Morecambe lifeboat crew were part of a rescue effort to free a porpoise which had become stranded on land at Carnforth.
Morecambe RNLI volunteers joined other rescue services in helping a harbour porpoise which had become trapped close to Warton Stock Car race track.
Marine biologist Sarah Neill, Sea Watch Regional Coordinator for Cumbria and from British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), posted on Facebook after the rescue of the marine mammal on Saturday.
"Average Saturday night! Rescued a harbour porpoise who had got stranded in Carnforth!" she wrote.
"She swam off really strong once returned to the water.
"Many thanks to Morecambe lifeboat (crew) for their assistance as well as Bay Search and Rescue, Arnside and South Lakes Coastguard Rescue Team, and marine mammal medics Adam Hanlon and Jessica Marshall. Top job!"
Here is a video clip of the stranded porpoise.
Posted by Sarah Neill on Saturday, April 22, 2023
Harbour porpoises can be spotted close to shore in shallow water, either alone or in small groups.
They inhabit cold temperate to sub-polar waters of the Northern Hemisphere, usually in continental shelf waters, including parts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Arctic Sea, Black Sea and Baltic Sea.
Here is a photo of the porpoise found at Carnforth. Photo credits: Morecambe RNLI/BDLMR
Sarah told Beyond Radio: "At British Divers Marine Life Rescue we are trained in assessing the health and condition of the animal and whether it is a candidate for a refloat.
"The porpoise on Saturday was in good body condition, alert and had no visible injuries. Breathing rate was high which is to be expected due to the stress but it was a good candidate for a refloat so we took it out to sea off Heysham, restored its equilibrium in the water, this involves rocking the animal side to side, and once it was ready her tail started going and she swam off really strong out to sea.
"It was a fantastic sight and successful rescue. It was a team effort involving British Divers Marine Life Rescue, Bay Aearch and Rescue and Arnside Coastguard. A local farmer also helped and lent his pickup so we could drive the porpoise to the hovercraft that landed."
Here is Sarah (left) pictured with the RNLI crew at the scene.
If you come across a live stranded cetacean (whale, dolphin or porpoise) then you can call the 24/7 rescue hotline at BDMLR on 01825 765546.
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