For the third time this year we have been called out to an animal. This afternoon's shout for the ILB was to a dog which had fallen over the cliff at Chapman's Pool. Now I feel pretty strongly that this does not come under the remit of saving lives at sea. However, I also feel that we are not only there to fulfill the stated aims of the RNLI but also to act as common decent people. Of course we could refuse to go, however, we are the sort of folk who like to help out and so we do. The added bonus is that we stop a member of the public from doing something silly while trying to rescue their dog (how many times have dog owners drowned while trying to rescue a dog from the sea and the dog lives?) Surely that alone makes it worthwhile?
Launch time: 14:16 Recovery time: 16:18 Wind speed: 1 Wind direction: NE Sea state: Smooth
Weather: Fine Visibility: Good Casualty: Miscellaneous
Location: Rope Lake Head
Crew: K. Dimarco (Helm), G. Steeden, O. Clark
RNLI Lifeboats are often called to help animals in trouble. Its often the easiest way of recovering a stricken animal and stops their owners getting into difficulty. Today Portland Coastguard requested the launch of Swanage's Inshore Lifeboat to assist in the recovery of a dog that had gone over the edge of the 150 foot high cliff at Rope Lake Head near Kimmeridge. The Lifeboat launched and was on scene a little over 20 mins later. Two crewmen were put ashore and after a short search found the dog (and the rabbit it was chasing) near the base of the cliff. Bill the dog was suffering from a cut mouth but other than that seemed fine. He was wrapped in an ambulance pouch and taken to Kimmeridge to be re-united with his very grateful owner. The Lifeboat and its crew were then released to return to station.
Further details are here.
1 comment:
A spokesman for Portland coastguard said: "These small dogs are bouncy, they can survive these kind of things."
Lol I love the quote off the BBC link you provided.
I think like you say whilst jobs like this don't strichtly fall into the remit of saving lives at sea, no one likes to see animals suffering, and you are potentially preventing a person getting into difficulty trying to rescue their pet.
Another side, surely (hopefuly) responsable loving pet owners who have benefitted from the RNLIs service and skills are more likely to dip into their pockets and donate...
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