Workers at Hinkley Point B nuclear power station, near Burnham-On-Sea, showed their adaptability when they had to rescue a stranded seal this week.
An atlantic grey seal was spotted swimming around in the power station’s cooling water intake chamber.
The seal, although unharmed, was unable to swim out again by itself.
The supply of cooling water is needed for the power station’s two reactors and was unaffected.
The station set up a recovery team under that week’s emergency controller, Nick Wall, to ensure safe rescue of the seal.
EDF Energy staff and contract partners from Cape Industrial Services and Spence Crane Hire worked together on a plan to extract the seal without causing her distress.
The local RSPCA was also called to the site to advise on welfare issues.
Nick Wall said: “We set about designing a suitable cradle to extract the seal safely. Our visitor though, who we quickly dubbed ‘Celia the seal’, seemed in no hurry to leave as there were plenty of fish around for her.”
After five days the recovery team’s perseverance paid off and the grey seal was caught and lifted to safety.
Following a ‘once-over’ from a local vet, Celia was then released from a beach a few miles to the west of the power station. The spot was chosen as it was far enough away and on the out-going tide so as to minimise the risk of the seal returning.
Michelle Orriss from the power station, who herself used to work at a seal sanctuary, said: “It was great to see the care and thought that went in to rescuing the grey seal. It was very much a team effort to look after Celia and return her back to the sea.”
Following a check by a vet, the seal was released onto a beach
The seal entering the Bristol Channel after its rescue
Celia the seal was released a few miles to the west of Hinkley Point
