Advice from Southport Lifeboat and Coastguard after clothes found on the beach

If you’re leaving items in public in attempt to encourage lost pets to return home, please leave a note explaining why the items have been left.

This can save our volunteers time when out searching for potentially missing people.

Tasked by our colleagues at Holyhead to investigate a report by a member of the public of abandoned clothing at Formby Lifeguard station.
Southport’s independent lifeboat were asked to task their quads and assist in what was looking like a search for a potentially missing or vulnerable person.
It eventually came to light that the clothing had been left in an attempt to encourage a lost dog to return home.
This is an unusual conclusion to a tasking, but highlights two clear points.

1) If you see, hear or find something that is out of place on the coastline, call the Coastguard. We’d rather investigate this type of incident than not be called at all. You may save a life.

2) If you plan on trying to persuade a lost pet back home in this way, call the Coastguard (Holyhead *non-emergency* 01407 762051) and advise that something has been left, a clear description of what, and exactly where it is. Also leave a clearly written note explaining why the items have been left for anybody finding the items.

The Coastguard Rescue Service is a uniformed service and part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. There are approximately 300 teams around the UK coastline.