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Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station

News release

Issued by Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer

18/10/2007 - 12.30 PM                                              SMT/071018-004

DOG RESCUED: FROM THE RIVER ROTHER

Rye Harbour RNLI lifeboat, B-727, launched today at 11.55AM, to rescue a dog that had jumped into the river Rother at Rye Harbour, whilst chasing a seagull.

Dover Coastguard tasked Rye Harbour lifeboat at 11.50AM to rescue a dog that had jumped into the river Rother at Rye Harbour.  Whilst being walked, the collie, chasing seagulls, jumped at one of the birds that was standing on the river wall -  the bird flew off - and the dog went over the wall into the river.

The distressed dog became more panicked as the flood tide began to flow faster.  The lifeboat came alongside, where the dog was stranded.  Two of the crew got out of the lifeboat and caught the distressed animal.  After calming the collie, the crew were able to recover the dog into the lifeboat.  They arrived back at the station at 12.10PM, where the collie was re-united with ecstatic owners.

Richard Tollett, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at Rye Harbour said:

'This type of rescue is not unusual, here at Rye Harbour, we get several shouts to dogs in the river each year.  We train twice a week for any eventuality, you never know what you are going to have to launch to."

 

END

Photo captions: (Click option to see photo)

Photo 1: Rescued collie being recovered into lifeboat

Photo 2: Lifeboat personnel getting back into boat

Notes to editors

  1. The credit for the photo(s) should go to 'Steve Tollett'.
  2. During 2006 RNLI Lifeboats launched 83 times to animals in trouble.
  3. The RNLI is a registered charity and continues to rely on voluntary contributions and legacies for income.

 

For more information please contact Steve Tollett, the RNLI lifeboat press officer, Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station on email: Press Officer.

  • The RNLI is a registered charity that saves lives at sea.
  • It provides, on call, the 24-hour service necessary to cover search and rescue requirements to 100 nautical miles out from the coasts of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
  • There are over 230 lifeboat stations.
  • RNLI Beach Lifeguards operate in the south and south west of England.
  • The RNLI further saves lives through sea and beach education.
  • The RNLI depends on voluntary contributions and legacies for its income.

    • Vision


    To be recognised universally as the most effective, innovative and dependable lifeboat service.Royal National Lifeboat Institution headquarters:

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