Byline: An RNLI New Brighton lifeboat crew had a challenging afternoon rescuing an Alsatian dog who was stranded in a very difficult to reach position on the River Mersey revetment wall, also known as the training bank, off from Crosby shore.
Page Content:
One of our crew who
happened to be at the lifeboat station, which is not manned. took a phone call from a woman
regarding a dog that had bolted, was aggressive and running around on
the Crosby beach. He alerted HM Coastguard and the RNLI Lifeguards at
Crosby. They made contact with the woman and as the dog
was acting aggressively ensured beach area remained safe and
monitored the situation. When the dog ended up in the sea the
lifeboat was called out and the woman advised to stay on shore and not try to rescue the dog.
The lifeboat was called out at 13:40, sea conditions were calm with a light easterly breeze, good visibility and just past low water.
Dave Hicks the Helmsman in charge of New Brighton's Atlantic 85 lifeboat Charles Dibdin takes up the story 'We reached the area where the dog was reported fairly quickly and spotted it wading along the revetment wall. The underwater wall, designed to stabilise the channel, is constructed of chunks of limestone, has slopping sides and is a very dangerous area for craft when the water is shallow, as today. Crewman Stuart Ward went over the side and swam to the wall, got on it, then slowly approached the dog, 'Rocky', which was growling and showing its fangs to him. From getting onto the revetment wall to finally getting a rope onto him it took Stuart quite a time. He had to gradually approach him, all the time trying to gain his confidence. On the lifeboat any loss of concentration operating in such shallow water and over jagged rocks could have been very costly.'
He continued 'Once having 'Rocky' on tow Stuart swam out to the lifeboat and with difficulty we managed to get Rocky on board where we wrapped him up in our substantial ambulance blanket. He was exhausted, shivering and had taken on water. We gave him fresh water and the fight finally left him when he realised we were trying to help. We took him to Crosby shore to waiting Coastguards and they took the weak and tired dog back to the dry beach and his owner at about 14:40, we hope he recovers from his ordeal.'
I understand that while this was happening the Coastguard had contacted the local Altcar Rifle Range and asked them to cease fire for a while during the rescue.
The lifeboat returned to base for thorough wash down, disinfection of all the kit and re-fuelling.
Ian Thornton, Deputy Launch Authority at New Brighton lifeboat station commented after the rescue ' This year we have had a spate of dog rescues and each one has been challenging to our crews for different reasons. This is the first one that we have had to deal with an aggressive dog and it was handled by Stuart Ward and the crew extremely well. These situations are particularly volatile and the outcome unpredictable. as well as putting the crew members at risk there was considerable danger to the lifeboat from the location and the courage, dedication and training of the crew made all the difference.'
He concluded ' Again we must stress that in circumstances where animals end up in the water the human should not attempt to follow as they are more likely to end up the casualty and compund an already difficult situation'
END
Notes to Editors
Main photograph - L to R crew Dave Davies, crew Matt Fossett, Tractor Driver Cmdr Graham Lowe, Helmsman Dave Hicks, crew Stuart Ward
Secondary photo - Lifeboat finds Rocky
RNLI Media Contacts
For more information please contact Bob Warwick, RNLI New Brighton Volunteer Press Officer on mobile 0784 765 8922 - email bob.warwick@ntlworld.com or Alison Levett, RNLI Media Relations Manager North on 07786 668912
The lifeboat was called out at 13:40, sea conditions were calm with a light easterly breeze, good visibility and just past low water.
Dave Hicks the Helmsman in charge of New Brighton's Atlantic 85 lifeboat Charles Dibdin takes up the story 'We reached the area where the dog was reported fairly quickly and spotted it wading along the revetment wall. The underwater wall, designed to stabilise the channel, is constructed of chunks of limestone, has slopping sides and is a very dangerous area for craft when the water is shallow, as today. Crewman Stuart Ward went over the side and swam to the wall, got on it, then slowly approached the dog, 'Rocky', which was growling and showing its fangs to him. From getting onto the revetment wall to finally getting a rope onto him it took Stuart quite a time. He had to gradually approach him, all the time trying to gain his confidence. On the lifeboat any loss of concentration operating in such shallow water and over jagged rocks could have been very costly.'
He continued 'Once having 'Rocky' on tow Stuart swam out to the lifeboat and with difficulty we managed to get Rocky on board where we wrapped him up in our substantial ambulance blanket. He was exhausted, shivering and had taken on water. We gave him fresh water and the fight finally left him when he realised we were trying to help. We took him to Crosby shore to waiting Coastguards and they took the weak and tired dog back to the dry beach and his owner at about 14:40, we hope he recovers from his ordeal.'
I understand that while this was happening the Coastguard had contacted the local Altcar Rifle Range and asked them to cease fire for a while during the rescue.
The lifeboat returned to base for thorough wash down, disinfection of all the kit and re-fuelling.
Ian Thornton, Deputy Launch Authority at New Brighton lifeboat station commented after the rescue ' This year we have had a spate of dog rescues and each one has been challenging to our crews for different reasons. This is the first one that we have had to deal with an aggressive dog and it was handled by Stuart Ward and the crew extremely well. These situations are particularly volatile and the outcome unpredictable. as well as putting the crew members at risk there was considerable danger to the lifeboat from the location and the courage, dedication and training of the crew made all the difference.'
He concluded ' Again we must stress that in circumstances where animals end up in the water the human should not attempt to follow as they are more likely to end up the casualty and compund an already difficult situation'
END
Notes to Editors
Main photograph - L to R crew Dave Davies, crew Matt Fossett, Tractor Driver Cmdr Graham Lowe, Helmsman Dave Hicks, crew Stuart Ward
Secondary photo - Lifeboat finds Rocky
RNLI Media Contacts
For more information please contact Bob Warwick, RNLI New Brighton Volunteer Press Officer on mobile 0784 765 8922 - email bob.warwick@ntlworld.com or Alison Levett, RNLI Media Relations Manager North on 07786 668912