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RNLI Eyemouth to feature in popular BBC documentary series Saving Lives at Sea

Lifeboats News Release

As the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) marks 200 years of lifesaving, the volunteer lifeboat crew of Eyemouth are set to take to the nation’s television screens on 30 April 2024, as they feature in the ninth series of popular TV show Saving Lives at Sea on BBC Two and iPlayer.

Eyemouth RNLI crew assist with local swan in danger. The swan was tangled in fishing line and had the hook stuck in the beak.

RNLI/Eyemouth

Eyemouth RNLI crew assist with local swan entangled in fishing line.

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.

After a special first episode which took a closer look at RNLI crews’ involvement in the Second World War, nine further episodes in the series focus on the lifesaving work of today’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards, featuring footage captured on helmet and boat cameras including Eyemouth 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 30 April 2024, sees Eyemouth crew in an unusual rescue, assisting one of Eyemouth’s famous swans, alongside rescue stories from their colleagues at other stations and beaches around our coasts.

Andrew Jamieson, Eyemouth Coxswain/Mechanic featured in the forthcoming episode, says: ‘Although this wasn’t the sort of callout we are used to, the RNLI volunteers do sometimes rescue animals, as this prevents people from getting into danger while attempting a rescue. We would rather have people call 999 and ask for the coastguard, than risk themselves in or near the water.’

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


Eyemouth lifeboat station has been operating since 1876. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/eyemouth-lifeboat-station

Eyemouth RNLI currently operates a Shannon class all-weather lifeboat, Helen Hastings, and a D class inshore lifeboat, Sheila.


For more information, RNLI media contacts

Wendy Lorimer, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07946650114, [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]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789



Eyemouth RNLI crew assist with local swan in danger. The swan was tangled in fishing line and had the hook stuck in the beak.

RNLI/Eyemouth

Eyemouth RNLI crew assist with local swan entangled in fishing line

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.

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