RNLI lifesavers from Newhaven to feature in new series of popular TV documentary

Real life rescue footage captured on their helmet cameras gives a frontline view of how the charity’s lifesavers risk their own lives as they go to the aid of those in danger at sea and strive to save every one.

Now in its sixth series, the 10-part documentary showcases the lifesaving work of the RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards from around the UK and Ireland. The series will air on BBC Two on Tuesdays at 8pm, as well as being available on BBC iPlayer following broadcast.

Real rescue footage is accompanied by emotive interviews from the volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards alongside the people they rescue and their families.

This forthcoming episode, on Tuesday 31 August sees Newhaven RNLI just one week after they were involved in the search for a Brixham beam trawler which went missing off the Sussex coast - with the loss of two lives. Newhaven Lifeboat are called out to reports of another Brixham boat in trouble, alongside rescue stories from their colleagues at other stations and beaches around our coasts.

Lewis Arnold, Newhaven Coxswain, featured in the forthcoming episode, says ‘We treat each and every service call with the same speed and focus. Some are of course tougher than others, but when the pagers go off, the crew have just one purpose and that’s to get the job done to the best of our ability.’

Roger Cohen, Lifeboat Operations Manager, says ‘It's great that we can showcase the lifesaving work of RNLI volunteers in a TV programme like this. Without the generous support and donations from the public, we wouldn’t be able to save lives at sea and it’s great to be able to share what we do with our supporters from the comfort of their own home.’

During 2020, RNLI lifeboat crews around the UK and Ireland aided 8,374 people, saving 239 lives, while the charity’s lifeguards aided 25,172 people and saved 110 lives on some of the UK’s busiest beaches.

Saving Lives at Sea begins on 24 August at 8pm on BBC Two, and will continue throughout September and October.

Notes to Editors

• The series is made for the BBC by Blast! Films.

For more information please contact Newhaven Lifeboat Press Officer [email protected] / 07900887423. 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.