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Landlord Tom, leading convoys to Ukraine,
to open Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week
Pub
landlord Tom Littledyke is taking time off from leading convoys of aid to
Ukraine to support another charity saving lives as he opens this year’s
Lifeboat Week in Lyme Regis. Tom will be interviewed by former BBC TV
reporter Chris Coneybeer as part of the opening ceremony at 1.30pm on
July 23rd outside the lifeboat station.
Tom,
31, runs the Shave Cross Cellar bar and Antonio’s Italian taverna in Lyme
Regis and is also landlord of the Shave Cross Inn, a country pub near
Bridport.
Since
the war began, he has twice driven the 1,300 miles to Ukraine in an old
mini bus loaded with humanitarian aid at the head of a convoy of
volunteers. His partner, Georgia Wellman, 21, plays a vital administrative
role overseeing donations and organising the convoys. He and Georgia have
now helped to organise at least seven convoys, and there are plans to buy
a ‘safe house’ on the borders of Poland and Ukraine for refugees using
some of the generous donations to Tom’s just-giving site.
Tom, a
former Royal Marine Reservist, who went to the Woodroffe School in Lyme
Regis, speaks of his terrifying and heartbreaking experiences and says he
is proud of the response of people in his home town to his appeals for
aid. “The town really came together, and the generosity of the people of
Lyme and district has been fantastic,” said Tom.
Donations to the convoys included huge supplies of non-lethal military
equipment, radios, armour, warm clothing, blankets and medical items.
Apart
from the donations of materials, a highly successful online appeal led by
Tom and Georgia raised well over £25,000 to provide further supplies and
aid. Donations can still be made at https://www.just-giving.com/crowdfunding/thomas-littledyke.
In recent months Tom and his team have also received donations of
vehicles including an ambulance a 7.5 ton lorry and another mini bus.
Tom’s
mini bus broke down several times during the journeys, and their lucky
mascot teddy bear strapped to the front bumper also had a difficult trip.
“He got a very angry reception from some of the Ukrainians,”said Tom, “but
that may have been because we told people his name was Putin.”
22nd June
2022
Theatre collections
raise funds for RNLI
Collections during
performances of a community play at the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis
raised £250 for the RNLI in the town.
David Ruffle, who
helped to put on the production, Lyme and the Sea, presented the donation
to lifeboat crew member Maria Barbashina during last evening’s (Tues)
training session at the lifeboat station.
19th
June 2022
Lifeboat launched to ‘upturned boat’
The volunteer crew of
the RNLI lifeboat based in Lyme Regis launched yesterday (Sat) evening
following a report of an ‘upturned small boat’ in the Golden Cap area.
The lifeboat crew and
a coastguard helicopter searched the area but nothing was found and both
were stood down as dusk approached.
Solent coastguards
requested the lifeboat to launch at 5.10pm
and the crew were at sea for two and
a half hours carrying out an extensive search.
18th
June 2022
Two exhausted
paddlers rescued by Lyme Regis RNLI crew
Two men who were
exhausted trying to paddle their broken down 3metre inflatable boat were
rescued by the volunteer crew of Lyme Regis lifeboat yesterday evening
(June 17th).
The men, whose
outboard motor had failed, were attempting to paddle from Seaton to
Sidmouth from where they had set off earlier.
They were said to be
exhausted and soaking wet when the Lyme Regis RNLI crew arrived on scene.
The two men were taken
aboard the Lyme Regis lifeboat which then towed the inflatable boat back
to Sidmouth.
The men were handed
over to the crew of the smaller independent Sidmouth lifeboat and taken to
safety ashore.
The Lyme Regis
lifeboat launched at 6.25pm and returned at 8.30pm.
23rd
May 2022
Lyme Regis
welcomes the return of its RNLI lifeboat
The volunteer crew of
the RNLI lifeboat in Lyme Regis welcomed the return to the town of their
lifeboat today (Mon) after a four month major refit.
The Spirit of Loch
Fyne arrived by road on a trailer after the RNLI carried out the refit at
its workshops in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
Since January the crew
have operated a similar vessel named Dylan Rotchell,
Spirit of Loch Fyne
has been on round the clock duty in Lyme Regis since 2012.
Nick Marks, volunteer
lifeboat operations manager said:”We are delighted to see our boat back in
Lyme Regis but the relief vessel served us well for four months.”
19th
May 2022
Lifeboat launched
to ‘objects’ in the sea
The volunteers of the
RNLI lifeboat in Lyme Regis launched at 10.19a.m. today (Thurs) following
reports of ‘objects’ in the sea a quarter of a mile offshore near Golden
Cap.
After a search, with
the help of coastguards ashore, the lifeboat crew found what appeared to
be a floating sleeper and tree debris. Solent coastguards stood the
lifeboat crew down at 11.05 and they returned to Lyme Regis harbour at
11.20.
May 9th
2022
All welcome at
Blessing of the Boats
The traditional
Blessing of the Boats service in Lyme Regis is being held at 3pm on Sunday
May 22nd.
The service is hosted
by the RNLI and as usual will be held at the lifeboat station on the Cobb.
The service welcomes
everyone and will be conducted by the Rev Chris Martin assisted by Alan
Vian, from Lyme Regis Baptist Church. The local gig club will provide an
escort, leading the lifeboat crew out of the harbour to lay wreaths at
sea.
Coastguards, Lyme
Regis Sailing Club,, the Sea School, the Boat Building Academy, the
Powerboat Club and the Royal British Legion will all be represented.
8th May
2022
How the Lyme Regis
RNLI lifeboat crew rescued a ‘silent’ sailor
The rescue by the crew
of the Lyme Regis lifeboat of a sailor who is deaf and unable to use his
boat radio because he has no voice has been praised by the man’s family.
Justin Paull, 52, from
Bridport, was eight miles west of Wyke Regis on Thursday (May 5th)
when his 5m fishing boat, Sally Ann, suffered engine failure.
He was able to text
the word ‘emergency’ to his sister, Janine Paull-Sellick who made a video
call in BSL (British Sign Language) so that Justin could explain that both
his main engine and his spare had failed.
Janine called the
coastguard, explained Justin’s problems, and they alerted the RNLI
volunteers in Lyme Regis.
Lifeboat crew member
Rich Tilley boarded Justin’s boat and using white marker boards and a pen
wrote questions and drew diagrams telling Justin what was happening.
“We had been briefed
about Justin before launching,” said Rich “so I thought we should take
the boards to write messages for him. I wrote questions such are you fit
and well and explained how we were going to tow his boat for about an hour
to the safety of West Bay harbour. He was pleased to see us and even took
a selfie with me.”
Justin’s sister,
Janine said: “I can’t find words enough to thank the lifeboat crew. They
were just brilliant.
“From a young age
Justin found a love for the sea. It has always been his meditation, his
place to go to switch off from the world and his daily challenges. He has
never feared the ocean, just loved it. However, as his loved ones. we have
always worried about it. But nevertheless we support his passion for the
sea.
“He has all the up to
date technology and takes every safety measure. He always lets the family
know when he is going out on his boat and when he will arrive back. And
the harbourmaster and his team always keep an eye out for him. He has
amazing support from the community.”
Justin, who is
chairman of Bridport Deaf Club, made a video in sign language explaining
his problems. He signed: “I went to use my second engine but the bracket
failed and snapped and the engine fell into the sea. I had a huge struggle
to get it back. I cannot believe it. It is the first time in my life that
this has happened. I am in shock, it’s terrible my boat is well prepared
for emergencies, but the emergency back-up has failed.”
The rescue operation
began at 12.40pm when the lifeboat was launched. After towing Justin’s
boat into West Bay harbour the lifeboat crew returned to Lyme Regis at
3.15pm
The rescue of Justin,
which happened in the middle of Deaf Awareness Week, was the 9th emergency
call answered by the Lyme Regis lifeboat volunteers so far this year.
RNLI appeal for
face-to-face fundraisers
An appeal for
face-to-face fundraisers for the RNLI has been launched in the Lyme Regis
area.
The role involves
talking to the public, inspiring them to become financial supporters and
educating them about water safety.
The appeal has been
launched by Petrina Muscroft, senior face-to-face fundraiser for the RNLI
who is based in Lyme Regis but who is responsible for fundraising in South
Devon, West Dorset and Somerset.
Petrina, who is also
the volunteer visits officer at Lyme Regis lifeboat station and a member
of the shore crew, said:” Members of the face-to-face teams receive a
salary and can be full time or part time with flexible hours available all
year round.
“The RNLI has a paid
workforce of only 5% with 95% volunteers so the face- to- face role is
vital in raising funds for the charity whose aim is to save lives at sea.”
Anyone interested can
contact Petrina on 07812 469423 or
petrina_muscroft@rnli.org.uk
or go to
www.rnli.org.uk/f2f.
5th
May 2022
Lone fisherman
rescued by Lyme Regis lifeboat crew after engine failure
A lone fisherman was
rescued by the volunteer crew of the Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat today when
his 5m vessel suffered engine failure.
The man was fishing
six miles west of Wyke Regis when he raised the alarm.
The lifeboat crew
launched at 12.40pm and towed the broken down fishing boat into West Bay
harbour returning to Lyme Regis at 3. 15pm.
28th
April 2022
Kyle
is now all at sea with the Lyme Regis lifeboat
One of the youngest
volunteers at the RNLI lifeboat station in Lyme Regis has just completed
three years of training to become a fully qualified sea-going crew member.
Kyle Knight, 27, was a
‘guinea pig’ when the Lyme Regis station was chosen to trial a new
competency scheme for lifeboat crew. He joined the crew in 2019 but his
training was interrupted by lockdown.
The station’s
volunteer training co-ordinator Jon Broome said: “Kyle was a model
student, and as a guinea pig in the new training system he passed every
assessment of his skills first time.”
Lyme-born Kyle
recently left the town council, where he had been a maintenance operative
for nine years. and is now a trainee plumber.
He said: ”I have
always enjoyed fishing, I love the sea and I feel it is so rewarding to be
helping people in all sorts of trouble around the coast.”
Kyle’s training
involved achieving many skills including towing, anchoring, chart
plotting, use of radar and navigating.
19th
April 2022
Busy Easter weekend for Lyme Regis Lifeboat
crew
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat was launched on Saturday April 16th
and twice yesterday (Monday 18th April) to assist coastguards
ashore following reports of people cut off by the tide near Charmouth and
a person in the water near West Bexington. In addition, volunteers
assisted with the bank holiday duck race!
On Saturday, the lifeboat crew launched at 1.30pm and were quickly on
scene. The casualties were attempting to walk between Charmouth and Lyme
Regis. One lifeboat crew member swam ashore and they were able to walk
safely back to Charmouth. In addition, there were two people stuck in the
shale mud landslides below the cliffs between Charmouth and Golden Cap.
Another of the volunteer crew swam ashore to help. They waited for the
lifeboat to return with additional crew and using the inflatable x-boat
were able to ferry the casualties to the main lifeboat. They were then
returned to Charmouth where they were greeted by the local coastguard
team.
The two people rescued were from Birmingham visiting the area for the day.
One said: “We are so thankful to everyone involved with rescuing us today
and we’re ever so sorry for the inconvenience”
Yesterday, the lifeboat launched to a person in the water near West
Bexington but the coastguard helicopter arrived just before the lifeboat
and they winched the man to the helicopter took him to Dorchester
Hospital. Other members of the volunteer crew assisted the Easter duck
race along the river Lym where about 1100 ducks were floated This was to
raise money for the town’s Christmas Lights.
Nick Marks, Lifeboat Operations Manager said “We would encourage any
visitor to the area to check tide times before walking along the beach,
either at Lyme Regis Tourist Information Centre or Charmouth Heritage
Coast Centre. This half term week the local area is experiencing very high
tides, so it is very important to check.”
If you see anyone in trouble in the sea, call 999 and ask for the
coastguard.
7th April
2022
`Lifeboat Week
volunteers promise new events after record breaking year'
More events – old
favourites and new highlights – were promised for this year’s Lifeboat
Week when the Lyme Regis and Charmouth Lifeboat Supporters held their
annual meeting last night (Weds).
Chairman of the
supporters Ken Lavery praised the work of all volunteers and said more
would be welcome to help during the week which begins on July 23rd.
And treasurer Brian
Cursley reported that the past year had been a record breaker with gross
profits from the RNLI shop next to the lifeboat station and funds raised
through all forms of donations, including Lifeboat Week, totalling
£199,000 for the life-saving charity.
The shop’s volunteer
manager Krys Lavery said that at the end of November the outlet was the
top performing shop throughout the RNLI.
Lifeboat Operations
Manager Nick Marks told the meeting that since the last AGM the lifeboat
had launched 104 times on service, assisted 58 people and had been
credited with saving five lives. The crew had also launched 102 times on
exercise, and volunteers had spent more than 1600 crew hours at sea.
Mr Marks said the
pandemic had a major impact on all activities at the lifeboat station.
There had been a few number of COVID cases among the crew but they did not
impact on the ability to launch. He said this was a major achievement of
which the crew could be proud.
A special long-service
award was made to husband and wife team Denis and Gwyneth Barker who
volunteered in the RNLI shop from 2005 and on the supporters committee
from 2006. Their roles included regularly retrieving 70 collection boxes
around the town. Denis, aged 90, and Gwyneth, 82, were also responsible
for counting all donations during Lifeboat Week.
23rd
February 2022
Lyme Regis lifeboat station re-opens to visitors
The RNLI’s lifeboat
station on the Cobb in Lyme Regis is to open its doors to visitors once
again after being closed for almost two years because of COVID
restrictions.
The station will open
at 9am on Saturday and visitors will be asked to wear a face covering.
The station’s
volunteer lifeboat operations manager Nick Marks said: ”We are delighted
to welcome visitors once again and we would like to thank our supporters
for their forbearance during almost two years.
“Visitors will be able
to see the lifeboat from the viewing platform, but we would kindly ask
them to treat the station like a shop and wear a face covering.”
6th
February 2022
Lifeboat launched
to paddle boarder ‘in distress’
The volunteer crew of the RNLI lifeboat in Lyme Regis were alerted at 3pm
today (Sunday) after reports of a paddle boarder in distress off
Charmouth.
When the lifeboat
crew reached the paddle boarder he was found to be in no difficulty and
the incident was recorded as a false alarm with good intent.
February 6th 2022
Gig club rower conquers the
Atlantic and presents RNLI with £3,005
A member of Lyme Regis
Gig Club has returned to the town after rowing the Atlantic and today
(Sun) presented the RNLI with a donation of £3,005 raised during his epic
voyage.
Neil Wittridge,61, was
a member of a 12-strong crew setting out from Tenerife on December 5th
to row 3,000 miles to Antigua.
They arrived 41 days 4
hours and 18minutes later.
Neil, a member of the
Lyme Regis Gig Club for ten years, recalled seeing whales, flying fish
and tuna leaping out of the water.
“It was a terrific
experience,” he said. “I feel a lot fitter now than when I started. We
were rowing three hours on with three hours off.
“It was no walk in the
park and I struggled with confinement. We had a small cabin and at any one
time there were three of us in there trying to rest and get ready to row.
And of course it was getting hotter all the time we were getting nearer
Antigua.”
Neil, a project
manager, said lifetime friendships had been forged during the voyage.
“None of us knew each
other at the start,”
Neil’s boat, Roxy, was
11.36m in length with a beam of 1.6m. The skipper was the only woman
aboard, Lizzie Brown, a retired helm with the RNLI lifeboat crew at
Burnham on Crouch, Essex.
February
1st 2022
Lyme Regis RNLI takes delivery of a new lifeboat
Volunteers who operate the RNLI
lifeboat in Lyme Regis yesterday(Monday) took delivery of a new lifeboat.
But it will only be on duty from the town’s lifeboat station for a few
weeks while their permanent vessel, Spirit of Loch Fyne, undergoes a
routine refit.
The replacement boat, named Dylan
Rotchell, is brand new and was immediately trialled by the Lyme Regis
crew.
Lifeboat Operations Manager Nick Marks
said: “The crew were very happy with the replacement vessel, and while our
permanent boat is away we will continue to operate our 24/7 service. It
was a very smooth transfer.”
Spirit of Loch Fyne has been on duty
In Lyme Regis since 2012. Its last refit was in 2017. It is expected the
current refit, at the RNLI’s Inshore Lifeboat Centre in the Isle of Wight,
will last about six weeks.
January
2022
Three new New Year
recruits for Lyme Regis RNLI
An aqua therapist, a primary school
teacher and an IT company boss have all celebrated the New Year by
becoming the latest volunteer recruits at the RNLI lifeboat station in
Lyme Regis.
Joe (correct) Street, 44, a mother of
three, runs aqua therapy sessions in Axminster. She joins husband Brian
who has been a crew member for 24 years.
She said: “I have wanted to join the
crew for many years,” and I am delighted to have made it at last.” Husband
Brian added his pleasure: “We now have three women crew members and that
can only be a healthy development. I am very pleased for Joe.”
Cris Cadby,51, has joined
the volunteer management ranks at the lifeboat station as a DLA – Deputy
Launching Authority. He runs an educational IT company with 60 staff
serving 500 schools throughout the UK.
Formerly a commercial fisherman in the
Isles of Scilly, he had to call the RNLI twice when his boat developed
engine trouble.
“I have a lot of respect for the RNLI
volunteers and I am very pleased to be joining them,” said Cris.
The third new recruit, Andrew Barker,
42, is a primary school teacher at Sidbury, Devon. “I have always loved
the sea,” he said “and I hope to become a sea-going crew member after the
necessary training.
3rd
January 2022
Lyme Regis
RNLI lifeboat launched to four people and two dogs cut off by tide
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat crew launched Sunday afternoon
(2nd) at 5.05pm following reports of two groups of walkers cut off by the
tide west of Lyme Regis between the end of Monmouth beach and Pinhay Bay.
The volunteer lifeboat crew conducted a shoreline search
and located the groups which were split into a group of three with a dog
and a single person with a dog. Due to the location and the adverse sea
conditions, the boat was unable to put anyone ashore or recover the
casualties by sea or shore. A helicopter was requested, the nearest
available was a Coastguard helicopter from Newquay. The lifeboat crew were
able to communicate to the casualties ashore to make sure they did not
attempt to climb the mud shale cliffs above.
The Coastguard helicopter, a Sikorsky S-92 Search and
Rescue aircraft winched the first individual with Finzi the Springer
spaniel. The helicopter then travelled 500m west to the couple with their
son and Billie the Beagle. Once they were winched to safety the helicopter
landed on Monmouth beach. The casualties then went to the lifeboat
station to warm up and recover.
Seb Cope, Helm for the lifeboat said “There have been a
number of landslides recently east and west of Lyme Regis which has
dramatically reduced the size of the beach, particularly during the high
spring tides that we are currently experiencing. We hope that people check
tide times and if they are in trouble, call 999 and ask for the
coastguard.”
The lifeboat volunteers returned to Lyme Regis harbour at
7.00pm.
Some 2021 Shouts
1
January 2022
Lyme Regis RNLI
lifeboat crew launch two hours before midnight on New Year’s Eve
The volunteer crew of Lyme Regis RNLI
lifeboat went to sea two hours before midnight on New Year’s Eve following
reports of a man missing in the Charmouth area.
After a thorough shoreline search from
Lyme Regis to Charmouth and Golden Cap nothing was found and the man was
reported by police to be at his home address.
The lifeboat crew launched at 10.04pm
and returned to Lyme Regis harbour at 11.20pm.
Lifeboat Operations Manager Nick Marks
said “Our crew launched just two hours before midnight, and I thank our
volunteers for their dedication.
“ Fortunately the outcome seems to
have been a good one and everyone got home just in time to celebrate the
arrival of a new year.”
The lifeboat crew were assisting
coastguards ashore and the police.
This latest emergency call to the Lyme
Regis RNLI crew was the 35th in 2021.
December 7th
2021
Barbara, 81, ends her ‘cycle ride’ to John
O’Groats
The grandmother who
started a virtual ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats on her exercise
bike has completed the journey after four months.
Mrs Barbara Townsend,
81, from Axminster started the 874 mile journey in her back garden in
August and raised £1,649 for the RNLI on her justgiving page.
Mrs Townsend, who has
seven grandchildren, was a keen sailor crossing the Atlantic three times
with husband David.
She said: “I
thoroughly enjoyed my cycling, but I am selling the exercise bike now and
will add the proceeds to my total.
“I think the RNLI does
a fantastic job and fortunately we never had to call them when we sailing.
It was just comforting to know they were always there.”
Donations can still be
made to https//www.justgiving.com/fundraisingBarbara-Townsend?
December
6th 2021
Lyme Regis lifeboat recruits face their
first Christmas on call
Lifeboat volunteers
throughout the south west will be on duty this festive season ready to
launch and answer the call for help from anyone in trouble at sea.
For many RNLI
volunteers this will be their first Christmas carrying a pager to alert
them to the need to launch the lifeboat.
In Lyme Regis two new
recruits, Giles Bristow and Maria Barbashina are preparing for their
first Christmas on call with the rest of the crew.
Giles, father to twin
9 year old girls, moved with his family down from London and joined the
crew in May this year. He says: “It’s all about being part of the
community here and having what I feel is an important role to play. Of
course, at Christmas the downside would be a call on the big day, but the
upside would be answering that call and playing that important role in the
community. The girls are very sweet about my lifeboat involvement and
never hesitate to put their pennies in their money boxes for the RNLI
charity.”
Maria, an artist,
originally from Russia, said: ”I am looking forward to Christmas, of
course, but if the pager goes off I will just run. It’s simply instinct. I
drop whatever I am doing and get to the lifeboat station in the quickest
and safest way, and the safest way is often a sprint along the seafront.
The only exception I can think of is if I am in the shower covered in soap
when the pager goes off, then it may take a little longer. But that has
not happened….yet.”
Giles and Maria
recently completed their emergency procedure course at the RNLI’s
headquarters in Poole and are now trainee sea-going crew with the Lyme
Regis lifeboat.
November
14th 2021
Three saved as fishing boat capsizes
Two men were rescued
from the sea by the volunteer RNLI crew of the Lyme Regis lifeboat last
night (Sun)after their 15 ft fishing boat capsized near the mouth of the
River Axe at Axmouth.
A third man managed to
reach the shore, but the other two were found floating on their backs and
were plucked to safety by two members of the lifeboat crew who went into
the water to reach them.
One of the two men was
airlifted from the lifeboat by the coastguard helicopter and taken to
hospital in Dorchester suffering from the cold.
The second man was
taken ashore by the lifeboat crew and is thought to have been taken to
hospital in Exeter.
One man using a torch
was spotted in the water by coastguards from Beer and Lyme Regis who were
communicating with the lifeboat from the shore, and the other was found
thanks to searchlights from the helicopter.
The two lifeboat crew
who recovered the men from the sea were Andy Butterfield and Rich Tilley.
Lifeboat helm Tim
Edwards said: “The men were very lucky, but they were doing what the RNLI
recommends and floating on their backs waiting for help to arrive.”
The lifeboat crew were
alerted at 4.59pm and launched seven minutes later. They returned to Lyme
Regis at 7pm after two hours at sea.
The capsized fishing
boat was towed to Beer by the crew of the independent Sidmouth lifeboat.
November
4th 2021
Rifles march
boosts lifeboat funds
A sponsored 50 mile
march by some 200 ex-servicemen and women raised £1,200 for the RNLI in
Lyme Regis.
The march, last
September, started at Lulworth Cove and finished at the Lyme Regis
lifeboat station.
One of the organisers
of the march, Richard Davey. today presented a cheque for £1,271 to
lifeboat operations manager Nick Marks.
The march was in aid
of the Rifles Regimental Trust’s Care for Casualties and it’s hoped the
final total for the sponsored event will reach £100,000. The marchers
carried RNLI collection buckets to raise additional funds for the
life-saving charity.
