Lyme Regis RNLI volunteers rescue two people and their dogs cut off by the tide
Volunteers at Lyme Regis RNLI responded to a pager alert from HM Coastguard to go to the aid of a man and woman reported cut off by the tide between Charmouth and Golden Cap whilst walking their dogs
The crew launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne at 09:06am yesterday morning (10 December) and proceeded to the scene at best speed, arriving at 09:15am. In good weather conditions and with only a slight swell running, volunteer Helm Murray Saunders was able to manoeuvre the lifeboat close to the beach allowing two crew to step ashore and make contact with the casualties.
Both casualties, and their dogs, were found to be fit and well but clearly in need of assistance to make their way to a place of safety. It was therefore decided to embark them onto the lifeboat and take them to Lyme Regis. The lifeboat returned to harbour at 09:42am where it was met by a Coastguard Rescue Team. The lifeboat was then washed down and refuelled in preparations for its next service call. This was the 33rd time the Lyme Regis RNLI crew have launched in 2024, the year in which the life-saving charity celebrates its 200th anniversary.
Volunteer Helm Murray Saunders said: ‘We found the walkers quite quickly and it was clear they needed our help to make their way out past rocks and mudslips. We were very lucky that today the sea was calm enough for me to bring the boat in close to shore to allow us to embark the casualties over the bow without getting their feet wet. It is quite rare that conditions are that calm. On another day, with a stiff on-shore wind, the rescue would have been much more difficult.’
There are numerous places around Lyme Regis, both east and west, where it is possible to become cut off by the tide. RNLI Water Safety advice is that you should always make allowance for the tide and have a clear plan of your walking route and how it may be affected by a rising tide. Always carry a means of calling for help and dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard if you get into difficulty. Tide times for Lyme Regis can be found on the ‘Resources’ page of the Lyme Regis harbour website www.lymeregisharbour.co.uk.
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Photo Caption: Lyme Regis RNLI rescue dog walkers from the beach near Golden Cap
Photo credit: RNLI/Nick Marks
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For more information, please contact Nick Marks, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Lyme Regis Lifeboat Station on 07568 187582 or [email protected], or Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager, on 07786 668847 or [email protected], or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789
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