Hope Cove Update 7 August 2019
7 August 2019
Two Coastguard
Rescue Officers based at Hope Cove Coastguard Rescue Team have had their
membership withdrawn. The appeal process is now complete and the
CROs concerned have been notified of the decision. Safety is always our
ultimate priority which is why we have a zero tolerance approach to any
behaviour which creates unnecessary risk.
Coastguard Rescue
Teams were called to an incident on 20 June at Bolberry Downs, near Hope Cove,
where a car had reportedly gone over the cliff. On arrival the vehicle was found
to be empty and also fifty metres from the edge. There
was no further risk to life or the vehicle.
In these situations
our safe systems of work dictate that we cordon off the area to prevent members
of the public from jeopardising their safety or risking their lives. We would
then task appropriate recovery resources.
The two Coastguard
Rescue Officers disregarded these protocols and attempted to carry out an
unsafe recovery, using an untested rope tied around a bumper of a
privately-owned vehicle. These actions breached our safe systems of work and
placed the officers at risk unnecessarily. The officers were on official
Coastguard duty and wore Coastguard uniforms. The officers deliberately misled
the Coastguard Control Centre at Falmouth
by informing them that a local farmer had carried out the
recovery.
We would like to reassure the public that there is no reduction in the quality of search and rescue provided for the Hope Cove area, which is adequately covered by Bigbury and Prawle Coastguard Rescue Teams.