Dog saved by off-duty Scarborough RNLI crew member

The black labrador had been taken for a walk on the north beach and was swimming out to sea.

Matt Jones, a volunteer on the inshore and offshore lifeboats, was just about to start a surf lesson with some children when the dog owner came running along the beach in a panic.

'He explained the dog was quite old but enjoyed the water', Matt said. 'It appeared to be swimming out to sea near Mascus Rocks. I told my colleague to call 999 and ask for the coastguard just in case it kept going.

'I then paddled out on a foamie surfboard to assist it. As I got near, it started to submerge and swallow water. I managed to get hold of it by the neck and paddle back to shore. Then I had to use a surfboard leash so the owner could walk it home'.

Matt’s swift reactions were appreciated by the dog’s grateful owner. 'The chap came back down to the beach yesterday to say thank you', said Matt, who runs a company called Coastal Concepts. It specialises in water-safety training and education and surf coaching programmes. Matt was previously an RNLI lifeguard superviser.

The inshore lifeboat was launched to assist but wasn’t needed. It was the second time that day – Monday - that the coastguard coastguard requested the RNLI’s help. Earlier on, the lifeboat was asked to help the coastguard and police with a search for a missing person who was thought to be between Hayburn Wyke and Cloughton.

* For details, ring Scarborough RNLI press officer Dave Barry on 07890 322992.

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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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