Poole and Swanage RNLI to feature in new series of popular TV documentary
The volunteer lifeboat crew of Poole and Swanage RNLI will be taking to the small screen on Wednesday February 26 as they feature in the penultimate episode of the BBC TV series Saving Lives at Sea.
Now in its fourth season, the documentary series, which showcases the lifesaving work of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), returns to BBC Two after a short break on Wednesday 26 at 8pm, as well as being available on the BBC iPlayer following broadcast. The 10-part series features real rescues carried out by the charity’s volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards around the UK and Ireland.
Each programme gives a unique insight into the lives and work of the charity’s lifesavers who are needed more than ever before, rescuing thousands of people and saving hundreds of lives around our coastline and on inland waterways every year. The new series features more dramatic real-life rescue footage, accompanied by emotive testimonials from the volunteer crews, lifeguards and the people they rescue and their families.
This forthcoming episode, on February 26th, sees Poole and Swanage RNLI volunteers involved in one of the largest searches carried out by the RNLI, alongside rescue stories from their colleagues at other stations and beaches around our coasts.
Dave Riley, volunteer Helm at Poole Lifeboat Station who features in the forthcoming episode, says: ‘The TV series gives a good insight into what it’s like to be at the sharp end of going out to sea. No two shouts are ever the same and in this episode, you’ll get to see the emotion and thoughts of the volunteers as they deal with one of the toughest calls in recent times.’
Dave Turnbull, Swanage Lifeboat Coxswain says, ‘In this episode you’ll see how a number of volunteers across eight lifeboats from six lifeboat stations worked together in an incident off the Dorset coast. When the call comes in and you go to sea you are one team giving it your all.’
Filming took place 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, and we get a glimpse into the everyday lives of the thousands of men and women who give up their time to save lives.
In 2018, RNLI lifeboat crews around the UK and Ireland rescued 9,412 people, saving 211 lives, while the charity’s lifeguards aided 32,207 people and saved 118 lives on some of the UK’s busiest beaches.
Notes to Editors
The series is made for the BBC by Blast! Films.
Media contacts
For more information please contact [email protected]. Alternatively, call the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or email [email protected].
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.