Brighton RNLI lifeboat tasked to help baby seal
The volunteer crew of the Brighton RNLI inshore lifeboat were quick to respond to a call for help after a seal pup was seen struggling to swim near Brighton Pier on Saturday morning (2 Sept).
The injured seal had been spotted just west of the Palace Pier by members of the Brighton Swimming Club who raised the alarm with a 999 call. Brighton’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Random Harvest launched at 8.30am.
Upon arrival it was established that one of the members of the swimming club had managed to swim the pup back to the shore and was holding the pup in standing depth water near to the pier.
The lifeboat crew took over holding the pup in the sea whilst the UK Coastguard attempted to contact specialists to help the pup get the medical assistance it required.
After holding the pup in the water for 45 minutes, a team member from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue arrived and advised the lifeboat crew to bring the pup onto the beach where an initial assessment was carried out on the seal.
As the seal was now safely onshore the Brighton lifeboat volunteers passed all details over to the Shoreham Coastguard, who was also in attendance and the crew stood down from the incident.
It was later found out that unfortunately, despite the best efforts of all teams involved, the seal pup passed away.
It’s not the first time the RNLI has been involved in animal rescues. In 2016 the charity saved 431 human lives but also saved 41 dogs, two dolphins, three horses, one porpoise, one seal and two sheep.
Ends
Note to editors: Photographs of the seal and the incident are available from freelance photographer Eddie Mitchell on (07771) 605974 [email protected]
RNLI media contacts For more information please contact:
- Jade Cohen, Brighton RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07850 261593 [email protected]
- Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]
- Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207416, 07786 668825, [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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