Barry Dock Lifeboat volunteers rescue a distressed dog
In the early afternoon on Saturday 21st April HM Coastguard were alerted by the owners that their dog was in distress in the sea at Barry Island and it couldn’t get itself ashore. The Coastguard immediately contacted Barry Dock Lifeboat and asked for assistance.
In a short space of time the volunteer crew of the RNLI’s Barry Dock lifeboat ‘Inner Wheel II’ were alerted and the Trent Class All-Weather lifeboat was launched, supported by the smaller D Class Inshore Lifeboat. UK Coastguard officers were also sent to the scene.
On arrival, the lifeboat crews saw the Husky dog swimming in deep water some distance offshore. They carefully and quietly encouraged the dog to swim toward the shore using the smaller, quieter D Class lifeboat. They were then presented with the challenge of safely encouraging the dog back up the steep, sharp rockface toward its owners which took patience and care.
Supported by UK Coastguard colleagues onshore, after some careful negotiation of the uneven wet rocks the dog was reunited with its much relieved and very happy owners.
Barry Dock Lifeboat Coxswain Martin Bowmer said 'As we approach summer time we’ll see more people enjoying the wonderful Welsh coastline many accompanied by their dogs. We’d encourage them to stay away from unsafe rocks as they can be slippery and challenging underfoot even for dogs. In particular we’d ask people not to venture off signposted public footpaths but enjoy the coastline whilst staying safe’
Notes to editors
- Barry Dock RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 1901. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/barrydock
- Photos of the rescue can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/barry.rnli/
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Martin Thomas, Barry Dock Lifeboat Press Officer on 07581 192108 email [email protected] or Danielle Rush, Divisional Media Relations Manager (Wales and West) on 07786 668829 or 01745 585162. Alternatively contact RNLI Public Relations 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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