Polzeath Coastguard Update

by | Sep 3, 2019 | Community News | 0 comments

HM Coastguard Vehicle

While we have had a fairly quiet time in terms of ‘shouts’ we have still been busy recruiting and training as well as learning how to use new kit, most of which is a big improvement on older equipment. We welcome our new recruit and fully fledged Coastal Rescue Officer (CRO), James Bray, known to many as “Brayer .’ He successfully completed the intensive training course over the winter and became fully operational early in the summer – he couldn’t live any closer to our station in Rock and brings a smiley face and bags of enthusiasm to our team .

Our notable ‘shouts’ since our last article have been; 23rd July – dog off a cliff at Trevone, backing up Padstow Coastguard; 2nd July – Query broken leg at Polzeath beach – Wait for ambulance; 22nd June – Overdue spear fisherman – Port Gaverne; 1st June – Youth, been in the water – HLS for Air Ambulance – Daymer Bay; 26th March – Cardiac arrest – Port Gaverne.

 We have also had plenty of training to keep our skills up to date and recently attended an Emergency Services day at Wadebridge School alongside the RNLI Lifeguards, Wadebridge Fire Service and the Ambulance Service . A full day of activities for the young people included learning a bit about our rope rescue techniques, some First Aid and how to use a ‘throw line’ for water rescues – a piece of kit you should increasingly see alongside lakes river and some sea areas.
May we also take the opportunity to ask dog walkers to take extra care and keep their pets on leads when near the numerous cliff areas on our ‘patch’ – particularly around Greenaway and Pentire Point; even well trained dogs can easily bolt for a seagull or rabbit and few survive such a fall. And if you see an incident near or in the sea, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard – they will then choose which resources are best suited to the job be it RNLI lifeboats, our team or other emergency services.

Matt Sutherland

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *