A heartwarming rescue unfolded on a Lancashire slipway, proving that our brave lifesavers are always on call, even for our marine friends! It wasn't a person in distress this time, but a rather tired-looking grey seal that found itself in a bit of a pickle.
The scene was set on Saturday morning at the busy slipway used by the Fleetwood to Knott-End Ferry. A keen-eyed colleague, Skip Frith, who juggles his time between the RNLI Fleetwood lifeboat station and working on the ferry, spotted the seal. Recognizing the need for expert help, Skip wasted no time in alerting the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) en route to his shift.
But here's where the teamwork truly shone... Aimee Halliwell, another dedicated member of the RNLI Fleetwood crew and a trained marine mammal medic, was thankfully on hand. She assessed the seal and determined it was simply a bit weary but otherwise in good health and ready to return to its ocean home. Knowing her fellow RNLI crew members were already gathered for a training exercise nearby, Aimee called upon their assistance. Together, they gently guided the seal into a crate and transported it to a safe spot on the adjacent beach, from where it could make its own way back to the sea.
A heartwarming post on social media by the RNLI Fleetwood highlighted the event, humorously stating, "It's not just humans we rescue." This incident serves as a wonderful reminder of the diverse range of rescues our dedicated volunteers undertake.
To aid in future monitoring, the BDMLR medics thoughtfully placed an orange marker on the seal. This will be invaluable for tracking its movements or if it happens to reappear onshore.
And this is the part most people miss: what to do if you find a stranded marine mammal. The BDMLR strongly advises keeping your distance. This is crucial for two reasons: to avoid causing further stress to the animal and to protect yourself from any potential injuries or diseases the animal might carry. It's also important to keep dogs away from the area for the same reasons.
Now, here's where it gets controversial... While the instinct might be to gently nudge a stranded animal back into the water, professionals emphasize that marine mammals often strand for a reason – they could be sick, injured, or disoriented. Interfering without professional assessment could do more harm than good.
What are your thoughts on this? Have you ever encountered a stranded marine animal? What steps did you take? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below – we'd love to hear from you!
