Wrangle Coastguard Rescue Team called out to help stranded whale in The Wash

The coastguard has confirmed it was called out to help a stranded whale.

The Wrangle Coastguard Rescue Team received a report at around 10.55am on Sunday, August 4, of a large whale stranded on a sand bar, near Tabs Head in the Wash.

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) were also alerted but said it could not be found this morning.

A spokesperson said: “It was reported to us yesterday and one of our medics went out to look for it but didn't find it. We have somebody out this morning keeping an eye out too, but no further sightings as of yet.

“It's quite worrying to see a sperm whale in the North Sea as the water is too shallow for them to survive, so it's possible its health is compromised.”

Councillor James Le Sage saw the whale whilst out fishing with some friends, he said: “We could make out the shape and some of the people on board thought it was a boat, but once we looked through the binoculars we could make out it was a stranded whale.

“We couldn’t get close to it as we were in danger of stranding ourselves but we could tell it was still alive and on our way back from fishing we decided to revisit it – it wasn’t moving anymore so we presumed it was dead.

“I’m a big marine life fan myself so it is very sad to see that kind of thing happening. I know friends who have seen dolphins in the Wash before, but I have certainly never seen anything that size up close before.”

The HM Coastguard website states strandings can happen between 20 and 50 times a year in the UK.

If you think you have spotted a washed up whale, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard, give details, and then keep clear and wait for help. This is the best way to report any sightings of stranded cetaceans as soon as you can, even if you think they might be dead.

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