A seafaring feline was travelling onboard a stricken yacht which had to be rescued after getting stuck – and SLEPT through the entire ordeal.
RNLI personnel rushed to a location off the Scarborough coast in East Yorkshire last week to reports a vessel had become snared on lobster pots.
On arrival shocked rescuers found stricken sailors Tim and Row Heale alongside their beloved cat Artie, who was in his cage having a snooze.
The British short hair puss was wearing a specially made feline life jacket just in case the situation deteriorated.
Fortunately RNLI rescuers were able to free the Heale’s yacht, a Hallberg Rassy 36, and send the trio safely back on their travels.
Volunteer rescuer Paul Huggins said: “The cat was asleep in his cage but the door was open.
“It was just quite happy in his bed.”
Tim and Row contacted the coastguard with their position shortly after midnight on August 24 when they became snared on lobster pot lines.
Row said: “Our radar showed large commercial vessels approaching us, albeit at a distance.”
The family were sailing from Inverness in Scotland south towards their home in Gosport, Hants, where the boat was due to dock.
The couple have since contacted Scarborough RNLI to express their appreciation.
They said: “We can’t thank you enough for all your help at silly o’clock in the morning.
“Sorry to have got you out of bed but hey, cheers guys, we really appreciate your help and genuine attitude to helping those in need.”
They have made a donation to the RNLI to thank them for the rescue.
Row said: “From our hearts, and Artie the ship’s cat, we thank you.”
Artie has been sailing since he was a 12-week-old kitten, all his inoculations are up to date and he has a pet passport.
Row said: “He’s now into his second life jacket – he outgrew the first one – and he loves going ashore in the dinghy or our kayak.”
The couple’s favourite places to sail are around Denmark, Sweden, Norway and the Baltic.
This year, due to Covid-19 and quarantine regulations, they are sailing clockwise around the UK – with Artie by their side.
Row said: “Don’t be fooled by his grumpy look, he loves being on board”.
