A NEW Quay lifeboat crew volunteer had to swim on to rocks to rescue a dog that had fallen over a cliff near Llangrannog.

Both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats were launched to the incident at 8.23pm on Tuesday (October 9) following reports that a dog had gone over a cliff and with concerns being raised for its owners.

The inshore lifeboat was guided to the dog’s location by the New Quay Coastguard Rescue Team, who were already at the scene, with the all-weather lifeboat providing lighting.

However, reaching the dog proved to be difficult. The Coastguard team had sent one of their cliff technicians to assess the situation and decided that evacuation by sea was the only option.

Huw Williams, on his first shout as inshore lifeboat helm, said: “The dog was on a small ledge at the base of the cliff. We veered down on the anchor but the large swell made it impossible to approach safely. The only option was to come in from the other side and put one of the crew in the water.”

Crew member Simon Rigby swam over to the rocks and tied a rope around the collar of the grey sheepdog, named Slate, so that he could be hauled back to the lifeboat.

Simon said: “Slate was very pleased to see us and was surprisingly calm after all he’d been through. He was no bother at all.”

Slate was then transferred to the all-weather lifeboat where he was dried off and kept warm.

“He had a couple of biscuits and even had a nice sleep on the way back,” added Simon.

Slate was reunited with his grateful owners, safe and well, at New Quay lifeboat station.