East Sussex WRAS were called out by British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) early evening on Thursday 16th March to a 38.5kg common seal on the eastern end of Bexhill beach.

Local BDMLR medics were concerned about the seal's appearance and movement, so BDMLR's Operation Director Julia Cable attended and quickly realised she would need extra experienced help to catch the seal. She contacted WRAS's Operations Director and BDMLR Medic Trevor Weeks. Trevor attended on site in one of WRAS's technical rescue ambulances and working as a team with everyone from BDMLR, Trevor was able to jump and secure the seal.

"We were worried that the seal would attempt to go back into the seal, but medics managed to work their way down and between the seal and the waters edge with a net and stretcher to block the seal's escape route" said Trevor.

"It was not easy getting the seal into the crate for transportation as it was larger than most seals we get to rescue, it took three of us to get the seal into the crate safely."

Once in the crate the seal was carried on a stretcher to BDMLR's ambulance and Julie Cable drove the seal over to and met staff at RSPCA Mallydams Wood who admitted the seal for assessment and any necessary treatment.

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