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Over the
last 20 years, we at the Mersey Inshore Rescue Service have seen much
change in the Mersey, from a so called "dirty polluted environment"
to a cleaner river..and the welcome return of sea life - from dolphins,
seals, more fish stocks and even a killer whale!
This was unheard of back in 1985 when the service started. Now, the
river has become a user-friendly place. More and more water sports are
taking place; people are even swimming in the river, especially off
Crosby and New Brighton. People still think by looking at the river
that it鈥檚 a dirty stretch of water, but the brown colour is the silt
on the seabed being stirred up by the fast flowing tide, causing the
so-called "muddy appearance".
In the Queens Channel, which is located just off Seaforth, the water
is actually blue. When the tide ebbs out of the river, sand banks start
to appear especially in the vicinity of Garston and Eastham, and also
towards the Runcorn areas. These areas all dry out with very little
or no navigable water whatsoever, and they become a haven for bird life
and in sometimes, rare species can be spotted. 
Because the tide moves so quickly, it tends to be in these areas where
dolphins or whales swim following fish stocks, but as the tide ebbs
away they become stranded. It鈥檚 then that the Mersey Inshore Rescue
Service are asked to assist and with the help of the RSPCA we try to
help the whales or dolphins back out to sea. All part of the service!
The return
of seals and dolphins over the past few years is quite a regular sight
on the Mersey and in particular just off the Liverpool Landing Stage.
This would appear to confirm that fish are here and in plentiful supply.
A minke whale,found its way into the river in August 1998 and became
stranded by the tide at Widnes. The whale had to be assisted with a
large support sling and be kept wet. Then in conjunction with the RSPCA
she was refloated with the support sling and assisted back out to the
open sea. At one stage she looked back as though to say "thanks" as
she proceeded out freedom!
This year a killer whale was spotted by people on board the Mersey Ferry
whilst making the way from Liverpool to Birkenhead. We were alerted
and asked to attend as it was reported as a large shark! All of a sudden
we could almost hear the "Jaws" theme! We searched the area
but could not find it. Later in the day it made its way to the Widnes
area, became stranded by the tide and unfortunately died.
Since
seeing the killer whale all the staff have been reluctant to enter the
water for training purposes, suprisingly enough! The motto is "always
lead by example" but since then, the crew goes in first!
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Tell
us your stories of the river
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Spotted
any rare species amongst the waves? Let us know!
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Photographs
or sketches...
Send us your pictures!
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听
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