Berwick lifeboat rescue sparks prize win

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Posted by The Journal on Jan 12, 09 11:47 AM in News

Berwick lifeboat operations manager Tom Wakenshaw has won a prize in the RNLI's photographer of the year competition.

Tom's photo of lifeboat volunteers with a dog they had just rescued from Tweed Dock won the wildlife category and will see his picture on display at the London International Boat Show this week.

RNLI photo of the year, by Tom Wakenshaw of Berwick lifeboat station

He said: "I enjoy photography but really didn't expect to win anything in the competition. It's a great honour for Berwick lifeboat station, though, and I'm delighted that the photo has been singled out in this way."

The rescue came about when members of the public spotted the dog struggling in the water. The lifeboat was launched to stop any of them trying to rescue it themselves.

Tom said: "It was shivering and very frightened when the crew managed to pull it into the inshore lifeboat. When they returned to the lifeboat station with the dog, fortunately I had the station's camera with me and could not resist taking a shot of dog looking gratefully at crewman, Martin Crossan.

"We tried to find the owner but to no avail. The station chairman took the dog home with him and cared for it overnight and the following day he took it to the local dog kennels. We were informed a week later that the dog had been given a good home."

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