Thurso RNLI lifesavers feature in new series of Saving Lives at Sea documentary

Featuring footage captured on helmet cameras, the primetime documentary series lets viewers witness rescues through the eyes of the RNLI lifesavers, while meeting the people behind the pagers.

The popular 10-part documentary is now in its seventh series and includes the lifesaving work of RNLI lifeguards and volunteer lifeboat crews from around the UK and Ireland.

Including interviews with lifeboat crews and lifeguards, the series will also hear from the people, who were rescued by the charity’s volunteers, and their families.

The series is broadcast at 8pm on BBC Two and will also be available on BBC iPlayer afterwards.

The forthcoming episode on Thursday 20 October includes Thurso RNLI responding to a lone rower that had drifted off course and was lost 40 miles out at sea, alongside rescue stories from other RNLI stations and beaches around our coasts.

Dougie Munro, Volunteer Coxswain at Thurso RNLI, who will feature in the upcoming episode, said: ‘This was a particularly challenging rescue as the home-made boat was 40-miles out in the Atlantic with very poor communications and in rough sea conditions.

‘Our lifesaving work wouldn’t be possible without donations from the public and we’re delighted to be able to share a frontline view of the rescues they support with their kind generosity.’

In 2021, RNLI lifeboat crews around the UK and Ireland aided 12,903 people, saving 296 lives, while the charity’s lifeguards aided 18,180 people and saved 112 lives on some of the UK’s busiest beaches.

Notes to editors

· Thurso RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 1860. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to:

· Saving Lives at Sea is made for the BBC by Blast! Films

RNLI media contacts

Ron Gunn, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07736119004, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.