NORTHUMBERLAND, ENGLAND, June 16 (World Daily Times) — A Farne Islands sightseeing trip off Northumberland turned into a rescue mission Sunday when crew from Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours found a dog named Bruce drifting in an inflatable kayak in the North Sea.
Serenity said skipper Jimmy Reid heard a Coastguard call at about 3:30 p.m. while taking guests toward Inner Farne. The crew then joined the search, which responder accounts said involved multiple boats.
According to crew and responder accounts, Bruce had been near Bamburgh Beach when the inflatable kayak became untethered or broke loose in strong wind and drifted out to sea.
Serenity said Reid and crew member Aaron Fordy located the kayak after Reid estimated where it was likely to drift. Accounts from rescuers and responders placed the kayak miles offshore.
As the crew approached, Bruce was not immediately visible in the kayak, according to Serenity’s account. He then appeared and slipped from his harness into the water during the recovery attempt before the crew pulled him aboard.
Bruce was wrapped in towels and taken to Seahouses Harbour, where he was reunited with his owner, according to Serenity and Seahouses RNLI.
Reid told BBC News he felt “ecstatic” after Bruce was brought to safety.
