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Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat crew search for walker cut off by the tide

Lifeboats News Release

In heavy seas post Storm Ciaran Lyme Regis RNLI volunteers launched to assist HM Coastguard in locating a walker reported to be cut off by the tide on the beach west of Charmouth.

RNLI

Lyme Regis RNLI volunteers help search for walker

At 11.14am on Saturday 4th November Lyme Regis RNLI the volunteer lifeboat crew responded to a request from HM Coastguard to search for a walker reported to be cut off by the tide on the beach between Lyme Regis and Charmouth. By 11.22 Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne had arrived on scene and the crew began their search of the shoreline. Several walkers and fossil hunters were spotted, none of whom appeared to be in difficulty or in danger of being cut off by the tide. Once this had been confirmed by the Coastguard Rescue Team which had also been tasked to the incident, the lifeboat crew were stood and returned to Lyme Regis.

Volunteer Helm Jon Broome said, ‘In these conditions, with heavy surf and a powerful swell generated by Storm Ciaran, it would have been impossible for us to beach our lifeboat and extract a casualty by sea. Our role in this shout was to search the shoreline from a few hundred metres out and guide our Coastguard colleagues to anyone in difficulty.’

There are points along the coast in the Lyme Regis area where it is very easy to become cut off by the tide. The beach between Lyme Regis and Charmouth, and between Charmouth and Golden Cap are particularly hazardous. Frequent rock falls and mud slips change the shape of the beach and increase the risk of becoming cut off by an incoming tide. You should take great care in planning your route along the shoreline, check the tide times and heights, and make sure you allow enough time to reach a place of safety.

Do not be tempted to climb over rockfalls or mud slips as these are unstable and potentially dangerous. If you need help, or you notice anyone else in difficulty, use your mobile phone to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Notes to editors

Photo 1. Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat crew searching the shoreline between Lyme Regis and Charmouth

Contact Details Nick Marks, Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer Lyme Regis RNLI. Telephone 07568 187582

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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.

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