Safety Spotlight - Im'paw'tant advice. Make sure you live to tell the 'tail'

If there’s a risk to life anywhere and at any time around our coasts, we’ll send the expert emergency services teams to the rescue. If dogs and other animals are in danger, people will often put themselves and their lives at risk attempting to rescue them. It’s a risk that’s just not worth taking and we want you to live to tell the ‘tail’.

Dogs can get themselves into trouble very quickly (and often get themselves out of trouble just as fast). If it happens to you at the coast, we’d recommend you take a moment to think of safety and #Paws4Safety. Don’t put yourself or others at risk, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Many people have done exactly that recently.

Come back Bobs!

Butter wouldn't melt... luckily Bobs was soon back home safely. Credit Tracy Neale

Just this week, Tracy Neale was in a quandary when beloved Jack Russell terrier ‘Bobs’ spotted a rabbit on a cliff and gave chase. Bobs was engrossed in his unsuccessful mission. So engrossed in fact that three hours passed and the day was drawing in…

They did the right thing


Credit Bridlington CRT. Rescue technician Simon went to help Bobs. In true terrier fashion, Bobs at last decided he'd make his own way back his owner on the beach below

Thankfully Tracy and others on the beach did not try and climb the crumbling cliffs and they did the right thing. They called us and we sent help in the form of the Bridlington and Filey Coastguard Rescue Teams.

Bridlington’s recently qualified rope rescue technician Simon volunteered to go over the cliff to rescue Bobs and make a new friend. But Bobs had other ideas, he abandoned his mission and scampered down to the beach and was safely back with his owner.

 Grateful owner thanks teams

 Bobs won’t be given his off lead coastal freedom again, a grateful Tracy said: : 

“I always take great care when walking Bobs and I thought we’d be safe on the beach. But he spotted a rabbit on the cliff and made a dash for it. We tried to get him down for three hours but he played deaf. When the fantastic teams came to the rescue, he decided the game was up and ran back down by himself. He’ll be on a lead at all times at the coast from now on!”

Muddy Paws

Meanwhile on 2 August, an innocent walk with a dog at the Knott End Slipway on the Fylde coast turned into something less pleasant. The tides and currents are notoriously fast in that area, making it easy for even the most experienced coastal users to get into trouble.

Credit: Fleetwood CRT. The team had a helping hand from the ferry crew and a hose down after a technical mud rescue of woman and her dog


A woman and her dog got caught out on a hot sunny day. They were firmly stuck in the sticky mud. Fleetwood and Knott-End Coastguard teams, equipped with specialist mud rescue equipment were thankfully soon able to help. The crew of the local Knott End ferry Wyre Rose helped the Knott End Team to reach the pair and pulled them out of the mud so they were able to go home safe and sound, albeit in need of a good wash.

No sooner had the teams had a hose down courtesy of the Ferry’s jet wash, they set off again, with the RNLI lifeboat also being sent following reports of people in danger of being cut off by the tides. They were brought safely back to shore and it was ice creams all round.

Don’t let your dog give you the drop – like Milo

Credit: Lulworth and Kimmeridge CRTs. Milo got home safely in time for dinner

Just last month, Milo’s life was on the edge. He’d slipped and fallen 30ft down a cliff onto a narrow ledge. Below that was a further sheer drop of 100ft to the beach below.

Fearing for his life and the risk that the watching crowds of people might put their own safety on the line to try and help him, our teams raced to the rescue. Milo owes them his life  .

Our teams from Kimmeridge Coastguard & Lulworth carried out a technical rope rescue, with one of the Lulworth team being lowered 30ft down to get him, armed with a special rescue bag and tasty treats.

His relieved owner said:

“I can’t thank you enough for saving Milo. The team’s skill and professionalism under huge pressure was simply breathtaking. Milo owes them his life - literally.”

  • Don't let it happen to you
  • Always keep your dog on a lead
  • Always check weather and tides before setting out. Leave yourself plent of time to get back
  • Stay well back from cliff edges, they can be crumbly and slippery when wet & easily give way
  • Observe all local safety notices
  • Don’t risk yourself if your dog is in trouble on the coast or in the sea. They often get themselves to safety, some owners don’t.
  • Call 999, ask for the Coastguard

USEFUL LINKS

http://hmcoastguard.blogspot.com/2021/07/safety-spotlight-tides-and-rips-stay.html

http://hmcoastguard.blogspot.com/2021/07/safety-spotlight-tides-and-rips-stay.html

http://hmcoastguard.blogspot.com/2021/07/safety-spotlight-tech-up-in-case-of.html

http://hmcoastguard.blogspot.com/2021/08/family-call-999-and-ask-for-the-coastguard-to-help-rescue-man-stuck-in-the-mud.html


 

Popular posts from this blog

Challenging rescue at popular Cornish climbing spot

Teenager rescued after sand hole collapse

Label your kit at the coast