BDLMR

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) was formed in 1988 by concerned divers who wished to help rescue and prevent the huge number of deaths of Harbour seals in the Wash area of East Anglia. They then became knowledgeable on other marine wildlife and learnt techniques so that they could rescue and be able to provide a 24-hour service. Since these humble beginnings they have gone on to train hundreds more Marine Mammal Medics and now also have a total of twenty whale rescue pontoons around the country to help and rescue marine wildlife in distress. There are also thirteen ambulances that are specially equipped for marine animals around the UK to ensure a fast response and four rigid inflatable boats that can be on hand to assist within 24-hours.

These teams of medics are always ready to rescue any marine animal or to help out in a marine disaster and regularly receive new training to keep their rescue skills up to date. There are area coordinators doted all around the UK and Wales in areas such as Dorset, Kent, Cornwall, North Yorkshire, Norfolk, Essex, Devon and Bristol to name but a few. The BDMLR also work in close partnership with many of the local seal and marine rescue sanctuaries and wildlife rescue centres and when a seal or marine animal has been reported to be in distress they will often liaise with each other to provide support.

Some of the most recent work that the organization has been involved in has included the attendance of many BDMLR medics from around the south coast counties to help rescue birds and other wildlife that had become oiled. It is also not uncommon for marine turtles to sometimes come ashore which then require rescuing, and this has been the case several times so far in 2008 along the south west coast of England.

They have also been called out to reports of striped dolphins in Cornwall that have become beached due to injuries. The BDMLR have their own veterinary coordinator that can attend these incidents and offer medical advice and assess the state of health. They have also been called out to a Sowerby’s beaked whale in Inverness, Scotland and two seal pups have been rescued and rehabilitated in Port Isaac, Cornwall.

The BDMLR are an entirely voluntary organisation and therefore rely heavily upon the generosity of the public and their willingness to help. They are always grateful for help in promoting the organisation and in raising money to be able to keep on with their invaluable work. Much of their work would not be possible without the general public reporting sightings of stranded or injured marine life and being watchful.

They are also always on the look out for more marine medics and there are numerous training courses that take place around the country each year where you can learn these vital rescue techniques and help to assist in an emergency.