Dorset Police news site

Over the weekend, officers from the Marine Engagement Team worked with partners to engage with the marine community while the Marine Force Support Group (FSG) provided a visible presence on the water.

During the patrols, officers were alerted by land-based HM Coastguard officers to reports of a group of four paddleboarders being in difficulty in the Swash channel – the main shipping lane in and out of Poole.

Marine FSG officers on the water were able to immediately attend the incident and pull the paddleboarders to safety, with the last person being brought onboard less than a minute before a cross channel ferry crossed the path of where they had become stranded.

Sergeant Ryan Prater, of the Marine Force Support Group, said: “We’d like to thank HM Coastguard officers who were working with our marine engagement team at the time for alerting us to this potentially life-threatening incident.

“On Sunday 24 July 2022, our officers also responded to a sinking yacht alongside RNLI colleagues where we towed the boat back to Poole Harbour and safeguarded children onboard.

“Before heading out on the water, you should be aware of the current and expected changes in buoyage, tides, sea and weather conditions.”

The wider community engagement, known as Operation Seagoing, was held on land at Baiter Slipway in Poole and the Weymouth Slipway where around 150 jet-ski riders and others taking to the water were spoken to.

Police Constable Ali Roberts, Marine Engagement Officer for Dorset Police, said: “This was a really successful partnership operation, speaking to a huge number of people both on and off the water; offering safety advice and reiterating local byelaws and speed limits.

“Colleagues from BCP Council issued warning letters to two young people for causing anti-social behaviour (ASB) with a motorised dinghy in Mudeford, engaged with twelve boats (four of which were given words of advice), and engaged with fourteen jet skiers.

“Thankfully our presence on the water was noticed and appreciated by Sandbanks council staff and members of the public who said there was a noticeable change in the behaviour of jet skiers with the police presence on the water.

“The Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) facilitated a police officer on board their vessel and not only assisted with deterring ASB on the water, but they also liaised with those fishing off Sandbanks to ensure that they were compliant with regulations.

“A Poole Neighbourhood Policing Team officer boarded a Poole Harbour Commissioners boat and assisted with patrols of Poole Harbour, engaging with water users and offering words of advice.

“We’d like to thank all partners for their efforts in a successful day engaging with the marine community including: BCP Council, Border Force, Poole Harbour Commissioners, Weymouth Harbour, Dorset Wildlife Trust, the Marine Management Organisation, Southern IFCA, HM Coastguard and the RNLI.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick, said: “I am pleased to see Op Seagoing taking the fight against ASB beyond the shoreline. Residents and visitors should be able to enjoy our county, its shores, and waters without being affected by ASB. The issue is that ASB on the water could end in tragedy for those involved and affected. We have a spectacular coastline with amazing wildlife and ASB could compromise that too, ruining it for future residents and visitors.

“Cutting ASB is a priority of my Police and Crime Plan, so I would like to thank every police officer, staff member and the many partners involved in this operation for helping ensure that we can all have a safe and fun summer in Dorset.”