Appendix 8 (a)
Annual Report of Blackpool Beach Patrol 2006
Blackpool like most of Britain enjoyed a very good start to its summer season with July being one of the hottest for a number of years.
Patrols reported increased Beach and Sea use throughout the month with an increase in family groups being evident.
On numerous occasions patrol supervision times were extended as large volumes of people were on the beach beyond the patrols usual supervision times, this again was due to what appeared to be residents who had been at work and school during the day coming down to the seafront and staying till early evening enjoying the sun soaked beaches, and warmer than usual sea temperatures
The Seafront Ranger service introduced last year has again been a success with young lifesavers being on call to offer assistance to the public along side the dedicated Beach Patrol team.
Safety initiatives in partnership with the Coastguard, Royal Lifesaving Society (R.L.S.S.) assisted in the Patrol gaining National coverage and ensuring the safety message gets to as many as possible.
In June Blackpool was chosen to host the national launch of the get safe 4 summer campaign, this in conjunction with the R.L.S.S. and the A.S.A. School children from Blackpool were taught Lifesaving skills in the pool and on the Beach the sun shone throughout the day and it was a spectacular sight seeing so many young people enjoying themselves as well as learning many valuable skills.
The Patrol has worked closely with Contractors working along the seafront and in some instances providing sea safety advice and precautions i.e. Birse, United Utilities, this partnership work has benefited a number of persons who were unfamiliar with the work going on along the seafront and ensured that few incidents have occurred in this area.
Patrols were called upon to deal with over 100 lost children incidents, but as is usually the case I am pleased to report that quick and safe reunion between parents and children took place.
Our First Aid centre was also busy throughout the year with injuries ranging from the potentially life threatening to the relatively minor.
I am pleased to report that one of our Beach Patrols received a number of accolades from the R.L.S.S. for a rescue of a young girl, and his continued commitment to lifesaving the Patrol Officer received a ‘Lancashire Lifesavers of the Year Award’, ‘A Certificate of Commendation’, and ‘A Certificate of Merit’ for services to the Society.
Patrols have undergone training during the year with a number of patrols passing the National Beach Lifeguard Qualification.
Improvements in the Beach Patrol Service have always been an ongoing challenge to the Patrol, and I am pleased to report that the patrol has new equipment at its disposal.
2 A.T.Vs (Quad Bikes) and a Rescue Water Craft (Jet-Ski)
A number of staff have been trained and qualified in the operation of these craft and the new addition’s will clearly play a significant role in accident prevention and rescue in the future and the service is looking forward of the full introduction of this specialized equipment during 2007.
During late May an incident occurred on a very grey rainy morning along the lower walk with a rough tide against the sea wall. A group of young men on a stag weekend who were in high spirits attempted to get closer to the sea, two men were seen to be in difficulty in the sea. Beach Patrols were quickly on scene access points to the sea were secured and the incident area was contained whilst at the same time leading the rescue operation from the sea wall ensuring no further casualties occurred, other rescue services were quickly alerted and on scene and despite a large rescue operation by a number of rescue agencies neither of the men could be saved.
Vandalism has again plagued promenade Lifesaving equipment with valuable resources being stolen damaged or tampered with. (See table)
During 2006 Blackpool’s Beach Patrol attended 101 incidents involving over 250 persons see attached charts for detail and breakdown also see short narrative of a sample of incidents attended.
The Beach Patrol will again endeavour to ensure the best safety advice is given to all, the patrols continued commitment to ensuring the safety of high volumes of members of the public is of paramount importance to us all.
Terry Rogers
Principle Seafront Operations Manager
Sample of Incidents Attended
1/1/06 16.05 hours
A male and Female aged mid 30s were sighted over safety chains at Harrowside, they had taken their dog towards the base of the steps with a rough tide against the wall all were removed to safety and advice given, two days later in a similar incident a dog got into difficulties in the sea and only just managed to escape certain drowning.
Patrol Officers in Attendance Sea Temperature 4°C
R.Evans
T.Rogers
28/5/06 16.45 hours
Patrols removed four young children aged 6 to 8 years old from the sea by the gynn due to the conditions, surprisingly an adult was close by and was allegedly supervising the children, advice and direction was given.
While patrols were dealing with this incident the Coastguard had contacted H.Q. telling us they had received an emergency call regarding concerns for these youngsters!
Patrol Officers in Attendance Sea Temperature 11°C
R.Evans
R.Williams
11/6/06 13.00 hours
Patrols came across two 30 year old men who had crossed safety chains by north pier while the tide was in, both men were worse the wear for drink and did not want to take patrol advice, flank patrols were deployed ensuring both men were removed to safety, advice was given but was unlikely to have been taken on board.
Patrols Officers in Attendance Sea Temperature 13°C
R.Williams
R.Evans
13/6/06 13.30 hours
Patrols were alerted to a man who had run from the middle walk to the lower walk jumped onto the wall and dropped 20 feet into the sea.
The R.D.V. was deployed and patrols quickly set up a safety net and lowered a Beach Patrol officer on a harness and safety line over the sea wall and into the sea.
The casualty was brought back to the safety of the promenade, an ambulance on scene transported the casualty to Victoria Hospital.
The male in his 30/40s had sustained a number of injuries and told patrols he had consumed a couple of cans of beer earlier in the day.
Patrol Officers in Attendance Sea Temperature 13°C
R.Williams
P.Dooler (Seafront Operations)
T.Rogers
1/7/06 14.00 hours
Two males aged between 18 and 20 years were seen to jump from North pier, patrols monitored their progress 20 minutes later both reached the safety of the promenade, patrols were also dealing with 4 drunken males in the sea close to north pier, all were given advice and warnings.
