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Ilfracombe RNLI rescue casualty and his dog from bottom of a cliff at Bull Point

Lifeboats Statement

The volunteer crew at Ilfracombe RNLI launched the all-weather lifeboat (ALB) The Barry & Peggy High Foundation at 11.31am today (Friday 10 July) to reports of a man and his dog in difficulty at the bottom of a 40 foot cliff at Bull Point.

RNLI/Nikki Bradshaw

Marley and his owner both safely back at Ilfracombe.
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The German Shepherd, named Marley, was walking by the cliff edge and dropped his stick, which then tumbled over the edge. Marley went over the cliff edge to retrieve his stick but ended up falling into the water and could not get out. His owner found a different route safely down but then could not get back up the cliff again.

Two Coastguard rescue teams were also called to the incident as well as the Newquay Coastguard helicopter. The all-weather lifeboat was first to arrive on scene and the Coxswain Carl Perrin instructed for the inflatable X-class boat to be put in the water, with a line keeping it secured to the ALB, so they could reach the shore.

Two crew members took the X-class to the shore, where the casualty and dog were both uninjured. They were brought to the ALB on the X-class, with the two crew members swimming back to the lifeboat so they could remain socially distant. The lifeboat was then back at the station around 12.25pm.

The casualty said: ‘I really can’t thank the RNLI enough for coming to help us.’

Coxswain Carl Perrin said:

‘We would like to remind everyone to please keep their dogs on leads if they’re walking close to cliff edges and remember the best thing to do if your pet gets into trouble at the coast is don't enter the water yourself, instead call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. We’re all very glad there was a positive outcome in this case.’

RNLI/Nikki Bradshaw

The Ilfracombe all-weather lifeboat returning from the shout with Marley and owner on board..
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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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

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