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Saving Lives at Sea - Series 7 Episode 1

Find out more about the stories and stations featured in series 7 episode 1 of Saving Lives at Sea, with rescues from Newhaven, Port St Mary, Barry Dock and Great Yarmouth and Gorleston.

In the first episode of the new series, we met Ben, Crew Member at Barry Dock Lifeboat Station. You’re welcome to come onboard Barry Dock’s D class lifeboat with Ben in this video as he shows us around!

Newhaven: The fright before Christmas

On 24 December, when many of us were busy with festive preparations, the crew of Newhaven RNLI launched to the aid of two paragliders who had fallen into the sea. They were stranded at the base of a cliff with the tide closing in on them – but the skilled volunteer crew brought them safely back to shore.

RNLI lifesavers will drop everything when others need their help – even on Christmas Day! And this wasn’t the only festive rescue they carried out …

How our crews saved Christmas

Port St Mary: A close call

We also saw the volunteers at Port St Mary launch both lifeboats to a 40ft yacht with a fouled rudder and propeller. Fighting strong winds and rough seas, the crew reached the casualties and transferred them onto the lifeboat – right before the yacht broke free from its anchor, hit some nearby rocks and capsized.

Whether you’re a racer or a cruiser, here are our tips to get you to your destination safely.

Sailing safety tips

Barry Dock: Five in danger

An RNLI crew member on the deck of Barry Dock’s all-weather Trent class lifeboat

Credit: RNLI/Nigel Millard

Over in Barry, RNLI crews launched to reports of five people struggling in the water. As the RNLI volunteers powered to the scene, they learned the casualties were all ashore, but a young girl needed medical assistance – and it quickly became a multi-agency rescue.

Heading to the coast anytime soon? Brush up on your tidal knowledge.

Learn about tides

Great Yarmouth: A whisker away from drowning

And finally, we saw Great Yarmouth and Gorleston RNLI volunteers rescuing a stranded cat from a wall on the River Bure. Poor Icicle was very cold, so the crew kept him cuddled up in a blanket as the lifeboat made its way to the shore.

Wouldn’t it be nice to hear from Icicle the cat himself? Take a look at our video, where he tells his side of the story.

Watch: Icicle the cat

If you want to hear more stories of heroism from RNLI lifesavers, and other exciting updates on what's happening across the RNLI, you can have them sent direct to your email, by signing up for our newsletter.

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