Lyme Regis RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew launch to locate walkers
Volunteers from Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat station launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat ‘Spirit of Loch Fyne’ this afternoon (10th February) to search for two walkers reported to be cut off by the tide east of Charmouth.
The two walkers, one male and one female, had alerted the emergency services to report that they were unable to find a safe route from the beach in the vicinity of St Gabriel’s steps east of Charmouth. In response, Dorset Fire and Rescue were tasked to the scene along with Lyme Regis RNLI, HM Coastguard Rescue Teams from Lyme Regis and Charmouth, and the Coastguard helicopter from Lee-on-Solent.
The lifeboat crew launched at 3:26pm and arrived on scene 10 minutes later when they commenced a shoreline search. They located the couple at 3:40pm but, because of strong southerly winds and heavy waves, it was not possible to rescue them by sea. The lifeboat crew stood by until Fire and Rescue personnel reached the couple by walking along the water’s edge. The couple were eventually recovered to the cliff top by Coastguard helicopter. Lyme Regis lifeboat returned to harbour at 4:50pm.
Lyme Regis volunteer helm Tim Edwards said, ‘The stretch beach where the couple were walking can be quite treacherous with frequent rock falls and mud slides which restrict the width of beach that can be safely accessed. There are also very few safe paths up to the top of the cliff. Because of heavy surf we were unable to get to the walkers from the sea so they had to be lifted out by helicopter.’
RNLI advice for coastal walkers is that they should plan their route carefully and make full allowance for weather and tide conditions, and the fact that the beach can narrow where there have been recent rockfalls or mud slides. Never attempt to climb rockfalls or mud slides as these are generally unstable and very dangerous.
This was the second service call for Lyme Regis RNLI volunteers in 2024, the year in which the lifesaving charity commemorates its 200th anniversary.
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Attached is a photograph of Lyme Regis RNLI Atlantic 85 ‘Spirit of Loch Fyne’ at sea. Credit - RNLI/Max Redwood
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RNLI at 200
On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.
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.
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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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