British Divers Marine Life Rescue is able to supply cetacean rescue kits and training models to overseas organisations looking to set up whale and dolphin rescue teams in their home countries. We are also able to provide a consulting service to assist you in setting up a network of trained personnel able to respond to marine strandings.
If you already have a whale rescue kit and are looking for spare parts, we can also help with that as well.
BDMLR has been using whale rescue and dolphin rescue pontoons for many years and has sets of high-quality, purpose-built pontoon kits available for sale. Generally, due to the technical nature of the equipment, initially, you would need to purchase a pontoon set along with a training model, plus add on the cost of overseas training. This is to ensure you attach the pontoons correctly, as the whale could drown if the pontoons are attached incorrectly.
If you are purchasing more than one set, you will not need more than one training model
The whale rescue pontoons facilitate the rapid rescue of whales up to 2 tonnes (approx.) Whales of this size (pilot whales, minke whales, etc) can be refloated in very shallow water and taken out to sea quickly, minimising injury and physiological failure, thus allowing the animal to be returned to the wild.
If you are purchasing more than one set, you will not need more than one training model.
These do the same job as the whale pontoons but are suited to small cetaceans (dolphins and porpoises), which are not large enough to benefit from full-sized versions. The dolphin pontoons are ideal for stabilising and then moving dolphins from the beach or shallow water out into open water for release.
Constructed of robust materials with specially designed pectoral fin openings, these stretchers allow Marine Mammal Medics to lift and move smaller dolphins and porpoises. This minimizes the risk to rescuers and animal. These are ideal for moving animals (with the right number of Marine Mammal Medics) from an unsuitable location to effect a rescue quickly and efficiently. They are supplied in an easy-to-store bag, but need suitable poles for carrying.
Our seal rescue bags are specifically designed to safely carry/weigh grey and common seal pups. We also offer seal stretchers for larger and adult seals in need of help. For training we offer seal pup-shaped and sized inflatable models.
Pontoon sets (whale and dolphin sets – please specify which you have)
Orders are always bespoke, and you should contact BDMLR with your requirements in the first instance to receive a quote. If this is your first purchase, you will generally also be required to undergo whale/dolphin rescue training either in the UK or we are able to send a training team to your home country. See the International Marine Mammal Medic courses page for details.
Our experts will guide you through the decision-making process, which will depend on the marine animals found in your seas and which are most likely to strand in conditions suitable for refloat.
BDMLR sells kits to government bodies and marine wildlife NGOs. To date, we have models in Cape Verde, Canada, Greece, USA, France, and the Falkland Islands.
If you are interested in purchasing BDMLR Equipment for your home country, please email info@bdmlr.org.uk with some details about your organisation and the expected species you may have to deal with, and we will be in touch.