Olive, an Airedale Terrier rescued by Wells RNLI after a dramatic sea ordeal, recently visited the station to thank the crew who saved her life. The heart-stopping incident happened late last year, when Olive became trapped by the tide near Wells Harbour and was found unresponsive in the water.
The RNLI’s inshore lifeboat crew acted swiftly, with one volunteer performing chest compressions to revive Olive. Thanks to their expert training and teamwork, the dog was brought back to shore and warmed up before reuniting with her family.
During their visit, Olive and her family, including her canine companion Nell, expressed their immense gratitude. Tom, Olive’s owner, said: “We could not be more grateful for the rescue and support we received from the brilliant lifeboat crew and on-shore team. Their professionalism, kindness, and care were inspirational.”
The family were given a tour of the station, with Olive’s young owners, Gil, 11, and Sylvie, 8, keen to learn more about water safety. Gil tried on the RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat kit, while Sylvie was fascinated by the crew’s pagers. She plans to share her newfound knowledge during a school show-and-tell to highlight the importance of staying safe near the sea.
Inshore lifeboat Helm Gary Yarham reflected on the rescue: “Every shout has its challenges, whether it’s dealing with people or animals, but through extensive RNLI training, we know we have the skills to achieve a positive outcome.”
RNLI crew member and nurse Simon Parkes added: “I’m used to resuscitating humans but never a dog. It was a huge relief when Olive started breathing. The whole crew pulled together to ensure she was safe and warm.”
Olive, now fully recovered, charmed everyone at the station during her visit. Wells RNLI hopes her story serves as a reminder of the importance of water safety. For tips on staying safe with your dog near the coast, visit: https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/coastal-walking/dog-walking
Pictured: Olive with her family on their visit to Wells RNLI after they rescued her. P.c. RNLI/Jess Curtis