London, 12 July/GNN/ -- MARITIME AND COASTGUARD AGENCY News Release (Duty 1) issued by The Government News Network on 12 July 2006 Emergency Services turn out to save two golden retrievers at Chapman Sands.
Thames Coastguard received a request for assistance from the Essex Fire Brigade at approximately 7:40 p.m. The Fire Brigade had received a call from a distressed man who had been walking his two dogs along the beach when they ran off, he had tried to retrieve them, but they had ran out to the furthest point by the waters edge, approximately 3 miles out.
Canvey Coastguard Rescue team were sent to the scene. The Fire Brigade crew and the Essex Fire Brigade rescue tender were on scene. Later the Southend RNLI hovercraft was requested to launch by the Coastguard.
Anthony Mayhew, Watch Manager, Thames Maritime and Rescue Co-ordination Centre, says:
"The dog owner made the correct decision to contact the Emergency Services, and not put himself at risk from becoming stuck in the sands himself. Two of our Coastguard Rescue Officers walked out to the dogs with the hope of persuading them to run ashore, the hovercraft then assisted by 'shepherding'
the dogs to safety. The Coastguards managed to retrieve the dogs and they were all taken by hovercraft to Canvey Point, where the dogs were reunited with their owner.
We are pleased that the outcome to this incident is a happy one, the dogs names are Poppy and Jasmine. We would like to remind the public to ring '999' and ask for the Coastguard if they see an incident on the coast. "
