RNLI Lyme Regis Water Safety

06/04/2026

The main page for Lyme Regis Lifeboat is RNLI Lyme Regis where we make regular posts about our lifeboat shouts, events and fundraising. We also include Water Safety messages.

To avoid duplication we have decided to focus on just the one page and will closing the RNLI Lyme Regis Water Safety page on 1 May 2026.

We hope that you will continue to follow our activities, and receive water safety info, from our main page RNLI Lyme Regis.

Thank you for following us over the last three years.

03/02/2026

Lyme Regis lifeboat history book marks 200th anniversary.

The fascinating history of the people in Lyme Regis who dedicate their spare time volunteering to save lives at sea, and the boats in which they risk their own lives, is brought to life in a new edition of a fully illustrated RNLI book marking the 200th anniversary of a lifeboat service in the town.

The book is available now at £8.95 at the RNLI gift shop next to the lifeboat station on the Cobb and all proceeds go to the lifesaving charity.

Read the full press release here:
https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2026/february/03/lyme-regis-lifeboat-history-book-marks-200th-anniversary

Photo 1 Caption: Lyme Regis lifeboat from 1915, the Thomas Masterman Hardy. Credit: David Manners
Photo 2 Caption: Cover of the new edition of the Lyme Regis Lifeboat Station History book. Credit: Richard Horobin

The fascinating history of the people in Lyme Regis who dedicate their spare time volunteering to save lives at sea, and the boats in which they risk their own lives, is brought to life in a new edition of a fully illustrated RNLI book marking the 200th anniversary of a lifeboat service in the town.

29/01/2026

⚠️ WEATHER WARNING ⚠️

The RNLI are issuing fresh warnings for coastal locations across the south west. A large swell is currently forecast to hit the region on Friday (30 January) bringing the potential for waves up to 15 foot to cause sudden surges on exposed beaches and top over sea fronts and harbour walls, catching people unaware.

While a winter swell is not unusual, surf forecasts are predicting a 17 second swell period. This means a lull between sets of very large, very powerful waves of up to 15 minutes. There is a risk particularly close to high tide in the middle of the day, people walking on beaches or along sea fronts will be faced will a sudden set of surging waves racing 2-300 metres up the beach or topping over sea or harbour walls.

The advice is to keep well away from what will be wet and slippery cliff edges, sea fronts, harbour walls and beaches on Friday.

If you do plan to visit the coast or a waterside location, stay a safe distance from the water, let someone know where you are going and carry a means of calling for help.

If you find yourself in trouble in the water, remember to Float to Live: lie back in the water with your head so far back that your ears are submerged, extend your arms and legs and try to relax as best as you can until you get control of your breathing.

If you see someone else in danger in the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. If you have something that floats that they can hold on to, throw it to them.

Don’t go in the water yourself – you could end up in difficulty too.

To all our supporters, please stay safe. 🙏

Photo credit : RNLI

24/01/2026

LARGE SURF & WEATHER WARNINGS ⚠️

From Friday 23rd January until Saturday 24th January there are two Met Office yellow weather warning for wind and rain. With this it will bring strong winds, large waves, and a risk of storm surges. Please follow safety advice and take extra care if you are heading to the coast.

⚠️ Storm Surge & Coastal Risk
• Storm surges may raise sea levels above those predicted, especially at high tides.
• Strong winds + swell mean large breaking waves with possible overtopping of coast paths and cliffs.
• Coast paths and exposed areas could be cut off or dangerous.

✅ What You Can Do
• Stay away from beaches and cliffs during high tide and while the storm is at its worst.
• Do not climb on rocks or stand too close to the water’s edge.
• Keep an eye on local weather & sea-forecasts.
• If you do venture out, visit a lifeguarded beach and listen to their advice.
• Keep pets & children away from exposed coastal areas.

☎️ Remember in a coastal emergency, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

18/11/2025

Volunteers at Lyme Regis RNLI launched on Monday 17 November in response to a request from HM Coastguard to assist a lone yachtsman who had suffered engine failure 11 miles southeast of Lyme Regis harbour.

To find out more, click below.

Volunteers at Lyme Regis RNLI launched on Monday (17 November) in response to a request from HM Coastguard to assist a lone yachtsman who had suffered engine failure 11 miles southeast of Lyme Regis harbour.

03/11/2025

Shortly after they had rehoused their lifeboat after a routine Sunday morning training session, the volunteers at Lyme Regis RNLI were summoned back to the boathouse to go to the assistance of a sailing vessel in difficulty ten miles south of West Bay.

Click below to read more...

Shortly after they had rehoused their lifeboat after a routine Sunday morning training session, the volunteers at Lyme Regis RNLI were summoned back to the boathouse to go to the assistance of a sailing vessel in difficulty ten miles south of West Bay.

25/10/2025

Dog walking

Don’t get yourself into danger while trying to rescue a family pet from the water.

It's important to keep yourself safe when you walk your pets. Please remember:

Keep them on a lead if they're close to cliff edges or fast flowing rivers.
If they go into the water or get stuck in mud, don't go after them.
Move to a place they can get to safely and call them - they'll probably get out by themselves.

If you're worried about them, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

For more safety information from the RNLI on how to keep you and your family pets safe, click on the link below:

Don’t get yourself into danger while trying to rescue a family pet from the water. Get the RNLI’s advice and tips on safe dog walking by the coast.

28/09/2025

RNLI lifeboat volunteers from Lyme Regis launched on Saturday afternoon to assist HM Coastguard colleagues in rescuing a dog which had fallen over the cliff edge in Pinhay Bay, two miles west of Lyme Regis Harbour.

