AN RNLI crew staged its most unusual rescue of the year when it was called to a stranded porpoise.

Scarborough RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was asked to launch by the coastguard to help the RSPCA save the animal, which had become stranded in shallow water at low tide in the inner harbour.

It was stuck in the mud, facing the harbour wall and unable to escape to the open sea.

Watched by a large crowd from the top of the Vincent pier, helm Mark Rawlings turned the engine off as the lifeboat cautiously approached.

Crew members Chris Moss, Kyle Patel and Rob Gaunt jumped overboard and used oars to convert an ambulance pouch - normally used for human casualties - into a cradle.

The animal, measuring about 1.5 metres, was gently eased off the mud bank and coaxed into the makeshift cradle.

“There was a big cheer from the crowd when we got it alongside”, said lifeboat mechanic Dave Horsley, who was watching.

With the mammal safely secure, the crew slowly moved it a short distance across the harbour to a nearby pontoon where an RSPCA officer was waiting to examine it.

When the porpoise was declared fit and well, the lifeboat secured it to the side of the boat and took it a mile and a half out to sea to release it.

“We’ve carried out rescues of dogs over the years, but this is the first porpoise I can remember”, said Mr Horsley.

“It’s great to see something being returned to the wild and hopefully swimming off to join its pod. It did a couple of flips as it was going out and we didn’t see it again”.

In 2016 the RNLI saved the lives of 431 humans, 41 dogs, two dolphins, three horses, one porpoise, one seal and two sheep.

Porpoises can be seen in the sea off Scarborough all year round. At this time, of year, dolphins and whales can also be seen.

For further information on dolphin, porpoise and whale sightings, check out the Scarborough Porpoise Facebook and Twitter pages and the Sea Watch Foundation website or send an email to scarboroughporpoise@btinternet.com.