And in the news - Sheep Rescue at Napton

This latest story by your cruising reporter writing from Napton on the Hill.

0630, 07 September, and we were awoken by a commotion outside comprising lots of baaing sheep and lambs.  There was a big splash then more sheep noise.  We looked through our cabin portholes but could see nothing significant.  Then Karen called out to us there was a sheep standing in the water at the offside bank of the canal.  It appeared the stupid animal had fallen in and was now grazing on the overhanging vegetation.  The creature did not seem in imminent danger but we could see it was tiring.  Now, these days, sheep are quite valuable livestock so worth saving.  Karen placed a call to the non-emergency police number where the operations staff called out the fire and rescue.  Two fire engines (the fire service call them pumps) responded pretty quickly and we discussed with them the various options for rescue over a cup of tea.  Their chief assessed a boat rescue crew was required to effect a safe recovery of the sheep.  (Health & Safety legislation in the UK prevents fire fighters from wading into such a situation and dragging the animal to safety.) He placed the call for the boat crew who arrived at Napton locks from Rugby about 20 minutes later in another vehicle complete with boats and trained crew.  Shortly after a small boat with 3 crew motored up the cut to our location and, after a short discussion on the best approach to effect a rescue, went into action.  The sheep was quickly dragged into the boat then transported a few metres to a section of low bank where the animal was deposited to be reunited with the rest of the flock.  It did try to return to the water but the firefighters encouraged it to climb up to rejoin the other animals.  With the sheep taken to safety the fire crews returned to base.

Hapless creature needing rescue

Appliances assembled

Assessing the situation

Rescue boat launched..

...and powers down the cut

The crew survey the scene upon arrival

Cautious approach to the distressed animal

Sheep on board

Rescued sheep back on dry land

Rest of the crew observing from the towpath

Incident over and normality returns

Of course, the incident attracted much attention from other people moored near to us.  One or two complained bitterly about what they saw to be a waste of tax payer's money.  However, as I confirmed in discussion with one of the crew the incident would cover a lot of fire and rescue training requirements so was not considered a waste of time at all.  Another boater told us she had pulled the distressed sheep from between the towpath and bow of our boat and could not believe we did not realise the animal was there.  Why she did not feel moved to knock on our boat and seek assistance we do not understand.  Also, we could not understand why she left the animal in distress without placing a call to the rescue people.  Anyway, the hapless animal was rescued and taken to safety and we could all continue on our way.

Final thought on the incident. Some may feel that rescuing a sheep in this situation was a waste of resources. Remember though without this type of opportunity to exercise the command and control of various resources and effect the rescue of a live being from the canal, albeit a sheep on this occasion, the fire and rescue crews would not be able to hone their skills and procedures in readiness for the time when it could be you needing rescue!