Appendix 8 (a)
Beach Patrol Annual Report 2007
Blackpool suffered along with just about every other resort in the U.K. with the almost continual unseasonable weather and although we all waited with baited breath summer never really arrived.
This did not distract the patrol from carrying out its primary duties of accident prevention and on numerous occasions rescue and direction.
I am pleased to report that no bathing fatalities have occurred during Beach Patrol hours of operation.
However during early summer a local man out for an evening walk with his dogs on the lower walk north shore, encountered difficulties when at least one of the dogs entered the sea, its owner attempted a rescue from the steps, during the rescue attempt he found himself in the sea and in distress, sadly the man died.
Blackpool’s seafront was one of the first in the UK to introduce the new national water safety signage along with Public Rescue Equipment and safety barriers, recommended by a number of sea rescue water partner organisations, this pro active attitude remains strong and will do so in the future.
The Patrol have purchased a 2nd Rescue Water Craft (R.W.C.) this year, which has already proved to be a lifesaver and join’s the existing 2 Quad Bike’s, 1 R.W.C, and Landrover all of which allow us to respond quickly.
From November 2007 the beach patrol have been able to operate on channel ‘ 0 ‘ this is the international maritime emergency frequency, special permission for this channels use by the beach patrol was granted by the Chief Coastguard, this allows Blackpool’s beach patrol to be in contact with the coastguard throughout the hours of operation.
The patrol have again worked with a number of private companies in consultation and water safety cover, this has allowed the service to generate income which has been used to improve the service and increase cover.
Promenade regeneration clearly has a big impact on how we perform our duties and a number of unavoidable disruptions have occurred, the professionalism of the team have kept risks to a minimum and we continue to work as close as possible with all involved.
Patrols again operated a Lost Children’s facility along Blackpool’s seafront, to assist in this Blackpool’s own identity wrist bands were introduced this in partnership with the Royal Lifesaving Society. (R.L.S.S.)
These bright coloured high Viz wrist bands which allows a parent to add mobile or other telephone contacts to assist in the quick reunion of lost children and parents have both Visit Blackpool website details (to remind the wearer of there great holiday in the resort) and The Royal Lifesaving Society’s website details (which will help in the education of Water safety and how to get involved in Lifesaving.)
Hundreds of wrist bands were handed out to parents and children and patrols were called upon to deal with over 100 lost children reports, all of which resulted in a successful outcome.
The first aid centre was again in operation along with a number of mobile facilities, Landrover Quad bikes, etc. patrol’s as in previous years were called upon to administer first- aid / Life – Support to injuries which ranged from potentially life threatening to the relatively minor
Vandalism has again cost the service in duplicated inspections and the replacement or repair of vital Public Rescue and Specialised Lifesaving Equipment.
New water safety signs have also been stolen or had graffiti sprayed on them this to either remove the safety advice or confuse the message. (See table)
During 2007 Blackpool’s Beach Patrol attended 107 incidents involving over 270 persons, see attached charts for detail and breakdown also short narrative of a sample of incidents attended.
It gives me great pleasure in announcing that two members of the Beach Patrol have been honoured for bravery and commitment to Lifesaving since my last report.
One member of the Patrol received the Royal Lifesaving Society’s Lifesaver of the year (Lancashire) for a sea rescue where life was saved.
One member of the patrol received a National Medal of Distinction for services and commitment rendered to Royal Lifesaving Society.
Terry Rogers
Principle Seafront Operations Manager
Sample’s of Incidents Attended
14/1/07 15.35 hours
Patrols were called to a report of an injured Kite-surfer south of Blackpool’s boundary, once on scene patrols reported that a male operating a kite surf had been thrust 20 feet into the air by a strong gust of wind. The casualty was dropped back onto the beach and suffered serious head injuries, the impact with the ground split the casualty’s safety helmet.
Patrols on scene cared for the casualty with others, they also ferried ambulance crew’s to the scene from the promenade and also kept an area clear for the landing and take off of the air ambulance helicopter which was used to transport the casualty to a specialist hospital.
