Teeth like a cat with a bite the strength of an alsatian dog is the formidable defence which belies the cute appearance of a seal pup.

It is a potential challenge a team from Ramsgate-based Horizon Sea Safaris are now well prepared to face. Jon Brooks, owner of the wildlife boat trip company, and two colleagues have been trained to help stricken seals off Thanet’s shores.

Wonderful views of the creatures can be enjoyed by passengers on the trips they run regularly from Ramsgate Harbour.

HSS run trips to the Goodwin Sands and through Pegwell Bay into the River Stour estuary, both homes to sizeable colonies of the creatures.

Passengers are thrilled by spotting the seals basking on the river banks and bobbing about close by in the water.

Because Jon and his team are constantly in their territory, it made sense for them to undertake the Marine Mammal Medic Course run by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue.

This equips them for every occasion, including facing the sharp end of a seal in distress and highly capable of administering a painful bite. It is no mean feat in the case of a fullgrown bull seal weighing up to 300 kilos and measuring 2.5 metres.

Horizon’s ethos is about protecting and monitoring wildlife and the qualification is an extension of this.

Jon said: “Since setting up last year, we have been very keen to ensure we work with local organisations to care for our wildlife.

“Our boat, Micki Dee Bee, has been made available to the BDMLR and all of us that have completed the course have made ourselves available for call out.”

Horizon Sea Safaris is a family-run business set up in 2007.

It offers a range of sea trips from a 15 minute powerboat experience to day-long adventures. All are fun, fast, safe and educational, ideal for families. Safety equipment is available for those aged two upwards.

They are working with Thanet Coast Project and a pilot boat company to put together a school education programme.

BDMLR is a registered charity set up in 1988 by a group of divers who responded to help with an outbreak of illness in a large number of seals.

It has more than 3,000 volunteers on standby 24 hours to respond to maritime disasters and marine mammal strandings in the UK.

Hour long seal trips are £18 for adults and £10 for children. For more information visit www.horizonseasafaris.co.uk or www.bdmlr.org.uk or call 07931 744788

Seal stats

Swimmers off Thanet will be reassured to know there are minimal chances of meeting aggressive sharks or killer whales.

These are seals’ natural predators and their absence is the reason for east Kent’s thriving seal colonies.

Up to 200 grey and common seals unusually live harmoniously together on the Goodwin Sands, feeding on a plentiful supply of fish, shrimps, sand eels and whelks.

Twenty five seals live in the River Stour estuary with a large colony on the Margate Hook sands.

Other marine mammals that may be found around east Kent include common porpoises and dolphins and occasionally bottle nose dolphins.

Verdict of the trip by Adam and Robin

“I found the whole experience great fun. Especially going over the big waves. It was like a rollercoaster ride and a wildlife park put together,” said Adam Louis, nine, about his Horizon Sea Safari.

“There were also lots of interesting birds as well as seals. We had to wear a lifejacket and a water proof jacket and trousers.

“About five seals came quite close to the boat, that was a cool experience. The staff were very friendly and if we were not comfortable or needed a question to be answered someone came straight up to help. So altogether it was a very fun and indeed amazing experience.”

His sentiments were echoed by his five-year-old brother and the adults in the party.

We also especially appreciated Jon’s fascinating commentary on the area’s landmarks and history, the stunning vistas from the sea and views of sea birds and the thrills of riding the waves on the brisk Micky Dee Bee.