The RNLI rescue a stranded dolphin

On Wednesday 26 January Dart RNLI's D class lifeboat was tasked by the Coastguard because people were in the water at Old Mill Creek trying to help a stranded dolphin.

A spokesman for the RNLI stated that, “The Dart lifeboat launched at 5.30pm at low tide. A pod of dolphins had been staying around the entrance to the creek during the late afternoon, possibly because a dolphin was in trouble further inshore.

Having established that the swimmers were all out of the water and safe, the lifeboat crew discussed how to proceed with a member of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue team who was with the Coastguard onshore. Usually the rescuers wrap the dolphin in a tarpaulin and then return it to the water. Members of the Dart lifeboat crew had previously worked with the rescue team when they helped to release a humpback whale that had become trapped on two occasions off Blackpool Sands in 2017.

The volunteer helm decided to use the ambulance pouch on the lifeboat to keep the dolphin alongside the boat but still in the water. The adult dolphin was slowly taken into deeper water and released in the middle of the river. It looked strong when released and swam off powerfully up the river.”

Hoorah for the lovely people at the RNLI! If you would like to make a donation to the RNLI you can do so here.

Photo Credit: RNLI / Dr John Fenton