Kessock Lifeboat launches to aid of dog in distress
The RNLI charity lifeboat at Kessock was launched on Tuesday 26 January at 9.15am to the aid of a dog in the water in the Beauly Firth.
Initial reports to HM Coastguard suggested the animal was already underneath the Kessock Bridge and so the assembled volunteer crew quickly made their way to that point to begin their search.
A visual scan from shore soon located the animal swimming determinedly back to the opposite shore, to the West of the station and the bridge.
The exhausted dog made its way to the beach where it was reunited with its owner, and waiting crew from HM Coastguard Highland.
The Robert and Isobel Mowat was stood down and returned to the lifeboat station to be washed down and made ready for the next service and the attending volunteers returned to their daily commitments.
Lifeboat Helm Jon Ashburner said, “Today’s call out serves as a timely reminder to the public that if you see a dog in difficulty in the water call 999 and ask for the Coastguard – please do not follow an animal into the water as they can usually self-rescue.”
As a further point of interest for today’s shout, six of the nine crew in attendance were either newly passed out, advanced trainees or new trainees. Our current recruitment window for all crew closes this Sunday (other than the management post which is extended)
Interested applicants should apply via the RNLI by searching for vacancies in Kessock or by following the link in the pinned post at the top of our Facebook page.
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.