November
4th 2021
Lifeboat supporters
hear of financial success
A financial success
despite Covid -19 restrictions was the key message to members of the Lyme
Regis and Charmouth Lifeboat Supporters group at their Extraordinary
General Meeting last night (Weds).
The meeting heard from
treasurer Brian Cursley that Lifeboat Week was a success and after
expenses a total of £36,213 was raised and sent to RNLI headquarters in
Poole. And the manager of the tiny RNLI shop next to the lifeboat station,
Krys Lavery, reported that it had recently been the most successful such
RNLI outlet in the country.
Volunteer Lifeboat
Operations Manager Nick Marks said that since the last annual meeting of
the supporters in 2019 the lifeboat had been launched 93 times, assisting
52 people and saving two lives. In addition the lifeboat had launched 75
times on training exercises with the crew spending a total of 1,500 hours
at sea.
Mr. Marks reported
that not once had the crew lost the ability to provide a rescue service
during the Covid crisis.
Supporters chairman
Ken Lavery, reporting on the success of Lifeboat Week, praised the
involvement of all volunteers including the lifeboat crew and the
introduction of innovative measures such as a special app and a live
streaming of the duck race. He said that many people had appreciated the
fact that a ‘normal’ lifeboat week had been possible.
Guest speaker was Jim
Thomas, former geography teacher at Woodroffe School, who served for many
years with the lifeboat crew from 1980 and later with local coastguards.
He spoke of many
incidents he dealt with and how one, in particular, the deaths of four
young canoeists in 1993, had ‘a real impact on me.’ Mr Thomas said he had
now retired after 42 years responding to his pager.
November 1st
2021
Winter warning as
lifeboat crew answer two alerts
With high winds and choppy seas
expected over the winter period the RNLI in Lyme Regis has urged visitors
to the coast to take extra care in and near the water.
The warning followed two calls for
help to the lifeboat volunteers yesterday (Sun).
The first followed a report at 9.30am
that a surfer was missing in strong winds and rough conditions after
entering the water from Monmouth beach. The 24 year old man had not been
seen for 30 minutes when the alarm was raised.
The lifeboat crew were already at sea
on a training exercise and searched east and west of the harbour but found
no trace of the man. RNLI shore crew and coastguards also searched the
beaches. The surfer was eventually found on town beach and taken to
hospital for observation.
Later in the day, at 3pm, the lifeboat
was launched after a report that two people had been been swept off the
Cobb high wall. In conjunction with coastguards ashore the lifeboat crew
searched around the Cobb area but no-one was found and the search was
called off at 3.40pm.
The RNLI’s volunteer operations
manager in Lyme Regis, Nick Marks, said: “Conditions were rough all day
and these two calls demonstrate the need for people to be alert to the
dangers and to take great care in and around the water at this time of
year.”
“Only minutes after our second shout
people were seen walking on the Cobb wall in high winds and with the sea
breaking over it. They seemed oblivious to the danger they were in.”
October
6th 2021
Lyme Regis RNLI
seeks new life-saving volunteers
The team at RNLI Lyme Regis is calling
for new volunteers to help them save lives at sea.
In particular the charity is looking
for sea - going crew for the inshore lifeboat, Spirit of Loch Fyne, based
at the lifeboat station on the Cobb.
So far this year the lifeboat crew
have answered 28 calls for help.
The lifeboat normally has a crew of
four at sea, and the station’s Operations Manager Nick Marks is now
looking for additional volunteers to further enhance availability for
emergency calls.
Sea-going crew members need to be on
call for ‘shouts,’ should enjoy being a team player, have a good standard
of general fitness and live or work within five minutes of the lifeboat
station. Lifeboat crew are aged between 17 and 55. First class training
is provided and the ability to learn new skills is important.
Mr. Marks said: “Volunteering with us
gives people the opportunity to make a real difference in their local
community, to save lives and become part of the larger RNLI family.
“We can’t keep people safe without the
support of our dedicated volunteers who truly make a difference every day
no matter which role they are fulfilling.”
To find out more potential volunteers
can go to
www.rnli.org/volroles,
contact the volunteering team on 01202 663346, or e-mail
volunteering@rnli.org.uk
.
4th
October 2021
Lyme Regis RNLI
lifeboat launched to five people and a dog cut off by tide
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat crew launched
yesterday afternoon at 4.45pm following reports of a group of walkers cut
off by the tide east of West Bay towards Freshwater beach.
The volunteer lifeboat crew conducted
a shoreline search and located the group and guided the local coastguard
team to their position where the group were advised about the tide times. The lifeboat volunteers returned to
Lyme Regis harbour at 6.15pm.
September
19th 2021
Rifles regiment
honour the fallen in 50 mile march to Lyme Regis
Some 200 men and women – many of them
ex-servicemen and women – marched into Lyme Regis today at the end
of a 50 mile sponsored walk to raise funds for the Rifles Regimental
Trust’s Care for Casualties.
The walk started at Lulworth Cove on
Friday and ended at the RNLI lifeboat station on the Cobb after a march
two abreast with bugles along the Cart Road on Lyme Regis seafront.
It’s hoped the Jurassic March,
honouring 56 men from the regiment who died for their country, will raise
£100,000 for the Rifles charity.
The marchers also raised funds for the
RNLI, carrying 20 collection buckets en route which were presented to
Lifeboat Operations Manager Nick Marks during a welcome ceremony.
He congratulated the marchers and
thanked them for their donations which he said had helped the RNLI to
launch lifeboats on rescue missions 87 times since they started their
march on Friday.
The marchers carried with them 56
pairs of boots representing the numbers of those colleagues lost since
2007.
September
7th 2021
Lifeboat crew
assist coastguard with two people and dog stuck in the mud
Two people and a dog were stuck in the
mud near Thorncombe beacon between Eype and Seatown beach. Lyme Regis
lifeboat launched at 1.25pm to assist the local coastguard teams with
shoreline searches and looking for the missing dog.
The two people managed to free
themselves from the mud and were fine and well.
While at sea, the lifeboat was tasked
again to two paddleboarders that were being blown out to sea off Chesil
beach but the volunteer crew were stood down by the coastguard as the
paddleboarders were rescued by another vessel.
The lifeboat returned to Lyme Regis
lifeboat station by 4.50pm
September
5th 2021
Bikers in Mad Dash
ride meet the crew of Lyme Regis lifeboat
Two motorcyclists visiting 24 RNLI
lifeboat stations in the south-west in what they called a Mad Dash over
four days rode into Lyme Regis today as they started the last leg of their
journey.
Lyme Regis was the 21st
station visited by Stuart Morrissey and Paul Brady.
The two men, both from Plymouth, set
out from Dartmouth on September 2nd to raise funds for the RNLI and to
mark the 40th anniversary of the Penlee lifeboat disaster in
which 16 people died.
Stuart has raised a total of £89,000
for various charities in recent years. “I have had a few medical issues,”
said Stuart, who works in mosaics, “ but I simply enjoy helping others
whose needs are greater than mine. But I am also a keen angler and I might
need the RNLI one day.”
Stuart and Paul were met by several
members of the volunteer crew of Lyme Regis lifeboat.
September
1st 2021
Barbara, 80, ‘cycling’
870 miles for the RNLI
A grandmother, who has
sailed the Atlantic three times with her husband, has set out on a virtual
cycle ride from Lands End to John ‘O Groats to raise donations for the
RNLI.
Mrs. Barbara Townsend,
80, from Axminster, rides her exercise bike every day and has clocked up
more than 300 miles so far...virtually just north of Birmingham. Her
target to virtually reach John O’Groats is some 870 miles.
Mrs.Townsend, who has
seven grandchildren, has raised £950 so far on her JustGiving page .
She started her
marathon ride on August 4th.
She and husband
David,84, were keen sailors and crossed the Atlantic three times in their
42 foot ocean going sailing boat.
She said: “The RNLI
does a fantastic job, and when we used to pop over to France it was always
comforting to know the volunteers of the RNLI were always there if we
needed them.
“Fortunately we never
had to call them out.”
Mrs. Townsend’s
donation page can be found at https//www.justgiving.com/fundraisingBarbara
-Townsend?
August
30th,
2021
Lifeboat
crew rescue four aboard broken-down dinghy
Four
people aboard a dinghy were towed to safety today (Monday) by the
volunteer crew of Lyme Regis’ RNLI lifeboat.
The
dinghy suffered engine failure and began drifting offshore, the four
people set off from Charmouth beach but had trouble with the engine and
drifted nearly 2 miles off from Charmouth beach.
The RNLI
crew towed the boat and four people back to Charmouth beach where they
were safe to recover their boat.
The
lifeboat crew launched at 2.15pm and returned to Lyme Regis lifeboat
station 3pm.
August 29th
2021
Lifeboat launched to ‘paddleboarders in
trouble’
Lyme Regis lifeboat was launched for a
second time today (Sun) following reports of two youngsters in
difficulties while paddleboarding off Eype.
The volunteer RNLI crew launched at
4.45pm but after finding no trace of the youngsters coastguards heard that
they had been helped to safety ashore by friends.
August 29th
2021
Lifeboat crew
rescue three aboard broken down speedboat
Three people aboard a broken down
speedboat were towed to safety today (Sunday) by the volunteer crew of
Lyme Regis’ RNLI lifeboat.
The speedboat developed problems off
Burton Bradstock and was initially towed by a fishing boat.
The RNLI crew took over the tow into
West Bay harbour.
The lifeboat crew launched at 12.45pm
and returned to Lyme Regis lifeboat station 1.44pm.
August 10th 2021
Lifeboat launched to rescue ‘missing
swimmer’
Lyme Regis’ RNLI lifeboat crew launched at 9.30pm last
night following reports of a swimmer missing off the town’s main beach.
The man was last seen swimming out to a catamaran moored outside the
harbour entrance but sightings were lost, and coastguards were called by
a concerned friend on the beach.
The lifeboat crew launched within 8 minutes of the alarm
being raised and found the swimmer struggling about 150m from the beach.
Lifeboat helm Jon Broome said : “We searched around the
catamaran, using searchlights, and one of our crew, Andy Butterfield,
spotted the man clearly in difficulties.
“He was obviously suffering from the cold as we got him
aboard the lifeboat .
“We took him to the lifeboat station where he was given hot
drinks and generally cared for before our coastguard colleagues took him
to hospital in Dorchester.”
Lifeboat crew member Mark Ellis, who is also a full time
paramedic, said: “Once we got the man ashore, I assessed his condition in
the lifeboat station and when his temperature had returned to normal after
about 90 minutes it was decided to get him to hospital for further
observation.”
August
8th 2021
Keen swimmer
Giles joins the Lyme Regis lifeboat crew
A long distance swimmer who has moved
from West London to be near the sea with his wife and twin daughters has
become the newest member of the volunteer crew of Lyme Regis lifeboat.
Giles Bristow,46, Director of
Programmes for a charity promoting climate solutions, has joined the RNLI
as shore crew but has ambitions to join the sea-going volunteers after
completing his training.
Giles, who swims up to 10k and takes
advantage of the waters off Lyme Regis most mornings, said: “I have long
wanted to join a lifeboat crew and can’t believe my luck finding a vacancy
in Lyme after moving from London.
“I am delighted to join the RNLI where
the values are in line with my own, that we save all lives at sea without
discrimination or judgement.”
Giles, who was born in Africa, was an
environmental lawyer in the City for ten years before joining the Ashden
charity, part of the Sainsbury Charitable Trust. He moved to Uplyme
with wife Holly and twin daughters Eden and Jocelyn,9, in April.
August 2nd 2021
Lifeboat Week
raises £33,000...and still counting
Lifeboat Week returned to Lyme Regis
this year and recorded estimated donations to the life-saving charity of
more than £33,000, with the results of some events still to come in.
Ken Lavery, Chairman of the
fund-raising group, the Lyme Regis and Charmouth Lifeboat Supporters said:
“The provisional total is an absolute tribute to our fantastic volunteers
who toiled well beyond the call of duty working long hours to achieve a
great result.
“There was evidence that the public –
our visitors and local residents – were delighted to see the return of
Lifeboat Week. Many people said they were so pleased to see the event
taking place as it signalled a return to some sort of normality.
“We must place on record our sincere
thanks to everyone who donated so generously to our charity and they are,
quite literally, helping to save lives at sea.”
There were many success stories for
events during the week. For example, the wine or water tombola raised
£9,000, and the lifeboat crew sold 600 hot dogs raising £1,715, some
£1,021 was collected in the name the welly dog competition and the produce
stall raised a record £800.
And 17 year old Josh Denning, who
performed the Lifeboat Week opening ceremony, kept up his record as top
collector with £1,048 going into his RNLI bucket during the week.
August 2nd
2021
Blessing of boats service remembers those
lost at sea
A
‘congregation’ estimated at 150 attended yesterday’s (Sunday’s)
traditional open air Blessing of the Boats service hosted for local
churches by the RNLI at the lifeboat station on the Cobb.
Music and
song were provided by the Lyme Regis town band and the Lyme Moonrakers and
there were wreath parties from the Powerboat Club, Gig Club, Sailing Club,
the Boat Building Academy, Her Majesty’s Coastguard service, the RNLI and
the Royal British Legion.
The
wreaths, taken to sea by the lifeboat crew, represented commercial
fishermen, recreational water users, the RNLI and the Royal British
Legion.
Eden
Bristow, daughter of a crew member, read a poem during the service which
was conducted by the Rev. Chris Martin and the Rev. Chris Woodman.
July 30th
2021
Good weather for
ducks as the race is a winner, and a top award for Josh
The Irene
Roper duck race – named in memory of Irene, a leading light in organising
Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week – went ahead as planned today and was streamed
live on the local RNLI Facebook page for the first time.
Some 1200
ducks were sold, 200 of them online. Members of the local RNLI
lifeboat crew ran the race as usual on the River Lym at the bottom of the
town.
The winner
was duck number 241, in second place was duck 92 and third was 419.
There was a
prize also for 17 year old Josh Denning who opened Lifeboat Week last
Saturday. The lifeboat crew presented him with a signed helmet to thank
him for his efforts collecting donations throughout several Lifeboat
Weeks.
July 28th
2021
Lyme Regis lifeboat crew launched after
windsurf gear found on beach
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat crew launched this evening (Weds)
following reports of windsurfing equipment found ashore east of West Bay
Harbour.
The lifeboat volunteers launched at 6.03pm and were stood
down 19 minutes later when West Bay coastguards reported that the owner of
the equipment was safe and well ashore.
This was the fourth alert for the Lyme Regis lifeboat crew
this week and he 21st this year.
July 27th
2021
Lifeboat launched after reports of ‘missing
swimmer’
Fears that a
swimmer may be missing off the beach at Seaton led to the launch this
afternoon – the third day of Lifeboat Week - of the RNLI’s lifeboat at
Lyme Regis.
The volunteer
lifeboat crew launched at 3.29pm and, working with the coastguard team
from Beer, carried out coastline searches.
The alarm was
raised when a man’s rucksack was found ashore. The search was called off
when it was established that the man was safe and well ashore. The
lifeboat crew returned to Lyme Regis at 5.20pm.
Volunteer
Lifeboat Operations Manager Nick Marks said: “When we get reports such as
this it is always better to be safe rather than sorry.”
This was the 20th
‘shout’ for the Lyme Regis crew so far this year.
July 25th
2021
Crews battle for bathtub trophies and lifeboat crew take a
shortcut !
A
large crowd watched last night’s (Sunday’s) good-humoured Lyme Regis
Lifeboat Week bathtub race and saw the youth section of the town’s sailing
club win the event...and the RNLI crew disqualified for taking a shortcut.
Five bathtub crews took part. Second place went to the Fire and Rescue
Service team and in third place were the crew from the Boat Building
Academy. Rob Perry Marine took fourth place.
The RNLI crew found a novel way of avoiding the harbour entrance to reach
the slipway in second place but were disqualified, although they made a
not too convincing claim that they had not broken the rules.
After the event the Sailing Club said that they had dedicated their win to
long-serving member John Wiscombe whose death had been announced that day.
July 12th
2021
Long service awards
for three RNLI Johns
The CEO of the RNLI was in Lyme Regis
today to present long service medals to three lifeboat crew members all
named John.
The three, who have been volunteer
crew for more than sixty years between them, are John Cable, John Bird and
John Rickard.
CEO Mark Dowie
told the three: “Giving twenty years of your free time to any cause is a
major commitment.
“You do very much more than you
thought you would do when you joined, and I bet the people round here
feel a lot safer because of what you do.”
In his 20 years, John Cable has been
shore crew, tractor driver, lifeboat crew and Deputy Launching Authority.
John Bird has been shore and sea-going
crew during his twenty years of volunteering and is also a tractor driver
for the launching and recovery of the lifeboat.
John Rickard has been shore crew
throughout his 20 years and is also vice chairman of the successful fund
raising group the Lyme Regis and Charmouth Lifeboat Supporters.
July 7th
2021
Seb, 38, is new man
at the helm of Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat
A 38 year old architectural designer
who joined the RNLI five years ago has just become the latest volunteer
crew member to achieve the role of helm aboard Lyme Regis’ inshore
lifeboat.
Seb Cope passed out as helm after a
one hour written test and a two hour assessment of his skills at sea.
He is now one of seven helms based at
the town’s lifeboat station on the Cobb.
Seb said:” I am delighted to have
fulfilled an ambition I have had ever since I joined the crew.”
Seb, who became a sea-going crew
member just one year after joining, was tested on several scenarios at sea
including anchoring, veering and a search for two missing kayakers.
He added:” The assessment was pretty
gruelling particularly after a day at work, but I now look forward to the
opportunity to teach and train others.”
Volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager
Nick Marks said: “Congratulations to Seb. He has worked hard over the last
couple of years and has not been helped by the restrictions imposed by the
pandemic. He is stepping up at just the right time as we head into the
busy summer period.”
June 27th 2021
Binocular gift to
lifeboat crew in memory of lost angler
The sister of a man who was lost with
two friends in a tragedy that resulted in the longest-ever call out for
the volunteer RNLI crew in Lyme Regis has marked the anniversary with a
special donation.
It was June 12th 1995 when
coastguards alerted the Lyme Regis lifeboat crew that a powerboat with
three men on board was overdue from a fishing trip the previous day.
Andrew Sparks,29, married with two
young children, was one of the three men, all from Chard, who were
reported missing.
Now his sister, Sarah Haskins, also
from Chard, has donated two pairs of powerful binoculars in memory of
Andrew for use by the Lyme Regis volunteers from the balcony of the
lifeboat station. She raised £850 among family and friends to buy the
binoculars and today (Sunday) those family members and friends visited the
lifeboat station to officially present the binoculars.
“As a family we always support the
RNLI,” said Sarah, “and the donation is also to mark the diamond
anniversary of my parents Val and Bill Sparks.”
Lifeboat Operations Manager Nick Marks
said:” We are very grateful for these gifts. They will be a vital aid to
us, providing close up views in all directions from the lifeboat station
balcony.”
The search for the three men involved
five lifeboats, two RAF Nimrod aircraft, two coastguard helicopters and
two Royal Navy helicopters.
The Lyme Regis RNLI volunteers were at
sea for more than 16 hours, which involved six crew changes, and 400
litres of fuel.
June 23rd
2021
Fingers crossed for Lyme Regis Lifeboat
Week
The group
organising this summer’s Lifeboat Week in Lyme Regis have held their final
planning session, and are keeping fingers crossed that all the popular
events will take place despite COVID.
The week starts
on July 24th and it is hoped the hard copy version of the
programme will be available around the town – including the lifeboat shop
on the Cobb- by the middle of next week.
And for the
first time this year the programme is available to download on the app
store for iphone users and playstore for android users. It is also
available on the Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week website to download a pdf.
Ken Lavery,
chairman of the organisers, the Lyme Regis and Charmouth Lifeboat
Supporters, said: “We have a very full week planned including many old
favourites which we have ensured will be fully COVID compliant with
whatever the latest advice is.
“Our fantastic
volunteers will be fully briefed regarding their safety and that of the
public, and we are pleased that our event safety management plan has been
reviewed and approved by the town council. We are very confident in the
measures we may have to take to ensure we have a great and safe Lifeboat
Week.
“Our fingers are
crossed for everything, including the weather, of course!”
June 23rd
2021
Envelope firm posts £500 to RNLI
A Somerset firm that chose the RNLI as one of its favourite
charities yesterday (June 22) presented a £500 cheque to the volunteers at
Lyme Regis lifeboat station.
The cheque, from Blake Envelopes of the Lynx Trading
Estate, Yeovil, was handed over by marketing manager India Broad to new
lifeboat shore crew recruit Maria Barbarshina.
India and several work colleagues came to the lifeboat
station to meet the crew and deliver the donation.
20th June
2021
Lifeboat crew featured in new exhibition
An exhibition featuring the
volunteers of the RNLI in Lyme Regis opens on Thursday (June 24) at the
Courtyard Gallery in the Town Mill square.
The exhibition opens daily from 10am-4pm and includes
portraits of many of the crew by professional artist Maria Barbashina who
has also recently joined the Lyme Regis RNLI. The exhibition will be open
for one week and admission is free.
8th June 2021
Lyme Regis lifeboat
launched to ‘people in the water’
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat was launched
at 7.52 last night (Mon) after initial reports that four people were in
difficulties in the water at the entrance to Axmouth harbour.
Later it was confirmed that only two
people were involved and they were safely on the beach when the lifeboat
crew arrived on scene at 8.02pm.
To make sure no-one else was involved
the lifeboat crew carried out a shoreline search and were then stood down
arriving back at Lyme Regis harbour at 8.45pm.
5th June 2021
Londoner Dave joins the sea-going lifeboat
crew
A Londoner
with no previous maritime experience has just become the latest volunteer
member of the sea-going crew of the RNLI lifeboat in Lyme Regis.
Walthamstow-born Dave Holland, 48, joined the Lyme Regis team in 2017 as
shore crew and worked hard to complete the 49 training modules needed to
pass out as sea-going crew.
Dave,
married to Maria, with three grown up children, moved to Lyme Regis in
2016.
Dave, a
butcher’s assistant, said: “It has been my dream to live by the sea. I
joined the lifeboat crew to make the tea, but I really wanted to do a
proper job of being a crew member.
“I think I
have proved that you don’t have to have vast sea-going experience to join
the lifeboat crew. The RNLI and your colleagues will teach you all you
need to know. I am genuinely chuffed to be a member of a great team.”
Dave’s
progression was not helped by the COVID pandemic which effectively halted
training for nine months.
He has been
permitted to take part in some 30 ‘shouts’ already.
Volunteer
Lifeboat Operations Manager Nick Marks said: “It is great to see Dave
complete his training under such difficult circumstances and he deserves
much credit for determination and commitment.
“We are
expecting a busy summer so having Dave available as fully qualified crew
is especially welcome.”
May 9th
2021
Lifeboat launched
as seven rowers escape capsized gig
Lyme Regis
lifeboat was launched this morning (Sunday) after a mayday alert when
seven rowers were throw into the sea from a capsizing gig.
The
incident happened just outside the town’s harbour. The seven men, members
of Lyme Regis Gig Club, were rowing the ten metre gig Black Ven when it
was struck by two large waves.
All seven
were thrown out of the boat. The cox, Tony Colston, received a head
injury, and after first aid from RNLI volunteers at the lifeboat station
he was taken to hospital for checks. The other six were cold, wet and
shaken but otherwise unhurt.
The rowers
all reached shore safely. Two members of the lifeboat crew jumped into the
water to help the rowers ashore.
One of the
gig’s crew, Nick Bale, said: “We were at 90 degrees to the waves when we
were hit from behind.”
Another
rower, Chris Bailey said: “We were hit by freak waves, and it could have
happened to anybody.”
The RNLI
volunteers launched lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne within seven minutes at
10.59am and returned to harbour at 11.30.
2nd May 2021
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat called to
medical emergency on a fishing boat
The volunteers of the
RNLI lifeboat in Lyme Regis were alerted by coastguards at 11.40am today
after a report of a medical emergency on a fishing boat approximately 6
miles south of Lyme Regis.
