Lyme Regis RNLI in nighttime search for persons in the water
Last evening (25 February) RNLI volunteers at Lyme Regis launched to assist HM Coastguard colleagues in the search for two body boarders reported missing in the vicinity of the Cobb.
The crew launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne at 7:49pm in response to a pager request from HM Coastguard. Their task was to conduct a shoreline search east and west of Lyme Regis Cobb in conjunction with Coastguard Rescue Teams searching ashore. Members of the public had reported seeing two people on boards enter the water at around 6:50pm and who were not seen to return. A separate 999 call from a member of the public described whistling noises from the sea, possibly a distress call. It was dark at the time with 11-15 knot north-westerly wind a 0.5 -1.0 metre swell.
RNLI volunteers and Coastguard teams searched the area for over an hour before being stood down with nothing found. The lifeboat crew did, however, report a large flock of noisy sea birds whose cries could be mistaken as whistling.
RNLI volunteer Launch Authority Tony Thompkins said: ‘The decision to launch was made following two separate reports from members of the public, one reporting persons entering the water, and another reporting a whistling noise out at sea. We were concerned there may be someone in difficulty in the water using a whistle to call for help, a recognised distress call.’
This service has been classified as a false alarm with good intent. Members of the public who had concerns about the safety of someone in the water did exactly the right thing by calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard.
This was the fifth service call for the volunteers of RNLI Lyme Regis in 2026, the year in which they celebrate 200 years association with the town.
Ends
Notes to editors
Photo1 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.