A WIRRAL Lifeboat crew who risked their lives attempting to rescue a dog from the Mersey have been awarded the prestigious RSPCA Bronze Gallantry medal.
The New Brighton Lifeboat Atlantic 85 B-837 Charles Dibdin was launched on the afternoon of February 24, after the coastguard reported that a dog was in difficulty.
Its owner had gone into the sea to try and rescue the dog but managed to get back on shore. Conditions were on the operating limits of the New Brighton Atlantic Class Lifeboat.
New Brighton lifeboat launch into difficult seas to rescue dog. RNLI/ILB Video frame
Rescue efforts were hampered by a 9.2 metre spring tide combined with a 35-knot north westerly wind.
Large waves were breaking against the sea wall at New Brighton and fuelling what was described by the station spokesman as 'a violent confused and aggressive sea'.
It took several attempts for the crew to get the dog on board. Hanging on for their lives, the lifeboat then had to negotiate large waves to get clear and back out to the river to the relative safety in that they would be clear of the sea wall.
Sadly, the dog later died. Its owner, who had gone into the water, had been taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia.
New Brighton's Atlantic 85 B-837 Charles Dibdin with dog on board racing to Seacombe landing stage and awaiting vet. Picture: RNLI / Bob Warwick
Tractor and carriage during recovery. Picture: RNLI/Bob Warwick
The volunteers' bravery was honoured during a presentation at The Law Society buildings in London with an audience of 300 RSPCA staff, volunteers and supporters.
Crew on reaching dry land - only later did they discover that the dog failed to survive. RNLI/Bob Warwick
Graham Sale, lifeboat operations manager at New Brighton Lifeboat Station said: "The courage, skill and determination shown by the lifeboat crew in their attempt to save the dog was second to none.
"No one would have criticised them for deciding not to launch given the conditions and the risk of failure was extremely high and the risk to their own lives was unbelievably high yet they risked their own lives in an attempt to save the poor distressed dog."
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