The lifeboat crew
launched and used their training and navigation skills to locate the
fishing vessel which was 9 miles south east of Lyme Regis. The fishing
vessel from Brixham was still fishing when the lifeboat crew arrived, two
crew members went aboard to assess the casualty and treated him. The
casualty, a fisherman from Brixham had suffered from a potential broken
ankle, the volunteer crew administered first aid on board the fishing boat
then assisted the casualty onto the lifeboat where he was taken back to
Lyme Regis harbour and passed to ambulance crew for further assessment and
treatment.
The lifeboat crew returned to the harbour at 2pm
5th
April 2021
Lyme Regis lifeboat
launched in search for missing couple
The
volunteer crew of Lyme Regis lifeboat launched last night at 9.20pm to a
report of a couple who were missing from walking along the undercliff from
Axmouth to Lyme Regis.
The couple,
Matt & Gaynor, from Bristol had walked from the Rousdon area to the
popular coast path however they did not arrive at their destination and
their children who were waiting to collect them alerted the coastguard. It
was reported that the missing couple contacted the coastguard by calling
999 and were seeking assistance because they were lost.
The
lifeboat launched and conducted a shoreline search and then provided a
communications relay for coastguards searching the cliffs around Pinhay
bay.
Coastguards
later found the couple with their two dogs on the cliffs and walked out
together to Pinhay home and the lifeboat crew were stood down.
The
lifeboat crew returned to Lyme Regis at 11.10pm.
31st
March 2021
Lyme Regis lifeboat launched twice
Lyme Regis
lifeboat crew were training last night and were called out to Abbotsbury
to a report of kayaker in difficulty at Cobden beach near Abbotsbury at
approximately 5.30pm. The volunteer crew conducted searches, but nothing
was found and were later stood down by the coastguard.
The
lifeboat returned to the station, the crew changed and continued training.
Just as
most of the volunteer crew of Lyme Regis lifeboat were heading to bed, at
10.15pm the pagers sounded to alert them to a report of a drifting dinghy
off Monmouth beach in Lyme Regis.
The Lyme
Regis coastguard team were also in attendance and it was reported that
some young party goers had taken a boat from the nearby boat park and
pushed it out to sea.
The
lifeboat crew found no one aboard the dinghy so recovered the drifting
vessel and returned to harbour.
14 March
2021
Blessing boats
service moved to August
The annual
Blessing of the Boats service, hosted by the RNLI on the Cobb in Lyme
Regis this year, has been re-scheduled to the later than usual date of
August 1st.
The event
is usually held on Rogation Sunday but it is hoped Covid-19 restrictions
will be eased by August.
The
inter-denominational service, to which all are welcome, will start at 2pm
and will be conducted by the Rev. Chris Martin, team vicar of the Golden
Cap Benefice.
Music will
be provided by the Lyme Regis town band and the Lyme Bay Moonrakers.
Invitations
will as usual be sent to boating groups in the area.
9 March
2021
Plans under way for
Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week
Plans are
under way for the return of Lifeboat Week to Lyme Regis in July.
A
provisional programme for the week, beginning on July 24, is being
discussed by members of the town’s Lifeboat Supporters Group.
The week –
a summer highlight since the 1970s – was cancelled last year because of
the pandemic.
Chairman of
the supporters group Ken Lavery said: “We feel we have to be optimistic
and hope that restrictions will be lifted by late July.
“We are
making plans to stage as many events as possible during the week,
including old favourites and new activities subject to any Covid-19
restrictions which might still be
in place.
We will update progress on our Facebook page and website.” (https://www.facebook.com/LymeRegisLifeboatWeek
https://www.lymeregislifeboatweek.co.uk)
Lifeboat
Week has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the RNLI’s life-saving
charity since the 1970s. In 2019 the week raised a record £40,000.
Artist Maria puts Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat
crew in the picture
A Russian -
born artist based in Lyme Regis has launched a portrait painting project
involving nearly thirty members of the town’s volunteer lifeboat crew.
Maria
Barbashina ,38, offered to paint the portraits, and some 26 crew members
have volunteered for a 90 minute sitting.
Maria, who
trained as an artist in Russia from the age of 12, specialises in
portraits and still life.
Her first
lifeboat crew subject was volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager Nick Marks
and he was followed by sea-going crew members including senior helm Tim
Edwards.
Maria said:
“I enjoy a challenge and like to choose subjects who I feel play an
important role in local life.
“I hope my
portraits will help to promote the volunteer duties of the RNLI in Lyme
Regis.
“I also
find this sort of project a very nice way to meet new and interesting
people.
Nick Marks
said: “It’s a great project which Maria has offered us and one day we may
have a display of the portraits in the lifeboat station.”
18
February2021
Lifeboat launched to swimmer ‘struggling’
at sea
Lyme Regis
RNLI lifeboat crew answered their second call of the day at 3.12pm today
following reports of a 19 year old man in difficulties in the sea off
Abbotsbury.
The man was
reported to be struggling to get back to the beach and the alarm was
raised by a friend ashore.
A coastguard
helicopter arrived on scene just before the lifeboat and the man was
winched to safety and taken to hospital in Dorchester.
18th
February 2021
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat launched to red
flare.
Lyme
Regis lifeboat launched this morning (Thursday 18th February)
to a report of a red flare seen at Charmouth.
The
volunteer crew were contacted by the Coastguard at 10.30am, 15 minutes
later the crew had arrived on scene and conducted search patterns near
Charmouth and further out to sea.
Further
information was then provided by members of the local coastguard rescue
team that the flare was found ashore and not out to sea, so the lifeboat
crew were stood down. The volunteer crew returned to station and were
ready for service by 11.30pm.
This was the
second call out for Lyme Regis lifeboat this year.
If you see
someone in trouble at the coast, call 999 and ask for the coastguard
11 Feb
2021
Lifeboat helm
Mark joins the
management team
A senior member of the volunteer
sea-going crew of the RNLI lifeboat in Lyme Regis has switched his role to
join the management team.
Mark Colley, 57, who was at the helm
of the lifeboat for 14 years, retired from that role at the age of 55 and
today (Feb 11) became a Deputy Launching Authority.
Mark, a carpenter, with a total of 21
years as a crew member, said: “The role of DLA is an important one in the
management structure at the lifeboat station and I feel I can put my
sea-going and search and rescue experience, in particular, to good use
with other members of the crew.”
9th January 2021
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat launched to red
flare.
Lyme Regis lifeboat launched yesterday afternoon (Friday 8th
January) to a report of a red flare seen over Seatown.
The volunteer crew were contacted by the Coastguard at 5.40pm, 20 minutes
later the crew had arrived on scene and conducted search patterns near
Golden Cap and further out to sea.
Further information was then provided by members of the local coastguard
rescue team that the flare was inland and not out to sea, so the lifeboat
crew were stood down. The volunteer crew returned to station and were
ready for service by 8pm.
This was the first call out for Lyme Regis lifeboat this year.
A selection of 2020 'shouts'
27th December 2020
A year of challenges for Lyme Regis
lifeboat volunteers
The man at the helm of the RNLI lifeboat station in Lyme
Regis has praised his volunteer crew after a ‘challenging but successful
year.’
In a review of 2020 Lifeboat Operations Manager Nick Marks
said: “We managed to meet our aim of maintaining an effective life-saving
service throughout year. No calls for help were missed through
non-availability of our lifeboat or crew members in the most difficult of
circumstances.”
Mr Marks said the year had started well but became
increasingly challenging as COVID-19 established itself and threatened to
interrupt the 24/7 lifeboat service proudly delivered by the RNLI since
1824.
Lyme Regis lifeboat station went into ‘lockdown’ early in
the crisis - the station was closed to visitors, strict COVID safety
measures were put in place and training, both ashore and at sea, was
suspended. These measures were needed to protect the crew and boat as much
as possible.
Mr Marks added: ”With the arrival of summer the crew became
very busy answering an unprecedented number of shouts as the south coast
filled with visitors.”
By Christmas the lifeboat had launched 45 times to answer a
variety of emergencies involving swimmers, walkers, kayakers and power
boat users.
But, said Mr. Marks, there were also calls “most
frustratingly to inflatable plastic dinghies which should never have been
at sea.”
An additional casualty of COVID, said Mr Marks, was the
ability to recruit new crew members.
Recruiting will start again when the pandemic is over.
Seagoing crew, either male or female, should work or live within ten
minutes of the lifeboat station, be between 17 and 50 years old and be
prepared to commit to a rigorous training programme.
26th
November 2020
Lifeboat charity shop re-opens to save
lives at sea
Just two weeks
after the latest appearance of the town’s lifeboat crew in the BBC TV
series Saving Lives At Sea, the RNLI shop on the Cobb in Lyme Regis is to
re-open on December 2nd.
The shop is a
major contributor to the life-saving charity’s funds and, despite closures
due to lockdowns, recently announced that it had raised £48, 230 between
January and October this year.
The shop’s
volunteer manager Krys Lavery said: “We are delighted to be back in the
business of supporting our charity and just in time to help our loyal
customers with their Christmas present choices.”
14th November
2020
Lifeboat launched to ‘man stuck on cliffs’
The volunteer
crew of RNLI Lyme Regis lifeboat launched yesterday (13th
November 2020) at 4pm following reports of a man in difficulty on the
cliffs near Seatown, Dorset.
The man thought
to be escaping the rising tides between Seatown and Golden Cap had climbed
up the cliffs and was in difficulty. The lifeboat crew attended along with
local coastguard teams and the Coastguard Rescue helicopter which was
training nearby. The helicopter crew quickly located the casualty and
winched him to the safety of the cliff top where he was met by Coastguard
Rescue team.
The lifeboat
crew were then stood down by HM Coastguard and returned to Lyme Regis
harbour at 5.00pm.
The weather
this weekend is wet and windy, it coincides with high spring tides so
please take care when by the sea. If you see anyone in trouble in or near
the sea, call 999 and ask for the coastguard.
4th November
2020
Success for the RNLI shop and another TV
appearance
The generosity of the public and the hard work of
volunteers have resulted in a successful spell in difficult times for the
RNLI’s tiny shop in Lyme Regis.
The lifesaving charity’s shop had to close on November 5th,
but volunteer manager Krys Lavery said:” We have had two months of
wonderful support from the public, and in October alone we raised £21,966,
a 33.31% improvement on October last year.
“From January to October we raised £48,230 which is
wonderful.”
In a message to the volunteers who run the shop next to the
lifeboat station, Mrs Lavery said:”Thank you to everyone for your
continued help and enthusiasm in helping to keep our lovely little shop
open in difficult times.”
The volunteer crew of the RNLI’s lifeboat in Lyme Regis are
to feature again in the BBC TV series Saving Lives at Sea. The scheduled
episode on November 17 includes the rescue of a woman and her two dogs
trapped on cliffs.
The programme is due to be transmitted at 8pm on BBC2.
20th October
2020
Charmouth Christmas
Day swim...a statement from the RNLI fund-raising group, the Lyme Regis
and Charmouth Lifeboat Supporters.
“Because of the distancing
restrictions and general safety issues which will almost certainly still
be in place, the Lyme Regis and Charmouth Lifeboat Supporters will not be
fund-raising at the Charmouth Christmas Day swim this year.
“Throughout these difficult times the
RNLI’s priorities have been the effective delivery of a life saving
service and the welfare of our volunteer crew members. Sadly, this means
our crew and fund-raisers will not be supporting the Charmouth Christmas
Day swim this year.
“The crew does, of course, remain on
stand-by for calls for assistance from anyone in difficulty at sea.
“So far this year the RNLI volunteers
in Lyme Regis have answered 41 calls for help.”
4th October 2020
Kicking a hole in one for the RNLI
A local
businessmen Gary Davies has raised nearly £300 for Lyme Regis RNLI. Gary
runs Lyme Regis Footgolf and set up a hole-in-one challenge to raise money
for the lifesaving charity.
Walking the Liberty trail for the RNLI
Two men, Nick Perry and Mark Farrell both 34 and friends
who live in Yeovil have walked the Liberty Trail. Nick has been keen to
walk the trail from some time and was finally successful, completing the
28-mile trek from Ham Hill to Lyme Regis.
The Liberty Trail is based on the stories of some of the
men who joined the Monmouth Rebellion. In the early summer of 1685
villagers from throughout Somerset and Dorset were making their way to the
coast at Lyme to join the Duke of Monmouth. He was expected to land at
Lyme to lead a rebellion against the King with the rallying call of
'Liberty to the People of God'.
The two men
carried nearly £500 in £1 coins to donate to members of Lyme Regis RNLI..
19th September
2020
Lyme Regis lifeboat crew rescue two women
drifting offshore
Two women on a kayak and paddleboard were rescued today
(Saturday) by the volunteer crew of the RNLI’s Lyme Regis lifeboat.
The lifeboat crew were contacted by HM Coastguard to a
report of two women that were drifting away from the shore at Lyme Regis.
Volunteer crew launched just after midday and were guided in the direction
of the women by the Lyme Regis Harbour Masters team.
The two women, aged 30 & 31 from Winchester and London, one
of whom was pregnant, had intended on enjoying a leisurely time at sea
however the winds from the north east were stronger than expected and the
two of them were blown offshore. They realised very quickly that they were
in trouble and they called family ashore who notified the coastguard.
The lifeboat crew were alongside the two women 6 minutes
after launching, both on their kayak and paddleboard, they were wet and
cold but otherwise safe. The wind had blown the two women approximately 1
mile south of Lyme Regis. Volunteer crew took the women aboard the
lifeboat and returned to Lyme Regis lifeboat station where they were met
by coastguards and given safety advice.
The lifeboat crew returned to Lyme Regis harbour
approximately 30 minutes later.
Jon Broome, helm of the lifeboat said “This weekend is host
to some high spring tides and strong north easterly winds, it is very
important that anyone going to sea have the appropriate equipment to
contact the coastguard if necessary. These two women were incredibly lucky
today, but because one of them had a mobile phone so they were able to
call for help.”
This was the 37th time that Lyme Regis lifeboat
has launched this year.
It is advisable that anyone near or on the sea this weekend
check the weather and tides before heading out.
If you see anyone in trouble in or on the sea, call 999 and
ask for the coastguard.
14th
September 2020
Rescue of two sailors
by Lyme Regis lifeboat crew to feature in BBC series
The rescue last summer of two
ex-professional sailors by the volunteers of Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat is
to feature next week in the BBC 2 series Saving Lives At Sea.
The rescue, in August last year, will
feature in the second programme in the new series to be screened at 8pm
on Thursday September 24th.
The sailors, Sam Brearey, from
Canterbury, and Christian Birrell, from London were training for a
national sailing championships when their dinghy capsized in strong winds
500m south of Lyme Regis harbour.
The forestay – a rope supporting the
mast – broke and their vessel capsized throwing both men overboard.
Both men were in the water when the
lifeboat crew arrived on scene.
Sam Brearey said at the time: ”Despite
all the experience we have both gained, if the forestay goes you have a
major problem. We were very pleased to see the lifeboat crew; they were
brilliant at working together to recover us and our boat.”
September
Council worker Kyle,25, joins the Lyme
Regis lifeboat volunteers
Volunteers with the RNLI in Lyme Regis have welcomed aboard
their newest sea-going crew member, 25 year old Kyle Knight.
Kyle, a maintenance operative with Lyme Regis Town
Council, went to sea on his first ‘shout’ when two kayakers were
reported in trouble off Axmouth.
Dorchester-born Kyle said: ‘I thoroughly enjoyed my first
shout . I have always loved the sea , and joining the Lyme Regis RNLI
seemed the natural thing to do. It was great to get my first shout under
my belt.’
Kyle had been training for just over a year.
Murray Saunders, who was at the lifeboat helm for Kyle’s
first shout, said:’ Kyle will be an asset to our sea-going team. He is
very keen and showing a good deal of promise.’
Lyme Regis Town Council now has two members of staff on the lifeboat team.
The local authority’s Operations Manager Matt Adamson-Drage is a DLA –
Deputy Launching Authority
Lyme Regis Lifeboat Shop re-opening
Lyme Regis lifeboat shop is due to re-open on Saturday 5th
September and the volunteer staff are looking forward to welcoming
customers once again through the doors. The RNLI shop adheres to all
COVID-19 advice following a full Risk Assessment:
Only 1 person/1 social bubble allowed at any time.
Card payment preferred but cash accepted.
All Christmas cards, calendars and diaries are now in
stock....plus lots more!
The hours of opening will be slightly reduced to available volunteers but
will be open on a daily basis.
Lyme Regis lifeboat launched to divers in
trouble nearly 20 miles south
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat was launched this morning at 10am
(Monday 31st August) to assist HM coastguard with a vulnerable
person near Burton Bradstock.
The local coastguard team were also on scene and they were
able to deal with the person. The volunteer lifeboat crew were then tasked
to a report of persons in the water and a dive boat in trouble 19.5 miles
south of West Bay.
As the lifeboat crew arrived on scene it was clear all
three people were safe and well aboard the dive boat and managed to get
the engine working and then returned to West Bay harbour.
The lifeboat returned to Lyme Regis by 2pm
27th
August 2020
Lost portrait of a ‘hero’ presented to
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat crew
A 50 year old pencil portrait of a much-decorated Lyme
Regis lifeboat crew member has been presented to the town’s RNLI
volunteers by the artist’s grandson.
Mark Shephard’s grandmother, Camille Moore, lived in Yawl,
Uplyme, when she is believed to have drawn the portrait of John Hodder
during an art class at Woodroffe School in the 1970s.
Mr. Shephard kept the portrait in the loft of his home in
Godalming, Surrey, but when he saw the name John Hodder on the back, and
the obvious signs that the subject was a lifeboat crew member, he decided
to contact the RNLI.
Mr. Shephard said: ‘My grandmother was a very keen artist,
and I have other examples of her work. It seemed only right that the
portrait should come home to the RNLI in Lyme Regis.’
Mr Hodder, 76, was unable to attend the presentation, but
said: ‘I am very grateful to Mr Shephard for his donation of the portrait
and would like it to remain at the lifeboat station as a reminder of my
years of service with so many superb colleagues.’
Mr. Hodder served with the RNLI in Lyme Regis for 20 years and was
recognised for several acts of courage during rescues at sea. Crew members
who served with Mr Hodder were known as ‘Hodder’s heroes.’
20th
August 2020
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat launched to 70yr
in the water
Lyme
Regis lifeboat launched this morning (Thursday 20th August) to
a report of a person in the water in rough seas off Freshwater beach, near
West Bay.
Lyme Regis lifeboat volunteer crew responded to a call from the Coastguard
to a report of a person in the water near Charmouth. It was not known
whether the reported 70yr old female was conscious or not.
The
volunteer crew were contacted by the Coastguard at 11.15am to assist, due
to the high winds and rough seas, approximately 15 minutes later the crew
had arrived on scene to find that the reported person had been recovered
by concerned lifeguards from the nearby holiday park. The casualty was
checked over by the ambulance crew.
The call
came from a member of the public who spotted the suspected casualty. This
was the 35th call out for Lyme Regis lifeboat this year.
The RNLI
and HM Coastguard are urging people to visit lifeguarded beaches and take
extra care on Friday and Saturday as forecasts predict dangerous sea
conditions, involving large swells, strong winds and spring tides.
Across
exposed coastal areas in Devon and Cornwall, current forecasts for Friday
and Saturday are predicting wave heights between 6-9 feet coupled with
strong south westerly winds across the region. These conditions, alongside
large spring tides, can result in a dangerous sea state and increase the
risk of strong rip currents. If you see a red flag at a lifeguarded beach,
do not enter the water, as it is unsafe for any water activities. If there
are no flags, there are no lifeguards.
If you see
someone in trouble at the coast, call 999 and ask for the coastguard
13th August 2020
Lyme Regis lifeboat launched after
report of two in trouble on inflatable
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat was launched at 12.54pm today
(Thurs) following reports of two people in difficulties on an inflatable
600m off Freshwater Bay.
As the lifeboat crew arrived on scene it was clear the two
people were safe and well and being assisted by the West Bay
harbourmaster’s launch.
Coastguards then stood down the Lyme Regis lifeboat crew.
This was the 34th call for help for the volunteers of Lyme
Regis lifeboat so far this year.
11th August
2020
Lyme Regis lifeboat launched in search
for missing man
The volunteer crew of Lyme Regis lifeboat answered their 33rd
call for help this year to assist coastguards in the search for a man
described as ‘vulnerable.’
The lifeboat launched at 10-15 last night (Mon), conducted
a shoreline search and provided a communications relay for coastguards
searching the cliffs just east of Axmouth.
Coastguards later found the man on the cliffs, but because
of his location the coastguard helicopter was called, and the lifeboat
crew were stood down.
The lifeboat crew returned to Lyme Regis at
1.30am
8th
August 2020
Lyme Regis lifeboat
crew rescue two men on drifting dinghy
Just as the crew of Lyme Regis
lifeboat arrived back today after assisting a fishing boat taking on water
they were alerted to two men drifting on an inflatable dinghy three miles
offshore at Abbotsbury.
The men were in danger, drifting on a
strong current, and were taken on board the lifeboat with their dinghy.
They were safe and well and taken by the lifeboat to Abbotsbury where they
were met by local coastguards.
As the volunteer crew of the Lyme
Regis lifeboat, Spirit of Loch Fyne, were returning again they were told
of a call from Freshwater beach about a woman possibly in difficulty on an
inflatable. But the caller, who first rang the lifeboat station, did not
follow up with a call to the coastguards. The lifeboat crew found no
trace of the woman and a search was called off. This call was recorded as
a false alarm with good intent.
8th August
2020
Lyme Regis RNLI
lifeboat called to fishing boat ‘taking on water’
The volunteers of the RNLI lifeboat in
Lyme Regis were alerted by coastguards at 9.15a.m. today after a fishing
boat was reported to be taking on water off Seaton in Devon.
One lifeboat crew member boarded the
17 foot fishing boat, the Rosie Lee, using a salvage pump.
Finally, the fishing boat, with two
people aboard, was able to sail under its own power and was escorted by
the lifeboat crew to the safety of Lyme Regis harbour, arriving at
11.20a.m. This was the 29th call for help answered by the Lyme
Regis lifeboat volunteers so far this year.
Lyme Regis RNLI
lifeboat called to assist ‘lifeboat’
The volunteer crew of the RNLI’s
lifeboat in Lyme Regis answered an emergency call yesterday…..to go to the
aid of a lifeboat.
A former ship’s lifeboat, once capable
of carrying 50 people, was reported drifting with engine problems off
Seaton beach. The old lifeboat, named Gryphon, with four men aboard, was
on sea trials when the alarm was raised by coastguards at 3.55pm.
The Gryphon was later able to sail
under its own steam and was escorted by the RNLI crew to the safety of
Lyme Regis harbour arriving at 5.20pm.
2nd August
2020
Anglers rescued by Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat
crew after launching flares
Two
anglers were rescued by the volunteer crew of the Lyme Regis RNLI
lifeboat last night (Sat) after they accidentally ran their boat ashore
on Chesil Beach.
The men,
cold and wet, were stranded on the beach when the lifeboat crew arrived.
Lifeboat
crew member Tom Crabbe said: ‘Somehow the mens’ boat – a rigid inflatable
– had filled with water when it was apparently beached accidentally and
both men had been in the water. They were cold and wet but otherwise
seemed ok and certainly had plenty of safety equipment.’
Among their
safety equipment were red flares which the men launched to raise the
alarm.
Coastguards
ashore had guided the lifeboat towards the men on the beach,
The men
were taken to Abbotsbury aboard the lifeboat where they were met by
coastguards. The lifeboat crew then towed the rigid inflatable to West Bay
harbour.
The alarm
was raised at 7.19pm and the lifeboat crew finally arrived back in Lyme
Regis at midnight.
