Dramatic Dolphin Rescue at Mucking Flats
The RNLI launched a daring rescue after two dolphins got stuck in the mud at Mucking Flats, near London Gateway Port. The call came in at 2pm on Monday, 22nd January 2020, when HM Coastguard reported the stranded dolphins about 100 yards from shore.
Hovercraft and Heroes Join Forces
A four-man RNLI hovercraft crew raced to the scene, teaming up with firefighters from 1 Fire and Rescue and British Divers Marine Life Rescue volunteers. The dolphins had sunk into a muddy hollow, stranded far from water and in real danger.
The rescue took around two hours. The team freed the dolphins from the mud, then ferried them across the flats on inflatable rafts attached to the hovercraft. RNLI volunteer and hovercraft pilot David Cartwright said:
“We thought once we got them to the water that would be it, but it took a lot longer than anticipated. They were in the water for around an hour and a half. We were about to give up when one of them perked up and swam off – then the next one followed.”
“Hopefully they will be alright,” he added.
Multi-Agency Effort Saves the Day
Cartwright praised the hovercraft for being crucial to the rescue:
“We would never have done it without the hovercraft. It was a real multi-agency operation – at one point we had around 15 people on and around the hovercraft trying to save the animals.”
To keep volunteers safe on the dangerous, sticky mudflats, the Gravesend RNLI lifeboat was also launched from the Thames’ south bank.
Meet the Brave Southend Crew
- Hovercraft Pilot: David Cartwright
- Hovercraft Commander: Tony Bonham
- Crew Members: Iain Keenan and Frank Holland
