St Agnes RNLI lifeboat launched to help dog owners in danger.
At 8:26pm, in heavy surf and at high tide, St Agnes inshore lifeboat launched after reports of two people in difficulty on the cliffs at St Agnes Head.
Falmouth Coastguard requested the launch amid concerns for the safety of the dog’s owners who were believed to have descended the cliffs in search of their elderly pet. With Gavin Forehead at the helm accompanied by crew Trev Garland and Paul Fisher the lifeboat was on scene in less than five minutes.
St Agnes Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team (CRT), who were also on scene, confirmed that the people were safe but the 16-year dog, Me-Me, was missing having run from its owners in the direction of the cliff top. As the CRT began a shoreline search, St Agnes ILB searched the waters below St Agnes Head. With no sign of the dog the search was called off at 9:15pm. The boat returned to Trevaunance Cove where she was safely recovered at 9:20pm in challenging heavy surf and high tide conditions.
Experienced helm Paul Fisher commented,
“With conditions as challenging as they were, we launched because of fears for the safety of the people at St Agnes Head. High tide launches demand split second timing and impeccable teamwork. With the surf as high as it was last night, the operation was not without risk to all involved.”
St Agnes RNLI lifeboat was refuelled, rehoused, and ready for service at 9:35pm.
With Me-Me still missing, owner Anne has asked that people be on the lookout for a dog with a distinctive ‘A’ mark on its back.
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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