A small dog was rescued by the Sheerness RNLI inshore lifeboat after getting cut
Clara, the cocker spaniel was rescued by the volunteer crew of the Sheerness inshore lifeboat on Sunday 6 October after she became cut off by the incoming tide on Copperhouse Marsh in the River Medway.
The inshore lifeboat, with a crew of three, was out on exercise when it was tasked by the UK Coastguard at 12.20pm to retrieve a Cocker Spaniel from Copperhouse Marsh in the Medway Estuary. The dog, which had made its way onto the marsh at low tide had become stranded when the tide began to flood and was now exhausted, very distressed and unable to get back to the shore itself.
Having arrived at the scene the crew were guided to the dog’s position from the shore by the Medway Coastguard Rescue Team and Clara’s owner.
Two crew members from the lifeboat deployed to the marsh and with some gentle persuasion managed to coax the dog to them so she could be picked up and carried back to the lifeboat.
With no access to the shore the ILB motored downstream to Gillingham Marina fuel pontoon where they handed Clara back to her very relieved owner and the Medway Coastguard Rescue Team members.
The lifeboat was stood down and was back on station at 1.50 pm
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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