At 12.38 pm last Saturday the pagers went off alerting the launch authority and the crew at RNLI Rye Harbour of the need for a rescue. HM Coastguard requested that the Atlantic ’85 be launched to a dog reported in the sea at the mouth of the River Rother.
It was low tide so a low-water launch was necessary and the crew set off down through the nature reserve whilst the boat on its carriage was driven down the path adjacent to the river. The River Rother is tidal and at low tide and the hours immediately around it there is not enough water to launch.
After the launch the crew stood off and awaited instructions but, following the safe return of the dog to land by HM Coastguard, they were stood down. The boat was recovered and the crew returned to the station. There was a good turn out of volunteers and the launch was handled professionally and swiftly.
The advice the RNLI gives when a dog goes into the water and appears to be in trouble is to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Owners and bystanders are advised not to enter the water as this may put them in danger. Staying calm and waiting for help to arrive is the best thing to do and also one of the hardest things to do as one’s natural instinct is to help by going into the water.
Image Credits: Kt bruce , Ben Leroy-Lewis .