Tonight's training should be interesting, we have several Paramedics coming from the Ambulance service (SWAST) to practise casualty handling, so tune in tomorrow for some photo's!
Not much going on in this part of the world as far as Coastguard is concerned (thankfully) but I'm sure you are aware the weather is remaining unsettled for the week. With the heavy rain rivers remain high and we ask everyone takes care near rivers and flooded areas.
Monday, 23 November 2009
Sunday, 22 November 2009
Advanced Warning
Just a little advanced warning for next Sunday (29th November).
Between 9.00am and 11.00 the Chain ferry between Studland and Sandbanks will be out of service for the public.
During this time the ferry is being used for a training exercise for the emergency service and other maritime services.
Sorry for any inconvenience in advance.
Between 9.00am and 11.00 the Chain ferry between Studland and Sandbanks will be out of service for the public.
During this time the ferry is being used for a training exercise for the emergency service and other maritime services.
Sorry for any inconvenience in advance.
Friday, 20 November 2009
Pulling together
Many will have turned on the television this morning to see a another massive evacuation of a town following major flooding.
Having worked nights, events were monitored on sky news and I take my hat off to all the emergency services involved in such dangerous conditions, lifeboat crews working along side the Coastguard and Fire teams, a Coastguard truck towing a lifeboat to the scene, usually the sea but in this case a flooded high street where buildings and signage caused even greater hazards.
Helicopter crews working just above roofs plucking flooded house holders to safety, over 200 people brought to safety.
Then sadly at lunchtime news came of a Police Officer losing his life when a bridge collapsed, our thoughts are with his family and colleagues.
With more bad weather approaching the UK, we urge everyone to monitor information from the news, weather and environment agencies.
Having worked nights, events were monitored on sky news and I take my hat off to all the emergency services involved in such dangerous conditions, lifeboat crews working along side the Coastguard and Fire teams, a Coastguard truck towing a lifeboat to the scene, usually the sea but in this case a flooded high street where buildings and signage caused even greater hazards.
Helicopter crews working just above roofs plucking flooded house holders to safety, over 200 people brought to safety.
Then sadly at lunchtime news came of a Police Officer losing his life when a bridge collapsed, our thoughts are with his family and colleagues.
With more bad weather approaching the UK, we urge everyone to monitor information from the news, weather and environment agencies.
Thursday, 19 November 2009
Thank you
The other day, we had a comment posted on the blog from a surfer grateful for the Coastguard team attending Durlston Bay "watching" the surfers and making sure they were safe, it was nice to be acknowledged in that way.
"Watching" is a huge part of the Coastguard role, and yes the author of the thank you was correct in saying that education would be a good idea in those conditions as there was several inexperienced surfers out in conditions which were extreme .
Where we can, we talk to the various groups of people pointing out various local issues and "request" they wear the correct safety equipment however we can not stop people doing something (in certain situations the police may be able to help us if an individual is putting other peoples lives in danger but this is a very rare).
"Watching" is a huge part of the Coastguard role, and yes the author of the thank you was correct in saying that education would be a good idea in those conditions as there was several inexperienced surfers out in conditions which were extreme .
Where we can, we talk to the various groups of people pointing out various local issues and "request" they wear the correct safety equipment however we can not stop people doing something (in certain situations the police may be able to help us if an individual is putting other peoples lives in danger but this is a very rare).
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Don't try this at home!
The other day I was saying.....
"Nice to see people braving the elements and to be fair to the surfers they all seemed to know what they were doing and were not taking any unnecessary risks. "
Well here's two doughnuts taking unnecessary risks. A one way ticket to Broken-Legsville!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/8362671.stm
Monday, 16 November 2009
Band of Brothers....and Brian!
Spot the odd one out?Every now and then a policy has to be changed and the Remembrance Parade was clearly time for a review on the clothing policy.
Up to now we have had a policy on Station that you have to do at least 5 years service to obtain a jacket.......Yes that was fine until you realise that you're the only one that doesn't have one!
Sadly Brian missed his jacket by a matter of months and the parade just didn't look right.
Sorry Brian.........we will get it sorted for next year.
Elf & Safety
On holiday last week I was able to sit down and read the paper;
An article in the Mail by Richard Littlejohn caught my eye.
"An 11 mile coastal footpath, built at a cost of £30,000 by the Rotary Club to allow ramblers to enjoy the scenery along Loch Ryan , near Stranraer, has fallen foul of elf'n'safety. Dumfries and Galloway Council officials fear hikers may slip and graze their knees. They are also worried that the route goes through a field of cows.
It gets sillier. Elf'n'safety is so concerned that someone might fall in the loch and drown, they are insisting that a lifeguard has to be present at all times.
The Council will allow organised groups to use the footpath only if they are supervised by a 'trained outdoor specialist' - what ever that is.
When they are not finding out what people enjoy doing and thinking up way to ban it, these maniacs are capable of turning any innocent pleasure into a job-creation scheme.
Next thing, they'll be demanding handrails on every hillside. How long before they insist that everyone has to wear a hard hat and a high-viz lifejacket before they're allowed to venture into the countryside?
Now being fair, I'm sure there is another side to this story (any official from Dumfries and Galloway council like to comment?) but could this lead to such events happening in the Purbecks?
6ft fences along the cliff edge, a 'wear the proper shoe' course for those wishing to use the coast path, wearing a giant zorbing ball just in case you do trip, lifeguards every 30 feet....just the start?
In 19 years I've been to many incidents, some accidents "Acts of God" and some through the stupidity of the individual, in my book when you step out the front door to take part in an activity you need to take something with you......personal responsibility rather than rely on a person or sign telling you something is dangerous?
An article in the Mail by Richard Littlejohn caught my eye.
"An 11 mile coastal footpath, built at a cost of £30,000 by the Rotary Club to allow ramblers to enjoy the scenery along Loch Ryan , near Stranraer, has fallen foul of elf'n'safety. Dumfries and Galloway Council officials fear hikers may slip and graze their knees. They are also worried that the route goes through a field of cows.
It gets sillier. Elf'n'safety is so concerned that someone might fall in the loch and drown, they are insisting that a lifeguard has to be present at all times.
The Council will allow organised groups to use the footpath only if they are supervised by a 'trained outdoor specialist' - what ever that is.
When they are not finding out what people enjoy doing and thinking up way to ban it, these maniacs are capable of turning any innocent pleasure into a job-creation scheme.
Next thing, they'll be demanding handrails on every hillside. How long before they insist that everyone has to wear a hard hat and a high-viz lifejacket before they're allowed to venture into the countryside?
Now being fair, I'm sure there is another side to this story (any official from Dumfries and Galloway council like to comment?) but could this lead to such events happening in the Purbecks?
6ft fences along the cliff edge, a 'wear the proper shoe' course for those wishing to use the coast path, wearing a giant zorbing ball just in case you do trip, lifeguards every 30 feet....just the start?
In 19 years I've been to many incidents, some accidents "Acts of God" and some through the stupidity of the individual, in my book when you step out the front door to take part in an activity you need to take something with you......personal responsibility rather than rely on a person or sign telling you something is dangerous?
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