West Bay Coastguard celebrates 20 years of service

A West Bay Coastguard Officer is being celebrated after 20 years of service with the team.

40-year-old James Radcliffe joined the coastguards as a volunteer in 2001, when he was just 22 years old.

He got a flavour for the role when he was the Assistant harbourmaster at West Bay. In the job he would work alongside the coastguards and was always interested in what they were doing.

Back then James knew most of the team already so decided to volunteer as a member of the local HM coastguard rescue service.

In a look back at what James' 20 years with the service has been like, he says the role still excites him.

"It holds the same appeal but it changes over the years like everything does but it still gives you that 'want' to go out there and make a difference."

James' said his first job was a unforgettable one as he had to rescue a sheep from a cliffside but his most memorable was his 30th birthday.

"I was having a BBQ for my 30th and just as the team arrived we got a call out and so everybody left the BBQ at the same time.

"It was up Burton and a lady has fallen down and probably broken her ankle. She fell just on the cliff path up there.

"We had to bring her back up part of the cliff and sort of stretch her off. We went back to the BBQ and carried on the party afterwards."

After seeing a 20 year snapshot of an emergency service, James said the biggest changes he's seen are the team.

"Only one person from the team I started on is still with me, but if you look at everything as equipment wise has changed, vehicles have changed, with safety as it is everything is changed and being improved on.

"Sometimes for the best sometimes not, some of the older kit is easier to use but, everything changes for a reason.

"Back then you'd have mega weekend away or two for a bit more intense training but otherwise you would join the team on a monthly basis and train with them."

There aren't any specific rescues that James is proud of but, he said there are plenty that spring to mind.

"There's plenty that spring to mind, we've done many dog rescues which is always a good outcome for the owners (09:41) it saves them putting themselves in troubles.

"We've done many searches over the years where we've had positive outcomes, finding casualties in the most extraordinary places really, in between rocks and all that sort of thing. I wouldn't say there are many that jump out but there are a lot."

Back when James joined the service many of them team members took him 'under their wing' but Jamie Staple gave him the best advice.

"Keep calm and keep cool about everything you're doing, think about what everything before you do it. And you can do anything that's put in front you. Every call out is different."

Jamie Staple first met James when he was a Cub Scout, he retired as an officer from the West Bay Coastguards 30 years ago but had this to say about James.

"He was, to say the least, a live-wire! Many years later when he volunteered to become a Coastguard, several of the team (including myself) had reservations.

"We were, however, totally wrong. James became a valued member of the team with his 'can do' attitude and his stubborn streak that quickly morphed into tenacity made him a pleasure to work with.

"His eventual appointment as Harbour Master further proved his abilities and maturity.

"James was able to hold both roles and this gave the team an edge in responding to local emergencies.

"I would like to congratulate James on his 20 years' service in Coastguard and I look forward to celebrating properly when we are able." Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.