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Dogs Rescued by Southwold RNLI Volunteers on Christmas Day

Lifeboats News Release

Southwold RNLI launched at 11.30am on Christmas Day to assist three dogs in distress.

Southwold RNLI volunteers at the Southwold Christmas Swim shortly before they were called out to rescue two dogs.

RNLI/Jonathan Sapsford

Southwold RNLI volunteers on Christmas Day
The crew had just returned to the station after supporting the Blyth Valley Rotary Christmas Day swim and were getting changed, discussing plans for the rest of the day when they were alerted that three dogs had fallen from the harbour wall and were swimming against the ebb tide close to the harbour entrance.

With a full crew already on station and in kit the lifeboat was launched and Southwold's Atlantic 85, AnnieTranmer was quickly on scene.

By this stage one dog had been retrieved by a member of the public.

Describing the rescue Southwold RNLI Helm, Bob Cooper said: 'We circled the lifeboat down tide with the ebb, and came up alongside the dogs, where the crew quickly pulled them onboard, and then passed them back safely to their owners. The owners did the right thing by not entering the water to help the dogs themselves.'

After returning the dogs to their owners the crew returned to station and the boat was readied for service again.

Speaking on Boxing Day, one of the dogs' owners Tom Harrison thanked the volunteers, saying 'a massive thank you for getting my dog and my sister's dog out of the water yesterday, they are all doing fine now. I am planning to do a sponsored dog walk to raise some money as a thank you to you all'.

If your dog goes into the water or gets stuck in mud, don’t go in after them. Move to a place where the dog could get out easily and call them – they will probably get out by themselves. If you’re worried your dog can't get out, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.

RNLI Media contacts
For more information, please contact Jeremy Taylor, Southwold RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected]
Southwold ILB Lesley Tranmer rescueing two dogs from the River Blyth, Southwold, Suffolk

RNLI/Jeremy Taylor

Southwold Lifeboat launched on Christmas Day

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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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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