Little and Broad Haven RNLI to feature in latest series of Saving Lives at Sea

The series showcases the courage of RNLI lifesavers throughout the UK and Ireland as they respond to emergencies around the coast.

This week’s episode sees the crew being launched to come to the aid of two people in difficulty on a paddleboard near Nolton Haven beach, alongside other rescue stories from around the UK and Ireland.

Lifeboat Operations Manager, Ian Thomas, said ‘The swift response of our crew was a pivotal part of the successful rescue of the two casualties, in what could have so easily become a tragic end to their day at the beach. Despite conflicting information regarding the position of the paddleboard, the crew’s calm and considered actions, in testing sea conditions and difficult low level sunlight, ensured that the couple were located in a timely manner. The successful outcome is testament and credit to the commitment of all of the crew at the station and to the ethos of the RNLI - to ‘Save lives at sea’’

Ben Rudder, who helmed the boat during that rescue, said ‘It was quite a surprise knowing that a TV crew were interested in this shout and it was interesting being interviewed for the show as it was a new experience for me. We always have a strong sense of pride in what we do, and appearing on Saving Lives at Sea can only add to this’.

Gethin Love, who was part of the crew that day, gave this advice to those that are thinking of taking a paddleboard into the sea ‘always wear a lifejacket, don’t go further out than you are comfortable with, wear sensible clothing (wetsuit or water gear), have a mobile phone in a waterproof case, check the wind strength and direction before you head to the beach and don’t go out in an off-shore breeze’.

Crew member Byron Grey commented ‘we are delighted to feature on Saving Lives at Sea, it is great that this story can hopefully prevent others getting into difficulty around our coastline’.

Denys Bassett-Jones, Press Officer for Little and Broad Haven Lifeboat said ‘Saving Lives at Sea shows viewers how lifeboat crew and lifeguards rescue those in distress at sea, and the lifesaving nature of our work. We are delighted to feature in such a long-running and popular series alongside our fellow lifesavers from across the RNLI’.

More than 30 different RNLI lifeboat stations feature in the series, as well as some of the charity’s beach lifeguards. The programme features real life rescue footage, interviews with the RNLI crews, lifeguards and the people they have rescued, and an insight into the lives of the charity’s lifesavers.

In 2025, RNLI lifeboat crews around the UK and Ireland aided 8,290 people, saving 272 lives, while the charity’s lifeguards helped 36,213 people and saved 117 lives on some of the UK’s busiest beaches.

Notes to Editors

• Saving Lives at Sea series 11 started on Tuesday 18 August at 8pm on BBC Two and iPlayer
• The series is made for the BBC by Blast! Films.
• Click this link for more information about Saving Lives at Sea

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Denys Bassett-Jones, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Wales & West, [email protected]

Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Wales, West of England and Isle of Man, 07977 728 315, [email protected]

Danielle Rush, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Wales, West of England and Isle of Man, 07786 668829, [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.