North Berwick RNLI to feature on new series of BBC Two’s Saving Lives at Sea

Saving Lives at Sea has been the RNLI's flagship documentary series since 2016. Now in its 11th series, the BBC show follows our lifesaving volunteer crews as they tackle challenging rescue missions around the UK and Ireland.

Through onboard footage, interviews with crew members and those they’ve rescued, and narration from Steven Mackintosh, the show highlights the dangers posed by the sea and the incredible bravery of RNLI volunteers.

Crew members Tom Kerley and Matt Gibbons feature in the first episode for their part in the rescue of a capsized kayaker last July. Crews from Porthcawl, Dungeness and Scarborough also feature in the first episode rescuing a man over board, a broken down yacht and a breaking up small boat in the English Channel.

Matt Gibbons, who was in command of the lifeboat during the rescue of the kayaker said ‘We hear how many people enjoy watching Saving Lives at Sea when they visit the station so it’s a great opportunity to showcase what our volunteers here in North Berwick do and for our supporters to see the rescues that their donations enable.’

‘Being interviewed isn’t the most natural experience for some of us and seeing yourself on TV is definitely uncomfortable! But it does show our families what goes on after we disappear when the pager sounds.’

‘There’s a quirk of BBC Two in Scotland which means the programme might not be in the schedule through normal television, but it can be viewed via BBC iPlayer, either watching live or on demand.’

Notes to Editors

• Episode one of Saving Lives at Sea, series 11 is broadcast on Tuesday, 18 August at 8pm on BBC Two and iPlayer. I will run for 10 episodes.
• The series is made for the BBC by Blast! Films.
• Click this link for more information about Saving Lives at SeaAcross the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands, RNLI lifeboat crews based out of 238 lifeboat stations helped 8,290 people and saved 272 lives as the charity’s lifeboats launched more than 9,000 times in 2025, making it the sixth-busiest year in the charity’s history. More here

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Matthew Gibbons, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Scotland, [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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.