Whitsand Bay RNLI lifeguards rescue dog cut off by tide

This was the second visit to the small beach between Sharrow and Tregantle for RNLI lifeguards in the same week as they’d rescued a group of walkers who’d become cut off by the tide the day before.

Barney was clearly very happy to see his RNLI rescuers after he became cut off by the tide chasing seagulls. His owners were walking along Sharrow Beach when Barney ran to No Fear beach just to the west of Sharrow in Whitsand Bay.

Due to the two foot choppy surf and incoming tide, the only way to reach Barney was by boat. RNLI lifeguards Joe Saunders and Charlie Gillett immediately launched the inshore rescue boat (IRB). After very little persuasion, Barney jumped into the IRB where he was safely returned to his owners.

Charlie Gillett, RNLI lifeguard supervisor for the area said:

‘Barney was clearly very excited to see us when we picked him up and was very well behaved on the journey home. This was a lucky escape for Barney as the tide was coming in very quickly. The RNLI advises all dog-walkers to check the tide times and advises all dogs to not chase seagulls!’

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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