The pagers launched today at 12.58pm, Falmouth Coastguard needed assistance and
Rob Cocking, Coxswain launched the all weather lifeboat, with a volunteer crew and they quickly made their way to the Gurnards Head area. The crew were needed to assist with a dog over the cliff, and there were concerns that people were attempting to enter the water to retrieve the dog.
On arrival at the location, the coastguard confirmed whether our inshore lifeboat was also going to attend, but given the sea conditions in that particular area it wasn't safe to do so. The crew,
St Ives Coastguard Rescue Team and
Penzance Coastguard Rescue Team assessed the situation to work out how to safely retrieve the dog.
It was decided that the cliff rescue team would make their way down onto the beach area in order to retrieve the dog, which they recovered whilst the lifeboat crew watched over from a safety response perspective.
Everyone will be pleased to know that Gilbert the black labrador is all well and safe.
The crew then returned to the station and readied the boat once again for service.
We thought you may like to see a video of the boat returning.
For safety advice for walking your dogs near cliff edges, please visit the rnli.org but it’s important to remember the following key points.
- Keep your dog on a lead when your close to cliff edges
- Don’t go after your dog, most dogs do self rescue and you end up the casualty
- If your worried about your dog please call 999 or 121 and ask for the coastguard
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.