Lyme Regis Coastguard

24/08/2026

The Lyme Regis Coastguard team was tasked to East Beach to assist with the treatment and extraction of an individual who had fallen whilst walking and sustained injuries.

Our team was deployed at request of the ambulance service to provide rapid casualty care and assistance with extraction if needed. A solo operative from Lyme Regis Town Council was already on scene and stepped in brilliantly to provide initial support and a vehicle first aid kit until we arrived. Given the nature of the injury, help was also on the way from RNLI Lyme Regis, West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team, and a HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter.

As the first emergency service on scene, our team conducted an initial medical assessment. Thankfully, with the casualty stable and land ambulance crews were only a short time away, we were able to safely stand down all inbound Coastguard and Lifeboat flank units.

Casualty care continued on the sea wall before a handover to the arriving ambulance crew for onward transport and hospital treatment.

We would like to send our best wishes to the individual for a very swift recovery, and extend our sincere thanks to the Town Council operative and all responding emergency services for the prompt multi-agency response.

🌊 In an emergency along the coast or at sea, dial 9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣ and ask for the Coastguard.

16/08/2026

🧗‍♂️ TEAM UPDATE: New Rope Rescue Technician Qualified 👏

​This morning, the Lyme Regis Coastguard team was joined on the cliffs by colleagues from West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team and a HM Coastguard - Dorset, Hampshire & Isle of Wight full-time Senior Coastal Operations Officer for intensive, live technical rope rescue training.

Operating directly in a live and realistic Dorset cliff environment allowed us to run through a full spectrum of critical rescue evolutions and various recovery techniques, culminating in one of Lyme Regis’ own officially qualifying as our newest Rope Rescue Technician!

​Throughout the session, the teams practiced various specialist cliff rescue scenarios:
▪️​Immediate Descent: High-speed edge deployment designed for time-critical interventions where seconds count.
▪️​Accompanied Descent: Safely rigging and escorting an unskilled professional down the cliff face, such as a paramedic or vet, to deliver urgent on-scene treatment.
▪️​Stretcher Recovery: For casualties requiring full spinal or medical immobilisation on their upward journey.
▪️​Canine Evacuation: Securing and recovering stranded dogs using our specialist cliff rescue dog bag.

​Fortunately, the cloud cover kept the heat at bay while the teams worked through multiple lowering, hauling, and edge-transition methods.

​A huge thank you to:
▪️​West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team for the invaluable flank-team support and collaboration.
▪️The full-time Officer for giving up his weekend to assess and facilitate the training.
▪️​Members of the public for their patience and smiles as they carefully walked around our working rig area on the coastal path.

⚠️​Stay safe along the cliffs. If you or someone else is in trouble along the coastline, dial 9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣ and ask for the Coastguard.⚠️

13/08/2026

🚨 Casualty extraction: Undercliffs 🆘
Earlier today, the Lyme Regis Coastguard team were tasked for the second time of the day alongside our colleagues from Beer Coastguard Rescue Team.
We were called to assist a walker who had sustained a painful ankle injury while navigating the South West Coast Path in the Undercliffs near Pinhay.
Given the challenging terrain and only a vague idea on location, a multi-agency effort was required to ensure a safe recovery. Working closely alongside South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust land ambulance crews and the HART (Hazardous Area Response Team), Coastguards safely extracted the individual via stretcher through the Undercliffs to the waiting land ambulance for onward transport to hospital.

We wish the individual a speedy recovery!

🌊 In a coastal emergency, dial 9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣ and ask for the Coastguard.

15/07/2026

🚨 From Training to Real-Life Rescue: A Busy Evening for the Team 🆘

While many of you were settled in to watch England take on Argentina in the football this evening, our dedicated volunteers were down at the Cobb from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, putting in the hours to hone our water rescue techniques.

But as any Coastguard volunteer knows, the pager doesn’t care about the football schedule!

Just as we had finished washing down and packing away our training kit, our pagers sounded. We were tasked with a report of a near drowning and possible spinal injury on the Lyme Regis seafront.

Because the team was already together at the Cobb, we were able to respond instantly:
▪️We were on scene within just 4 minutes of the initial call.
▪️We quickly found two individuals who had sustained injuries and ingested water. Our team immediately began administering casualty care to both.
▪️We were soon joined on scene by an operational commander from the South West Ambulance Service, followed by an ambulance crew who transported both individuals to the hospital for further treatment.
We wish both of them a speedy recovery.

Our team is made up of volunteers who step away from their families, their jobs, and yes, even major England matches, at a moment's notice to keep our community safe. We are incredibly proud of the team's rapid response and professionalism tonight.
As always, a huge thank you to the public for your support, and assistance tonight and to our emergency services colleagues for their seamless teamwork.
👉 Remember: If you see anyone in difficulty along our beautiful coastline, don't hesitate. Dial 9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣ and ask for the Coastguard.

