Hoylake RNLI hovercraft rescues dog walker stranded by rising tide

The rescue was requested by HM Coastguard, with Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team also in attendance.

The Hoylake RNLI hovercraft was launched on Sunday morning after a woman and her dog became stranded on a sandbank near Barber’s Folly in Meols.

The woman had reportedly attempted to cross a tidal gutter to reach the sea wall but quickly found herself neck-deep in water, struggling on the soft sand as the tide continued to rise.

The RNLI hovercraft, Molly Rayner, and its volunteer crew launched and swiftly made their way to the scene, while Coastguard officers monitored from the shore. Upon arrival, the team found the woman and her dog on a small sandbank surrounded by rising water.

The crew brought them safely onboard the hovercraft, ensuring both were well before transporting them ashore at Dove Point slipway, where they were handed over to the care of HM Coastguard officers.

This was the first incident in command for long-serving volunteer Paul Sherratt, who qualified as a Hoylake RNLI hovercraft commander earlier this month.

Paul Sherratt said:

“The tide around the Wirral coast can come in very quickly and it’s easy to find yourself cut off unexpectedly. Fortunately the alarm was raised with enough time for the casualty and her dog to be rescued before the sandbank they were on was totally covered.

“The RNLI launches to hundreds of incidents each year involving people cut off by the tide. If you’re heading to the coast, always carry a means of calling for help, look out for local safety signage and most importantly, check the weather and tide times before you go and know your route to safety. If you get into difficulty, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”