
Brighton RNLI launch to help dogs struggling in sea
Brighton RNLI had to abandon a planned exercise following reports of two dogs in trouble in the sea. The volunteer crew was paged on Sunday at 9.52am to reports two dogs were in the water 200-300m out and heading to sea.
Arriving at the scene 16 minutes later, the crew were tasked to search an area off the beach by the King Alfred leisure centre.
The lifeboat also conducted a search for a possible swimmer reported by the public which, after investigation, turned out to be a seal.
At 10.13am the Coastguard confirmed the dogs were safely back on shore after hitching a ride from a nearby paddle boarder.
This was the second tasking of the day for the volunteer crew, having previously launched at 2.50am. That incident was resolved before the Lifeboat reached the scene.
Brighton RNLI volunteer helm Ben Hylands explained: ‘As we were starting our Sunday training and meeting our new station chairman for the first time the urgent tasking came through for us to assist with two dogs and a person in the water in Hove. We launched swiftly and were on scene in minutes to find our colleagues at Brighton Seafront Office had just moments before assisted a paddle boarder who fetched the dogs back to shore.
‘As we made our best speed to the scene, as helm, I was contemplating what would be needed first and if there could be more people in the water. You never really know what you are going to be confronted with when you arrive on scene, especially when animals are involved.’
When visiting the coast with your dog the RNLI’s key safety advice is:
• Keep dogs on a lead if you’re close to cliff edges or fast-flowing rivers.
• If your dog goes into the water or gets stuck in mud, don't go after them. Move to a place your dog can reach safely and call them.
• If you're worried about your dog, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Lotte Ikonen on 07576870669.
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 142,700 lives.
Safety advice
For the latest RNLI safety advice on a range of activities visit: https://rnli.org/safety
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.
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.