10/07/2026

On Wednesday, the Lyme Regis team had a full day of Coastguard operations, spanning a tasking in the morning and joint cliff rescue training as the sun set.
Morning Tasking:
​We worked closely alongside our colleagues from RNLI Lyme Regis whose assistance was invaluable during the incident.

​🧗‍♂️ Evening Joint Training
A few hours later in the early evening, it was back out the door as we joined our flank team, West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team, and a full time officer from HM Coastguard - Dorset, Hampshire & Isle of Wight, for a realistic rope rescue exercise at Burton Bradstock.
​The teams practiced:
▪️​Accompanied descents down the cliff face.
▪️​The use of the emergency rescue harness on the way back up.
▪️​Proper rigging and use of the dog bag for safely recovering canine casualties over the edge.

​It was a highly productive inter-team exercise working together seamlessly while the sun went down. A big thank you to the West Bay team for a great evening of training!

01/07/2026

21/06/2026

🚨☀️ HEATWAVE WARNING: Stay Safe on our Coast 🚨☀️

With the extreme heat hitting the South West, we all know our beautiful Lyme Regis beaches and coastal paths are incredibly inviting right now. However, the soaring temperatures and very high UV index bring serious often overlooked dangers. We want everyone to enjoy the sunshine, but please look out for each other by keeping these few points in mind:

👉 Beat the Heat & Hydrate 💧
The risk of dehydration and sunstroke is very high. Drink plenty of water, wear a hat, apply high-factor sunscreen, and seek shade during the hottest parts of the day.

👉 Beware of Cold Water Shock 😰
The air temperature might be roasting, but the sea remains cold enough to trigger Cold Water Shock. This can cause uncontrollable gasping, cramping and instant panic, even for strong swimmers. Enter the water slowly to let your body acclimatise, inform someone if you're going for a swim with the time you intend on getting out.

👉 Ditch the Inflatables 🚣
Inflatable toys and mattresses are designed for the swimming pool, not the sea. Even a subtle offshore breeze can catch them like a sail and blow you or your children out to sea in a matter of seconds. If you are using paddle boards or inflatable dinghies, always ensure you have a reliable, waterproof means of calling for help on your person.

👉 If You Get Into Trouble: FLOAT TO LIVE 🛟
If you find yourself struggling or panicking in the water, fight your instinct to thrash around.
▪️Lean back with your ears submerged.
▪️Relax and gently move your hands and legs to stay afloat.
▪️Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety.

🚨 COASTAL EMERGENCY? DIAL 9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣🚨
We are a community-focused team, and we need your eyes. If you see anyone in difficulty or looking vulnerable in the water, on the beaches, or along our cliffs and coastal paths, don't hesitate.

📞 Dial 999 and ask for the COASTGUARD.

11/06/2026

🚨 CALLOUT: Cliff Rescue East of Lyme Regis 🚨
​This afternoon the Lyme Regis Coastguard team was tasked alongside Beer Coastguard Rescue Team and Dorset Police following reports of an individual stuck on the cliffs to the east of Lyme Regis.

🆘​Upon arrival, the casualty was spotted on the cliffside. An initial team in dry suits was immediately deployed to the beach to make contact, conduct an assessment, and clear the area.

⚠️ ​Due to the precarious and dangerous position of the individual, Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 387 was tasked to assist with a safe extraction, in which;
▪️​Lyme Regis officers remained on the beach to help direct the helicopter into position.
▪️​Beer Coastguard team secured a safe landing site for the helicopter over on Monmouth Beach.
​
👏 ​We want to give a massive shoutout to the eagle-eyed member of the public who spotted the casualty waving for help from the cliffs, immediately dialed 999, and reported it. Your quick actions made this rescue possible!

​📞 If you see anyone in distress along the coast, don't hesitate. Dial 9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣ and ask for the Coastguard.

10/06/2026

⚓️ Stronger Together: Joint Rope Training ⚓️
This evening saw one of our best training turnouts in months as the Lyme Regis Coastguard team joined forces with West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team and full-time officers from HM Coastguard - Dorset, for a joint rope training exercise on our beautiful coastline.
With an impressive turnout of 18 volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers and two full-time officers working side-by-side against the sunset, the evening was a powerful reflection of the cohesion, integrity, and commitment that defines our two teams.
We learnt a new rope recovery technique; which is now fully deployable for operational taskings. Inter-team training helps us work seamlessly on live rescues and helps build solid relationships and clear communication for joint operations or complex cliff rescues. Ensuring that our coastal community continues to be in safe, steady, and highly capable hands.

For any coastal emergency, dial 9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣ and ask for the Coastguard

03/06/2026