A beloved spaniel was rescued in the nick of time after becoming trapped in treacherous mud as the tide rapidly rose.
Benji became stuck in coastal silt on the south side of the Thames Estuary, prompting an emergency rescue.
Rescuers just managed to reach him despite being delayed by river traffic.
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Crew members said another minute or two of delay could have had tragic consequences for the dog.
They used a hovercraft to get to the stranded pet.
The crew from Southend had received an urgent call that one person was trapped deep in the mud, raising fears as the tide continued to rise.
But when the hovercraft reached the scene, HM Medway Coastguard Rescue Team confirmed the person had safely reached shore.
Instead they found Benji stranded and in imminent danger, as reported by Need To Know.
The rescue crew found the distressed dog struggling in the rising water.
Working against the clock, the crew rescued Benji, wrapped him in a blanket and carried him back to shore, where his relieved owner was waiting.
Hovercraft commander Dave Hopper said: “We take every shout very seriously and this time we had the best outcome, getting Benji safely back to his owners.
“A nice day on the coast can easily turn into a pet on the loose or an owner getting into difficulty trying to help their pet.
“Where possible, check the tide times and type of ground before letting dogs off the lead.
“We have large areas of soft mud and sand around the estuary and creeks.
“If your dog gets into trouble, call 999 immediately and ask for the Coastguard.”
The rescue was delayed slightly because of exceptionally heavy traffic along Southend seafront.
Unlike other emergency services, RNLI volunteers are not permitted to use blue lights and must travel to the lifeboat station in their own vehicles when their pagers sound.
The RNLI is urging motorists to be aware of volunteers displaying brightly coloured “Lifeboat Crew On Call” signs in their windscreens near lifeboat stations, warning that delays can directly affect the outcome of rescues.
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