RESCUERS braved freezing conditions and strong winds to save a dolphin stranded on a sandbank in Fishguard Harbour on Friday, January 12.
Fishguard and Goodwick mayor, Jackie Stokes, raised the alarm, ringing Sea Trust founder Cliff Benson to say she has seen the common dolphin in distress.
Cliff initiated the rescue response, contacting Terry Leadbetter of Wales Marine Rescue (WMR)who in turn notified the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme.
Cleo Browne of Celtic Quest Coasteering, a British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) marine medic, Cliff and Fran from Sea Trust, Terry and John from WMR and Rod and Matt of UK Cetacean Strandings Investigations all raced to the harbour.
The rescuers found the dolphin stuck in about 40cm of water. Cleo went into the sea and reported that it was stuck on a sand bar. It had no obvious injuries and was breathing normally. There were sightings of other dolphins in the deeper water off the harbour which seemed to be waiting for it.
The decision was made to assist the animal back out to deeper water and rescuers, joined by then by Ffion of BDLMR, used a sling to take the dolphin out to waist high water and float it on the rising tide.
It was seen to swim sideways before heading out to sea, with a bit of encouragement from the rescue team.
"All in all it was a great group effort from local people and hopefully had a happy ending," said Cliff.
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