Ballycotton RNLI called to rescue dolphin stranded in shallow water

A member of the public who was on scene had tried to assist the dolphin back to sea but when they were unable to do so they alerted the Ballycotton lifeboat. At this point, Ballycotton’s inshore lifeboat was launched by its volunteer crew and was on scene quickly. The all-weather lifeboat was also on standby with a full crew however due to the offshore breeze and calm weather conditions it was decided to only launch the inshore lifeboat initially.

Upon arrival Coxswain Eolan Walsh entered the water, guided the dolphin into deeper water and shepherded it back out to sea.

Speaking following the call out, Ballycotton RNLI Coxswain Eolan Walsh said: ‘Similar to a previous launch last summer this dolphin appeared to be quite young and may have been separated from its pod. We would like to commend the member of the public who assisted the dolphin initially. We were happy to help and bring the dolphin into deeper waters.’

Ends

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Michelle Scanlon, Ballycotton RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press on 0863528919, email mellsca@hotmail.com or contact Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Ireland on 0876483547, email Nuala_McAloon@rnli.org.uk or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager Ireland on 0871254124 or 018900460 or email Niamh_Stephenson@rnli.org.uk

Key facts about the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen, Carrybridge and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 or by email.

 

The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland