TV series reveals lifeboat rescues off Devon coast
THE volunteer lifeboat crew of Ilfracombe RNLI will be taking to the small screen in the new year as they feature in the next episode of the BBC TV series Saving Lives at Sea.
Real life rescue footage captured on their helmet cameras gives a frontline view of how the charity’s lifesavers risk their own lives as they go to the aid of those in danger at sea.
The series, which has taken a break over the Christmas period, will be back on air in the new year with episode 9. The 10-part documentary, now in its fifth series, showcases the lifesaving work of the RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards from around the UK and Ireland. The series will air on BBC Two on Thursdays at 8pm, as well as being available on
BBC iPlayer following broadcast.
Real rescue footage is accompanied by emotive interviews from the volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards alongside the people they rescue and their families.
This forthcoming episode, on January 7, sees Ilfracombe RNLI rescuing two people from a small yacht in rough seas, 8 miles offshore, after one of the crew received a head injury, alongside rescue stories from their colleagues at other stations and beaches around our coasts.
RNLI volunteer Leigh Hanks, one of the lifeboat crew featured in the forthcoming episode, said: “It’s great that we can showcase the lifesaving work RNLI volunteers do in a TV programme like this. In recent months, the pandemic has presented us as lifesavers some added challenges, but we’ve continued to maintain a 24/7 search and rescue service.
“This year, due to Covid, fundraising events have been cancelled and we’ve seen a drop in our charitable income. Without the generous support and donations from the public, we wouldn’t be able to save lives at sea and it’s great to be able to share what we do with our supporters from the comfort of their own home. We need their support more than ever during these challenging times.”
During 2019, RNLI lifeboat crews around the UK rescued 9,412 people, saving 211 lives, while the charity lifeguards aided 32,207 people and saved 118 lives.