Seahouses Lifeboat Crew Never “DUCK” a Chance to Help Save Lives at Sea

Usually it is people who need help, but this time the crew had spotted a female Eider Duck in the harbour with fishing line wrapped around its neck. While these ducks are quite tame, the crew could not get close enough to help the bird.

However, concern for the creature’s welfare began to trouble the crew after several days, so a plan was devised. Fleet Staff Coxswain Francie Morgan (on temporary duty at Seahouses), with crew members James Higgins and Kika Isakiewicz, borrowed a child’s fishing net on a cane, and were able to humanely restrain the bird so that the offending nylon line could be safely removed from its neck. They were additionally concerned that the line may have contained fish hooks. That done, the bird was released and swam off happily and no doubt much more comfortable, apparently un-phased by its unpleasant experience!

Eider Ducks are known locally as Cuddy’s (St Cuthbert’s) Ducks, and a number inhabit Seahouses Harbour. The RNLI would like to remind people fishing in and around the harbour area to avoid discarding nylon fishing line, which can injure or kill local wildlife. Another example, sadly, of marine plastic pollution !

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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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