Members of Tenby RNLI have come to the rescue of a dog that had fallen from a 250 foot coastal cliff!

Whilst on a Coxswain training exercise on Monday, May 20, Tenby’s all-weather lifeboat the Haydn Miller was tasked to Rhossili, following a report that a dog had fallen 250ft from the cliffs at the Rocket Pole.

Whilst the volunteer crew made best speed to the area, Rhossili, Mumbles and Oxwich Coastguard rescue teams also made their way to the location and deployed a cliff man to assist with the search.

RNLI dog cliffs
Tenby’s all-weather lifeboat the Haydn Miller was tasked to Rhossili, following a report that a dog had fallen 250ft from the cliffs at the Rocket Pole. (Tenby RNLI)

Once on scene, the Y-boat was launched and the crew located the dog, which appeared to be well considering its fall.

The dog was picked up by the crew, before being recovered back to awaiting Coastguard teams at Kitchen Corner, Rhossili.

The lifeboat then returned to its exercise.

That same day, Tenby RNLI lifeboat crew volunteers were joined by members of the Mumbles crew for Coxswain training for the start of the week.

Tenby’s all-weather lifeboat the Haydn Miller had launched at 9am, for coxswain training, with Mumbles lifeboat joining the Tenby station from 11am onwards.

Dog in lifeboat
Once on scene, the Y-boat was launched and the crew located the dog, which appeared to be well considering its fall. (Tenby RNLI)

The area of the exercise consisted of the Tenby and Saundersfoot areas, so there was a good chance for lifeboat ‘spotters’ to see the vessels out and about, during another sunny day along the coast.

It was the end of an era at Tenby RNLI lifeboat station this month - as Coxswain Phil John stepped down after 30 years as a crew member.

Lifeboats run in Phil’s family, with his dad Johnny having served on the crew before him; whist his brother Rob is a Deputy Coxswain at Tenby.

Phil joined the crew in 1994, completing 16 years as a volunteer, before becoming full-time Coxswain in 2010 when then Coxswain Alan Thomas retired.

“With many lives saved and countless others assisted during his time, the replacement Coxswain will have big shoes to fill once appointed,” said a spokesperson for Tenby RNLI.

“From all the crew at the station - thanks for your service Phil, it’s been a pleasure. “Thanks for being a great leader over the years – you will be missed. Good luck in whatever you do next!”

Phil handed over his pager on Friday, May 17 to fellow crew member Dan Young, who will be standing in until a full-time replacement Coxswain is appointed and will be supported by the other deputy Coxswains.