19/05/2026
Rescue with a canine difference 🐾
We recently undertook a winch rescue off the Hen and Chicken Islands.
DOC worker Miriam Ritchie broke five ribs after falling in steep terrain.
After our crew located Miriam, critical care paramedic Dan Short was winched on to the Island and first attended to Miriam’s rodent detection dog ‘Ahu’.
The little dog was secured in a winch retrieval device called a child/animal rescue bag (CARB), especially designed for children and animals. It quite possibly is Northern Rescue’s first dog retrieval ever!
Miriam says the crew was awesome.
“We’re very lucky to have such an amazing service with such highly skilled people, available to us.”
Thanks to our team, which also comprised of Johs Van Pierce (captain), Marinus Coetzee (co-pilot) and Richard Sharp (hoist operator and critical care paramedic).