RNLI Queensferry and Kinghorn Stations to feature in popular documentary series
As the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) marks 200 years of lifesaving, two of the Forth’s volunteer lifeboat crews from Queensferry and Kinghorn are set to take to the nation’s television screens on Tuesday 9th April as they feature in the ninth series of popular TV show Saving Lives at S
The new series comes in the wake of an incredible milestone for the RNLI, as the charity marked two centuries of lifesaving on 4 March 2024. It began with a special first episode, guest presented by long-time RNLI supporter Dermot O’Leary, taking a closer look at RNLI crews’ involvement in the Second World War.
Nine further episodes in the series return the focus to the lifesaving work of today’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards, featuring footage captured on helmet and boat cameras including Queensferry and Kinghorn RNLI. Viewers will be able to watch dramatic rescues as they unfold through the eyes of RNLI lifesavers, as well as meeting the people behind the pagers and hearing from the rescuees and their families who, thanks to the RNLI, are here to tell the tale.
This forthcoming episode, on Tuesday 9th April, features a joint rescue between Queensferry and Kinghorn RNLI lifeboats at Cramond Island when a man was rescued from the water, alongside rescue stories from their colleagues at other stations and beaches around our coasts.
Kinghorn helm, Neil Chalmers said, ‘Both Queensferry and Kinghorn lifeboats were tasked following a report of a person in the water at Cramond Causeway. This shout was unusual since it was nearing high tide and typically calls like this occur soon after the tide begins flooding.
‘Both lifeboats arrived around the same time and the crews worked together to locate and recover the man who was clinging to a concrete pillar.’
Queensferry helm, Stuart Ebdy, said, ‘The volunteer crews from each station regularly work and train together and this callout was a great example of teamwork between the stations.
‘It’s great to be able to showcase the work we do on TV like this, and allow the public to see how their generous donations help us to save lives. We’re all looking forward to watching along.’
Filming took place over the past year, with lifeboat crews and lifeguards carrying special cameras and welcoming film-makers into their day-to-day life. Rescues from the RNLI’s archives are also revisited, and we get a glimpse into the everyday lives of the thousands of men and women who give up their time to save lives.
Saving Lives at Sea is broadcast at 8pm on Tuesdays on BBC Two and iPlayer.
Notes to Editors
The series is made for the BBC by Blast! Films.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Neil Chalmers [email protected], 07767 380274, or Adele Allan, [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or at [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.