Under the command of Second Coxswain Darren Thirlaway and his 6 crew a prompt launch followed at 6.09pm after reports of a dog and possibly its family had been cut off by the swelling tide in Kynance Cove.
Whilst still gathering precise details of the tasking from Falmouth Coastguard, RNLB Rose arrived on scene in Kynance Cove at 6.18pm.
Mullion Coastguard Rescue Team and
Porthoustock Coastguard Rescue Team were also in attendance. Our Coxswain and crew had received confirmed information that the dogs’ owners had been rescued and bought to safety by the owner and a team member of the
Kynance Cove Cafe on their paddleboards just prior to our arrival. They were than able to advise us as to the whereabouts of the dog who in his panic had run away and become separated from his owners. Otis (the dog) had scrambled partially on to the cliff of Asparagus Island in the Cove. Though the sea conditions had worsened with the incoming rough tide, our smaller y-boat was deployed from the lifeboat with two crew members on board. Upon their approach to the island one crew member jumped on to the rocks in an attempt to reassure the dog whilst the y-boat went back to the lifeboat to pick up another crew member and a heaving line. The y-boat returned and passed the line to the crew member attending to the dog on the cliff, this was safely secured to him and with no other option available both our crew member and Otis the dog entered the water making their way to the y-boat.
However due to the size of the Otis recovering him to the y-boat was almost impossible so he was held against the boat until they were able to make their way back to the awaiting crew on board RNLB Rose. Otis was then recovered along with the y-boat on to the lifeboat ready for the journey back to the lifeboat station. The lifeboat arrived back at the station at 7.19pm, Otis was kept warm and calm with our crew until being reunited with his very grateful owners a while later. Due to the amount of water Otis had potentially ingested he was also going to pay a quick visit to the vets.
RNLB Rose had been rehoused and made ready for service again when required by 8.40pm.
Grateful thanks must be given to Rudy and Chris from Kynance Cove Café for their courageous intervention in rescuing the family prior to our arrival. Our message to all beach goers is to please heed all of the warning signs and notices and to listen to those who know our beaches, coves and tides when being advised to move to a safer position on the beach.
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
