Swanage inshore lifeboat recovers dog fallen from Old Harry Rocks
The volunteers at Swanage were holding an open day for the arrival of the brand new inshore lifeboat Roy Norgrove when the pagers sounded for the first time of 2024. At just before 3pm, both Swanage lifeboats were launched to reports of a dog that had gone over the cliff at Old Harry.
The local Coastguard were on scene and guided the lifeboats to a cove on the northern side of Old Harry Rocks. Lillii had been spotted from the cliff top in a small cove that was cut off by the tide. The inshore lifeboat was able to navigate the shallow waters to drop two volunteer lifeboat crew ashore to retrieve Lillii. She was pleased to see the lifeboat crew arrive and tentatively approached the crew who picked her up and carried her to the lifeboat as she appeared to have injured one of her back legs.
The inshore lifeboat made its way to the all-weather lifeboat to collect a blanket to cover Lillii who was shivering from the cold and shock and to provide some shelter from the wind and spray as the inshore lifeboat made its way to South Beach. Local Coastguard were standing by on the beach to receive Lillii and return her to her owners.
Swanage lifeboat helm Becky Mack said ‘we were quickly able to locate Lillii thanks to the first informant having called the coastguard to assist with locating and recovering the dog. Although it was cold and choppy on route to Old Harry, the northern side was sheltered and easy for the inshore lifeboat to reach. Thankfully Lillii had survived the fall and was happy to be picked up by the volunteer lifeboat crew, so that we could quickly return her to land where she could be taken by her owners to the vet.’
With Lillii safely ashore both lifeboats were freed to return to station and rehoused just before 4pm.
Notes to Editors
- Photograph of volunteer crew member Fergus Holley on the radio as the inshore lifeboat launched. CREDIT: RNLI
RNLI volunteer media contact
For more information please telephone Becky Mack, Swanage RNLI Volunteer Press Officer on 07812 558487 or at [email protected]
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.