Barry Dock RNLI lifeboat crew save runaway rescue dog from Watchtower Bay

Maggie, a two-year-old Pomsky – a Pomeranian-Husky cross – had only been adopted two days earlier when she slipped her lead and ran across the Old Harbour Beach and into the water. Dog-sitters Martha Bickerton and Andrew Robertson, owners of WagaMoo, were nearby with their own dogs when they saw her bolt down the beach and keep swimming.

Martha said:

‘We’re super paranoid in general after we lost one of our dogs to a hit-and-run last September. We really would have gone in after her – Crocs and all – but knew the safest thing was to call for help.

‘She just kept swimming, and there was no sign of an owner so we knew something was wrong. We called 999 and asked for the Coastguard, while Andrew climbed over the rocks to keep track of where she was so he could help direct the lifeboat crew.’

At the time of the call, Barry Dock lifeboat was already out on exercise in Cold Knap Bay when it was tasked by the Coastguard to investigate reports of people entering the water at Cold Knap Point in an attempt to rescue a dog.

With no sightings at the original location, the lifeboat requested an updated position.

Martha and Andrew the first informants, were able to confirm the dog had gone in off the Old Harbour Beach and as the lifeboat rounded Cold Knap Point into Watchtower Bay, they could see Andrew on the rocks, pointing in the direction of Friars Point.

Lifeboat crew were already stationed on the bow scanning the area and quickly spotted Maggie, swimming midway between Cold Knap Point and Friars Point. The lifeboat made way to her location.

Dan, one of the volunteer crew members, helped by Emma, was secured by harness and jackstay on the lifeboat, and moved onto the spray rail to prepare for recovery. The lifeboat carefully manoeuvred alongside the tired but still swimming Maggie, who was swiftly recovered onboard and wrapped in blankets to retain body heat.

After confirming no persons were in the water and updating the Coastguard, the all-weather lifeboat returned to Barry Harbour. Maggie was handed to the volunteer shore crew and taken into the lifeboat station to be dried and comforted. A crew member contacted a local vet for advice and to check whether the dog had been reported missing. By chance, a missing dog report had just been filed – the owner was contacted and soon reunited with Maggie.

Maggie’s owner, Julie, said:

‘My little Maggie, who has nine lives, is doing exceedingly well! We’re thinking of renaming her Houdini. We’ll keep her in for a while until we’re confident she isn’t a flight risk. Thank you so much to the crew for rescuing her.’

Volunteer crew member Dan, who grabbed Maggie from the water, said:

‘She was clearly starting to tire as she had been in the water quite a while. With Emma’s help we got her safely aboard and warmed up. I’ve got two dogs myself, so I know how upsetting it would be to see one of them in that situation — it’s a great feeling to know she was safely reunited with her owner so quickly.’

Barry Dock lifeboat resumed and completed the training exercise, returning to station around 45 minutes later and was made ready for service. Coxswain Andy Gavan highlighted the teamwork involved in the rescue:

‘This was a brilliant example of how quick thinking from the public, clear communication with the Coastguard, and the presence of our crew out on exercise all came together to save a life. Martha and Andrew did the right thing by calling for help rather than going in after the dog themselves. We’re glad to have been able to bring Maggie home.’

Barry Dock RNLI advice for dog owners:

• Keep dogs on a lead near cliffs and fast-moving water
• If your dog enters the water or gets stuck, do not go in after them no matter how much you want to – we will help you
• Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

END

Notes to Editors:

• The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the UK and Ireland.
• Barry Dock lifeboat stations operate in the Vale of Glamorgan, launching lifeboats in all weather conditions to respond to emergencies.
• The RNLI’s OneCrew ethos recognises that every volunteer, staff member, and supporter is part of the same team, working together to save lives at sea.

For further information, please contact:

Lisa Newberry, Lifeboat Press Officer, Barry Dock Lifeboat Station, 07977 922889.

Alternatively, you can contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected] or 07977 728315, or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Key facts about the RNLI

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok 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.