Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station

News release

Issued by Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer

DATE 16/04/2008 TIME 4.50 PM REFERENCE: SMT/RH/016

Dog stranded at Camber after jumping into the Rover Rother.


Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat crew launched today (16/04/08) at 2.35 pm to a Staffordshire Bull Terrier 'Millie' after she jumped into the River Rother at Rye Harbour.


The crew had to borrow a 3.5m RIB (rigid inflatable boat) from Henk Ruysch, owner of Rye Harbour Marine as there was not enough water in the river to launch the RNLI Lifeboat, B-727 'Commander and Mrs Rodney Wells'.

The three man crew made their way to the casualty arriving at 2.45 pm. The dog was distressed, making it impossible for the crew to recover her into the boat. The decision was made: to collect the owner who would calm the dog, assisting her safe recovery

The lifeboat returned to station at 3.27 pm with 'Millie', her owner and three crew.

Laura Furlong, Millie's owner said: 'We are so grateful'.

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

‘This type of rescue is not unusual here at Rye Harbour, we have several shouts to dogs in the river each year.

The crew here at Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Station train twice a week. Today, only one in ten crew members join the RNLI with any professional maritime background.’

END

Photo: 'Laura Furlong and 'Millie' arriving back at station'
Photo: 'Laura Furlong and 'Millie' being escorted up the slipway at Rye Harbour
Photo: 'Laura Furlong and 'Millie' safely ashore'
Photo: 'Laura Furlong with Floss and Millie'
Photo: 'Laura Furlong with Floss and Millie'

Notes to editors

  1. 1. Laura Furlong, her partner and family had been having a picnic at the beach at Rye Harbour. Both of their dogs jumped into the River Rother. Laura's partner was able to recover one of the dogs 'Floss' by getting her to follow him down the river to the harbour mouth and then onto the beach at Rye Harbour. 'Millie' wouldn't follow and swam to Camber where she became stuck.
  2. Laura Furlong is happy to be contacted.
  3. All photo's courtesy of Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Station.
  4. 4. The average cost of launching is estimated at £2,200 for an inshore lifeboat
  5. 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 at 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:

    West Quay Road
    Poole
    Dorset
    BH15 1HZ
    Tel 0845 1226999
    Fax 0845 1261999