26/2/07 15.13 hours Sea Temp 7C
Patrols had received a report of two teenage girls trapped on a sandbank at anchorsholme, patrols were immediately deployed.
Two local girls walking a dog were seen to be surrounded by the tide, a patrol waded 25 metres across a flooding water channel to bring both girls and the dog back to the safety of the promenade. Both girls were none the worse for their ordeal, both were offered safety advice and parents were called to take them home.
8/3/07 12.30 hours Sea Temp. 7.5C
Patrols came across a number of males aged 30s + running up and down the slipway opposite cocker street while the tide was in, and all safety barriers were in place all were carrying cans of beer, patrols quickly removed all to a place of safety, a barrage of abuse followed the advice but patrols stayed on scene to ensure the group did not go back down the slipway.
6/4/07 11.45 hours Sea Temp 9C
Patrol’s came across a group of males and females all had been drinking alcohol, one 25 year old male jumped from the sea wall into very rough sea’s, he managed to get to the steps and scramble up where patrols were on hand to offer assistance.
Due the extent of the drunkenness the police were called, patrols monitored the area and the group until the tide had left the sea wall.
28/4/07 14.45 hours Sea Temp 14C
A group of 4 young girls were sighted in a toy dinghy approx 25 metres out with a brisk off shore wind blowing; the girls were taking no notice of patrol advice.
A patrol officer entered the water and brought all back to the safety of the beach, warnings and safety advice was given
29/4/07 15.00 hours Sea temp 14C
The Rescue Water Craft (R.W.C) was on routine patrol in the north shore area, when a Jet Skier was sighted half a mile west of Red Bank road in the water away from his Jet-ski
The patrol approached the casualty who was unable to get back to his craft or in deed be able to get back onto the craft, the patrol hauled the casualty onto the Beach patrol R.W.C and then back onto his own jet-ski, patrol’s offered advice and direction the casualty was a local man who had only bought the craft a couple of months earlier.
4/5/07 14.00 hours Sea Temp 14.5C
Beach Patrol H.Q received a call of a woman threatening to jump off North pier; The R.W.C was deployed to the area and stayed off North pier until the 45 year old lady was located at central an ambulance took the lady to Victoria hospital.
9/5/07 16.40 hours Sea Temp 14.5C
Patrols observed a 39 year old male walking into the sea south of central pier, the male appeared to be intoxicated and was not taking notice of Beach patrol direction a patrol entered the sea and brought the local man back to the safety of the beach the casualty had to be restrained after repeatedly attempting to re-enter the sea, the Police took the casualty into care. The casualty told patrols he was depressed.
25/5/07 15.00 hours Sea Temp 16.5C
A 66 year old fully clothed male was seen entering the sea opposite central beach area, patrols entered the sea and brought the casualty back to the safety of the beach, the elderly man repeatedly attempted to break free from the beach patrol to re-enter the sea, the casualty had recently been bereaved and was very upset patrols took the casualty home after talking to police and coastguards.
9/6/07 16.00 hours Sea Temp 16C
Liverpool coastguard contacted H.Q. they had received a call from North Pier management to say a group of men were threatening to jump off the pier the Beach Patrol R.W.C. on routine patrol was deployed to the scene, a total of 5 males jumped off the pier into choppy water approx 300 metres out.
The R.W.C. escorted/assisted all back to the safety of the beach where other patrols were on standby. The group were advised of the dangers of there actions, the reason for this dangerous stunt was a Dare!
10/6/07 16.10 hours Sea Temp 16C
Liverpool coastguard and patrol’s contacted H.Q. to report a fully clothed man walking into the sea north of north pier the R.W.C was deployed to the scene along with the Landrover.
The 28 year old male from Manchester was in a distressed state of mind, the R.W.C. brought the casualty back to the safety of the beach and the casualty was taken by Landrover to awaiting police where he was passed into Police care.
13/6/07 16.20 hours Sea Temp 16C
H.Q received a call reporting a woman running down the beach close to South pier Landrover and Quad bike were deployed to the scene.
