The North Berwick RNLI lifeboat, SUNIJO, was launched by the station’s volunteer crew on on Saturday afternoon following reports of a person in the harbour.
A dog, believed to be a three year-old Weimaraner. had jumped onto the harbour wall and fell four metres into the water. The dog’s owner climbed down a ladder to attempt to reach her. The water temperature was 6°C. The swell was surging in and out of the small harbour and was covered with sea foam. A passer-by called 999 asking for the Coastguard and one other person entered the water to try to help.
The crew tackled the three metre swell and breaking waves on their way to Seacliff, reaching the harbour eleven minutes after the call. Assessing the sea conditions at the entrance they ruled out an approach from the sea as the five metre high waves were breaking on the rocks.
There was some confusion as to the number of casualties in the water and the whereabouts of the North Berwick Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT), and the crew proceeded on foot to make a beach landing.
CRT were already on scene and the casualties were out of the water. A member of the team had hands on the dog although she was still in the water. The RNLI crew provided casualty care to the two people who had been in the water and assisted CRT in getting the dog onto land with an animal rescue bag.
All were unharmed but cold and did not need any further treatment.
After this rescue the RNLI crew were informed by Aberdeen Coastguard that due to the sea conditions Dunbar RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat (ALB), John Neville Taylor, had been tasked to oversee the SUNIJO’s return to station.
The two lifeboats met up before Dunbar ALB were tasked to another incident, and North Berwick Lifeboat returned to station safely.
Helm, Matthew Gibbons said: “Thankfully this rescue had a positive outcome, though the conditions certainly made it a challenge. We fully understand the emotions involving dogs, but if you see a dog in difficulty at the coast, we urge you to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard immediately.’
“Move to a place the dog can get to safely and call them – they might be able to get out themselves. Don’t try and enter the water to help, all too often that leads to tragedy, await for the arrival of the emergency services.’
“We’d like to thank the members of the public who assisted the dog and owner and stayed with them until all had been recovered.”
The crew caught up on the final few minutes of the Scotland v Italy Six Nations game whilst changing out of their drysuits.
Donations to RNLI are always welcome as the body 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 more than 146,700 lives.
