Lyme Regis RNLI volunteers in Christmas Day launch to swimmers in difficulty
Volunteers at Lyme Regis RNLI responded to an Immediate Launch pager alert from HM Coastguard to go to the aid of multiple swimmers reported to be in difficulty off East Beach, West Bay.
The crew launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne at 08:40am on Christmas Day morning and proceeded towards the scene at best speed, Weather conditions were poor with a near gale force north easterly wind and waves up to 4m high.
At 8:52am, having reached the vicinity of Golden Cap, the crew received the welcome news that all swimmers had made their way to safety. RNLI crew was then stood down by the Coastguard and returned to Lyme Regis harbour
Volunteer Helm Tim Edwards said: ‘We responded to an Immediate Launch page, the highest priority alert, to go to the aid of multiple casualties in difficulty in rough seas. Thankfully the swimmers were able to make their own way to safety before we arrived on the scene. I am so proud of my boat crew and the shore crew at Lyme Regis who left their families on Christmas morning to save lives at sea.’
The RNLI website contains important safety information for people planning open water swimming. This can be found by clicking on the following link.
Ends
Notes to editors
Photo Caption: Lyme Regis RNLI Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne at sea. Photo credit: RNLI/Nick Marks
RNLI media contacts
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.
Key facts about the RNLI
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, 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.