The IRB at Hartlepoool, Co. Durham, had an unusual service on 21st June, 1970, which it turned into 'a public relations exercise owing to the beach being packed with visitors and a rather smelling dead dolphin causing some headaches to the embarrassed authorities'.

The honorary secretary's report, given here in full, stated: 'Crew assembled in boathouse doing work on boathouse when Acting Sergeant T. Emmerson came to the boathouse in the patrol car and asked if a dead dolphin could be towed out to sea as no corporation workmen could be contacted owing to the very fine summer's day. IRB proceeded to the crowded Seaton beach where a rope was tied to the dolphin's tail. Dead dolphin towed out to sea—2 miles.'.