UPDATE: The local charter boat
Skipjack (mistakenly named
Skipper Jack in an earlier press statement) was involved in the rescue of the labrador Xena today off-shore of Hendon Park, Strand. Skipper Julian White has told NSRI that they were alerted by a member of the public and they launched
Skipjack and responded. Arriving on the scene the dog Xena appeared to be exhausted and it is believed she was rescued onto
Skipjack with moments to spare after appearing to be sinking as they arrived at her side. The dog was extremely agitated and panic stricken and the crew of
Skipjack are commended for their rescue effort. NSRI Gordons Bay's sea rescue craft arrived at their side about 3 minutes after the dog had been rescued onto
Skipjack and the response by all involved is commended. It has also been confirmed that Xena will be moved to a night Vet for ongoing monitoring during the night but it is believed that she is recovering well and expected to return home tomorrow.ORIGINAL RELEASE:At 10h35, Monday, 13th June, NSRI Gordon's Bay duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following reports from the Animal Welfare Society Gordon's Bay of a dog reportedly being swept out to sea off-shore of Hendon Park, between Gordon's Bay and Strand.It appears that a member of the public had spotted the dog at shops in Strand and, since the dog appeared to be the same dog reported as missing by her owners over the weekend, had tried to calm and capture the dog while alerting the Animal Welfare Society Gordon's Bay.The Animal Welfare Society Gordon's Bay dispatched an inspector but the dog had already run off, appearing to be frightened. It was followed by the inspector before leaping into the sea off Hendon Park and the alarm was raised.It is suspected that the dog may then have been caught in strong rip currents.Our NSRI Gordon's Bay duty crew responded to our sea rescue base and launched the sea rescue craft
Spirit of Surfski.On arrival on the scene we found the fishing vessel SKIPJACK, had gone to the rescue of the dog and they had successfully rescued the dog onto their fishing vessel.The dog, showing signs of hypothermia, was reassured and wrapped in a blanket, transferred onto the sea rescue craft and brought safely to the NSRI sea rescue base in Gordon's Bay where treatment for hypothermia was continued.The Animal Welfare Society Gordon's Bay arrived at the NSRI base and they took the dog into their care. A dog chip identified the dog (confirmed to be the dog reported as missing over the weekend) and the owners, who live in the Strand, were contacted.The 2 year old Labrador dog, Xena, was reunited with her owners at the Animal Welfare Society Gordon's Bay and the owners took their dog to their Vet and the dog will be kept overnight in their Vet's care for treatment for hypothermia and for precautionary observation for secondary drowning and Xena is expected to fully recover and go home tomorrow.The crew of SKIPJACK are commended for their rescue of Xena.Picture attached shows NSRI Gordons Bay's Cameron Green (picture left) and Vincent Landman (picture right) with Xena on the NSRI Gordons Bay sea rescue craft
Spirit of Surfski during the rescue operation.
TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE
