 05:30 pm (Local time) on Saturday 06/02/2016

The forecast wind direction is southerly

The forecast wind strength is Force 8

Strong winds and waves will affect coastal paths, harbour walls and promenades from mid afternoon onwards.

The following Flood Alert will remain in force for at least two hours following the time of high tide.

We will be monitoring the situation carefully and will update this message if the situation deteriorates.




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 levels

Coastal or Maritime Emergency - 999 Coastguard.

The De-brief

After yesterday's multi-agency incident at Peveril Point, we all returned to the station for a debrief.
This can lead to a rather full car park, and in fact moments before this photo there was a second Coastguard vehicle (belonging to St Albans) and another ambulance car and police car.


A Joint Emergency Services Debrief at North Beach Car Park



We often find ourselves working closely with local ambulance and police teams, and debriefs such as these enhance the knowledge and understanding between the services.

It was also a chance to clean and return all the equipment to each other ready for use.

May we also take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in yesterday's incident which was technically demanding in both managing over 40 emergency service workers in four different locations and in the conditions we found ourselves.





Saturday 6 February 2016

Multi Agency Incident at Peveril Point

Emergency services responded to a concern for welfare this afternoon following reports a woman had gone over the cliffs at Peveril Point.

Coastguard Rescue Officers from Swanage and St Albans were tasked along with Dorset Police Officers and the Ambulance Service.

A local woman aged in her 50's was airlifted from the cliffs by the Coastguard helicopter and taken to King George's field where she was treated by Paramedics. She sustained very serious head and chest injuries and was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital by the air ambulance.




Rescue 106 from Portland lowers a winchman to the base of cliffs in front of the National Coastwatch lookout.

We would also like to confirm that despite local social media reports the incident did not involve a child.

Stay safe on the Coast

The weather is on the turn again.




Wind is increasing to gale force 9 , see the shipping forecast.

There are weather warnings in place of rain and wind , an amber warning is in place for rain in Devon.

Ground conditions are now a problem due to the amount of rain received recently so if you are out on a coastal walk take care.

11.12 The environment agency has just issued this :

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 this afternoon and early evening.

Low lying coastal land and roads will be affected first.

Be prepared.


This Flood Alert affects the whole of the East Coast of Dorset particularly at Preston Beach. The time and date of the forecast high water for which this Flood Alert is in force is 05:30 pm (Local time) on Saturday 06/02/2016

The forecast wind direction is southerly

The forecast wind strength is Force 8

Strong winds and waves will affect coastal paths, harbour walls and promenades from mid afternoon onwards.

The following Flood Alert will remain in force for at least two hours following the time of high tide.

We will be monitoring the situation carefully and will update this message if the situation deteriorates.




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.

Contact

Wessex Area
Flood Warning Duty Officer - Blandford
Area Incident Room
Rivers House
Blandford Forum
Dorset DT11 8ST
Floodline: 0345 988 1188



In a Maritime or Coastal Emergency call 999 and ask for Coastguard







Friday 5 February 2016

Swanage

Ever wondered how Swanage got its name?




Perhaps it was this view from Ballard and the shape similar to a Swan ?


Thursday 4 February 2016

Where is the Coastguard Station?

Interestingly tonight we were due a visitor to the station, who had travelled down from Bristol.

Having arrived in town their SatNav gave up so the person asked a local !

"Where's the Coastguard Station" ? The local said " oh that's up at Peveril Point next to the Lifeboat station. "

The first we knew of this was when our great friends at the National Coast Watch called us and said are you expecting a visitor? Yes we are can you send them our way .......






The Swanage Coastguard station is in North Beach Car Park off De Moulham Road.

Whilst we were at Peveril Point from 1842 till 2009 , we moved.
The lookout at Peveril Point is manned by volunteers of NCI not Coastguards.

Wednesday 3 February 2016

What is it ?

The answer to this previous "What is it?" Was indeed the Type 25 pill box at Studland.

The same design pillboxes used for defending our coastline in the 1940's can be seen at Swanage and Kimmeridge.

So this weeks







This is not a piece of ordnance , although similar looking

If you are unsure what you have found always dial 999 and ask for Coastguard

Tuesday 2 February 2016

Watching





The Station Officer caught on camera at the weekend.

Whilst at Middle Beach a group of visitors headed around Red end point Studland but were in danger of getting stuck.

Coastguard patrols set out for lots of reasons, local knowledge , access checks , gate oiling, environmental scanning, land slip monitoring, accident prevention, public relations, education and enjoyment of the area we live in.

Monday 1 February 2016

Coastguard in Corfe




The visit to Nine Barrow Down with Corfe Castle in the back ground.

Access gates checked along with the ground conditions.