RNLI crews from Wales to feature in 12-part TV documentary series

The 12-part documentary series features real rescues carried out by the charity’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards around the UK and Ireland.

The series gives a unique insight into the lives of the charity’s volunteer lifeboat crew members and lifeguards, who rescue thousands of people and save hundreds of lives around our coastline and on the River Thames every year.

Early episodes in the series will feature lifeboat crew volunteers from Moelfre, Anglesey, rescuing a dog which plunged 130ft down a cliff and Porthcawl lifeboat crews rescuing a horse rider who suffered nasty injuries after falling on a remote beach. Later episodes will feature rescues by another seven Welsh lifeboat stations, details of which will be revealed later.

The first episode will be shown on Wednesday 16 August from 8–9pm on BBC Two and will include, among other stories, a dramatic rescue of thirty people from a sinking tall ship; a father and daughter being pulled from the sea after being swept from rocks, and the recovery of a selfie-taker who had fallen into the Thames.

Following the success of the four-part first series, which was broadcast last year, this series features more episodes and more real-life rescue footage, accompanied by heart-warming and emotive testimonials from the crew, lifeguards and the people they rescue.

The series has been filmed over the past year, with lifeboat crews and lifeguards carrying special cameras and welcoming film-makers into their day-to-day life. Rescues from the RNLI’s archives are also revisited.

Last year alone, RNLI lifeboat crews around the UK and Ireland rescued 8,643 people, saving 431 lives, while the charity’s lifeguards responded to 17,414 incidents and saved 127 lives on some of the UK’s busiest beaches.

Saving Lives at Sea will be broadcast weekly from Wednesday 16 August to Wednesday 1 November on BBC Two at 8pm. The series is made for the BBC by Blast! Films.

Notes to Editors

• RNLI crew members who feature in the series are available for interview. Please contact RNLI PR on the numbers below to arrange interviews.

Media contacts

For more information please contact Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer, Wales and West, on [email protected] / 07748 265496 Laura Haslam, RNLI PR Officer, on [email protected] / 01202 663181, or Sophie Coller-Nielsen, BBC Press Officer, on [email protected] / 0207 765 5900.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, 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.