Please note the place, the state of the tide and any injuries you can see without getting close and call 01825 765546 during office hours.
After 5pm on working days, or at weekends or Bank Holidays, please call our out of hours number on 07787 433412 (NB: this number does not receive texts or pictures). We will then advise you on what to do and will get a trained medic out as soon as possible. You can download a guidance document for reference by clicking here, or read more infiormation here »
We are a voluntary network of trained marine mammal medics who respond to call outs from the general public, HM Coastguard, Police, RSPCA and SSPCA and are the only marine animal rescue organisation operating across England, Wales and Scotland. Not only are we called upon by the other emergency services, but we also train their staff.
BDMLR is a registered charity and is operated entirely by volunteers. Our rescue teams are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We have a wide range of equipment strategically placed throughout the country to deal with strandings of marine animals, oil spills, fishing gear entanglement and in fact any type of marine animal in trouble. This includes rescue boats, equipment trailers, whale and dolphin pontoon sets, a whale disentanglement kit and each area has a medic kit with essential supplies.
Although our name mentions divers, you don't have to be a diver to be a supporter or medic. Our medic base covers all walks of life and includes: teachers, plumbers, executives, managers, retail staff, secretaries, builders, photographers... the list goes on and on. All you need is a positive attitude, don't mind being wet and cold, and are able-bodied. The rest we teach you on our Marine Mammal Medic Course.
We are entirely funded by donations and can only run our emergency service for marine animals with your support.
We need more Marine Mammal Medics to join our rescue teams throughout the UK to enable us to continue our vital first response. Please note that you do not need to be a diver. More about our training courses »
2018-02-23 15:18:02
Successful dolphin refloat in Cornwall
2018-02-05 11:52:31
BDMLR a finalist in National BBC award
2018-01-11 09:30:38
BDMLR Seal Appeal on BBC National News
2017-12-20 11:37:59
Seals airlifted to rehabilitation centre
2017-12-08 15:42:16
Entangled seal in Outer Hebrides
2017-12-08 15:15:27
Entangled seal pup at Crackington Haven
2017-11-28 11:41:14
BDMLR South West launches Amazon wishlist