Great Yarmouth and Gorleston RNLI dramatic cat rescue
Great Yarmouth and Gorleston RNLI volunteer crew rescued a stranded cat from the river wall on the River Bure.
The charity’s inshore lifeboat John Rowntree was tasked by Humber Coastguard to assist in the recovery of a cat which had been found on a ledge on the river wall near the White Swan pub.
The crew made best speed to the location, however, just prior to the lifeboat’s arrival the cat fell into the river and was immediately spotted by the crew onboard the lifeboat as it came round the corner.
The crew made haste to the struggling cat and gently pulled him out of the water onto the Iifeboat where a warm blanket was waiting for them. The crew checked the cat and he was alert but very cold. One member of the crew kept it cuddled up in the blanket as the Iifeboat then made its way to the Great Yarmouth Yacht Station where the crew met Gorleston Coastguard.
The Gorleston Coastguard and crew decided to make their way further up the River Bure to a nearby RSPCA shelter where the Coastguard met the crew with a cat basket from the RSPCA. The cat was then taken by Gorleston Coastguard to the RSPCA shelter where the cat could be properly looked after and checked over.
The crew were then stood down by Humber Coastguard and made their way back to the lifeboat station.
RNLI Helmsman Dave Kilpatrick said: ‘Once in the lifeboat the cat was wrapped in a blanket and kept calm. He seemed pleased to see us. Once on dry land he was given some salmon from the fish shop, which he enjoyed.
‘The station has since learned that the cat is called Icicle and he was collected by his loving owners very soon after he had been taken to the vets. He is back home safe and sound.’
RNLI safety advice:
- Don't go after your pet if they go into the water or get stuck in mud. Move to a place they can get to safely and call them – they'll probably get out by themselves.
- If you're worried about your pet, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. Don’t put yourself at risk by going into the water after them.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact: Jennifer Rice, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07701011245, [email protected] or, Jim Rice, RNLI Regional Media Manager (North East & East) on 07810658072, [email protected] or, Clare Hopps, Regional Media Officer (North East and East) on 07824518641, [email protected] or, contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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