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Seahouses inshore lifeboat called to dog in the sea off Bamburgh

Lifeboats News Release

At 8:33am on Monday 14 August 2023, Seahouses inshore lifeboat was tasked by the Coastguard, to go to the assistance of a dog (a Golden Retriever) reported in the sea off Bamburgh.

Seahouses Inshore Lifeboat RNLB "Grace Darling" launching on service

RNLI/Ian Clayton

Seahouses Inshore Lifeboat RNLB "Grace Darling" launching on service
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Despite the owner’s best efforts to call it back, it was having difficulty getting back ashore. Local Coastguard Rescue Teams were also tasked.

Just before the rescue agencies reached the scene, the dog finally got ashore unaided, and the resources were stood down.

Seahouses RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Ian Clayton commented: 'The dog owner did exactly what the RNLI advise by calling the Coastguard via 999 for assistance. We strongly advise pet owners not to enter the water to attempt to rescue their pet under any circumstances. Such action can put the pet owner at serious risk.

'We were relieved to learn that this dog managed to reach the shore unaided. Sometimes it can be safer to keep an excitable pet on an extended lead, to prevent the animal getting itself into difficulty in the open sea, and on a normal lead especially at or near cliff edges.'

An RNLI Safety video for pet owners is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvwarL75reE
Image from the RNLI Safety Video for pet owners

RNLI/Ian Clayton

Image from the RNLI Safety Video for pet owners
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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, Twitter 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.

About the author

Ian Clayton
Lifeboat Press Officer, Seahouses Lifeboat Station

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