Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat launches to couple reported cut off by the tide
Lyme Regis RNLI volunteers responded to an emergency call yesterday (9 February) to search for a couple reported to be cut off by the tide on the beach between Lyme Regis and Charmouth. Earlier in the day a dolphin joined the lifeboat on a training exercise.
The crew launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne at 3:49pm in response to a tasking request from HM Coastguard. They searched eastwards from Lyme Regis and quickly located the reported casualties. Both were found to be fit, well and in no danger from the rising tide. The lifeboat crew were stood down at 3:54pm and returned to harbour where the lifeboat was washed down by volunteer shore crew and refuelled ready for its next service.
Volunteer Helm Tom Crabbe said: ‘Whilst this callout proved to be a false alarm with good intent, the stretch of beach between Lyme Regis and Charmouth is an area where it is very easy to become cut off by the tide. Walkers should plan their route carefully and make allowance for the rising tide. There are also frequent landslips and associated mud pools which are very dangerous.
Earlier in the day Tom and other volunteers were at sea on a routine training exercise when they were joined by a solitary dolphin in the vicinity of the southerly cardinal buoy half a mile south of Lyme Regis seafront. The dolphin seemed very happy to stay close to the lifeboat and pose for photographs.
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Notes to editors
Photo Caption: A solitary dolphin joins Lyme Regis RNLI volunteers on a routine training exercise. Photo credit: RNLI/Cris Cadby
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