Fenit RNLI guides dolphin out of shallow water into safer sea depth
The volunteer crew of Fenit RNLI were involved in one of their more unusual launches last evening when a dolphin was spotted perhaps what was too close for comfort to the shore.
Just after 8pm last night (Tuesday 25 August), a dolphin was noticed by a large number of locals and visitors enjoying an evening stroll in what was a fairly blustery evening on Fenit Pier. Fenit Pier has experienced an increase in visitors who got more than they were expecting on their evening constitutional.
Members of the lifeboat crew were also on the pier at the time and had made preparations to launch if required. The RNLI made contact with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group to seek it’s guidance on the situation. The advice given was to encourage the dolphin into deeper water if possible. Luckily, there was a second member of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group on holiday in the area and was present to reaffirm his agreement with the original advice.
Fenit RNLI's inshore lifeboat was launched and headed towards the dolphin. A number of local sea vessels were in the sea at the same time and a joint effort was made to gently steer the dolphin in the direction of the deeper sea.
The operation took some time and a large crowd of onlookers had gathered at various ports to experience the unusual event.
As the efforts made by many people drew to a close some time later, it was hoped that the dolphin had returned to deeper waters.
Speaking following the call out, Jackie Murphy, Fenit RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer commented: 'This is an opportunity to remember that the lifeboat crews are volunteers and this is one of the rare occasions where Fenit RNLI experience saving an animal.'
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