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'Local Boys' in Speedboat Free Dolphins
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by Blue Crush | February 19, 2009 at 06:45 pm
918 views | 57 Recommendations | 21 comments
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A group of local men braved dangerous broken ice and frigid waters in a fibreglass speedboat to rescue a small pod of dolphins and help them back to open water, the mayor of Seal Cove, N.L., said Thursday.
"So, some local guys decided to put out their small speedboat and put on their survival suits and didn't they put a channel through the water to where the dolphins was at."
May said it took the four men about three hours to break a channel in the ice with their boat. Sixteen year old Brandon Banks went in the water, to calm a weaker dolphin as it was harnessed and towed to the open waters, where it swam away. "One of the dolphins was really weak, and one of the young guys who had a survival suit on got into the water and stayed with it and the dolphin just kind of wrapped his fins around him ... it was amazing."
The men carved a channel by ramming the five-metre febreglass-hulled boat up onto the ice, then jumping out and onto the ice to hack away at it. They made a path from the main body of water to the pool of slush and water where the dolphins were trapped, a distance of about 250 metres, he said.
"The mammals were getting so weak, if somebody didn't do something in the next 12 to 48 hours, they would have died."
Local radio station VOCM is reporting that three have made it to open water, and two are unaccounted for.
See original news report Newfoundland Town Appeals for Help for Trapped Dolphins.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (21)
at 19:13 on February 19th, 2009
Bless the brave people who risked their lives to free these beautiful and intelligent animals. It is heartwarming to know there are such caring people in the world. Peace and blessings to you!
at 19:50 on February 19th, 2009
Yes, a special thank you go out to Roger Gavin, Rodney Rice and 16-year-old Brandon Banks for their brave efforts. CTV is now reporting this rescue.
at 20:41 on February 19th, 2009
A happy ending. Good news.
at 07:56 on February 20th, 2009
It is so amazing and brave that those men risked their lives to saves those helpless dolphins. SHAME on the government for not sending out help! I commend the Mayor trying to get the Dept of Ocean and Fisheries to help, but most government resources prove to be useless, especially when it comes to animals. Way to go guys! You did a great deed!
at 08:10 on February 20th, 2009
What you call brave I call stupid. If the people would have waited one more day all 5 would have survived, instead they probably caused the death of the two that are unaccounted for.
at 08:25 on February 20th, 2009
I completely agree with you and it is possible that two may not have made it. Again, the blame goes on the lack of response from the government. Unbelievable....3 surviving (hopefully) is however, better then none. My heart breaks for them. I would not have waited - - especially after hearing them crying for help. What took people so long?
at 06:40 on February 21st, 2009
Could you please explain how you know this?
at 06:42 on February 21st, 2009
ARCTICKB please explain your reasoning !
at 08:42 on February 20th, 2009
Mayor May was on Canada AM this morning. The locals could only locate four on Thursday morning, and then three by noon, before the rescue. They were weak, and the townspeople knew "they wouldn't have survived another night". See video here.
This morning's Globe and Mail has a story on it as well, with thoughts from 16 year-old Brandon.
at 09:21 on February 20th, 2009
Yay! I'm so glad they were rescued. I love Newfoundlanders.
at 09:39 on February 20th, 2009
Thanks for reporting this. We have so few good news stories.
at 11:14 on February 20th, 2009
Wonderful wonderful, it makes me cry. Humans can do wonderful things too, when they want to. These guys are my new heros, Brandon you totally rule!! Thanks Blue Crush for making us all see some light. I hope everyone reads this if just for their mental health.
For those arm chair quaterbacks calling this stupid, at least someone stepped up and did something, if it was left up to the likes of you they would all be dead. Its easy to critique when you do nothing.
at 11:13 on February 20th, 2009
If these four men could do it, it's just disgraceful that the Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans couldn't get their act together. That is such an amazing story - I'm so glad it ended well.
at 12:09 on February 20th, 2009
A great happy ending. Wonderful display of concern and kindness.
at 13:47 on February 20th, 2009
Thank you to the people of Seal Cove for your bravery in rescuing the trapped dolphins.
at 14:08 on February 20th, 2009
Good to hear. Hats off before the local men who rescued the dolphins.
at 17:23 on February 20th, 2009
Great news!
at 19:41 on February 20th, 2009
Thanks for a great follow-up ending, Blue Crush. I hope the other two are safely out in the open water too.
at 21:22 on February 20th, 2009
great to hear they were saved!
at 10:45 on February 21st, 2009
Thanks for reporting this, I was worrying about these dolphins.
at 20:31 on February 21st, 2009
I want to thank you very much for having people who saved those dolphins and all May did in trying to get them saved. I hope you will reward the three in a cerimony of just what it takes to be descent good human beings that rise above all others to do what is inherently right even at their own expense and risks. They are true hero's. I know those that do this kind of stuff do not do it for recognition, but out of the kindness of good hearts. If nothing else they need to know that others like me thank them very much for what they have done, thus please let them know they are amoung the greatest people of your Nation in my eyesight. May only goodness come your way in these trouble times.
Wayne Ledwell failed rescue due do more harm, but 3 out of 5 is far better than all 5 dead due to lack of doing the right thing. Maybe he has learned how to use his brains in order to do what he cannot concieve as possible. Being cold natured from Texas I would still freeze myself to make such an attempt to save their lives.
Gandhi was a great man and his words stand very true: "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." - Mohandas Gandhi