Shipton Abbott RNLI volunteers launch to the rescue of Humphrey and Martha

The houseboat, with the pair still onboard, was taken back to the safety of Shipton Abbott quayside

We are back in the fictional town of Shipton Abbott where Looe takes on the guise of Shipton Abbott and RNLI Looe Lifeboat Station transforms into RNLI Shipton Abbott Lifeboat station for the popular TV series, Beyond Paradise. In the first episode of series 4, Humphrey and Martha wake up to find their houseboat ‘Lily Bond’ had slipped its moorings overnight and drifted out into Shipton Abbott bay. Their problems compound as Martha realises the houseboat is taking on water, whilst Humphrey attempts to restart the engine, only to slip on leaking oil, banging his head. Realising there were no lifejackets onboard they needed to summon help quickly, Martha fires a distress flare which is spotted by several people onshore, who contact the coastguards. The coastguards requested the immediate launch of Shipton Abbott lifeboat, which quickly arrived on scene, accompanied by Shipton Abbott’s assistant harbour master on the Harbour launch. The Lily Bond was taken under tow back to Shipton Abbott harbour by the harbour launch with the charity’s Atlantic 85 providing escort and safety cover. Safely back on Shipton Abbott quayside Humphrey and Martha thank the RNLI and everyone involved in their rescue.

Our volunteer crew here at RNLI Looe Lifeboat Station were delighted to be asked to assist with the filming of this episode, broadcast on BBC1 for the first time last Friday night, 27 March 2026. Volunteer boat crew, helm Jack, along with Nathaniel, Alex and Mark had an enjoyable day meeting the cast and crew and being a small part of the plot. Behind the scenes our shore crew, Simon and Adam were on hand to ensure a safe launch and recovery of the charity’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Sheila and Dennis Tongue II. Looe’s assistant harbour master, Dave, was joined by Tom on the harbour launch, they both volunteer as RNLI helms.

It was good to see that the Lily Bond carried distress flares, however, if the RNLI does have safety advice for Humphrey and Martha, it would be to always have serviceable lifejackets available in reach, even when the houseboat is moored up.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Photos:

· Looe RNLI volunteer crew with Humphrey and Martha Goodman on East Looe quay
Left to right Jack, Nathaniel, Alex, Sally Bretton, Kris Marshall, Mark, Simon and Adam

Photo credit BBC / Red Planet Pictures

· Looe harbour team bringing Humphrey and Martha on the houseboat Lily Bond alongside East Looe quay

Photo credit BBC / Red Planet Pictures

Information:

· RNLI Looe Lifeboat Station doubles as RNLI Shipton Abbott Lifeboat Station in the successful BBC / Red Planet Pictures, Beyond Paradise, TV series

· This is the third time our RNLI volunteer crew and inshore lifeboats have featured in Shipton Abbott mysteries, previously in Episodes 2 and 3 of series 2.

· Re-established as an inshore lifeboat station in 1992, Looe RNLI operate two inshore lifeboats
An Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II and a D Class Ollie Naismith II

· For further information on Looe RNLI Lifeboats please visit our website https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/looe-lifeboat-station

· Looe RNLI Facebook page www.facebook.com/LooeRNLI

Media contacts

For more information please telephone

Ian Foster, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Looe Lifeboat Station, on 07902 753228 or [email protected] or [email protected]

or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, on 07866 668847 or [email protected]

or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead, on 07920 818807 or [email protected]

Alternatively you can contact the RNLI Duty Press Officer on 01202 336789

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.