Patrol Officers in Attendance Sea Temperature 19°C
P.Robinson
R.Williams
R.Evans
14/7/06 16.30 hours
Patrols in the Central Pier area spotted three young girls out of their depth and making for the pier, three patrol officers entered the water and swam to the girls who were by now clinging to the pier. The girls were all brought back to the safety of the beach and checked by patrols, advice was given.
Patrol Officers in Attendance Sea Temperature 20°C
H.Evans
E.Wall
R.Evans
28/7/06 12.30 hours
A Patrol in the south works area sighted a male trying to scale mounds of soft sand close to water holes, he quickly got into difficulties and was assisted to safety, moments later the patrol spotted a mother and daughter who were fully clothed wading in the area, both got out of their depth and were also in difficulties the patrol officer swam out and brought both back to safety, mother and daughter were checked out by patrols and advice was given.
Patrol Officers in Attendance Sea Temperature 23°C
A.Woodward
D. Williams
8/8/06 17.05 hours
A fully clothed 37 year old man had been seen walking into the sea opposite St Chads, the man had been drinking and appeared upset patrols on scene coaxed the man out of the sea. The same patrols were redirected to a report of a 70 year old man walking into the sea close to Manchester Square patrols entered the sea to assist the casualty who told patrols he had been depressed, patrols brought the man to the safety of the promenade, Police and Ambulance were alerted.
Patrol Officers in Attendance Sea Temperature 20°C
P.Wilkinson
M.Graham
S.Stokes
L.Davis
14/8/06 14.15 hours
Two young boys aged 7 and10 years were seen over safety chains at the base of the steps wave dodging below the Imperial Hotel, both were removed to safety, advice was given
Patrol Officers in Attendance Sea Temperature 20°C
R.Williams
R.Robinson
28/8/06 13.45 hours
Patrols were urgently deployed to a male adult who had taken three young children aged 5 and 6 years over safety chains at the double steps below cocker street, the children had been allowed to go down towards the sea and wave dodge, all were removed to safety and stern warnings were given to the supervising adult.
Patrol Officers in Attendance Sea Temperature 18°C
A. Woodward
P.Robinson
6/9/06 14.00 hours
While on routine patrol the R.D.V. sighted a cloud of smoke coming from the beach below west street, on immediate investigation patrol reported a male fully ignited running down the beach, further patrols were alerted and fire fighting equipment was brought to the scene, patrols who were quickly on scene ensured the casualty was immersed in water and kept in this position until other emergency services arrived.
The casualty was cared for by patrols until he was air lifted to Hospital, sadly the casualty died a few days later.
Patrol Officers in Attendance Sea Temperature 16°C
T.Rogers
P.Wilkinson
D.Aston
R.Evans
9/9/06 16.20 hours
H.Q. received a report from the Coastguard of man a considerable distance from the shore in the Gynn area, the Rescue Water Craft (R.W.C.) was on trials in the area and was deployed advice and direction was given to the swimmer who swam back to shore watched by patrols.
Patrol Officer in Attendance Sea Temperature 16°C
R.Evans
10/9/06 16.00 hours
Patrols reported 4 youths in an inflatable dinghy a considerable distance from the shore line, the R.W.C. was directed to the area and escorted all back to the beach where advice was given, a few days later the R.W.C. intercepted a number of Jet –Ski’s operating between south and north pier, the operators were in breach of the bye laws and operating in an inconsiderate manner towards other sea users, all returned towards Starr Gate
Patrol Officers in Attendance Sea Temperature 16°C
R.Evans
M.Rogers
29/10/06 12.30 hours
Patrols had warned a group of male and females aged in there 20s regarding an incoming tide in the north pier area. Patrols were called back to the area a short time later to assist all of the above to safety after ignoring advice previously given, warnings and advice were given again.
Patrol Officers in Attendance Sea Temperature 11°C
R.Evans
R.Williams
28/11/06 15.20 hours
Three young males aged 14 to 17 years were seen to be wave dodging on the lower walk below the Imperial/Hilton Hotels patrols attempted to remove them and give advice, a barrage of verbal abuse met this. The group then threw public lifesaving equipment into the sea, the Police were called and the boys were arrested.
Patrols replaced the equipment to ensure cover was again restored to this area.
Patrol Officers in Attendance Sea Temperature 7°C
R.Williams
R.Evans
Beach Patrol Equipment Loss/Damage in2006
Equipment
/Vandalism
(Renewed) /Storm & Other
(Renewed) /Total Loss
Lifebuoys / 21 / 5 / 26Lifebuoy Ropes / 61 / 16 / 77
Lifebuoy Posts / 0 / 4 / 4
Lifebuoy Housings / 0 / 3 / 3
Safety Signs / 6 / 8 / 14
Safety Chains / 2 / 5 / 7
· Over 200 pieces of Lifesaving Equipment had also been tampered with as well as the above losses.
· Approx 1 ¼ mile of rope was lost through vandalism
· Vandalism has cost the service approx £1500
Beach Patrol Facts and Figures (2006)
· The R.D.V. has travelled approx 16,000 miles along the promenade and beaches in the last 12 months. This is equivalent to having travelled Blackpool’s seafront on approx 2,285 occasions.
· Safety chains have been placed in position 36,500 times
· Lifesaving equipment has been inspected on 45,000 occasions.
· The promenade and beach areas have been patrolled for over 16,700 man-hours.
· Patrols have been asked to deal with stranded Seal Pups, Conga eels, By the Wind Sailors, etc.
· Almost 1000 children’s wrist bands were given out
· Between 100 and 150 lost children’s searches were conducted
· First-Aid was administered on over 300 occasions.