Lyme Regis RNLI volunteers launch during England penalty shoot-out
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat crew missed the final minutes of England’s Euro 2024 quarter final match against Switzerland this evening (6 July) in order to search for two people reported to be cut off by the tide between Lyme Regis and Charmouth.
In response to a tasking request from HM Coastguard, volunteer crew from Lyme Regis launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne at 7:30 pm just as the England football team began their nail-biting penalty shoot-out.
The two people were quickly located by the lifeboat crew and were found to be fit, well and perfectly happy to remain on the beach for one to two hours until the tide receded.
In command of the lifeboat was Lyme Regis RNLI’s newest Helm Mark Ellis who said: ‘This was my second shout as helm in charge the lifeboat and it was a relatively quick one. We located the casualties very soon after leaving Lyme Regis harbour and were able to communicate with them directly. They were well aware of the tide times and were happy to remain on the beach until high tide had passed.’
The volunteer crew returned to Lyme Regis at 7:50 pm. On their way back to harbour Coastguard colleagues informed them by radio the good news that England had won the penalty shoot-out.
The stretch of coast between Lyme Regis and Charmouth is very popular with walkers and fossil hunters, but points along it can be cut off by the rising tide. Anyone who finds themself in difficulty should dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
This was the 20th service call for the volunteers of Lyme Regis RNLI in 2024, the year in which the lifesaving charity celebrates its 200th anniversary.
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A photo of Lyme Regis RNLI Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne searching the shoreline east of Lyme Regis. Photo credit: RNLI/Nick Marks
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For more information, please contact Nick Marks volunteer deputy 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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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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