A 40 year old woman had run 400metres down the beach and into the sea, two patrols with rescue aids entered the sea and waded/swam approx 150 metres to reach the casualty who had previously given away a number of personal items in a pub, the lady had been drinking and was in a very distressed state, once back on the beach the casualty was taken by Landrover to the promenade and an awaiting ambulance.
23/7/07 15.40 hours Sea Temp 17C
A patrol entered the sea close to harrowside, after he had seen a woman face down in the sea unable to help herself.
The patrol had placed safety barriers across the steps due to a flooding tide, the casualty who was worse the wear for drink and distressed had gone over them and entered the sea, the patrol cared for the casualty until an ambulance arrived to take her to Hospital.
11/8/07 11.40.hours Sea Temp 18C
Two males in their early 20s from Liverpool were seen to jump from Central pier patrols were quickly on scene, both men were very drunk and gave the excuse for there actions as being board while waiting for there train to go back home, both men were given advice and direction but it was thought unlikely to have been taken on board, patrols observed the pair until they left the beach.
22/8/07 15.05 hours Sea Temp 18C
Two patrols entered the sea to assist two young girls who had gone beyond their depth at central pier, the girls were treated for minor cuts and grazes after coming into contact with the pier, advice was given to parents.
21/11/07 09.40 hours Sea Temp 7C
A patrol assisted a 65 year old male who had wondered into a work site area close to central pier, patrols that were on scene helped the casualty out and transported him home after he had been checked over.
4/12/07 14.15 hours Sea Temp 5C
Liverpool Coastguard contacted H.Q. they had received a call that a person was trying to enter the sea in a distressed state of mind below the Hilton Hotel.
Patrols were quickly on scene and with a member of the public assisted the 23 year old male out of the sea to a place of safety.
The casualty was taken to Beach Patrol H.Q and then into an ambulance to Victoria Hospital.
Beach Patrol Equipment Loss/Damage in 2007
Equipment / Vandalism(Renewed) / Storm & Other
(Renewed) / Total Loss
Lifebuoys / 25 / 7 / 32
Lifebuoy Ropes / 26 / 8 / 34
Lifebuoy Posts / 6 / 6
Lifebuoy Housings / 7 / 3 / 10
Housing Lids / 5 / 5 / 10
Safety Signs / 11 / 4 / 15
Safety Chains / 4 / 3 / 7
- Over 145 pieces of Lifesaving Equipment had also been tampered with as well as the above losses
- Approx ½ mile of Lifebuoy rope was lost through vandalism
- Vandalism has cost the service approx £3500
The Unusual; - all in a days work
- Patrols were alerted to a naked man bobbing awkwardly in the sea, on further investigations patrol’s reported the object to be a plastic blow up doll, a group of young women were seen earlier in the area looking rather mischievous
- A chicken was seen sat on a bench looking out to sea close to north pier, after a little bit of nimble footwork patrols eventually caught the chicken and transported it to a local vet for safe keeping
- A rider less horse was seen galloping from St-Anne’s beach towards Blackpool, a patrol officer on a Quad bike managed to slow the horse down and eventually catch hold of it until a more suitable chaperone arrived,
- Patrols were called to a naked man swimming in the sea, the foreign visitor did not realise the commotion he had caused he lead us to believe that this was fine in his native Poland!! Sceptical patrols only left the scene when the man had agreed to put shorts on.
- Two men who decided not to pay the 50p entrance fee at North pier were chased down the pier; the pair were so intent on avoiding the charge they jumped off the pier into the sea, cold sobering sea temperatures were joined by a police interview.
- One sunny afternoon a young seal came ashore close to central pier, the pup appeared to enjoy a growing audience of hundreds on the pier and beach, he appeared to perform a range of seal aerobics in between a spot of sunbathing. Patrols stayed with the pup into the early evening for its safety and that of youngsters who wanted to get as close as possible to it, the tide turned and the pup was seen to swim off into a perfect sunset.
Sample Analysis of Incidents Attended By Blackpool Beach Patrol Officers During 2007
197 Males required assistance compared to 80 females