Lyme Regis lifeboat history book marks 200th anniversary
The fascinating history of the people in Lyme Regis who dedicate their spare time volunteering to save lives at sea, and the boats in which they risk their own lives, is brought to life in a new edition of a fully illustrated RNLI book marking the 200th anniversary of a lifeboat service in the town.
The book is available now at £8.95 at the RNLI gift shop next to the lifeboat station on the Cobb and all proceeds go to the lifesaving charity.
The book chronicles amazing rescues from 1826 involving hundreds of volunteers and some 15 different lifeboats of various shapes and sizes, powered first by muscle and wind and today by twin 115hp engines.
How the sinking of a ship carrying emigrants to Australia sparked the need for a proper lifeboat in Lyme Regis...the rescue in fog of a helicopter pilot and his pregnant wife when their aircraft plunged into the sea...and why the Lyme Regis crew took their lifeboat by road to Seaton, towed by horses, to help a sinking barque.
Wartime was a busy spell, and there’s the remarkable story of the sinking of a ship by a German U-boat just outside Lyme Regis harbour.
These are just some of the stories of the courage and determination of Lyme Regis lifeboat crews told by the author, Richard Horobin, retired newspaper and BBC journalist.
There are events planned throughout 2026 to celebrate 200 years of RNLI lifesaving in Lyme Regis. The first of these is a Thanksgiving Service in St Michael's Church on Sunday 22 February at 11am. All are welcome to attend.
Ends
Notes to editors:
Photo 1 Caption: Lyme Regis lifeboat from 1915, the Thomas Masterman Hardy. Credit: David Manners.
Photo 2 Caption: Cover of the new edition of the Lyme Regis Lifeboat Station History book. Credit: Richard Horobin
Photo 3 Caption: Lyme Regis RNLI Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne at sea. Credit: Max Redwood.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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