Two shouts in 11 hours for Lyme Regis RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew

Their first call came at 10:36am when HM Coastguard alerted them to reports of two paddleboarders cut off by the tide at Pounds Pool, just south of Beer.

The crew launched at 10:52am and arrived on scene at 11:07am when they found a father and his daughter trapped within the bay and unable to paddle back to their start point in Beer. One volunteer swam ashore to assist the casualties prepare for transfer onto the lifeboat and back to safety on Beer Beach.

Volunteer Helm Tom Crabbe said: ‘The wind had increased significantly since the casualties had arrived on the beach, and the sea was quite choppy making it unsafe for them to attempt to paddle around the headland back to Beer. Due to the tide, there was also no way they could walk back. They did the right thing calling for help.’

Later in the day the crew were paged again at 9:03pm to assist Beer and Lyme Coastguard Rescue Teams locate a person thought to be in the sea at Seaton after an unattended bag containing personal belongings was found on the otherwise empty beach. Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat was also tasked to the incident. Lyme Regis lifeboat arrived on scene at 9:20pm. Shortly afterwards all crews were stood down when it was confirmed that the unattended bag was not associated with a swimmer.

The Lyme Regis crew returned to harbour at 10:05pm when the lifeboat was washed down and refuelled by volunteer shore crew in preparation for its next service.

The RNLI advises anyone using a paddleboard to make themselves aware of tide times and the forecast weather conditions. Wear a lifejacket and always carry a means of calling for help such as mobile phone in a waterproof case. And, if you notice an unattended bag or holdall on the beach, please report it to the Coastguard by calling 999.

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Notes to editors

Photo 1 Caption: RNLI Lyme Regis Atlantic 85 inshore Lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne at sea. Credit: RNLI/Nick Marks