13 July
2020
Lyme Regis lifeboat called to
Kayak and two children
Lyme
Regis lifeboat launched yesterday (Sunday 12th July) at 7.30pm
to a report of a lady with her two children on a kayak drifting out to
sea.
The
husband contacted the coastguard who was concerned that they were drifting
out to sea, she was reported to be approximately ½ mile south of Golden
Cap. The lifeboat crew were on scene 10 minutes after launching and
contacted the lady who was not in any trouble. The lifeboat offered to
stay with her to see that she arrived safely, but she declined the
request.
The
lifeboat crew were stood down, having launched at 7.30pm, and returned to
Lyme Regis harbour at 8.00pm.
5
July 2020
Second ‘shout’ for
lifeboat crew to report of man cut off by tide
For the second evening running the
volunteer crew of the Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat launched today following
reports of a man cut off by the tide between Lyme Regis and Charmouth.
The man, said to be dressed in black
and carrying a rucksack, later disappeared on the cliffs from the view of
coastguards ashore and the lifeboat crew.
The lifeboat crew were stood down,
having launched at 6.30pm, and returned to Lyme Regis harbour at 7.40pm.
29 June 2020
Lifeboat launched to kayaker’s distress
call
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat crew
launched today after a kayaker accidentally activated a distress alert on
his smartphone.
The kayaker was half a mile south of
the town’s harbour when the alert was received by coastguards and had
paddled ashore when the volunteer lifeboat crew arrived.
Lifeboat helm Murray Saunders said:
“It was a false alarm with good intent, and the kayaker deserves full
credit for being safety conscious and using a distress system.
“I don’t think he even knew he had
accidentally set it off in his pocket and he was very apologetic.”
26 June
2020
Lifeboat crew
called to teenager drifting on inflatable
The volunteer crew of Lyme Regis
RNLI lifeboat were called out last night (Friday) following a report of a
teenager drifting on an inflatable near Church Beach east of the town’s
harbour.
When the lifeboat arrived the
youth managed to get ashore by himself and was met by local coastguards
who gave him safety advice.
The lifeboat crew launched at
8.22pm and returned to Lyme Regis harbour at 8.46pm.
1st June 2020
Lyme Regis lifeboat launched this evening to a boy
in trouble at Seaton
Lyme Regis
lifeboat launched this evening (Monday 1st June) at 6pm to a
report of a boy in trouble after jumping in the harbour entrance of the
river Axe in Seaton.
The
lifeboat crew were contacted by the coastguard requesting an immediate
launch, volunteer crew were quick to launch and were soon on their way to
Seaton. On route they heard from the coastguard that the boy was taken
ashore by a member of the public who was paddle boarding.
The young
boy required first aid attention and the local Beer coastguard team were
able to perform this prior to the ambulance crew arriving.
The
lifeboat crew and coastguard helicopter from St. Athan were standing by
but the ambulance crew ashore kept the boy stable and he was taken to
hospital for further checks.
The
lifeboat returned to Lyme Regis harbour about 7pm.
Lifeboat
Helm Murray Saunders said: “We launched as quick as safely possible as we
have been to incidents at the river mouth previously. It is important for
people to understand the dangers of the rivers and sea but if you do see
someone in trouble in or near the sea, call 999 and ask for the
coastguard.”
30 May 2020
Eight rescued by Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat
crew as speedboats run aground
Eight people, adults and children from two families, were
rescued by the volunteer crew of Lyme Regis lifeboat today after both
their speedboats ran aground at Black Ven east of the town.
The lifeboat crew towed both boats and those aboard back to
the safety of Lyme Regis harbour where the families were spoken to by
local coastguards.
Lifeboat senior helm Tim Edwards said: “When we arrived on
scene we found that both speedboats had run aground, disabling their
gearboxes and their engines.”
The lifeboat launched at 2.40pm and the rescue operation
ended at 4pm.
27th
May 2020
Lyme Regis lifeboat help woman and dogs
cut-off by the tide
Lyme Regis lifeboat launched
yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 26th May) at 12.50pm to a report
of a woman in distress fearing being cut off by the tide near Pinhay bay,
between Lyme Regis and Charton bay.
The lifeboat crew were quick
to launch and were soon on scene with the boat to begin searching for the
stranded woman and her two dogs.
The volunteer lifeboat crew
spotted the woman ashore who was waving to attract their attention, they
deployed a crew member to swim ashore and to reassure the casualty. One of
the dogs was blind and struggling with the terrain. The crew member
escorted the casualty and dogs to Charton bay, due to the flat calm
conditions the lifeboat was able to get close enough for the casualty and
dogs to jump aboard the lifeboat to return safely to Lyme Regis.
The local coastguard team
greeted the lifeboat on return to Lyme Regis harbour and the woman and
dogs were taken back to her car.
Lifeboat Helm Tom Crabbe said:
“The weather and see conditions made for a quick and safe recovery. It is
important for people to check tide times before heading out. If you see
someone in trouble in or near the sea, call 999 and ask for the
coastguard.”
20 May 2020
RNLI and HM Coastguard launch beach safety campaign urging
parents to protect their families and save lives at the coast this summer
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and
Her Majesty’s (HM) Coastguard today launch a new beach safety campaign, urging parents to protect
their families by following key safety advice to save lives this summer.
Following the recent easing of nationwide lockdown restrictions in England
and with children still off school, many more people are expected to visit
the coast to exercise and take part in water-based activities.
Last weekend alone, Coastguard rescue teams were called out 194 times in
the UK to incidents including; inflatables drifting offshore, crashed jet
skis, people injured while out walking or cycling along the coast,
paddleboarders, kayakers, windsurfers and kite surfers in difficulty and
people cut off by the tide.
In 2019, RNLI lifeguards aided more than 29,000 people on UK beaches in
more than 17,000 incidents, saving a total of 154 lives. They also helped
to reunite nearly 1,800 lost children and teenagers with their families
and aided 346 people in incidents involving inflatables.
Despite the ongoing challenges posed by coronavirus and social distancing
the RNLI still hopes to provide a lifeguard service on around 30% of the
beaches the charity usually covers in time for the traditional peak summer
season. But at
present, there are no RNLI lifeguards
on UK beaches, and we cannot be everywhere this summer.
Whilst RNLI lifeboat crews and HM
Coastguard are still on call ready to respond to emergencies, the message
is clear; we need the public to be aware of dangers, take responsibility
for themselves and their loved ones and remember that, in an emergency,
call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Gareth Morrison, RNLI Head of Water Safety, said: ‘If the charity’s
lifeguards were present on the beaches today, they would be preventing
many incidents before they even occurred by directing people to safe
swimming areas, highlighting dangers such as rip currents and advising
people not to use inflatables. These preventive measures are not currently
in place meaning people could find themselves in danger if they are not
reading the signs and following the relevant safety advice.
He added: ‘Our lifeguards are trained to swim 200m within 3 1/2 minutes,
and although our volunteer lifeboat crews are fully operational, should
they be needed, they won’t be able to reach you in the same time.
‘It is important that anyone visiting the coast understands that the beach
can be a dangerous environment and you must take more responsibility for
you and your family this summer. No one ever goes to the coast to be
rescued yet RNLI lifeguards rescue 1000’s each year.’
Following key safety advice will keep people safe and help to reduce the
demands placed on RNLI lifeboat crews, HM Coastguard and other emergency
services.
That is why parents are now being urged to take charge and be ‘beach
smart’ if they visit the coast to ensure they and their families have the
safest summer possible, whether lifeguards are patrolling their beach or
not.
Claire Hughes, director of HM Coastguard said: ‘We
know from sad experience that whether you’re local or nor, whatever your
ability of experience in your chosen sport or leisure activity, the sea
can still catch you out and be unmerciful when it does. Now, more than
ever we need people to respect the sea and the coast.
‘If
you get into trouble call 999 and ask for the Coastguard and we will come
to your aid. But coronavirus hasn’t gone away, and we all need to follow
the rules. Remember your choices might put people, including yourself and
frontline responders, at risk. Take extra care in these extraordinary
times.’
This summer with beach lifeguard patrols significantly reduced the RNLI
and HM Coastguard are advising the public not to use inflatables at all
and for everyone, especially parents, planning
a visit to a beach or the coast to follow this safety advice:
·
Have a plan - check the
weather forecast, tide times and read local hazard signage
·
Keep a close eye on your family – on the beach and in the water
·
Don’t allow your family to swim alone
·
Don’t use inflatables
·
If you fall into the water
unexpectedly, FLOAT TO LIVE. Fight your instinct to thrash around, lean
back, extend your arms and legs, and Float
·
In an emergency dial 999, and ask for the Coastguard
Background:
· Roll-out of the normal
seasonal lifeguard service was paused at the end of March due to the
measures put in place by the UK Government to control the spread of
Coronavirus. With changes to the lockdown restrictions allowing the public
to visit beaches around the UK and Channel Islands, the RNLI has been
looking at plans to resume a lifeguard service where possible. This needs
to be consistent with government guidance, but the plan is for the service
to build in time so that lifeguard patrols reach 70 beaches by peak
season.
Beaches will be chosen
based on risk and popularity. The RNLI will also look to achieve a
geographical spread while making sure the service provided is flexible and
sustainable enough to respond to what may be an ever-changing environment.
For further information on
the campaign visit:
rnli.org/beach2020
19 May 2020
Lifeboat Zoom meeting ends with a ‘shout’
A Zoom meeting of management volunteers who run the RNLI
lifeboat station in Lyme Regis came to an abrupt end last night when
their pagers sounded and the crew launched to answer a ‘shout.’
Police asked for help in dealing with ‘a man behaving
erratically’ on the beach at Burton Bradstock.
The lifeboat crew were stood down after police dealt with
the incident.
The Zoom meeting of the lifeboat operations team was half
way through its allotted 40 minutes, having started at 7pm, when the crew
were called out.
Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week and Carnival
cancelled
Two of the biggest and most eagerly anticipated summer
events in Lyme Regis – Lifeboat Week and the Regatta and Carnival Week –
have been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Lifeboat Week has been held in the town since the early
1970s and has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the RNLI charity.
Last year alone the week raised a record £40,000.
Lifeboat Week and the Regatta and Carnival were due to be
held at the end of July and early August.
Ken Lavery, chairman of the Lyme Regis Lifeboat Supporters,
said: ”This decision was incredibly difficult to make. However, first and
foremost we must put the safety and welfare of our visitors, members and
volunteers above all else.
“We felt it was impossible to carry out our many and varied
activities to the standard that holidaymakers and members of the
community know and love, with social distancing measures in place as they
should be.
“Lifeboat Week in Lyme has always been not only great fun
for all concerned, but has raised a significant sum to support our
voluntary lifesaving efforts.
“Our crew remains ready to go to the aid of anyone in
danger on the sea with our colleagues in the coastguard service and this
vital service will continue.
“However, as well as losing Lifeboat Week, a decision has
been made to keep the lifeboat shop closed over the busy holiday period to
ensure the safety of our volunteers many of whom are in the vulnerable
groups.
“Therefore there will be a very significant loss of income
this year. We would hope that as many people as are able will support the
RNLI through donations and by using the online shop so that the loss can
to some extent be mitigated.”
Alan Vian, Regatta and Carnival Secretary, said: ”We are so
disappointed as we always look forward to being with holidaymakers raising
money for local good causes.
“This virus will have a negative effect on local traders
during this summer and on the lack of donations that we usually make to
local organisations.
“Preparations are already in place for Lifeboat Week 2021
from July 24 to 31 and Regatta and Carnival Week from August 7 to 14 and
we look forward to welcoming everyone then. Together we will get through
these difficult times, and the message is keep safe and take care.”
11 May
2020
RNLI statement following UK Prime Minister’s
announcement on 10 May.
The RNLI is currently seeking further
clarity following the update given by the UK Prime Minister last night, 10
May, and will be engaging with a number of watersport governing bodies and
other stakeholders to help inform its response.
Many people will want to visit the
coast and participate in water-based activities such as swimming,
kayaking, surfing, boating and angling.
At present there are no RNLI
lifeguards on beaches and although our volunteer lifeboat crews are fully
operational, should they be needed, it is important that anyone visiting
the coast understands the risk and takes the necessary steps to keep
themselves safe. This will also help to reduce the demands placed on our
lifeboat crews and other emergency services including HM Coastguard. In
this way we can all work together to succeed in ensuring the coast is a
safe place to visit.
We would urge anyone planning a visit
to the coast to follow RNLI safety advice:
• Take care near cliffs -
know your route and your limitations
• Have a plan - check the
weather forecast and tide times
• If you fall into the
water unexpectedly, FLOAT TO LIVE. Fight your instinct to thrash around,
lean back, extend your arms and legs, and Float
·
If
individuals are choosing to go sailing or yachting it is important to
ensure that
equipment is properly checked and serviceable before
going afloat.
• In any coastal emergency
dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
April 25th
2020
Lyme Regis lifeboat crew search for missing
diver
Lyme Regis lifeboat launched yesterday afternoon
(Saturday 25th April) at 3.35pm to a report of a missing diver
approximately 5 miles south of Lyme Regis.
The
lifeboat crew were quick to launch and were soon on scene with the boat to
begin searching for the diver.
Two
fishermen, one from Cornwall and the other from Edinburgh who were both
staying in Bridport were diving for scallops when one of the divers became
detached from his surface buoy/marker. The diver had been diving without a
buddy.
The marker
buoy was discovered by the other man aboard the boat with no diver
attached, he then contacted the coastguard to inform them of his missing
diver.
The
coastguard alerted Lyme Regis lifeboat, Exmouth lifeboat and HM Coastguard
search and rescue helicopter from St. Athan and Newquay to search for the
diver. At least four other fishing vessels and the Royal Navy Offshore
Patrol Vessel HMS Tyne joined in the search.
After some
considerable searching, Sub Lieutenant Boyle from HMS Tyne spotted the
diver and Exmouth Lifeboat were able to recover him from the water safe
and well.
He was
passed to Lyme Regis lifeboat where the crew brought him back to the
safety of the harbour.
The diver
who did not want to be named said “I came up to the surface with my bag of
scallops and was shouting at the guy in the boat but the swell had picked
up, the waves were bigger and he was up wind so couldn’t hear me. I saw
the helicopter fly over and some of the other boats searching. I was very
relieved when the lifeboat crew arrived and pulled me out of the water.
Thank you to everyone involved”
The local
coastguard team and police were present, and the two fishermen were issued
with a fine as a breach of the covid-19 lockdown.
Lifeboat
Operations Manager Nick Marks said: “We are glad that the diver is safe
and well however the RNLI is recommending that you should not go in or
near the water during this lockdown.
March 31st 2020
Lifeboat crew remain on standby but
Blessing of the Boats cancelled
Volunteers who operate the life-saving service for the RNLI
in Lyme Regis, and elsewhere, continue to be on standby during the
coronavirus outbreak.
The crew members have ‘key worker’ status and will remain
ready to launch the lifeboat in an emergency.
Lyme Regis’ volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager Nick
Marks said:” Many people will have noticed that the lifeboat station
doors are now closed during the day and that the station is not open to
visitors.
“We have had to do this to comply with the government and
RNLI guidance on social distancing and to keep our crew safe
“For the same reason it is necessary to cancel any events
which encourage large numbers to come to the lifeboat station. “This means
that the Blessing of the Boats service on May 17 will no longer take
place.
“We are hoping that the situation improves over the summer
such that we are able to stage our Lifeboat Week planned for the end of
July. A decision on this will be made later.”
March 18th 2020
Virus alert closes Lyme Regis Lifeboat Station and RNLI
shop
The following statement is from Nick Marks, volunteer
Lifeboat Operations Manager for the RNLI in Lyme Regis.
“In order to protect our volunteers as much as possible
from coronavirus infection Lyme Regis Lifeboat Station has closed to
visitors for the foreseeable future. The RNLI shop on the Cobb has also
closed.
“Lifeboat training has been reduced to the bare minimum
needed to sustain our ability to deliver a lifesaving service.
“The lifeboat crew will continue to respond to service
calls as and when required.”
March 7. 2020
Landslips warning to walkers as mother and
daughter rescued by Lyme Regis RNLI
A warning to coastal walkers about the dangers of being cut
off by the tide because of landslips has been issued by the RNLI in Lyme
Regis.
The town’s lifeboat crew were called out twice today (Sat)
following reports of four people in trouble.
In the first case, just after 3pm, two people managed to
walk to safety from Seven Rock Point west of Lyme Regis harbour.
But only minutes later a mother and her ten year old
daughter were cut off because of a landslip east of the town as they tried
to walk from Lyme Regis to Charmouth looking for fossils.
Volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager Nick Marks himself
raised the alarm after spotting Hester Brough and her daughter Iona in
difficulties east of the new sea wall.
Mr Marks said: ”The couple had started their walk two hours
before high tide but landslips following heavy rain are reducing safe
areas ashore and increasing the risk of being cut off earlier.”
One lifeboat crew member, Rich Tilley swam ashore to assist
the pair. Then the crew’s X-boat – a ten foot inflatable – was rowed
ashore to pick them up and transfer them to the lifeboat.
Hester Brough, on holiday from Bathampton, Somerset, said
“I am a little embarrassed but we were so relieved to see the lifeboat
crew. We won’t be walking in that direction again now that we know about
the landslips.
Boys rowed to safety by RNLI crew member
after inflatable deflates
Three boys –
two aged 13 and one 14 – were helped to safety today by a Lyme Regis
RNLI crew member after their inflatable boat deflated in the town’s
harbour.
The lifeboat
crew were alerted at 4.55pm. Crew member Rich Tilley rowed the lifeboat
station’s X-boat – a ten foot inflatable -to pontoons in the harbour to
collect two of the boys. The third boy was already ashore.
The boys were
said to be ‘rather wet and apologetic but otherwise unhurt.’
RNLI mascot Stormy Stan to run the London
marathon for the life-saving charity
Stormy Stan, the RNLI’s mascot, whose ‘home’ is a cupboard
in Lyme Regis lifeboat station, is running in this year’s London
marathon...with a little help from a 41 year old lorry driver.
Simon Marchant, a former RNLI crew member in Penarth, used
social media to trace the Stormy Stan outfit in Lyme Regis.
Nick Marks, volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, said:
‘Simon has raised many donations for our life-saving charity and we are
delighted to let him borrow Stormy Stan for the marathon and, of course,
we wish them both every success.’
Simon, from Willand, Cullumpton, will be taking time off
from driving his HGV to take part in the marathon on April 25. But before
that he will be warming up by running in a half marathon in Tavistock, and
the 108 miles from the RNLI’s Poole headquarters to the Tower lifeboat
station on the Thames.
Eighteen months ago Simon ran 42 marathons in 42 days
around the coast of Wales and has also cycled from Land’s End to John
O’Groats.
He tried on the mascot outfit for size one night and ran
around Holmbush car park in Lyme Regis at 2am. “I have got permission to
make a minor adjustment to Stormy’s head so that I have better vision,”
said Simon, “but fingers crossed, and with a few stops here and there, I
hope to complete the marathon within 8 hours. Stormy has a big head so I
think other runners will give him a wide berth.”
Simon has a fund-raising site for Stormy Stan at
JustGiving.com
Saturday 18th January
Lyme Regis RNLI Lifeboat
launched to man in fall from Cobb wall
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat crew were tasked by HM Coastguard following reports that a man had fallen off the
high wall of the Cobb.
The lifeboat was about to launch at 3.20pm when crew were
advised by a member of the public that the man who had fallen from had
been picked up by two people who were paddle boarding. The
lifeboat left the boathouse on to the slipway but it was then decided it
was not necessary to launch.
Lifeboat crew and the local coastguard team met the
casualty, David Crabtree, 65, from Sidmouth when the paddleboarders bought
him ashore on Monmouth beach.
David and Debbie Crabtree were walking their dachshund dog
‘Prim’ along the high wall when David suddenly slipped, lost his balance
and fell into the shallow waters below. Another couple who saw this happen
called 999 and asked for the coastguard and an ambulance.
Mr Crabtree was attended to by lifeboat volunteers,
coastguard and ambulance crew. He then joined the crew in the lifeboat
station to warm up before heading back to Sidmouth.
Debbie Crabtree said: “It all happened so quickly and
luckily there was another couple there who contacted the coastguard and
were able to get the attention of the paddleboarders to rescue David. The
lifeboat crew have been fantastic and so helpful with looking after
David.”
As this incident was occurring, another man had fallen from
the wall the other side and was attended to by the coastguard and
ambulance crew.
Nick Marks, Lifeboat Operations Manager said: “The high
wall of the Cobb is particularly slippery, the harbour master has
temporarily advised members of the public not to access the top of the
wall due to large amounts of algae making hazardous walking conditions.”
6 January 2020
Lifeboat rescues
and fund-raising success for Lyme Regis RNLI in 2019
Three rescues due to be screened by the BBC, plus a video
Christmas special featuring the crew and their families and an all-time
record £40,000 raised during Lifeboat Week...these were the highlights of
2019 for the volunteers of the RNLI in Lyme Regis.
The man at the helm of the lifeboat station, Operations
Manager Nick Marks, said: “Once again teamwork and training by the crew
and tremendous fund-raising efforts by the Lifeboat Supporters group have
contributed to a very successful year for our volunteers.”
The rescue of two 14 year old boys being swept out to sea
from the River Axe in June is due to be seen in the BBC’s Saving Lives at
Sea series early in the New Year.
Video using a helmet camera worn by a crew member shows
the boys’ dramatic rescue as they cling to each other at sea.
Footage shot during two other ‘shouts’ is also expected to
be featured in the series later this year. They are the rescue of two
ex-professional sailors whose dinghy capsized and the successful search
for a woman trapped on cliffs with her two dogs.
The Lyme Regis lifeboat crew answered 33 emergency calls
during 2019, a third of them to people cut off by the tide.
The first two ‘shouts’ of the year were to such incidents
in the Charmouth area.
Mr Marks said:” We always urge people to check tide times
and general conditions when out walking.
“Although the year was largely successful there was also
sadness when an extensive search by our crew, Exmouth lifeboat and the
coastguard helicopter failed to find a man who, it later transpired, had
died in the Freshwater Bay area.”
Senior helm Tim Edwards, who was aboard the lifeboat when
the two schoolboys were rescued and who features in the BBC film of the
incident, said “It was a generally safe and successful 2019 and the
rescue of those boys will remain with me for many a year.
“It was a wonderful end to an incident that could have been
so different. It’s what makes all our volunteer work and training so
worthwhile.”
Some 2019 'Shouts'
28. December 2019
Hundreds boost RNLI funds by £2k at
Christmas Day swim
Hundreds of spectators and dozens of fancy dress swimmers
enjoyed the Christmas Day sunshine at Charmouth and donated £1,826 to the
RNLI .
The event was reckoned to be one of the most successful for
several years, and chairman of the Lyme Regis Lifeboat Supporters Ken
Lavery said: “It was a great event with perfect sunshine, blue skies and
the tide was right so we could use the sandy beach.
“It was just a perfect way to start Christmas Day and, once
again, we are so grateful to everyone who donated to our life-saving
charity.”
18 December 2019
Lifeboat charity donates hamper gift to
food bank
An anonymous gift of a hamper to the RNLI in Lyme Regis has
been donated by the lifeboat crew to the town’s food bank.
The hamper was presented today to the food bank’s manager,
Chris Tipping, of Lyme Forward.
Lifeboat Operations Manager Nick Marks said: “Lyme Regis
lifeboat is very fortunate to have generous supporters to whom we are
always grateful
“Recently, a couple, who did not want to be named, handed
in a hamper of festive food at the lifeboat shop.
“Wile our crew appreciate this gesture we recognise there
are people in the town who would benefit from these items and who do not
enjoy the level of support that we do. We therefore decided to donate the
hamper to the food bank, and we thought it appropriate that one deserving
charity such as ours
should support another very worthwhile enterprise,
particularly at Christmas.”
17 December
2019
Lyme Regis
volunteers feature in the RNLI’s heart-warming Christmas film
RNLI volunteers from Lyme
Regis lifeboat station are the stars of the very first Christmas film
produced by the lifesaving charity.
