Unlike any politician I've ever heard of

I'm going to admit that I was wrong. Despite my dedication to detail I had completely failed to notice that the MCA has swapped 'our' helo (WB) with the one from Lee on Solent (IJ). So now our local paraffin budgie is IJ! How exciting.

Apparently the reasoning behind the swap was that IJ is better at hovering that WB............I'm unsure why we should be blessed with the better hoverer but I'm not going to complain. Thanks to Paul Savage for pointing this out.

I also learnt something else new this week. Apparently our base station VHF in the crew room can receive all channels but only transmit on 0, 31 and 16...........I guess this is something that I ought to have known. I shall give myself a stern talking to. The reason for this is something to do with the licensing.

Wing Co

Some time, way back in the summer, Steve (nicknamed 'Wing Co') asked me if I would take a photo of him being winched into the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter. I duly did this and promptly forgot that I have done so. Anyway, here is one of the shots I took. I rather like it.

Steve will probably be disappointed that it doesn't show his face but to be honest it's for the best, the look of utter fear in all the other shots tells a story in itself! To be fair though, I have been winched into helicopters many times and it never fails to terrify me. Imagine being suspended on the end of a small wire by a loop of webbing underneath something which common sense tells you shouldn't be up there in the sky. Makes me nervous.............

It also worries me considerably that there is a length of rope attached most of the way around the fuselage of the aircraft. Apparently this is to give you something to hold onto whilst you wait for the helicopter to sink.

I believe I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar
I see me running through that open door
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
(R Kelly)

India Juliet

Our local Coastguard Rescue Helicopter is called 'Whiskey Bravo', so called because the last to letters of it's international call sign are W and B. She is based in Portland near the site of the now defunct Royal Naval airbase, HMS Osprey. So when we work with the Coastguard helicopter we are accustomed to seeing Whiskey Bravo hovering overhead. Unusually, this photo shows us working with 'India Juliet' which is based not at Portland but at the old Royal Navy airbase at Lee on Solent. Although they normally cover their own 'patch' they can be seen off their own area when tasking demands this or when they are covering another area due to maintenance. Between Solent and Portland there are 3 Coastguard Rescue Helicopters, two on duty and one in reserve at any one time.

Johnny foreigner

Well, sorry for the delay. I'm back from holiday now and seem to have taken a while to get back into the yoke so to speak. Somehow life gets so busy when there is nothing to do but enjoy yourself!

As you would imagine the Swedish maritime rescue organisation is extremely well organised. Meticulous you could say. Here for your interest is the Swedish version of Whiskey Bravo. A purposeful looking beast I think you will agree?

Life here in Swanage has been very busy. Carnival week has been a blur of activity as ever and has involved the crew a lot..........mainly our immensely keen but basically crap extreme team! Anyway. here I am, back in the hot seat and I promise more regular updates.........

Blind pilotage

Sometimes the Coastguard get provided with such scanty details that their job really is terrifically hard. Yesterday was a classic example. It was a beautiful day but fog was ever present and it rolled into the cliffs thickly enough to provide us with a shout. Just as I was finishing my lunch Portland Coastguard received a mobile phone call from a 42 foot yacht=. In the very limited visibility she had run aground and thought she was in the vicinity of Kimmeridge ledges. Portland paged 'Launch request' and shortly afterwards asked for both boats to proceed to the area of Kimmeridge.

Now we launched in bright sunshine and perfect visibility. Moments later we went over peveril ledge and visibility closed down to less than 200 metres. Fog routine kicked in and we quickly fell into comfortable roles:Martin took the helm from inside and took overall command of the shout.Paul assumed his usual position on the radar and kept up a steady commentary on what was out there and how close it would come.Steve sat on the Chart table and plotted a route to get us there, at the same time he dealt with communications with the Coastguard and the boathouse. I hovered between the Chart table and the radar and filtered the information to Martin along with recommended courses to steer to avoid other vessels.Meanwhile Gav and Chad had the unenviable job of keeping a look out from the bow. There we were in side in shorts and 'T' shirts while they were in full foulweather gear.Last but not least Matt was in charge of the horn on the upper steering position sounding one prolonged blast at intervals of not more that 2 minutes.

Of course just as we were rounding St.Aldhelm's head the yacht realised that actually they weren't at Kimmeridge but at Ringstead bay, an easy mistake to make. Moments later the Coastguard stood us down to return to station. Certainly not a waste of time. Truly all very valuable practise of dealing with thick fog.

Big cheesy grins

The grins say it all, Nick and Becky had fun on Sunday. Why? Well, a couple times a year we exercise with Whisky Bravo, our local coastguard rescue helicopter, and typically a few crew will get lifted and have a ride. Last Sunday it was the turn of Nick and Becky. I would say by the look on their faces that they enjoyed themselves. Indeed, in Nick's own words, 'It was the best thing I've ever done'..........shh, don't tell his wife, the Divine Naomi!

The bird........

We have a very close relationship with our local rescue helicopter crew (Whiskey Bravo). We often serve with them on shouts and also exercise with them a number of times a year. These exercises are always eagerly anticipated by the crew as they normally offer a chance to be lifted into the aircraft and have a ride. Naturally there is also a fair amount of banter between the crews as seen in this photos. However, despite the laughs, a more professional bunch I have never met than the crew of 'Whiskey Bravo'. (Photo - With thanks to Winco)

You spin me right round, baby
Right round like a record, baby
Right round round round
You spin me right round, baby
Right round like a record, baby
Right round round round
(Dead or Alive)