Press Notice No: 397/09
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Posted 13:59 GMT

Portland Coastguard Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre were requested by the South West Ambulance Service this morning to render assistance to their paramedics utilising the Coastguard Rescue Teams 4x4 vehicles that are able to gain traction in the dangerous and icy conditions prevailing throughout the south and particularly Dorset today.

Numerous road accidents caused by those icy conditions have meant that some ambulances have struggled to reach their destinations.

Portland Coastguard have now turned out the Portland, Poole, Wyke and Southborne Teams and their vehicles in order to liaise with the most relevant ambulance station in their area. Paramedics will be aboard the Coastguard vehicles and ready to respond to the large numbers of calls from the public.

The paramedic on board the Coastguard vehicle will remain in contact with their base station via their own communications methods and the Coastguard Team will assist in transportation or logistics. The Team are also remaining in contact with the Coastguard Station via VHF in case of any other maritime emergency. The Ambulance Service have identified that casualties can be carried in Coastguard vehicles if the on board paramedic so desires and considers that the best course of action.

Mark Rodaway, Duty Senior Coastguard Officer said

The emergency services of Dorset are work extremely closely together and of course in times of need I am more than happy to deploy Coastguard resources to support other emergency service colleagues to ensure the public are best served in these challenging circumstances.


Posted By: Mark Clark

For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401