Filmed on location at the station in Lyme Regis the heart-warming film
aims to celebrate the dedication and commitment of all its volunteer
lifeboat crews who will be on call during the Christmas period.
The RNLI’s festive film follows 25-year-old full-time TV Production
Coordinator and crew member, Georgia Robson. Whilst preparing Christmas
dinner, she is called away by the sound of her pager. She races to the
lifeboat station to join the rest of the crew who are preparing for
rescue.
The crew launch the lifeboat to search for a casualty who they thankfully
find and bring back to safety. As they prepare the lifeboat for service
again, they discover a festive surprise in the station boathouse.
Over recent years, it has become a festive tradition for charities and
businesses to release promotional Christmas films and adverts. But instead
of actors and big budgets, the RNLI have produced the film in-house,
featuring the very people who will be in action over Christmas.
Star of the
film Georgia, a volunteer crew member, said: ‘I loved being involved in
this film. Christmas is a time where families come together, but RNLI
volunteers can be called away from their families and homes at any moment.
I think this film beautifully highlights the 'togetherness' found within
crews all around our coast.'
Sharing her
thoughts on the festive film, Director of Fundraising, Media and
Marketing, Jayne George, said, ‘Our RNLI festive film shows the magic of
families coming together at Christmas.
‘But it
also shows the reality of Christmas for some of our volunteers who will
still be on call during their festive celebrations. We want to take this
opportunity to thank our volunteers and supporters, we couldn’t do it
without them.’
RNLI
lifeboat crews in the south west are busier than ever, with a 500%
increase in call outs over the festive period* in 2018 compared with the
same period 40 years ago. Facing a ‘Perfect Storm’, the lifesaving charity
experienced a shortfall in funds last year, but more people than ever
still need its help.
To help the
RNLI volunteers continue to save lives at sea, please visit
RNLI.org/ThePerfectStorm.
The film can be downloaded as a file from the
News Centre
15 December 2019
Lifeboat crew praised for ‘safe and sound’
year
A safe, sound and efficient year was how the man at the
helm of the RNLI in Lyme Regis described 2019 at the crew members’
Christmas dinner last night (Sat).
Lifeboat Operations Manager Nick Marks said that so far
this year the volunteer crew had answered 32 calls for help and held 40
training sessions ‘no mean achievement.’
Some 60 crew members, their family and friends, attended
the dinner at the Harbour Inn.
Special awards were made to helm Mark Colley, who has
completed 20 years voluntary service with the RNLI, and former crew member
Mark Gage for 15 years service.
The much-coveted award for the person voted the crews’ crew
member of the year went to helm Tom Crabbe.
Tongue-in-cheek awards went to Tom Wallis who ‘won’ the
Bent Propeller Trophy, and two crew members were voted Tractor Drivers of
the Year...John Cable and Garry Gibbs.
Get ready for a fancy dress dip on
Christmas Day
Charmouth’s famous Christmas Day swim is being held again
this year, weather permitting.
The event began many years ago and was organised by
villagers.
Year after year dozens of hardy souls – dressed as vicars,
dinasaurs and crusaders to name but a few – plunge into icy water just for
fun and to support fundraising for the RNLI.
Again this year volunteers from the Lyme Regis RNLI
lifeboat crew will also be in the water keeping a watchful eye on
proceedings.
And also again this year the licensees of the Royal Oak,
Charmouth, Sue and Matthew Bracey, will be providing a welcome glass of
mulled wine.
Sue said: “The free wine goes down very well with the
swimmers, but this year we will have more bottles so that can serve
spectators as well for a donation to the RNLI.”
Swimmers are asked to arrive at 10.30 ready for an 11am
start.
10th December 2019
Homebredy House residents produce calendar
to raise donations for RNLI charity
On Thursday 5th December, a presentation of
£106.00 from donations and sales of calendars was made by resident Bill
Hancox to Krys Lavery (RNLI Shop Manager, Lyme Regis)
Homebredy House provides retirement housing in East Street,
Bridport. Manager Jacqui Street explained that Bill had put together the
calendar with contributions in rhyme and paintings from members of the
Homebredy House, Art and Poetry Clubs.
The front page is devoted to Lifeboats and Crews with a
collection of humorous rhymes and pictures to enjoy throughout the year.
The cheque was handed over by Bill to Krys and a further
£104.50 was raised by sales from a pop-up shop of RNLI goodies set out at
the afternoon tea party.
In all a total of £213.00 was raised to help the RNLI save
lives at sea.
Nick Marks, Lifeboat Operations Manager for Lyme Regis RNLI
lifeboat station said “We are very grateful for the residents of Homebredy
House for this donation, the RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea.
The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on
voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.”
26th
November
Lyme Regis RNLI Lifeboat launched to woman
and 2 dogs stuck on cliffs
Lyme Regis lifeboat was launched yesterday afternoon to a
report of a woman with her two dogs stuck on the cliffs.
Lyme Regis lifeboat worked together with HM Coastguard
teams to rescue a woman, 33 from Cardiff with her 2 dogs who was stuck at
the base of the cliffs at Black Venn, between Lyme Regis and Charmouth.
Volunteer lifeboat crew launched the lifeboat at 4.35pm and
after performing a shoreline search, they were able to locate the casualty
because she was using the torch function on her mobile phone.
Two of the lifeboat crew swam ashore to assess the
situation and casualty.
It was a very high tide so the woman had decided to move to
higher ground, this made it very difficult for the Coastguard teams to
access the location.
The lifeboat returned to the station to transport members
of the Lyme Regis Coastguard Response Team and another lifeboat crew to
assist with the recovery.
The Coastguard Rescue helicopter was requested to help and
arrived to winch the casualty back to Charmouth for further assessment.
The volunteer lifeboat crew utilised their small X boat for transporting
the 2 dogs and crew ashore back to the main inshore lifeboat.
The woman and both dogs were safely recovered and all in
good health.
The lifeboat returned to Lyme Regis harbour with the
Coastguard team and 2 dogs by 8pm .
Supper success
Donations to the RNLI at a fish supper at Lyme Regis
lifeboat station on Saturday totalled £519. 25p.
The supper was hosted by former chef Petrina Muscroft, and
23 diners tucked into a large soup pot of chilli con carne, two slow
cookers of fish curry, three large salmon and one gammon. A quiz and a
raffle helped to boost donations.
17 November 2019
Teens learn the ropes at lifeboat station
Five teens, who spent six months learning the ropes with
volunteers of the RNLI in Lyme Regis, got their reward today … a half
hour trip in the town’s lifeboat.
The youngsters, all students at Woodroffe School, are
working towards their Duke of Edinburgh awards and have spent the past six
months attending training sessions at the lifeboat station to complete
the volunteer section of the scheme.
The lifeboat trip marked the end of their sessions with the
lifeboat team.
Helm Brian Street took each of the youngsters to sea, one
at a time, with other crew members. Two of the students are Brian’s sons,
Logan,15 and Tyler, 17, who is hoping to join the crew soon.
Another of the youngsters, Rafferty Porter,15, is the son
of Steve Porter who is a DLA - Deputy Launching Authority- at the lifeboat
station. As he came ashore Rafferty said: ‘That trip in the lifeboat was
so cool; so much fun, and who knows I might join the crew one day.’
The other two students were Jack Evans ,15, and Merlin
Thompson, 14.
Brian Street, a helm with the lifeboat for 15 years, said :
‘ For the past six months these young men have been shown rope work,
navigation methods, chart work and all about the workings of the lifeboat
and the station as a whole.’
Former DLA Ian Marshall and DLA Steve Porter also worked
with the youngsters.
16 November 2019
Caravan park donations boost RNLI charity
Donations by visitors to a Charmouth caravan park resulted
in a cheque for £3,130 presented today to the crew of Lyme Regis RNLI
lifeboat.
The owner of Wood Farm Caravan Park, Jane Bremner , made
the RNLI her charity for the year, and the 4,500 bookings for the park
resulted in the bumper donations.
The caravan park has been in Jane’s family for 47 years and
has 300 pitches.
Nick Marks, volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager in Lyme
Regis, said: ‘The generosity of Jane and her visitors is much appreciated
by all members of our crew.’
Next year’s charity at Wood Farm will be Dorset Mind.
15 November 2019
Diver rescued by lifeboat joins Lyme Regis
RNLI
A former diving instructor who was once rescued by a
lifeboat crew has joined the volunteer RNLI team in Lyme Regis.
Paul Carey,61, who moved to Lyme Regis from Sussex this
year, has joined the management team at the town’s lifeboat station as a
DLA – Deputy Launching Authority.
Paul, who started diving at 14, soon after he learned to
swim, was rescued with his dive ‘buddy’ after they surfaced only to find
their dive boat had disappeared.
“We were in the water for 45 minutes with waves of three
feet. The dive boat reported us missing and we were very relieved when the
RNLI arrived,” said Paul.
As a qualified lifesaving examiner, boat handler and VHF
radio tutor, Paul also taught diving at Poole Dive Centre.
Paul, who worked with adults with learning difficulties in
Sussex for 20 years, said:”I will never forget my gratitude at being
rescued by the RNLI, and when we moved to Lyme Regis I thought here was
the ideal opportunity to give something back by volunteering.”
Paul and his wife Karen have three grown up children, twins
Lucy and Anna,24, and Timothy, 26.
Tuck into an
RNLI Fish Supper and help us save lives at sea!
The
Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is asking the people of Lyme
Regis to take part in the charity’s annual foodie fundraiser, Fish Supper,
to help save lives at sea.
A former chef
will be serving a special menu on Saturday 16th November to
raise funds for the RNLI in Lyme Regis.
Petrina
Muscroft will be hosting a fish supper at the towns lifeboat station with
two sittings at 6.30pm and 8.30pm.
On the menu,
salmon with new potatoes, a fish curry and a vegetarian chilli con carne.
There will also
be a mini quiz and raffle
Petrina said “I
will be donating all the food I am suggesting a £10 donation for diners. I
am asking people to bring their own drinks.”
The first
sitting is sold out but to book for 8.30pm sitting, please call Petrina on
07967145035 or email
noake@talk21.com
27 October 2019
Lifeboat launched to children aboard
‘sinking gig’
Lyme Regis lifeboat was launched today (Sunday) after a gig
with children aboard was overwhelmed by waves and filled with water.
It happened 200metres off West Beach, West Bay.
Everyone involved, including about six youngsters and three
adults, reached shore safely.
Volunteer lifeboat crew, paramedics and coastguards ashore
treated some of the gig occupants.
The lifeboat crew launched at 9.48, initially to a report
of ‘an overturned gig with people in the water.’ When they arrived on
scene adults and childen were ashore, some inside the harbourmaster’s
office. The gig was on the beach.
Two lifeboat crew members, Georgia Robson and Andy
Butterfield, went ashore to assist with ‘casualty care.’
The lifeboat then returned to Lyme Regis to pick up crew
member Mark Ellis, who is also a full time paramedic, and helm Murray
Saunders to assist, along with another paramedic, in treating children and
adults.
Mark Ellis said:” I was able to treat two women and a young
girl who were in some distress.”
Canoe club in rescue exercise with RNLI
crew
A major exercise involving the RNLI lifeboat crew based in
Lyme Regis and members of the Axe Vale Canoe Club has been hailed a
success and a valuable contribution to improved safety at sea.
The exercise involved ten experienced kayakers and
canoeists, and the scenario simulated a club member becoming ill. The
lifeboat crew located the ‘casualty’ using VHF transmission from kayakers
and then assisted canoe club members and their kayaks from the scene of
the incident to the Axe marina.
Mike McAlpine, RNLI volunteer Community Safety Officer,
said: ”The key message was being able to call for help can save lives. On
a small craft like a kayak carrying a PLB – Personal Locator Beacon – is
always a good idea.
“A hand held VHF radio is worth considering, as well as a
mobile phone in a waterproof pouch which works well on many parts of the
near shore.
“The exercise was a success for both the lifeboat crew and
the kayakers with important lessons being learned.”
Lifeboat crew’s dramatic rescue of two boys to feature in BBC TV’s Saving
Lives at Sea
Four members of the volunteer crew of the RNLI’s Lyme Regis
lifeboat will feature in the BBC 2 series Saving Lives At Sea after their
dramatic rescue of two boys being swept out to sea.
The rescue, at the end of June, was filmed by a lifeboat
crew member using a helmet camera and shows how two 14 year old boys were
found clinging to each other after being swept out to sea some 200 metres
from the River Axe.
The boys, Archie Woollacott and Bozhidra Bobev – known as
Bo – are both students at Axe Valley Academy, Axminster. Archie
later helped to raise £700 which the school presented to the RNLI after he
had his hair shaved off by a fellow student.
Archie, his mum Emily, and Bo feature in the film along
with lifeboat crew members Tim Edwards, Murray Saunders, Andy Butterfield
and Nikky Williams.
Saving Lives At Sea, featuring the Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat
crew, is scheduled for transmission sometime on BBC 2 We'll
let you know
18th October 2019
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat crew rescue man in
the water being swept out to sea
Lyme Regis lifeboat launched this afternoon (Friday) to a
report of a man in the water in difficulty at Seaton, Devon. The volunteer
crew were quick to launch, only 8 minutes after being requested by HM
Coastguard at 1pm.
The lifeboat arrived in Seaton less than 15 minutes later
and were able to locate and rescue the man who was wearing a drysuit and
lifejacket with bright colours. The volunteer crew returned with the man
to Lyme Regis lifeboat station.
Lifeboat helm Murray Saunders said: “We were able to get to
Seaton quickly considering the rough seas, it was a good job the man was
wearing appropriate protective clothing and a lifejacket. This helped when
we began searching and were able to rescue him rapidly.”
The lifeboat crew returned to Lyme Regis harbour with the
casualty aboard safe and well at 2.00p.m.
13th October
Lifeboat
launched to ‘man on cliffs’
Lyme Regis lifeboat was launched last night (Sat) after
reports of a man scrambling up cliffs apparently to avoid a high tide.
Coastguards ashore and the volunteer lifeboat crew searched
an area east of Lyme Regis but found no trace of the man.
The lifeboat launched at 7.19pm and returned to Lyme Regis
harbour at 8.30pm .
The incident was recorded as a false alarm with good
intent.
Sailing Club fish supper catches £660 for
RNLI
A fish supper hosted by Lyme Regis Sailing Club served up a
£660 donation for the volunteers of the town’s RNLI charity.
The supper was held last Friday (Oct 11th) and
sixty meals were served at the club’s headquarters thanks to the help of
Vic Pelaou from Lyme’s Fish Bar.
The event was organised by the sailing club’s Trish
Williams along with Di Mattock. The duo and Vic are pictured with the
giant cheque which they presented to lifeboat crew members at their
training session today.
Another fish supper in Lyme Regis is planned for November
16th when former chef Petrina Muscroft hosts a feast at the
town’s lifeboat station.
It’s the third year running that Petrina has held a fish
supper as part of the RNLI’s fund-raising activities.
Once again this year the RNLI is encouraging people to come
together with friends, family or their local community to have fun and
enjoy a fish-themed dish to help save lives at sea.
She will do two sittings, 6-8pm and 8.30--10.30. There will be a
choice of fish dishes and vegetarian, minimum donation £7 and bring your
own drink.
Every penny raised during the RNLI Fish Suppers around the
UK and Ireland will help prevent drowning and will go towards vital
lifeboat crew kit, fuel for lifeboats, and essential training, including
the charity’s many drowning prevention programmes such as Swim Safe
sessions for children.
October 5 2019
Lifeboat Week breaks all records
The final total for Lifeboat Week
and associated
summer fund-raising events in Lyme
Regis this year is £40,315. Treasurer for the Lyme Regis and
Charmouth Lifeboat Supporters, Brian Cursley, announced the result and
said: “There is little doubt that this is the best result ever after all
expenses.”
Supporters chairman, Ken Lavery said: “This is just an
amazing total and a tribute to all the RNLI volunteers involved in
planning and running the events and, of course, we send our thanks to the
many hundreds of generous people who gave donations during the week.”
27 September 2019
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat launched to two
people & a dog cut off by tide
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat was launched yesterday afternoon
(Thursday) when coastguards reported two people and a dog cut off by the
tide at Black Venn, between Charmouth & Lyme Regis.
Sea conditions and visibility were good, the lifeboat crew
were in communication with Lyme Regis coastguard rescue team and conducted
searches along the beach but were later stood down by the coastguard.
Nick Marks, Volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager in Lyme
Regis, said: ‘Conditions around the coastline this weekend are challenging
with high tidal surges, large surf, and potential cliff falls. Anyone out
walking should check the tide times prior to setting off.
As always, if you see someone in difficulty please call 999
and ask for the coastguard.’
The lifeboat was launched at 4.20pm and returned to Lyme
Regis harbour an hour later.
This was the 23rd
emergency call answered by the RNLI volunteer crew at Lyme Regis so far
this year
22nd September 2019
Lifeboat launched to ‘swimmer reported to
be in trouble’
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat launched yesterday following
a report of a person in the water requiring assistance off Beer beach.
The volunteer crew were tasked by the coastguard at 3.20pm
to launch the lifeboat and arrived only 15 minutes later at Beer. The crew
worked together with the Beer coastguard team and discovered the swimmer
has made it safely to shore and was safe and well.
This was the 22nd time the volunteer crew of
Lyme Regis have launched.
The lifeboat
returned to Lyme Regis harbour an hour later.
15 September
2019
Lifeboat launched to ‘paddleboarders in
trouble’
Lyme Regis RNLI
lifeboat was launched last night following a report of two paddleboarders in difficulty six miles south of West Bay harbour.
The volunteer
crew carried out a search but nothing was found and the ‘shout’ – the 21st
so far this year - was recorded as a false alarm with good intent.
The lifeboat was
launched at 6.40 pm and returned to Lyme Regis harbour an hour later.
5 September, 2019
Lifeboat Week hits a £36,000 jackpot for
life-saving charity
Lifeboat Week in Lyme Regis this year raised some £36,500
for the RNLI charity, the organisers heard last night.
Treasurer Brian Cursley announced the week’s financial
results at the first meeting since the event of the Lyme Regis and
Charmouth Lifeboat Supporters.
In his detailed report, Mr Cursley revealed that out of
around 72 events the top earners were the water or wine lucky dip
(£6,002), the glossy programme of the week’s events (£3,760) and the book
stall (£2,556).
Since the early 1970s Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week has boosted
the life-saving charity’s funds by hundreds of thousands of pounds.
In the last seven years alone volunteers have raised
£250,000, thanks to the generous donations of visitors, residents and
traders in the town and surrounding areas.
Chairman of the Lifeboat Supporters Ken Lavery said: ‘This
year’s week was just brilliant and a huge tribute to everyone involved.
All the new events did well as did the old favourites. We are now
planning an even more ambitious week for 2020.’
Next year’s Lifeboat Week is July 25th – 31st.
4th
September 2019
Artist Jess donates to RNLI after national
sailing championships
Jess Douglas,
local artist/illustrator and Lyme Regis Sailing Club member, has presented
a cheque for £130 to the volunteers of the town’s RNLI.
The donation to
the lifeboat charity was raised during the Firefly National Championships
hosted in Lyme Regis in August. Jess sold copies of her promotional
Firefly poster.
Copies of the
poster are still available. Contact Jess on her website:
https://www.jessdouglas.com/
30 August 2019
Lifeboat joins big search after ‘flare’
report
Lyme Regis RNLI
lifeboat joined a search last night (Thursday) after a fishing boat crew
reported seeing two red flares a few minutes apart at sea.
The volunteer
lifeboat crew launched at 10pm and were at sea until half past midnight,
searching from Charmouth in the east to Seaton and Sidmouth to the west of
Lyme Regis.
The lifeboat
crew joined a search with a coastguard helicopter, Exmouth’s RNLI lifeboat
and coastguards ashore from West Bay and Beer.
Nothing was
found and the lifeboat crew were stood down by Solent coastguards just
after midnight.
25 August 2019
Sea anglers net £3,000 for lifeboat
volunteers
Members of
Seaton’s Sea Angling Club yesterday (Sat) presented a cheque for £3,000 to
the volunteers of the RNLI in Lyme Regis.
The donation to
the lifeboat charity was raised during a number of fund-raising events
including the annual barbecue. The total included a large sum raised in
memory of Chris Cox, whose son Nathan is a member of the club.
23 August 2019
Lifeboat launched to ‘dinghy on rocks’
Lyme Regis RNLI
lifeboat was launched yesterday (Thurs) after reports that a small dinghy
had struck rocks and a man was in the water.
The incident
happened at Broad Ledge, three quarters of a mile east of the town’s
harbour.
The sailor was
safe and well and was helped ashore by a lifeguard. His dinghy was sailed
back to Lyme Regis harbour by a member of the lifeboat crew.
Now lifeboat crew get a floating X-Factor !
Lifeboat volunteers in Lyme
Regis now have their own version of the X-Factor to help them save lives
at sea.
The RNLI has supplied the
town’s lifeboat crew with a so-called X-boat …a ten foot inflatable with
oars.
Volunteer Lifeboat Operations
Manager Nick Marks explained: ’The idea is to try and avoid asking crew
members to swim ashore to reach people, particularly those cut off by the
tide. This has sometimes been necessary when the lifeboat has been unable
to get close to shore safely.’
The crew are currently
evaluating the value of the inflatable which is taken aboard the lifeboat
and then later rowed ashore to offer reassurance, or even first aid, to
anyone in trouble. Nick Marks added:’ We are hoping the X-boat will
improve our operational ability still further to assist those in
difficulty ashore.’
August 11
2019
Sailors
rescued by Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat crew as their dinghy capsizes
Two
ex-professional sailors were rescued by the crew of Lyme Regis RNLI
lifeboat today when their dinghy capsized in strong winds 500m south of
the town’s harbour.
Sam
Brearey, 30, from Canterbury, and Christian Birrell,also 30, from London,
were training for a national sailing championships event next weekend
when when the forestay – a rope supporting the mast – broke and their
vessel capsized throwing them both overboard.
Both men
were in the water when the lifeboat crew arrived. The 14 foot Merlin
Rocket sailing boat with the two men aboard was then towed by the
lifeboat to the safety of Lyme Regis harbour.
Sam
Brearey said:’ Despite all the experience we have both gained, if the
forestay goes you have a major problem.
‘We were
very pleased to see the lifeboat crew, who were brilliant at working
together to recover us and the boat. There was simply nothing we could do
after the forestay broke.’
The
volunteer lifeboat crew were requested to launch by coastguards at 2.27pm
and returned to Lyme Regis harbour at 4pm.
10 August 2019
Lyme
Regis RNLI lifeboat launched to three cut off by tide
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat was
launched this afternoon when coastguards reported three people cut off by
the tide at Freshwater Bay, east of the Dorset resort.
Sea conditions were rough, and
the lifeboat crew was stood down when coastguards ashore assisted the
three people to safety.
Nick Marks, Volunteer Lifeboat
Operations Manager in Lyme Regis, said:’Conditions around the coastline
this weekend are challenging with tidal surges, large surf, strong rip
currents and cliff falls.
‘It is very likely that
swimming, bodyboarding, or surfing will not be safe.
‘Anglers, walkers and those
taking photographs are reminded to keep a safe distance from the water. As
always, if you see someone in difficulty please call 999 and ask for the
coastguard.’
The lifeboat was launched at
12.20pm and returned to Lyme Regis harbour an hour later.
This was the 15th
emergency call answered by the RNLI volunteer crew at Lyme Regis so far
this year.
August 10 2019
Lifeboat launched to ‘six cut off by tide’
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat was
launched yesterday (Fri) after coastguards received a report of six people
cut off by the tide on Spittles beach east of the town.
The volunteer lifeboat crew
launched at 1225 and soon established that all six people had managed to
reach safety ashore. The lifeboat returned to Lyme Regis harbour some
twenty minutes later.
