Cat stranded in river rescued by lifeboat
The white cat caught the attention of passers-by who initially wondered what was marooned in the river wall. - Credit: Oliv3r Drone Photography
A white cat stranded in a river wall was plucked from the water by lifeboatmen after it was startled by a separate rescue effort.
Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Lifeboat crew was put on alert at 8.50am on Tuesday finally launching at 9.15am to the distressed animal.
A white cat was the focus of a co-ordinated rescue mission involving the coastguard and lifeboat in Great Yarmouth. - Credit: Oliv3r Drone Photography
A series of photographs taken by Oliver Bolton of Gorleston captured the action after he dashed to the scene.
Jennifer Rice, lifeboat spokesman, said it looked as if the cat had jumped into the water just before the crew arrived and pictures show rescuers leaning from the boat trying to reach it to haul it to safety.
A bedraggled cat has been rescued by the lifeboat in Great Yarmouth. - Credit: Oliv3r Drone Photography
Helmsman Dave Kilpatrick said when they arrived at the site just opposite Great Yarmouth's White Swan Fish Restaurant on the River Bure they found the cat, a two year old male, "clinging for dear life" to the metal sidings.
He said it appeared the cat had been startled after a float line was thrown down, prompting him to swim for it.
Lifeboatmen managed to coax the cat towards them and take it to safety. - Credit: Oliv3r Drone Photography
Shallow water made getting close to the wall a tricky manoeuvre and the crew of four managed to grab the cat on their second attempt.
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Once in the boat it was wrapped in a blanket and kept calm.
Mr Kilpatrick said the cat seemed pleased to see them.
A white cat stuck in the river wall at Great Yarmouth was the focus of a rescue mission on Tuesday. - Credit: Oliv3r Drone Photography
"It was cold and shivering but behaving itself and not trying to escape which was my biggest worry," he said.
"After a while it started perking up and getting warm. It was a compliant cat and seemed happy to see us."
The white cat looking bedraggled before the lifeboat crew arrived. - Credit: Oliv3r Drone Photography
The animal had a collar but not a tag. Once on dry land it was given some salmon from the fish shop, which it enjoyed.
The white cat was said to be happy to see its rescuers. - Credit: Oliv3r Drone Photography
Coastguard officers were able to source a cat carrier from the RSPCA in nearby Tar Works Road where the cat was taken to be looked over by a vet, although it appeared none the worse for its ordeal.
A lifeboat crew was called out to rescue a white cat stuck high and not particularly dry in the river wall. - Credit: Oliv3r Drone Photography
Also on board the Atlantic 85 lifeboat were Shaun Kent, Paul Dormer and Zac Brown.
The crew arrived back at the station at around 10.30am having handed the cat over.
The cat launched itself into the water moments before the lifeboat crew arrived. - Credit: Oliv3r Drone Photography
A spokesman for the RSPCA said the cat was in good health and was microchipped.
It meant the cat, called Icicle, was quickly reunited with owner Mandy Baker who thanked everyone involved in saving him.
The white cat was successfully rescued after two attempts by the crew from Gorleston. - Credit: Oliv3r Drone Photography