The lifeboat launched at 12:14pm and was quickly on scene despite a choppy sea and strong southerly breeze. Its crew soon spotted the dog, a Cockerpoo named Maisie, trapped on a ledge approximately 6 metres below the clifftop. From their position a hundred metres offshore, the crew were the able to guide members of Lyme Regis and Beer Coastguard Rescue Teams to the animal’s exact location.

It was not possible for the dog to be rescued by lifeboat, so the Coastguard used specialist cliff rescue techniques to recover Maisie to the clifftop where she was reunited with her grateful owner.

Volunteer lifeboat Helm Seb Cope said: ‘This was another example of how we work closely with our friends in HM Coastguard. We located the dog on the cliff face in a position not fully visible to the Coastguards on the cliff top. We then stood by, acting as a communications relay, while Coastguard specialists made a successful rope recovery.’

Once Maisie and her rescuer had reached the safety of the clifftop the lifeboat crew was stood down. They returned to Lyme Regis at 1:21pm where their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne was refuelled and washed down by volunteer shore crew in preparation for its next service call. This was the 29th shout for the Lyme Regis RNLI crew this year.

Lyme Regis RNLI volunteers locate the dog on the cliff face.

Credit:
RNLI/Nick Marks

15/09/2025

Sunday 14th September, RNLI lifeboat volunteers from Lyme Regis launched yesterday morning to assist HM Coastguard colleagues locate and recover four walkers cut off by the high tide on the beach to the east of Lyme Regis.

The crew launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne at 11:45am and arrived on scene five minutes later. They quickly located the four adult casualties on the beach and consulted with members of the Lyme Regis Coastguard Rescue Team on the best means of helping them to safety.

In view of the strong wind and rough sea conditions an extraction by lifeboat was not possible so the decision was made to walk the casualties out along the beach escorted by Coastguards and RNLI crew. One RNLI volunteer made his way ashore to assist in this operation. Three Coastguard Rescue Officers and the RNLI crewmember escorted the casualties one at a time through the waves to the safety of the Lyme Regis eastern sea wall.

Lifeboat volunteer Tom Crabbe who went ashore to assist the casualties said: ‘This was another great example of how we work closely with our local Coastguard team. From the lifeboat we were able to spot the casualties in a location which may not have been visible from sea wall. We needed to get them off the beach quickly as the tide was still rising. As it was, they needed to wade through over a metre of water.’

Once all casualties were safely ashore the RNLI crew returned to Lyme Regis harbour at 12:46pm where the lifeboat was washed down and refuelled by volunteer shore crew in preparation for its next service call. This was the 28th shout for the Lyme Regis volunteers this year.

A spokesman for the Lyme Regis RNLI water safety team said: ‘There are numerous places, both to the east and west of Lyme Regis, where it possible to become cut off by the tide. Rough weather increases the risk. If you are considering a walk, please plan your route carefully and make sure you understand the tide times and the weather forecast. Never be tempted to climb any rockfalls or mud slips as these are unstable and very dangerous.

Photo Credits:
1. Lyme Regis RNLI Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne at sea. Credit RNLI/Nick Marks
2., 3., 4. Casualties being walked to safety along the beach. Photo credit: Lyme Regis Coastguard Rescue Team.

RNLI lifeboat volunteers from Lyme Regis launched this morning to assist HM Coastguard colleagues locate and recover four walkers cut off by the high tide on the beach to the east of Lyme Regis.

24/07/2025

To mark 2025 World Drowning Prevention Day, Seaton Town Council’s Tourist Information Centre has been lit up blue this evening in readiness for the RNLI Lyme Regis Water Safety Team’s arrival at Fisherman’s Gap tomorrow – Friday 25th July - from 11:00 to 15:00.

This year’s WDPD theme is ‘Find Your Float’ which focuses on encouraging people to learn how to float, recognising that we all float differently, and giving people the confidence to deal with difficult situations in the water.

Float to Live Message:

- Tilt your head back, submerging your ears
- Relax, and control your breathing
- Move your hands and legs, to help you afloat
- Your legs may sink – that’s OK, everyone floats differently
- Practise floating – at a supervised location like a swimming pool

To find out more, come and meet the team tomorrow, 25th July at Fisherman’s Gap in Seaton.

14/04/2025

Excellent concert for Bridport Rotary Club on Saturday evening. We were partnering with the very good Dorset Police Male Voice Choir. The event raised £1250 much of which went to the RNLI. Our next concert will also be in aid of the RNLI which is at Lyme Regis on Sunday 1st June in the Marine Theatre at 7.00pm.

11/03/2025

All welcome at the Lifeboat Supporters AGM.

Supporters of the RNLI lifeboat in Lyme Regis are holding their annual general meeting on Wednesday 2 April ........ and everyone is invited.

The meeting starts at 6:30pm at Lyme Regis Powerboat Club on Monmouth Beach. Bar refreshments will be available.

The supporters are a group of volunteer fund-raisers, and their many roles include running the award-winning RNLI gift shop on the Cobb, and playing a major role organising the annual Lifeboat Week which regularly achieves donations for the life-saving charity totalling some £35,000.

Chairman of the supporters group Ken Lavery said: 'Anyone interested in our voluntary efforts for the RNLI is invited to the meeting, and we will be delighted to answer questions about the importance of raising funds and awareness of the charity.'

Guest speaker at the meeting will be Will Reed, director and co-chair of the trustees of the renowned Lyme Regis Boat Building Academy and Furniture School.



Photo: Lyme Regis RNLI Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne at sea. Photo Credit: Max Redwood