August
4, 2019
Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week heading for another success
Lifeboat Week in Lyme Regis
was heading for another financial success for the RNLI’s life-saving
charity as the event came to an end yesterday (Fri).
Early estimates were that
donations totalling £28,000 had been received with the final figure
expected within a week or two.
The week started in brilliant
sunshine with the popular appearance of John Challis - Boycie in Only
Fools and Horses – officially opening the event.
Second- hand book sales, the
wine or water raffle, a birds of prey talk with barn owls and a bald
eagle, the spectacular Red Devils Army parachute display team, not to
mention the tug ‘o war across the harbour mouth and the bathtub race….all
proved big attractions for visitors and residents.
Almost a hundred took part in
the swimming challenges for children and adults from Cobb Gate to the
North Wall of the harbour.
Around 500 hot dogs cooked by
the lifeboat crew were sold, and 650 plastic ducks raced to the finishing
line on the River Lym with prizes for the winners and the last
‘competitor.’
The singalong version of the
Mama Mia! film was a sell-out at the Marine Theatre.
Ken Lavery, chairman of the
organisers, the Lyme Regis and Charmouth Lifeboat Supporters, said: “It
was a great week with new events and old favourites all very popular.
“I can’t thank enough those
who took part and donated to our charity. Their generosity once again was
just amazing. I must also thank all our volunteers who gave their time to
run the 72 different events.
“The rain on one day did not
dampen the spirits of anyone.”
Tug ‘o war across the harbour
mouth and the bathtub race rounded off the week on Friday. The lifeboat
crew won the tug ‘o war against a team from the sailing club, sea school
and football club. The sailing club’s bathtub, Cat-Astrophe won with the
Boat Building Academy’s Bare Minimum second and Kersbrook Chaos third.
The lifeboat crew and their
bathtub called Time for Bed came last and had to be towed into the
harbour….by the lifeboat.
www.lymeregislifeboatweek.co.uk
1st
August 2019
'Buskers’ 25 years at Lifeboat Week
Two musicians
marked 25 years ‘busking’ at Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week.
Friends Holly
Chapman. 70, and 92 year old Ivor Hyde have been playing together for 35
years, mainly at barn dances. But they have also appeared at Lifeboat Week
every year, Holly, from Axminster, with her violin and Ivor, from near
Chard, with his accordion.
Together they
have raised hundreds of pounds for the RNLI. “It’s just a great pleasure
to play in the open air, and the public are very generous,” said Holly.
August 1st,
2019
Hazel,86, knits a pattern for charity work
If anyone
summed up the spirit of charity work during Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week it
was Hazel Swindells, 86, from the West Midlands.
Hazel is
grandmother to Claire Perkins, the young woman who drowned in 2011 when
her electric wheelchair fell into the town’s harbour.
Hazel, her
daughter Paula and Paula’s husband, Mark, travel from the West Midlands
every year to help RNLI volunteers running the week which often raises
£35,000 for the life-savung charity.
During the week
Hazel sold programmes at the lifeboat station and at the same time knitted
fingerless gloves which she sold for the RNLI. One visitor bought a pair
for £14.
Hazel said: “I
knit all day and every day and the gloves have been very popular.”
Hazel knits all
year round, anything from the gloves to jumpers and cardigans, and always
for charity including the one that supports people with the illness her
grand-daughter suffered from.
27 July 2019
First day crowds enjoy sunshine at Lyme
Regis Lifeboat Week
Huge crowds packed Lyme Regis today in the sunshine for the
first day of this year’s Lifeboat Week.
A major attraction was the appearance of actor John Challis
– Boycie in Only Fools and Horses – to officially open the week and then
to deal with long queues to sign his autobiography.
Another major event was the welcome display by the Lyme
Regis inshore lifeboat, Spirit of Loch Fyne, the all weather lifeboat from
Exmouth and the coastguard helicopter from St Athan, South Wales.
Belly dancing from the Easter Promise group, an art
exhibition and a display by members of the Weymouth and Portland Model
Boat Club also attracted admiring audiences.
27 July, 2019
Three thrown overboard as dinghy is swamped
by waves
Three young men, thrown overboard from their dinghy, have
been praised by the RNLI for their text book response to the drama.
The men’s dinghy was swamped by waves at St. Gabriel’s
Steps near Golden Cap last night (Friday).
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat was launched at 6.40pm. after
coastguards reported the dinghy capsize and three people in the water.
Members of the volunteer lifeboat crew who responded to
their pager alert included seven who had just started to take part in a
charity cricket match at Uplyme on the eve of lifeboat week.
The three men, all wearing lifejackets, managed to swim
safely ashore. One member of the lifeboat crew also swam ashore to assist
coastguards who escorted the three to Charmouth.
Ken Lavery, Deputy Launching Authority at the lifeboat
station, said: ”The young men responded to their dilemma in an exemplary
manner. All wore lifejackets, they kept each other in sight as they swam
ashore, one had a kill cord attached to his ankle so their outboard engine
stopped, and they even removed the petrol tank to avoid pollution. It was
text book stuff.”
Owner of the 3.8m inflatable James Chambers, 23, from
Leatherhead, Surrey was visiting Dorset with his fiancé Georgie, also 23,
for their engagement party. The other two aboard the dinghy were James’
brother Harry, 19, and friend James Goodall, 23, also from Surrey.
James Chambers said: ”We were hit by a big wave at the back
of the dinghy and we were all tipped out. We were about 100metres from the
beach. We swam ashore and we were all fine.”
24th July 2019
Lyme Regis RNLI
lifeboat launched after report of people in the water and a broken down
fishing boat
Lyme Regis Lifeboat launched today (Wednesday)
at 12.45pm today to a report of a 3 people in
the water and a broken down fishing vessel near West Bexington.
Volunteer lifeboat crew were quick to launch after being notified by the
coastguard. On arriving on scene, the crew discovered the casualties had
made it ashore and managed to bring their 15ft fishing boat ashore.
The trio from Berkshire were on their fishing boat when it suffered engine
failure, they managed to get the boat ashore and wait for assistance.
Two of the lifeboat crew swam ashore to liaise with the West Bay
coastguard rescue team to ensure the casualties were safe and well. The
crew set up a tow and towed the boat and people back to West Bay. The
lifeboat returned to Lyme Regis by 2.30pm
20 July 2019
School’s £700 donation to RNLI life-savers
Pupils at Axe Valley Academy in Axminster have donated more
than £700 to the RNLI in Lyme Regis following the rescue of two of their
school colleagues last month.
One of the 14 year olds, Archie Woollacott, handed a
donation of £731 to volunteer helm Murray Saunders at the school’s last
assembly before the summer break yesterday (Fri).
The money was raised by Archie who had his head shaved for
sponsorship and by hundreds of students who donated on a non-uniform day.
Archie, from Fishpond, Dorset, and his friend, known as Bo,
were rescued by the Lyme Regis lifeboat crew after being swept out to sea
from the mouth of the River Axe on June 28.
Youngsters at the packed school assembly were given some
sea safety advice by Murray Saunders on the eve of their six week summer
holiday. He warned against so-called tomb-stoning and urged the students
to remember the RNLI’s message to:’ Respect the Water.’
12 July
2019
Another
close shave for Archie, 14, after rescue by lifeboat crew
A 14 year
old schoolboy rescued with his friend after being swept out to sea from
the River Axe has had another close shave.
Archie
Woollacott, from Fishpond, Dorset, had his hair shaved off today to raise
a donation for the RNLI volunteers from Lyme Regis who saved him and his
friend, known as Bo, also 14, on June 28.
With a
hundred of his fellow students at Axe Valley Academy and his mum, Emily,
looking on Archie had his very short back and sides as fellow student
Sammie D’Alberlansln wielded the electric razor.
Archie
reckons he raised some £300 with his haircut and the school also received
donations for the RNLI on its no-uniform day. A presentation is planned
for next Friday at the last assembly before the summer break.
30th June
One of the boys our crew rescued, (see below) Archie Woollacott, surprised
us by presenting the crew with a lemon drizzle cake he had baked this
morning. Archie attends cookery classes at school and said: "I just wanted
to meet the crew who saved me and to say thank you properly." It now
appears that he and his friend, Bo, were in the water for about an hour.
Photo shows Archie (right) in the bows of the lifeboat with the cake and
helm Murray Saunders and other members of the crew foreground.
28th
June 2019
Lyme Regis RNLI
lifeboat crew rescue two boys being swept out to sea
Two
teenaged boys being swept out to sea from the River Axe were rescued
tonight by the volunteer crew of the Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat.
The
lifeboat was launched at 6.20pm after a report of one boy in difficulties.
It later became clear that two boys were in the water, and it is thought
one was trying to help the other.
The
lifeboat was on the scene within ten minutes of launching and with the
help of Beer coastguards found the boys some 200 metres out at sea south
of the River Axe.
Lifeboat
helm Murray Saunders said:” The coastguards were a terrific help and
guided us to the boys who were waving to us. It was very fortunate that we
found them so quickly. They were obviously very cold and relieved to see
us.”
The boys
were taken aboard the lifeboat and then winched from the lifeboat to a
coastguard helicopter. It is understood they were then transferred to an
air ambulance and taken to hospital in Dorchester.
The
lifeboat crew returned to Lyme Regis harbour at 7.20p.m.
More with video on the rescue of two boys on the River Axe on the RNLI
News Centre:
https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2019/june/29/lyme-regis-rnli-crew-rescue-two-boys-being-swept-out-to-sea
28
June 2019
Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week 2019 aims to be bigger and better than ever
Plans are being finalised for Lifeboat Week, one of the biggest summer
attractions in Lyme Regis and a huge fund raiser for the RNLI, the charity
that saves lives at sea.
This year’s event gets under way on July 27th , and the
official opening will be performed by actor John Challis who played Boycie
in the BBC TV hit series Only Fools and Horses.
All the
old favourites are in the week’s attractions…the bath tub race, tug o’ war
across the harbour mouth, and the spectacular Army parachute display team
The Red Devils.
As usual
there will be a mix of events to appeal to all ages, including the
swimming challenge for adults and children, a fascinating birds of prey
demonstration and a crab fishing competition for the youngsters.
One new
attraction this year is a singalong version of the film Mama Mia ! being
screened at the Marine Theatre. This event also includes a competition for
the best Abba adult and youngster outfit.
Lifeboat
Week is organised by the local volunteer RNLI fund-raisers, the Lyme Regis
and Charmouth Lifeboat Supporters, with help from the lifeboat crew.
Chairman
of the Supporters Ken Lavery said:” At first there were lifeboat
days, but Lyme Regis has had a action-packed lifeboat week since the
1970s, and in recent years the event has raised hundreds of thousands of
pounds for our life-saving charity.
“On
average the week raises between £30,000 and £35,000 and we are deeply
grateful to visitors, residents and traders for their generous donations.
“This year
we believe we have a bigger and better event all round, and all we need
for another great week is good weather.”
This year
it’s hoped to provide a detailed programme on line and it will also be
available at outlets around the town and, of course, the lifeboat shop on
The Cobb.
Lyme Regis RNLI flag at half mast following French lifeboat tragedy
The flag
at the RNLI lifeboat station in Lyme Regis was flown at half mast
following news of the loss of three crew members when a French lifeboat
capsized during a rescue.
Lifeboat
Operations Manager in Lyme Regis, Nick Marks said: “As a mark of our
respect we took the decision to lower our flag on Friday and a message of
support was posted on twitter.”
The RNLI
said in a statement: “This is tragic news and a shock to all of us in the
lifesaving family. Times like this remind us how perilous the water can
be, Our thoughts go out to all involved.”
Lifeboat flag day success
Flag day in Lyme Regis and Charmouth in aid of the
RNLI charity on June 1st raised £990.09.
Organiser Gwyneth Barker said: “We had forty volunteer collectors on duty
during the day and, once again, we are so grateful for the donations to
our charity that exists to save lives at sea.”
28th May
Authors
put lifeboat in the picture with photo donation
The joint
authors of a top selling book about Dorset, who presented a £1000 cheque
to the volunteers of Lyme Regis RNLI, today turned that cheque into a gift
of photographic equipment for use by the lifeboat crew.
Fanny
Charles and Gay Pirrie-Weir have already donated some £40,000 to
charities, proceeds from their books including Deepest Dorset,
which covers a wide range of subjects about the county including food,
farming, fossils and landscape.
Fanny
said:” We first presented a cheque but then we heard the lifeboat crew
wanted some photographic equipment to help raise their profile even
higher. We wanted the donation to be spent locally and we are delighted to
help.”
Fanny and
Gay presented crew member Dave Holland with a telephoto lens and photo
printer.
Fanny and
Gay’s book is published by Deepest Books, price £20. More information at
www.deepestbooks.co.uk
or phone 0196332525.
26th May
Blessing of the boats remembers tragedy and rescues
An estimated two hundred people attended today’s Blessing of the Boats
open air service at the RNLI’s lifeboat station in Lyme Regis. The poignant
service was conducted by the Rev. Rosemary Bragg, interregnum team vicar,
and the Rev Eric Holdstock from Lyme Regis Baptist Church. The
lesson was read by the recently elected Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor
Brian Larcombe.
Four
wreaths were taken out to sea by members of the volunteer lifeboat crew,
marking remembrance of those who have died but also celebrating ‘relief
and gratitude’ for lifeboat crews, coastguards and helicopter crews all of
whom have saved many lives.
Music for
the service was provided by Lyme Regis Town Band.
26th May
Lifeboat launched to upturned Kayak
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat was launched last night (Sat) following reports
of an upturned kayak off West Bexington. The volunteer crew launched
at 7.27pm, but shortly afterwards coastguards ashore reported they had
contacted the kayak’s owner, safe and well on the beach. The kayak was
recovered later.
25 May 2019
Million-pound
training fund helps Lyme Regis RNLI crew learn vital skills
Two volunteer crew members at
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat station have had a vital part of their
crew training funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation.
Georgia Robson, 25, and Dave Holland,46,,
recently travelled to the RNLI College in Poole, to complete the
charity’s Crew Emergency Procedures course..
Georgia, is a business manager with a vehicle comany and Dave is
an assistant bar manager.
The course sees volunteer crew being trained in a variety of crucial
subjects such as how to deal with fires aboard lifeboats, how to ‘abandon
ship’ in the event of an emergency (with a 4m jump into water), team
survival swimming, coping in a life-raft in simulated darkness, how to
right a capsized inshore lifeboat, and the importance of lifejackets. It
also includes sessions on the correct use of flares, fire extinguishers
and grab bags.
Talking about the training,
Dave said:” The course was informative, invigorating and I
have learned a great deal,, all of which will be immensely useful in my
volunteer duties with the lifeboat crew. Myself and Georgia also greatly
valued the team building aspect of the course.”
Georgia and Dave’s
training took place in the Sea Survival Centre at the RNLI College, where
they were joined by other RNLI volunteer crew members from around the UK
and Ireland.
The training was funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation, a charitable
foundation that helps to protect life and property by supporting
engineering-related education, public engagement and the application of
research. The Foundation has committed to funding the RNLI’s Crew
Emergency Procedures course for a second 5-year period until December
2020. This additional funding of £1.06M brings their total support for
RNLI crew training to just over £2.46M* since 2008. More than 3,000 RNLI
volunteer crew members have now received the training thanks to Lloyd’s
Register Foundation’s funding.
James Kilburn, Lifesaving Delivery Training Manager at the RNLI said, ‘We
are so grateful to Lloyd’s Register Foundation for funding this vital part
of our volunteer crews’ training.
‘Their
support is very important to us and it’s fantastic how, so far, over 3,000
of our crew members have benefited from Lloyd’s Register Foundation
funding this part of their training. As only one in ten of our volunteer
crew members comes from a professional maritime background, the Crew
Emergency Procedures course is crucial in giving our volunteers the
training they need and helping keep them as safe as possible
Lifeboat teams welcome all to open day and blessing of the boats
Crew
members and supporters of the RNLI lifeboat in Lyme Regis are staging an
open day followed by the annual Blessing of the Boats service on Sunday,
May 26th.
The
lifeboat station on the Cobb will be open from 10am to 2pm. Blessing of
the Boats begins at 3pm.
During the
open day volunteer lifeboat crew and members of the fundraisers, the Lyme
Regis and Charmouth Lifeboat Supporters Group, will be on hand to talk
about all aspects of volunteering for the charity.
The
supporters organise many fund-raising events throughout the year including
Lifeboat Week which this year starts on July 27th.
Chairman
of the supporters group, retired surgeon Ken Lavery, said: ”Lifeboat Week
is our major fund-raising event and donations during the week regularly
total around £30,000.
“Our
volunteers are incredibly enthusiastic, but we could always do with more
help so we thought we would hold an open day in the hope that we might
interest more people to join us. We are a very friendly group and there
are plenty of social activities during the year.”
Lifeboat
Operations Manager Nick Marks also hopes to attract some interest from men
and women who may want to join the volunteer crew.”We hope the open day
will give an opportunity for visitors to discuss with us how the lifeboat
operation works and if we find a few people who would like to join the
crew so much the better.”
So far
this year the Lyme Regis lifeboat crew have answered six emergency calls.
Last year’s total was 40 ‘shouts.’
Anyone
interested in joining the supporters group can do so on May 26th
or call membership secretary Anne Marks on 07802 675985.
The
Blessing of the Boats inter- denominational service at the lifeboat
station will be conducted by local clergy and will be accompanied by the
Lyme Regis Town Band.
Four
rescued by Lyme Regis RNLI crew as speedboat breaks down
Four
people – two men and two women – were rescued by the volunteer RNLI crew
of Lyme Regis lifeboat last night (Monday) when their speedboat suffered
engine failure.
The
lifeboat was launched at 7.52pm and was on scene, 100metres south of
Golden Cap, seven minutes later.
The
lifeboat crew towed the speedboat to the safety of West Bay Harbour,
arriving at 8.22pm and returned to Lyme Regis at 8.50pm.
This was
the sixth ‘shout’ for the Lyme Regis crew so far this year.
‘Deepest Dorset’ helps to keep RNLI Lyme Regis afloat
The joint
authors of Deepest Dorset, a book which looks at what makes Dorset
special, have donated £1,000 from sales to a charity they also regard as
special…the RNLI in Lyme Regis.
Fanny
Charles and Gay Pirrie-Weir have already donated some £40,000 to
charities, including the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, the Dorset
Community Foundation and the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust following sales of
the book.
Fanny
Charles, who presented a cheque to Deputy Launching Authority Ken Lavery,
said: “The lifeboat volunteers do a fantastic job and we wanted to be
certain our donation went to this particular group of people based in Lyme
Regis.”
Deepest
Dorset covers wide-ranging subjects including landscape, and literature,
food, farming and fossils, architecture, the arts and the oil industry
and is published by Deepest Books, price £20. For more information visit
www.deepestbooks.co.uk or phone 01963 32525.
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat launched after report of two people in the
water and sinking boat
Lyme Regis
RNLI lifeboat launched today at 11am after reports of two people in
the water and a sinking boat at Seaton, Devon.
The
volunteer crew arrived on scene within ten minutes of launching by which
time one person had reached shore safely and the other had been
recovered by a passing fishing vessel and then transferred to the Sidmouth
independent lifeboat. Both people were met by an ambulance team ashore.
The
lifeboat crew managed to recover the sinking 20 foot vessel and towed the
boat back to Lyme Regis where more crew were able to work with the
harbourmaster’s team to recover the boat to safety.
It was
reported that the boat had hit the harbour wall when trying to leave
Axmouth harbour near Seaton.
Lyme Regis
lifeboat helm Jon Broome said: ‘Our crew were quick to launch and get to
Seaton in a flat sea. Thankfully the two people were safely ashore when
we arrived so we could focus on recovering the damaged boat.
‘This
Easter bank holiday weekend will see high tides so we would urge members
of the public to take care when out walking and check tide times.’
Lifeboat fund-raisers highlight a year of
success
A change
of name, nearly £67,000 raised for the charity last year and plans a for a
better-than-ever Lifeboat Week in 2019.
These were
the highlights of the annual meeting of the Lyme Regis and Charmouth RNLI
Guild last night (Weds).
After
decades as a Guild the volunteers, who form the fund-raising branch of the
RNLI, are now members of the Lyme Regis and Charmouth Lifeboat Supporters
Group.
Chairman
Ken Lavery said the title of RNLI Guild ‘does not tell people what we are
about.’
Members
voted for the name change and now plan an open day at the lifeboat station
in a bid to raise the profile of the group and attract new members.
Mr. Lavery
praised a ‘superb’ committee and said plans were now under way for a
better than ever Lifeboat Week with many old and new events.
Treasurer
Brian Cursley reported that the group had raised a total of £66,806 for
the life-saving charity during 2018, including £35,152 during Lifeboat
Week.
He
said:”It has been an extremely good year, and all down to our volunteers.”
The
meeting heard that takings at the lifeboat shop on the Cobb totalled
£138,203 and it had been the best performing RNLI shop not attached to a
museum or visitor experience centre.
Lifeboat
Operations Manager Nick Marks told the meeting that the volunteer crew
members had answered 40 emergency calls during the year.
Analysis
of the ‘shouts’ showed that most involved missing persons, people cut off
by the tide, and broken down vessels.
Mr Marks
said that because there were locations between Lyme Regis and Golden Cap
where the lifeboat could not be beached crew members had to swim ashore to
reach people in trouble.
He said
the question of getting an additional, much smaller boat for use in such
situations was being investigated.
Lifeboat launched to a Batman balloon
Volunteer crew members of the Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat last night (Friday)
recovered one of the oddest items in recent years after receiving an
emergency call…a batman balloon.
The
alert was raised when coastguards received a report of’an ‘object’
floating in the water off Abbotsbury.
Lifeboat helm Tim Edwards said:’ Obviously from the shore it would not
have been clear what this object was. It would have looked very strange,
so it was something which had to be checked out by us and the coastguards.
‘When
we were close to the object it became clear it was a large helium type
balloon with a batman logo.
‘We
recovered the balloon from the sea to prevent pollution.’
The
lifeboat launched at 6.30pm and returned to Lyme Regis at 7.45. This was
the fourth call answered by the Lyme Regis volunteers so far this year.
15 March 2019
Georgia gets her first ‘shout’ as a lifeboat
crew member…while she is in the dentist’s chair
The third
‘shout’ of the year today (Friday) was the first for Georgia Robson, only
the fourth woman ever to join the volunteer crew of the RNLI’s Lyme Regis
lifeboat.
And the
occasion was certainly one she won’t forget…she was in the dentist’s chair
when her pager sounded the alert. “I just had to apologise and explain why
I had to leave,” said Georgia, “and I have now made another appointment to
finish my treatment.”
Lyme-born
Georgia, 24, joined as shore crew just over a year ago and recently
qualified as a sea-going member of the team.
She said:
”We were called to investigate an unidentified object floating near the
promenade at West Bay, so it was just a little worrying as to what we
would find.
“It turned
out to be nothing more serious than a large marker buoy but, of course,
when the coastguards receive a call from a worried onlooker we have to go.
“I just
love being a member of the crew and will have to be patient for my second
opportunity to go to sea on a shout.”
The
lifeboat was launched at 11.52a.m.and returned to Lyme Regis harbour an
hour later.
Midlands coffee club mark Lyme Regis RNLI rescue of
soldier with £700 donation
Members
of a coffee club in the land-locked Midlands have sent a donation of £765
to RNLI volunteers in Lyme Regis to mark their part in the rescue of a
soldier with a broken leg in 2017.
Tim
Robinson, now 56, slipped on rocks and staggered for more than two hours
in the dark before he was found by the lifeboat crew and coastguards near
Golden Cap, east of Lyme Regis in January two years ago.
Tim’s
parents, Anne and Noel Robinson, are members of the Wednesday Coffee Club
at Etwall in Derbyshire and when the club decided to nominate the RNLI as
their charity for 2018 they suggested a donation to the Dorset volunteers.
