A lifeboatman risked his life to save a pet dog from drowning after a family of five got into trouble at sea.
Otis the rottweiler became trapped on the rocks at Kynance Cove in Cornwall after he and his family had been cut off by a rising tide caused by Hurricane Erin during a bank holiday day walk.
While his owners – two adults and three children – were led to safety with the help of paddleboarder Chris Betty at around 6pm, Otis bolted up a cliff and to escape the water.
A lifeboat crew launched just ten minutes later following reports of a dog and its family being trapped by the incoming tide on Monday evening.
The main lifeboat was unable to get in close due to the worsening sea conditions, so three lifeboatmen used a smaller RIB to reach the rocks.
Two crew members in the smaller boat edged towards the cliffs – one leapt onto the rocks to calm the terrified hound while the other returned for back-up and a rescue line.
Lifeboatman James Thirlaway-Price bravely entered the choppy sea with a safety rope attached to him and made his way up the rocks.
He made a lasso to tie around Otis and then gently pushed him into the water.
Otis the rottweiler became trapped on the rocks at Kynance Cove in Cornwall after he and his family had been cut off by a rising tide
While his owners – two adults and three children – were led to safety with the help of paddleboarder Chris Betty at around 6pm, Otis bolted up a cliff and to escape the water
After being reunited with his grateful owners, Otis was taken to a vet to be checked for potential water ingestion
James helped Otis doggy paddle towards the craft, but he was too big and too heavy to be lifted into it.
So James grabbed onto the side, and Otis and the RIB, or Y-boat, quickly made its way to the safety of the all-weather lifeboat.
Otis was eventually guided into the water, held against the side of the boat and brought safely aboard.
They arrived back on dry land at 7.19pm, and after being reunited with his grateful owners, Otis was taken to a vet to be checked for potential water ingestion.
The RNLI praised the quick-thinking café staff for their ‘courageous intervention’ and warned beachgoers to always respect tide warnings.
An RNLI spokesperson said: ‘Grateful thanks must be given to Rudy and Chris from Kynance Cove Café for their courageous intervention in rescuing the family prior to our arrival.
‘Our message to all beachgoers is to please heed all of the warning signs and notices and to listen to those who know our beaches, coves, and tides when being advised to move to a safer position on the beach.’
The main lifeboat was unable to get in close due to the worsening sea conditions, so three lifeboatmen used a smaller RIB to reach the rocks
Two crew members in the smaller boat edged towards the cliffs – one leapt onto the rocks to calm the terrified hound while the other returned for back-up and a rescue line
Otis was eventually guided into the water, held against the side of the boat and brought safely aboard.
The RNLI praised the quick-thinking café staff for their ‘courageous intervention’ and warned beachgoers to always respect tide warnings
A spokesperson for the Lizard lifeboat said: ‘One crew member, James, jumped on to the rocks in an attempt to reassure the dog whilst the y-boat went back to the lifeboat to pick up another crew member because it was a big strong dog and needed two of them on the heaving line.
‘James got on the rocks and calmed Otis. He created a lasso and tied that around Otis. James had to give him a gentle nudge into the water.
‘They were pulled towards the y-boat but due to the size of the Otis getting him onto the boat was almost impossible so he was held against the side until they were able to make their way back to the awaiting crew on board RNLB Rose.
‘Otis was kept warm and calm with our crew until being reunited with his very grateful owners a while later.
‘Due to the amount of water Otis had potentially ingested he was also going to pay a quick visit to the vets. ‘
