Overview
- A gust of wind carried Bruce, an Alsatian, off Bamburgh Beach while his owner swam alongside and raised the alarm on Sunday.
- RNLI volunteers and the Seahouses coastguard were tasked and local vessels joined the search before Serenity Farne Islands Boat Tours located the drifting kayak.
- As the tour boat approached, the frightened dog slipped from its harness into the sea and crewman Aaron Fordy seized him by the scruff while skipper Jimmy Reid hauled both dog and rescuer aboard.
- Bruce was cold and hypothermic after roughly two hours in about 8°C water; crew wrapped him in towels, warmed him on board, and later reunited him with his owner at Seahouses Harbour.
- The rescue, captured in video posted by Serenity, underscored the dangers of recreational inflatables and the informal but vital role commercial boats can play alongside coastguard and RNLI teams.