A similar sum was sent to the RNLI team at Exmouth which had hosted a
visit from the club.
The
chairman of the City of Derby Fundraising Branch of the RNLI, William
Stanier, gave a talk to the coffee club and received the donation. Tim
Robinson spoke of his gratitude to his rescuers at the same meeting.
During the
rescue two first-aid trained members of the lifeboat crew, Tom Crabbe and
Tom Wallis, went ashore to help coastguards assess Mr Robinson’s
condition. The lifeboat crew later took Mr Robinson aboard to a waiting
ambulance at Lyme Regis harbour.
Nick
Marks, Lifeboat Operations Manager in Lyme Regis, said: ”We were
delighted to hear of this donation from RNLI supporters so far from the
sea, and we are pleased to hear that Mr Robinson has recovered from his
ordeal.”
24
February 2019
Cliff Warning
Coastguards and the RNLI in Lyme Regis have issued a stark
warning to people risking their lives as they ignore the dangers of the
beautiful Jurassic Coast.
The latest warnings follow two incidents in which seven
people were cut off by the tide, and photographs emerged of a couple and
four children climbing in the mud on a cliff at Charmouth.
Volunteer Lyme Regis RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Nick
Marks said: “This latest evidence of people climbing the cliff with
children is a serious concern, as is those who become cut off by the tide.
“ I fear serious injury, or even loss of life, is a real
possibility when people do not take seriously the dangers that the coast
presents.
“That is not to say they should not enjoy the coast, but it
is to emphasise that they must take great care and plan their activities
according to the conditions”
The photographs were taken (last Thurs) by a fossil hunter
on the beach at Charmouth, who said:”I was horrified to see two adults and
four children, all apparently under the age of ten, climbing the cliff.
Mud was actually falling off the cliff at the time.
“I also saw two wellington boots stuck in the mud and
presumably abandoned by their wearers.”
Coastguards, who have dealt with several incidents
involving people cut off by the tide or trapped on cliffs, have also
issued many warnings and advice.
Nick Bale, Station Officer at Lyme Regis Coastguard, said
today (Sun): “We have carried out six rescues in the space of 72 hours. In
all cases the casualties have put themselves in unnecessary danger through
lack of forethought and ignoring straightforward advice and signage. Their
rescuers have also been put into these dangerous situations.
“Coastguard advice remains very clear…do not put yourself
at risk by climbing cliffs or investigating muddy areas as you can easily
become stuck. If you do become stuck, remain calm and keep as still as you
can.
“If you find yourself in difficulty at sea, on the beach or
the cliffs or if you see something which gives you cause for concern do
not hesitate…dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.”
20th
February 2019
Lifeboat called
to couple cut off by tide
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat was launched yesterday (Tuesday
19th Feb) to assist coastguards ashore following reports of two people cut
off by the tide near Charmouth.
The lifeboat crew launched at 5.15pm and were quickly on
scene, the casualties were attempting to walk in the shale mud landslides
below the cliffs between Charmouth and Golden Cap. One of the volunteer
crew swam in to help, they waited for the coastguard rescue helicopter and
were winched up and taken to a landing site in Charmouth setup by the
local coastguard teams.
The two people rescued were teachers from West London
visiting the area for the day. One said “we are so grateful to everyone
involved with rescuing us today and we’re ever so sorry for the
inconvenience”
This was the second emergency call answered by the Lyme
Regis RNLI volunteers to assist with people cut off by the tide in the
last three days.
Nick Marks, Lifeboat Operations Manager said “We would
encourage any visitor to the area to check tide times before walking along
the beach, either Lyme Regis Tourist Information Centre or Charmouth
Heritage Coast Centre. This half term week the local area is experiencing
very high tides, so it is very important to check.”
If you see anyone in trouble in the sea, call 999 and ask
for the coastguard.
Lifeboat called to five cut off by tide
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat was launched Sunday, 17 February
to assist coastguards ashore following reports of five people and a dog
cut off by the tide near Charmouth.
The lifeboat crew, who launched at 4.05pm, stood off
liaising by radio with coastguards ashore, until a rescue helicopter
arrived and landed the people safely on dry land.
This was the first emergency call answered by the Lyme
Regis RNLI volunteers so far this year.
30 January 2019
Christmas 2019 comes
early for Lyme Regis lifeboat families
Christmas this year came eleven
months early last night (Tues) for the crew of the RNLI lifeboat in Lyme
Regis and their families.
The lifesaving charity chose the
town’s crew to feature in a film spelling out the need to stay safe by the
water and emphasising how the volunteers are available all year round.
The film features crew member Georgia
Robson as she is about to tuck into her Christmas dinner. Her pager goes
off and she runs through the streets of Lyme Regis to the lifeboat
station.
The lifeboat is launched and the crew
‘rescue’ Seb Cope, one of their colleagues.
Later Georgia discovers that crew
members and their families have all turned up at the lifeboat station to
have their Christmas dinner, and finally she can enjoy hers after
responding to the lifeboat ‘shout.’
The film’s director Harrison Bates,
from the RNLI’s Film and Image department at headquarters in Poole, said:
‘Filming went extremely well and the crew and their families were
fantastic. We hope the film will stress the need to keep safe by the
water, not only at Christmas, and will also demonstrate how the RNLI’s
volunteers are on call all year round.’
It’s hoped the film will be screened
on-line and on social media, among other outlets, close to Christmas.
20 January 2019
Coastguard Helicopter Exercise
Volunteers with the RNLI’s inshore lifeboat based in Lyme
Regis took part in a major exercise with the coastguard helicopter today
(Sun). The 75 minute exercise began when the helicopter, from St.
Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan, landed on the beach and the aircraft’s
winchman transferred to the lifeboat.
Senior lifeboat helm Tim Edwards said: ”This was a really
valuable exercise in dealing with a casualty at sea, particularly with the
winchman aboard to advise on the handling of difficult situations when
performing complicated rescues involving the coastguard helicopter.”
14 January 2019
Beth drops in at Lyme Regis RNLI on walk
around UK
Long distance
walker Beth Wilkes called in at the RNLI lifeboat station in Lyme Regis
today (Monday) during her marathon journey around the UK coastline.
Beth, from the
West Midlands, started her trek at Tower Lifeboat Station on the River
Thames on 3 October and plans to visit all the RNLI premises during the
year.
Beth is raising
funds for the RNLI and the Lowland Rescue charities and aims to travel
some ten miles a day staying with supporters on the way.
She was
welcomed in Lyme Regis by volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager Nick
Marks who said: ”I never cease to be amazed by the efforts of people
supporting the RNLI in our efforts to save lives at sea. I wish Beth every
success in her mammoth undertaking.”
9 January 2019
New Year challenges for lifeboat crew
Three members
of the crew of the RNLI’s lifeboat in Lyme Regis have made New Year role
changes after serving as volunteers for almost a total of four decades.
Self-employed
carpenter Mark Colley has retired as a helm on reaching the sea-going age
limit of 55 in December and after serving for 20 years. He plans to
continue as shore crew and to assist with training new recruits.
Mark Gage has
reluctantly left the crew after moving home to Bridport. In 15 years he
served as shore crew, boat crew and boat and tractor mechanic. He works as
an energy and environment manager for the Brend Hotel Group.
Mark Gage said:
“It has been an honour and privilege to volunteer with the Lyme Regis
RNLI crew and I leave with a heavy heart.”
Pete (correct)
Cable,24, joined the crew at 17. He left to go to university, returned and
has now left to join the Royal Navy where he plans to train to become a
Weapons Engineer Officer. He hopes to assist as shore crew with Lyme Regis
RNLI during leave from the navy.
Pete’s father
John is a long-serving member of the lifeboat crew.
Some 2018 shouts
27 December 2018
Lifeboat launched to
‘drifting kayaks’
The volunteer crew of Lyme Regis RNLI
lifeboat answered their 40th emergency call of the year today
(Dec 27) following reports of what appeared to be two drifting kayaks a
mile and a half to the east of the town’s harbour. The ‘kayaks’ turned out to be large
black fenders drifting out to sea south of the Black Ven cliff. The fenders were recovered by the
lifeboat crew and taken ashore at Lyme Regis harbour. The lifeboat was launched at 11.30am
and the crew returned to harbour half an hour later.
26 December 2018
Charmouth Christmas
Day swim brings out the crowds
A gloomy Christmas Day morning did
nothing to deter spectators and swimmers for the annual display of crazy
and colourful costumes and generous donations to the RNLI for the annual
fancy dress swim at Charmouth.
An estimated 300 people watched as
dozens of swimmers – Santas, skeletons, elves and vicars among them –
charged into the chilly waves as Lyme Regis town crier Alan Vian
announced the start of the popular event.
At least £1,500 was raised for the
RNLI charity, and the event was supported by the landlords of Charmouth’s
Royal Oak pub, Matthew and Sue Bracey, who supplied warming mulled wine
for the courageous swimmers.
December 26 2018
RNLI wellie dog
family has a puppy for Christmas
One of the most popular features on
the Cobb in Lyme Regis, the dog created from worn - out lifeboat wellies,
had a happy event in time for Christmas.
With the help, in his garden shed, of
long-serving RNLI lifeboat crew member Garry Gibbs, the one wellie dog
outside the lifeboat shop has become a family of three.
Dozens of Boxing Day visitors to the
town took photographs of the dogs, and the next development will be
finding a family name.
“That may have to wait until lifeboat
week next year, “ said RNLI shop manager Krys Lavery, “but we still have
to make a decision on this important issue.”
Wellie dog family creator Garry Gibbs
said: “Lots of people asked me if the one dog would have a family because
he looked lonely outside the shop. So I found some more worn-out wellies
and the mummy dog and the puppy are the result.”
9 December 2018
Lifeboat volunteers
honoured for long service
Sixty people- members of the crew,
their families and friends – welcomed Christmas yesterday (Sat) at the
annual presentation party of the volunteers of Lyme Regis RNLI.
Four crew members, who have
volunteered for a total of 90 years, received awards. They are Andrew
Rice (30 years), and Lance Taylor, Tim Edwards and Brian Street, all 20
years.
The award for the crew member of year
– voted by the crew – went to senior helm Tim Edwards.
Somewhat less serious presentations
were the Bent Propeller Trophy ‘won’ by Mark Colley and the Man Overboard
award to John Rickard.
A special award – a photograph of the
event – went to three members of the crew who were rescued by their own
colleagues in August, An onlooker ashore thought kite surfers Elliott
Herbert, Murray Saunders and Rich Tilley were in difficulties when the
wind dropped a mile off Charmouth.
Lifeboat Operations Manager Nick
Marks told partygoers at the Harbour Inn that 2018 had a been a successful
year with almost 40 ‘shouts’ , around twice the total for the previous
year. More trainees had joined and the crew never once missed a launch
because of a shortage of volunteers.
He added: ”We have a very good team
and we can take pride in having done our job pretty well.”
14 November 2018
Exhausted windsurfer
rescued by Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat crew
A windsurfer in difficulties was rescued on
Saturday 10th November by the volunteer crew of Lyme Regis RNLI
lifeboat
The alarm was raised by a woman who was
watching the windsurfer from Lyme Regis beach. When she could not see the
windsurfer for about 10 minutes, she called coastguards.
Lyme Regis lifeboat launched at 1pm and was
quickly on scene to assist the exhausted windsurfer. He was taken aboard
the lifeboat and returned to the safety of the lifeboat station by 2pm.
This was the 38th emergency call
answered by the lifeboat crew so far this year.
2 November 2018
Lone sailor rescued
after bitterly cold night at sea
A lone sailor who spent hours at sea
in an open boat in bitterly cold conditions was rescued today (Fri) by the
volunteer crew of Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat.
The man had been reported in
difficulties in a 15ft yacht eleven miles east of the town by Lyme Regis
fire chief Virgil Turner who was on a fishing trip.
The man was found to be suffering
from the effects of the cold conditions and was taken to Lyme Regis
harbour by the lifeboat crew where he was met by an ambulance. He was
later taken to hospital.
After getting the man safely ashore,
the lifeboat crew returned to the scene and towed the yacht to Lyme Regis
harbour.
The lifeboat launched at 8.35am and
returned to the boathouse, after two journeys to sea, three and a half
hours later.
This was the 37th
emergency call answered by the lifeboat crew so far this year.
26 October 2018
Man rescued by Lyme
Regis RNLI crew as sailing boat capsizes
A local sailor, Frank Connor, was
rescued on Friday 26th October by the volunteer crew of Lyme
Regis RNLI when his sailing boat capsized off Burton Bradstock.
The lifeboat was launched at 11.25am
when Solent coastguards alerted the Lyme Regis crew to a report of a man
sitting on the hull of his capsized boat.
The report to the coastguard came
from a dog walker on the beach. Mr. Connor said “We can all get caught
out but thankfully the crew were fantastic, a real good attitude and great
manner”
The lifeboat crew took Mr. Connor to
meet coastguards in West Bay harbour. Then they returned to right the
sailing boat and tow the broken-down vessel to the safety of West Bay
harbour and returned to Lyme Regis at 1.30pm.
22 October 2018
Man and two dogs in
speedboat rescued by Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat crew
The skipper of a 16ft speedboat and
his two dogs were rescued by the volunteer crew of the Lyme Regis RNLI
lifeboat this afternoon (Mon) when his vessel broke down two miles off
Axmouth.
The lifeboat was launched at 2.26pm
and the crew towed the speedboat to the safety of Lyme Regis harbour. This
was the 34th emergency call answered by the Lyme Regis
volunteers so far this year.
21 October 2018
Coastguards and
lifeboat crew aid elderly woman injured after fall on rocks
Coastguards and the volunteer crew of
Lyme Regis lifeboat went to the aid of a 71 year old woman who fell on
rocks during fossil hunting today (Sunday).
The woman, a regular visitor to Lyme
Regis from her home in Jersey, was with members of her family, including
two grandchildren, when she fell and badly injured her right leg on
Monmouth beach west of the town.
Coastguards ashore decided it was not
safe to carry the woman across stones and boulders and requested the
lifeboat to stand off. The lifeboat was launched at 3.03pmand returned to
the boathouse at 4.25pm. A coastguard helicopter took the woman to
hospital in Dorchester.
Two lifeboat crew members went ashore
to assist coastguards.
The woman’s son said: “We are very
grateful for the help my mother received from the coastguards and the
lifeboat crew.”
The family did not wish to be named.
19 October 2018
Man rescued by
Lyme Regis RNLI crew as fishing boat breaks down
Bridport builder Stephen Harwood was
rescued this evening (Fri) by the volunteer crew of Lyme Regis RNLI when
his fishing boat broke down off Burton Bradstock.
The lifeboat was launched at 5.10pm
when Solent coastguards alerted the Lyme Regis crew to Mr. Harwood’s 16ft
fishing vessel, named Seamouse. which had suffered engine failure.
The lifeboat crew towed the broken
down vessel to the safety of West Bay harbour and returned to Lyme Regis
at 6.30pm.
13th
October 2018
Lyme Regis RNLI
lifeboat launches in Storm Callum
Lyme Regis lifeboat launched in rough
sea conditions on Friday (12 October) to a report of a person
in the water near Chesil beach.
The lifeboat volunteer crew responded
to a call from the Coastguard following a report of a person in
difficulties.
The crew were contacted by the
Coastguard at 3.35pm. Half an hour later the crew were stood down when a
local coastguard response team reported it was not a person in the water.
The alarm had been raised by a
member of the public and was recorded as a false alarm with good intent.
10th October 2018
Lyme Regis RNLI station – Mayoral visit
Lyme Regis lifeboat hosted Dorset Mayors at the station as part of the
Lyme Regis Town Councils Civic Day.
Lyme Regis Town Mayor Michaela Ellis welcomed about 40 Mayors, Chairman,
Deputy Mayors and other dignitaries from across the county as part
of Civic Day. The notable representatives were taken on a tour of the
lifeboat station, the lifeboat and tractor and received a presentation on
the importance of training and equipment required for the volunteer crew.
Nick Marks, Lifeboat Operations Manager said, “We were very happy to
welcome the representatives from Dorset councils which has enable us to
highlight contribution of our volunteers in saving lives at sea, RNLI
fundraising and promoting the wider RNLI initiatives for community
safety”.
10 October 2018
Tributes are paid to
Irene Roper, ‘a passionate volunteer’
Tributes have been paid to Irene
Roper, former chairman of the Lyme Regis and Charmouth RNLI Guild, who
died during this year’s Lifeboat Week.
Irene was a member of the guild for
nine years and chairman for four.
She was passionate about Lifeboat
Week, in particular, and it is estimated that during her spell as chairman
no less than £156,000 was raised for the RNLI charity.
Irene moved to Lyme Regis from North
London eleven years ago. Her partner, David, died three years ago.
Irene had three sons, Matthew, Stuart
and Daniel and seven grandchildren.
In April this year it was announced
that Irene was to receive the RNLI’s Excellence in Volunteering Award. It
will now be accepted by her sister, Maggie and son Daniel at a ceremony in
London in November.
Irene was also a supporter of the
Royal British Legion.
As her sister, Maggie put it: ”Irene
loved volunteering for the RNLI and also worked in the shop. But she
absolutely put her heart and soul into Lifeboat Week.”
2 October
2018
Golden wedding couple
donate their ‘presents’ to RNLI
Donations to the RNLI come in all
shapes and sizes and for all sorts of reasons. And every one is greatly
appreciated by the charity that saves lives at sea.
The volunteers of the Lyme Regis RNLI
lifeboat crew received a cheque recently from Mrs Ann Rawlins living in
Borough Green, Kent.
She wrote:’ I had the dubious
pleasure of reaching my 70th birthday recently, and, even more
extraordinary, celebrating a golden wedding anniversary!
‘We asked for donations, in lieu of
presents, for the RNLI, a much worthier cause than us ! Most of our
friends have donated online, thus increasing the donation with gift aid.
‘I am sending the cheque to you as I
met my husband, Bryan, when I was eight and he was 11. We were both
members of the sailing club in Lyme Regis and he proposed to me at the end
of the Cobb !’
Mr. and Mrs. Rawlins were married at
Uplyme church and her parents retired to Lyme Regis. Her father, best
known as ‘Spud’ Taylor, was commodore of the sailing club.
18 September 2018
Lifeboat crew rescue
man as dinghy capsizes
One man was rescued by the volunteer
RNLI crew of Lyme Regis lifeboat when his vessel capsized on Sunday.
The lifeboat was launched at 4.30pm
after a concerned onlooker alerted coastguards when he saw the dinghy
capsize just outside the harbour.
Two members of the lifeboat crew
entered the water to assist the man and right the dinghy.
15
September
2018
Lyme Regis
‘Exhausted’ yachtsmen rescued by Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat crew
Two men reported to be exhausted aboard a yacht in storm force wind
conditions were rescued by the volunteer RNLI crew of Lyme Regis lifeboat
last night. (Friday).
The men, who were sailing from Salcombe to Portsmouth, were in
difficulties five miles south west of West Bay.
A lifeboat crew member boarded the 24ft yacht and assisted the men to sail
into West Bay harbour.
The lifeboat crew launched at 9.41pm and returned to Lyme Regis at
12.35a.m.
14
September 2018
Council boss joins Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat crew
A former
RAF officer who is now Operations Manager with Lyme Regis Town Council has
joined the crew of the town’s RNLI lifeboat as a Deputy Launching
Authority.
As a Flight
Lieutenant, Matt Adamson – Drage,46,was an Aerospace Battle Manager with
the RAF until retiring last year after 20 years service.
Matt, whose
RAF role involved co-ordinating battle situations with other services,
including the Royal Marines, said: “I am keen to learn about all aspects
of sailing and hope to have my own boat, so it seemed a natural move to
volunteer with the RNLI.”
Matt is
married to Zishan, deputy town clerk of Axminster, and they have two
children, Theo, 4, and Jacob, 7. Matt’s
position with Lyme Regis Town Council was previously held by another
member of the lifeboat crew, Elliot Herbert.
10 September
2018
Lifeboat Week sets an
all-time record with £34,000
Lifeboat Week in Lyme Regis this year
has set an all-time record with a final total raised for the lifesaving
charity of £34,765.
Members of the organising group, the
Lyme Regis and Charmouth RNLI Guild, along with lifeboat crew members,
heard the news from treasurer Brian Cursley at their meeting last week.
He said: ”It’s a terrific result, and
is £5,693 up on donations last year.”
Guild secretary Maggie Sullivan said
new events this year had proved very popular and despite poor weather at
the beginning – with just one or two events being re-scheduled – it had
been an exceptionally successful week.
The meeting heard that the Army’s
parachute display team, the Red Devils, had been extremely popular and
general feedback from the public had been ’terrific.’
The top ten achievers in relation to
donations and participation were the water or wine stall, the programme,
fireworks display, breakfast baps, the duck race, Red Devils, the book
stall, yard of ale, name the yellow welly dog and the swimming challenge.
Guild chairman Ken Lavery said: “
The hard work and dedication of all our volunteers has produced a
remarkable result this year and the RNLI – the charity that saves lives
at sea - will be proud of their efforts.
“The generosity of all those visitors
and residents who donated to our charity must also be praised.
“But there was also sadness, and we
pay tribute to Irene Roper, former chairman of the Guild, who died during
this year’s Lifeboat Week.
“She worked tirelessly for our
charity for several years and was passionate, in particular, about
Lifeboat Week. We are delighted that Irene’s sister, Maggie, is
continuing as secretary of the guild because, as Maggie says, that is what
Irene would have wished.”
15 August 2018
Lifeboat launched to
broken down yacht
The volunteer crew of Lyme Regis’
RNLI lifeboat to-night answered their 22nd call for help so far
this year from two men aboard a 21 foot yacht with engine failure.
The crews’ pagers sounded the alarm
at 7.25pm, and the lifeboat was quickly alongside the yacht a short
distance east of the harbour.
The lifeboat crew towed the yacht to
the safety of the pontoons just outside the harbour.
7 August
2018
RNLI Lyme Regis
lifeboat assists broken fishing boat 4 miles south of Lyme Regis
Lyme Regis
lifeboat launched yesterday (Monday 6 August) to a report of a broken down
small fishing vessel.
Lyme Regis lifeboat volunteer
crew were tasked to assist the Coastguard with a stranded fishing vessel
with two people aboard. The boat was reported to be 4 miles south of Lyme
Regis.
The volunteer
crew were quick to launch after being contacted by the Coastguard at
6.20pm to assist a fishing boat that had suffered power failure. The
inshore lifeboat headed south from Lyme Regis to the position of the
stricken vessel. The crew set up a tow and were soon back in Lyme Regis
harbour where the casualty boat was recovered. The lifeboat was back in
the station by 7.30pm.
Jon Broome, helm of the crew said: 'It was a quick and efficient recovery
of the fishing boat and the crew worked well as a team to ensure the
safety of the casualty.’
28 July
2018
Lifeboat Week first days hit by rain and
high winds
Rain and high winds on the opening
weekend of Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week caused the postponement of at least
two major events.
Today (Saturday) the swimming
challenges for adults and children were postponed because of high winds
and choppy seas. They will now be held at 7pm and 7.30pm on Friday.
The bathtub race on Sunday was also
postponed because of poor weather in the forecast and will now be held at
6pm on Thursday.
The welcome display by Lyme Regis
RNLI lifeboat was held today but without the Shannon class lifeboat from
Exmouth. Her volunteer crew were called out this morning to assist a 25
foot yacht which had been dismasted. They towed it to safety in West Bay
Harbour.
On the way back to Exmouth the
lifeboat crew staged a demonstration of the vessels versatility for
hundreds on Lyme Regis beach.
Ken Lavery, chairman of the Lifeboat
Week organisers said: ”We were sorry to postpone some events, but, of
course our paramount concern is the safety of everyone taking part. And
the forecast for the rest of the week was good so postponement seemed the
best plan.’
INFO: Swim Challenge and Bath Tub Race
postponed
With BIG apologies but due to the inclement weather we have had to
postpone today's swimming challenge. The Swimming Challenge will now take
place this coming Friday, 3rd August. Registration between 4pm and 6.30pm
at the RNLI kiosk on Marine Parade, the adult swimming challenge starts at
7pm, and the children's swimming challenge at 7.30pm.
In addition, the Great Bath Tub Race scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday 29th
July will now move to this coming Thursday, 2nd August at 6pm, with
registration at 5pm at Cobb Gate.
Fingers crossed for better weather for us going forward and thanks for
your understanding.
25 July 2018
Lifeboat launched to
two incidents
Volunteers at the RNLI lifeboat
station in Lyme Regis dealt with two incidents today (Weds).
The lifeboat was launched at 2.36pm
after reports that two people were possibly in difficulties on an
inflatable and in a kayak 400metres off Freshwater east of Lyme Regis.
The lifeboat crew established that a
man and a woman who were both still at sea were safe and not in trouble.
As the lifeboat crew were returning
to Lyme Regis harbour they were asked to assist a couple aboard a 42 foot
yacht. A mooring chain had wrapped around the rudder. The crew released
the chain and then towed the yacht to a safe mooring.
The Lyme Regis RNLI volunteers have
now answered 17 calls for help so far this year.
10th
July 2018
Colyton Vintage
Tractor run presentation
The volunteer crew of Lyme Regis
lifeboat were involved with the Colyton Vintage Tractor run earlier this
year. Nearly 120 vintage tractors made their way from Colyton to Uplyme
via Whitford, Musbury, Combpyne, Cannington viaduct and Lyme Regis
The
Colyton Tractor run is an annual event and this year the monies raised was
split between the RNLI
and The League of Friends Axminster Hospital.
Crew from Lyme Regis were in Uplyme
to welcome the participants and drivers on a very hot May bank holiday.
Pictured Colyton Vintage Tractor run
committee Arthur Parsons, organiser of the Tractor run presenting a
donation of £1750 to Seb Cope from Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat station and
Kevin Salter presenting a donation of £1750 to Dr Barry McKenna from the
League of Friends.
30 June
2018
Couple rescued by Lyme Regis lifeboat crew
after speedboat is swamped by waves
Plans
for a barbecue and a night camping on the beach went disastrously wrong
last night for a young couple.
A man
and his girlfriend in their 30s, from Colyton, were trying to beach their
14ft speedboat when it was swamped by waves and holed on rocks at Charton
Bay, west of Lyme Regis.
They
were rescued by the volunteer crew of the Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat after
the man raised the alarm with his mobile phone. The lifeboat crew were
paged to launch at about 1030pm
The
speedboat’s skipper, who did not want to be named, said:’ We both tried
for about two hours to get the water out of the boat, but in the end it
was a write-off and I had to call for the lifeboat.
“We had
set up the barbecue, but I am afraid we never got anything to eat. We were
very relieved to see the lifeboat crew who did a great job.’
The
couple were taken to safety from the beach by the lifeboat crew who also
pumped out the speedboat and towed it into Lyme Regis harbour at 1145pm
25 June 2018
Lyme Regis RNLI
crew assist coastguards at powerboat incident
The volunteer crew of the Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat were
yesterday called to assist following reports of a powerboat incident
at West Bay.
The incident occurred during an offshore circuit powerboat
racing event. The lifeboat crew were alerted at 2.30pm and arrived 15
minutes later at West Bay harbour to assist coastguards, the Devon and
Cornwall Air Ambulance and the police.
10 June
2018
Lyme Regis RNLI
lifeboat rescues eight divers
Lyme Regis lifeboat launched
yesterday morning to a report of a broken down 6 metre dive boat.
Lyme Regis lifeboat volunteer
crew were tasked to assist the Coastguard with a stranded diving vessel
with eight people aboard.
The volunteer crew were contacted by
the Coastguard at 11.45am to assist a dive boat that had suffered power
failure. The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat headed south from Lyme Regis for
approximately 3 miles to the position of the stricken vessel. The crew set
up a tow and returned the boat with the divers to the safety of Lyme Regis
harbour.
Peter Glanvill, Chairman from The
Lyme Bay Sub Aqua Club said “We enjoyed a fantastic dive photographing the
marine life on the wreck ‘Heroine’ with club members and some divers
visiting from Leicester but it was a tad embarrassing when the engine
would not start! We are extremely grateful to the RNLI for arriving so
promptly and towing us back to Lyme.”
Lifeboat helm Tom Wallis said: 'The
crew were very proficient which enabled a quick recovery for the divers
and their boat”
7 June 2018
Mystery of the yellow
welly dog’s missing eyes
Someone, it seems, has taken a shine
to the eyes of the yellow welly dog that has become a major attraction
outside the RNLI lifeboat shop in Lyme Regis.
Shop manager Krys Lavery discovered
both eyes were missing and called in the dog’s creator lifeboat crew
member Garry Gibbs.
Garry performed complicated ‘surgery’
and the dog is now back on duty…on loan to the RNLI stand at the Royal
Cornwall Show where he is advising dog owners how to keep safe during
cliff top walkies.
Garry said: ’The eyes were not
valuable, just glass beads from one of my wife’s old necklaces.’
With the help of Krys Lavery, Garry
chose a pair of silver ‘spangly’ beads from another necklace and restored
the dog’s appearance.
Now Garry needs just two more pairs
of worn – out RNLI wellies to start work on a friend for his original
creation.
The yellow welly dog will be the
subject of a naming competition during Lifeboat Week in Lyme Regis,
starting on July 28.
29 April 2018
Penny farthing pair cycle for charity
Penny farthing
enthusiasts and football fans Seb Cope and his father Alistair cycled from
Derby County’s ground to Aston Villa at the weekend for a charity close to
their hearts.
Seb, 35, a
member of the RNLI lifeboat crew in Lyme Regis, and Alistair, 59, from
Seaton, raised more than £200 for the Aston Villa Foundation community
charity during their 50-mile cycle ride.
Seb, whose
great, great grandfather was born just yards from Villa Park, said:”We
cycled on roads, paths and canal towpaths and had a greet reception from
people along the way, and especially football fans.”
On the way to
Aston Villa the pair stopped at the National Arboretum where Seb paid his
respects at the RNLI memorial.
At the end of
their journey they watched Aston Villa draw 1-1 with Derby County.
Seb and
Alistair regularly organise vintage cycle events, and the next one, Velo
Vintage, is at Seaton on June 30. For details go to
www.velovintage.co.uk
25 March 2018
RNLI Lyme Regis lifeboat assists broken
fishing boat 30 miles south-west of Portland
Lyme Regis lifeboat launched this morning (Sunday 25 March) during a
training session to a report of a 6 metre broken fishing vessel.
Lyme Regis lifeboat volunteer crew were tasked to assist the Coastguard
with a stranded fishing vessel with two people aboard. The boat was
reported to be 30 miles south-west from Portland.
The volunteer crew were on a routine training session when contacted by
the Coastguard at 9.50am to assist a fishing boat that had suffered power
failure. The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat headed south from Lyme Regis for
approximately 18 miles to the position of the stricken vessel. The crew
set up a tow and 2 hours later were back by West Bay where the helm of the
lifeboat Jon Broome had to carefully negotiate manoeuvring around the
dredging machine currently in the harbour.
Dave from North Devon, one of the rescued men said: ‘We were so relieved
to see the lifeboat heading towards us and we are very grateful for our
safe recovery.’
Jon Broome, helm of the crew said: 'It was a great opportunity to put the
training into action and the crew worked well as a team to recover the
boat and men safely.’
24 February 2018
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat launched twice in
night
After
returning to the lifeboat station at 11.45pm last night (Friday 23rd), the
volunteer crew launched again at 02.15 this morning to continue the search
for the reported missing man.
Senior
helm Tim Edwards, in the operations room at the lifeboat station, said:
‘After a report from the police helicopter we were asked to carry out a
search about 300metres off the West Bay piers, but found nothing.
‘Our
four crew members then waited in the West Bay coastguard station for the
arrival of the coastguard helicopter. We then resumed the search at about
5am, but it was called off around an hour later.’
31
January 2018
Georgia joins the volunteers of Lyme Regis
RNLI
A 23
year old general manager has become only the fourth woman ever to join the
volunteer crew of the RNLI lifeboat in Lyme Regis.
Lyme-born Georgia Robson has enrolled as shore crew and is now attending
regular training sessions at the lifeboat station on the Cobb.
Georgia, a former Woodroffe School pupil, aims eventually to become a
sea-going crew member. She enjoys regular trips with her ex-Royal Marine
father Jim, in his four metre RiB (rigid inflatable boat).
Georgia
applied to join after meeting members of the crew at last year’s
Remembrance Day parade.
“I have
always enjoyed the sea, and after talking to crew members it just seemed
natural to apply to join them. I am thoroughly enjoying the camaraderie
during training sessions.”
Georgia
is general manager with Tukxi Ltd, an Axminster firm which imports and
converts Tuk Tuk auto rickshaws.
Lifeboat Operations Manager Nick Marks, said: ‘Georgia follows Grace and
Shona and now joins Nikky and we are delighted to welcome her aboard.’
How Garry turned old wellies into a fun fund
raiser
What to do with the Lyme Regis lifeboat crews' worn out yellow wellies was
the puzzle for long serving RNLI volunteer Garry Gibbs. Landscape gardener
Garry took the redundant footwear home to his workshop.
And 8 hours and 7 boots later the result was a dog-shaped model which will
become a star attraction during lifeboat week this summer.
Garry, a member of the lifeboat crew for 22 years, said " A dog seemed the
obvious answer to the recycling issue with the old wellies. I hope to make
another animal when more old wellies become available.”
Now,
organisers of Lyme Regis lifeboat week - starting on July 28 - are
planning to run a competition to name this very rare breed and to raise
funds for the RNLI charity.
2017
10 December 2017
Lifeboat crew
tributes at Christmas party
An award for 30 years’ voluntary
service, tongue-in-cheek tributes and a Christmas dinner all contributed
to the success of the Lyme Regis lifeboat crew’s annual presentation party
last night (Saturday).
Some 50 people – RNLI crew members,
their friends and family – attended the event at the Harbour Inn.
Among the awards were the White Star
Line award to helm Mark Colley, the Watch Your Language award to John Bird
and the Bent Propeller trophy to Brian Street.
Consultant surgeon Ken Lavery, who is
a Deputy Launching Authority, received a photograph of himself on the
ground – not needing hospital treatment ! –after failing to clear a fence
during a crew visit to an Exeter Chiefs rugby match.
Most popular award of the night,
receiving a standing ovation, was to postman Andrew Rice who has just
completed 30 years as a volunteer member of the lifeboat crew
27th September 2017
Lyme Regis lifeboat rescues 5
teenagers
Lyme Regis
lifeboat launched in early hours to rescue 5 teenagers from stricken
yacht.
Lyme Regis
lifeboat was requested to launch to assist a 35' sailing yacht that had
broken free from its mooring off Lyme harbour at 2.45am this morning
(Wed). The sailing boat had drifted towards the shore and ran aground on
the beach near Lucy's Ledge in Lyme Regis. There were seven people on
board including five teenagers.
The lifeboat
launched and was alongside the casualty vessel 15 minutes after the
Coastguard requested the launch. The five teenagers were rescued off the
casualty boat and taken to the lifeboat station, all were safe and well
with no injuries.
The volunteer
crew of the lifeboat then returned to the casualty vessel and managed to
tow the boat away from the beach back to a mooring.
The boat was a
Tradewind 35 sailing yacht called TS Vigilant, part of the Sea Cadets
fleet. The boat and crew were on route from Plymouth to Poole, stopping at
Lyme Regis for the night. The five Sea Cadets were from the London and
Birmingham areas.
Helm Tim
Edwards said "I was pleased we were able to get the teenagers to safety of
the lifeboat station and then recover the casualty vessel from trouble.
The lifeboat crew performed really well and the all the training we do was
put to good use!"
18th September
2017
Lifeboat crew awards for volunteer service
Members of
the RNLI crew in Lyme Regis and their families and friends got together at
the town’s Powerboat Club (last Saturday) for the traditional end of
season party and for presentations to former volunteers.
Ritchie Durrant
received an award for seven years service as a member of the crew. He is
the nephew of former crew member Dave Street and current helm Brian Street
Ritchie completed part of his Duke of Edinburgh's award with the lifeboat
at the age of 14 before signing up as volunteer crew at 17.. He said: “It
is the best thing I have ever done and I miss it tremendously. You learn
so much from the other members of the crew and there is something about
the respect you gain for the sea”
Local builder
Dave Street received his award for 24 years service, 14 of which were as
helm. During his service with Lyme Regis RNLI the lifeboat rescued 74
people..
Outgoing Lifeboat Management Group Chairman John Dover
received an award for nearly nine years service, first as lifeboat
treasurer, then Deputy Launching Authority and finally chairman of the LMG.
A letter from the RNLI’s Operations Director George Rawlinson, referred to
Mr Dover’s ‘time, commitment and sheer hard work.’
Lifeboat
volunteers – their dramatic life and times in a new book
The life and
times of Lyme Regis lifeboat men and women – and the lifeboats themselves
– are captured in a new book from the RNLI and due to be launched on 22
July, the first day of this year’s Lifeboat Week.
Written by the lifeboat station’s
volunteer press officer, retired newspaper and BBC journalist Richard
Horobin, the fully illustrated book is part of the charity’s history
book project.
It tells how a makeshift lifeboat
service started in the town in 1826, and how a Christmas tragedy led to
Lyme Regis getting a ‘proper’ lifeboat, powered by sails and oars, 27
years later.
With much help from local historians
and lifeboat supporters, the author has brought to life a fascinating
collection of stories about dedicated volunteers who ran a lifeboat
service in the town, despite all the odds, over a period of nearly 160
years. How they would row the lifeboat for hours to reach a stricken
vessel….no twin 115hp engines such as power today’s lifeboat.
There is the crew member who was
shipwrecked eight times as a mariner; the coxswain who served the lifeboat
for 34 years and was famed for his strength, picking up a man with one arm
and placing him on a table. He also salvaged a huge barrel of alcohol from
a shipwreck and carried it single handed up a cliff !
The story of an MP who vanished
without trace over Lyme Bay after being trapped in a hot air balloon makes
incredible reading. The dramatic episode when a ship was torpedoed by a
German submarine a short distance from Lyme Regis harbour, and yet had an
amusing twist amid the tragedy and chaos.
And in more recent times the amazing
survival of a couple whose helicopter crashed into Lyme Bay in dense fog;
the tragic tale of the severely disabled woman whose wheelchair fell into
Lyme Regis harbour and the desperate attempts made to save her.
There are the lighter moments, too,
such as the crew Christmas dinner when the annual awards are
presented…including the Bent Propeller trophy !
The story of Lifeboat Week, from the
early 70s, includes the ditching of a Navy helicopter in the sea, which
wasn’t part of the event, although the hundreds who witnessed it thought
it was.
The new book will be available from
the lifeboat shop on the Cobb and other outlets in the town, from 22 July
price £8.95 with all proceeds going to the RNLI, the charity that saves
lives at sea.
6 April 2017
Fund-raisers boost
RNLI charity by £65,000
Volunteer fund-raisers in Lyme Regis and
Charmouth boosted the RNLI’s income by more than £65,000 last year.
Members of the local fund-raising arm of the
RNLI – the Lyme Regis and Charmouth RNLI Guild - received the news at
their annual meeting last night (Weds) when treasurer Brian Cursley
delivered his report.
The total included a variety of events and
donations as well as £27,000 raised during lifeboat week.
Chairman Irene Roper said it had been a record
breaking year and she had been heartened by the many messages of
congratulations received from the public during and after lifeboat week.
Volunteer manager of the lifeboat shop, Krys
Lavery, said the outlet had taken £122,000 and was the sixth best
performing shop in the UK.
In his annual report to guild members,
Lifeboat Operations Manager Nick Marks said volunteer crew members had
answered 27 calls for help last year and were credited with saving three
lives.
He said there now appeared to be a familiar
pattern of emergencies – almost half of calls for help were from people
getting into difficulty ashore when out walking and cut off by the tide or
falling on rocks. The other half were incidents involving boating,
fishing and surfing.
Guest speaker was Nigel Jones, the RNLI’s Area
Lifesaving Manager, who told guild members about many changes throughout
the organisation’s structure and the aim to reduce drownings around the
coast.
Volunteer press officer Richard Horobin gave
members a brief preview of his book on the history of lifeboats and
lifeboat people in Lyme Regis. The book is due to be published in time for
this year’s lifeboat week which starts on July 22nd.
21st February 2017
TV presenter
Jeremy Kyle popped into Lyme Regis lifeboat station
during Sunday morning's training session and met the RNLI
crew. He said he was very impressed with the RNLI volunteers
and that his mother used to be a volunteer in the lifeboat
shop on the Cobb.. He said he liked Lyme very much and
that he had his first birthday in the town some 50 years ago
and has been visiting the resort ever since.
17
February 2017
Ex - Army chief joins
the RNLI lifeboat crew in Lyme Regis
A retired Lieutenant
Colonel with the Royal Engineers has joined the volunteer management team
of the RNLI in Lyme Regis.
Mike McAlpine, 61, served
in many trouble spots including Kuwait, where he commanded a construction
squadron involved in the restoration of essential facilities to Kuwait
City immediately after the unsuccessful invasion by Iraq, and the ‘clean
up’ of unexploded bombs and landmines.
Mike, a chartered civil
engineer and graduate of Queen’s University, Belfast, spent 20 years in
the Royal Engineers, had two spells in the Falklands and commanded a
regiment in Northern Ireland for three years before becoming the technical
authority for UK counter landmine warfare. Mike, married to Karen
with three daughters, moved to Lyme Regis from Dalwood, near Axminster, in
2014.
His last job was with BP
in Iraq where he was involved in opening up the second largest oilfield in
the world at Rumaila, south of Basra.
Mike, a keen sailor with
his Yachtmaster ‘ticket’ has become a DLA – Deputy Launching Authority –
at Lyme Regis lifeboat station. He said: “I spent a lot of time on
the water and it was always comforting to know the RNLI was there if
necessary. Since I missed the camaraderie of the military, I thought I
would offer my voluntary services to the RNLI and I am thoroughly enjoying
it.”
A member of Lyme Regis
Golf Club, Mike chairs the Axminster Hospital Community Hub Steering Group
and was a founder member of the Axminster Patient Group.
Lifeboat Operations
Manager Nick Marks said: “We welcome Mike to the management team. His
wealth of experience will be an asset, and his arrival has added even more
strength to the Lyme Regis crew.”
13 January 2017
Top surgeon joins Lyme Regis RNLI
crew
 A leading cancer surgeon has joined the
volunteer crew of the RNLI lifeboat in Lyme Regis.
Mr Ken Lavery, a retired head and neck
surgeon, has joined the local RNLI team as a Deputy Launching Authority (DLA).
Mr Lavery, 67,who recently retired as lead
surgeon and Medical Director at Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead,
West Sussex, is married to Krys who manages the team of volunteers running
the successful RNLI charity shop on the Cobb. They met at the
hospital where Krys was a senior ward sister and have two sons.
Scots-born Mr Lavery is a qualified
Yachtmaster and has strong family connections with the RNLI. Both his
grandfather and great grandfather were volunteers with the lifeboat at
Campbeltown that covers the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland. Mr Lavery
said: “I am thoroughly enjoying my involvement with the lifeboat crew in
Lyme Regis. “They are clearly a dedicated team and the camaraderie
is very similar to that which I found when I was involved in rugby.”
9
January 2017
Dave is
‘dunked’ as he retires from Lyme Regis RNLI
 One of the
longest-serving members of the volunteer crew of the RNLI lifeboat in Lyme
Regis, Dave Street, has retired because of work commitments.
Dave, 48, served for 22
years, starting as trainee shore crew and becoming one of the team of
helmsmen 15 years ago.
Dave joined the crew for
two main reasons. He was working as a barman in the Cobb Arms when he
overheard crew members saying they were short of volunteers. “The other
reason was more personal “ said Dave. “A cousin of mine drowned at
Bournemouth and I thought if there was anything I could do to prevent such
accidents then joining the RNLI was it.”
Dave, a self-employed
builder, added: “Of course I shall miss taking the lifeboat out, and the
camaraderie with the crew. But I won’t lose touch with all my old
colleagues.”
Dave’s last voluntary
duty with the crew was helping out with safety at the Lyme Lunge on New
Year’s Day.
And his lifeboat
colleagues gave him a thoroughly wet send off with a ceremonial dunking in
the sea.
8
January 2017
Ordeal in the
dark for broken leg victim rescued by lifeboat crew
 A man who broke his leg
after slipping on rocks staggered and crawled for three quarters of a mile
for more than two hours in the dark before he was found by a lifeboat crew
and his worried wife.
Tim Robinson,54, fell
during a walk at about 4.30pm yesterday (Sat) on the beach under Golden
Cap, east of Lyme Regis.
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat
crew launched at 7.10pm to assist coastguards in a search for Mr
Robinson. They located him during a shoreline search eight minutes later.
Two first-aid trained
crew members, Tom Crabbe and Tom Wallis, went ashore to help coastguards
assess Mr Robinson’s condition. Meanwhile the lifeboat returned to Lyme
Regis to pick up three further crew to steady the vessel in the surf when
it was beached to take Mr Robinson aboard.
Mr. Robinson’s wife,
Paula, who raised the alarm, started to walk along the beach from Seatown
looking for her husband.
She said: ”Luckily, Tim
had a torch but no mobile phone. I saw a flicker of light and thought it
must be him. But I picked up a rock, just in case it wasn’t !”
Jon Broome, who was in
charge of the lifeboat for his first ‘shout’ since qualifying as a helm,
said: ”It was a very well organised rescue by all involved. It seems Mr.
Robinson used sticks to help him stagger and crawl towards Seatown after
the injury.”
From his hospital bed in
Dorchester Mr Robinson, who is a full time member of the Territorial Army,
said: ”I just slipped on a rock and have two fractures of the right leg.
Everyone who helped me was just terrific.”
Mr Robinson was taken
aboard the lifeboat to a waiting ambulance at Lyme Regis harbour. The
lifeboat returned at 8.49pm
Mr and Mrs Robinson, from
the Derby area, had been staying in Bridport on a short holiday.
September 2016
Lyme Regis
Christening makes history at lifeboat station
 History
was made at Lyme Regis lifeboat station today when the town’s vicar
conducted a christening service for two children of an RNLI volunteer and
his wife.
Six months old Lottie and five years old Millie-Rose, whose father
Elliott Herbert is a lifeboat helm, were christened by the Rev. Jane
Skinner during a service in the boathouse with a congregation of some 70
family, friends and lifeboat crew members. It is thought to be the first
time a christening service has been held at any of the town’s lifeboat
stations since the lifeboat service began in Lyme Regis in 1826.
A ship’s bell, which has hung in the lifeboat station since it opened in
1997, was used as a font during the service.
The bell, from a 100,000 ton oil tanker, was presented to Fred Day, former
honorary secretary at the lifeboat station, when he retired from BP.
He in turn presented it to the RNLI to mark the opening of the Lyme Regis
lifeboat station.
Proud dad Elliott Herbert said: ”Lifeboats and lifeboat people have been
such an important part of our lives that Laura and I thought it would be
appropriate, and great fun, to hold the christening at the lifeboat
station surrounded by many of the people who are vital to the success of
the work of the RNLI.”
The Rev Jane Skinner said: “It was a joy to conduct the service at the
lifeboat station, and it was the first time I had used a magnificent
ship’s bell as a font.”
God parents to Millie-Rose are Lyme Regis lifeboat helm Murray Saunders,
Oliver Mallinson, Operations Manager (Lifeboats) at RNLI headquarters in
Poole, and Emma Darke, and God parents to Lottie are William Elwood, helm
with the Tower lifeboat in London and crew Assessor/Trainer and Nicola
Davis and Gemma Dunford.
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