Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat

Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat Sidmouth Lifeboat is a fully self-funded independent lifeboat in East Devon. Charity Number: 1105914

We are on service 24 hours a day, 365 days per year and all crew members are volunteers.

100% of money raised is used to keep the boat maintained and crew trained and equipped. Sidmouth Lifeboat is not part of, or funded by the RNLI, although we do have close links with the RNLI through the nature of our work. Sidmouth Lifeboat is funded entirely by the community in and around the Sid Valley and

friends of Sidmouth Lifeboat from further away who also give so generously . To donate, please head to https://sidmouthlifeboat.org.uk/donate/

Many thanks to Beer Regatta for inviting us to be involved in the Emergency Services afternoon today! 🚨Our lifeguards we...
14/08/2026

Many thanks to Beer Regatta for inviting us to be involved in the Emergency Services afternoon today! 🚨

Our lifeguards were on hand to meet visitors, teach sea safety, CPR and first aid, and ask questions about how work in partnerships with neighbouring services, such as RNLI Exmouth, Beer Coastguard Rescue Team, RNLI Lyme Regis and South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

Our volunteer crew also joined Exmouth RNLI for a display in the bay.

A great day was had by all! Many thanks to our crew and lifeguards for their efforts today 🧡.

Date: 13.08.26Callouts #9 & #10Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat responded to two incidents yesterday evening.1. Capsized ...
14/08/2026

Date: 13.08.26
Callouts #9 & #10

Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat responded to two incidents yesterday evening.

1. Capsized kayaker - Sidmouth

At approximately 19:10, while our crew was out on exercise, we were contacted by the Sidmouth Gig Club shore team after one of their gigs had picked up a capsized kayaker.

The gig crew was returning the casualty and another kayaker safely to shore when Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat attended the scene and provided assistance as required.

2. Overdue paddleboarder – Budleigh Salterton

Later that evening, at approximately 21:45, our pagers sounded again following reports of an overdue paddleboarder off Budleigh Salterton.

Our crew assembled at the station and was preparing to launch when Solent Coastguard confirmed that the casualty had been safely recovered by RNLI Exmouth. Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat was therefore stood down with no launch required.

Thankfully, both incidents had positive outcomes.

Our thanks to Sidmouth Gig Club, Exmouth RNLI and HM Coastguard for their assistance and teamwork.

If you see someone in difficulty at sea or along the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Photo Credit: Kyle Baker

⚠️ IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING – EAST BEACH ⚠️Please do not walk along East Beach or climb over piles of fallen rock beneat...
11/08/2026

⚠️ IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING – EAST BEACH ⚠️

Please do not walk along East Beach or climb over piles of fallen rock beneath the cliffs.

East Beach is the beach at the far end of Sidmouth Promenade, beyond the lifeboat station and Rockfish.

Yesterday alone, there were more than 35 cliff falls, including one very near miss. The cliffs in this area are extremely unstable, and further falls can happen suddenly and without warning.

⛔ Please stay off this beach and away from the base of the cliffs
⛔ Do not climb over or around fallen rocks
⛔ Do not assume an area is safe because there has already been a fall

We know it can be tempting to explore this stretch of coastline, particularly during the summer, but no photograph, walk or shortcut is worth putting yourself or others at risk.

Please help us by sharing this warning with anyone visiting Sidmouth and encourage friends and family to stay clear of the cliffs.

In a coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Date: 10.08.26Time paged: 08:26Callout #8Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat was paged following reports of an apparently aba...
11/08/2026

Date: 10.08.26
Time paged: 08:26
Callout #8

Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat was paged following reports of an apparently abandoned fishing dinghy a short distance offshore from Mocha Café.

On arriving at the lifeboat station, our crew was able to make contact with the owner of the vessel, who confirmed that the dinghy was safely anchored and there was no cause for concern.

Following confirmation with Solent Coastguard, the crew was stood down and no launch was required.

A false alarm with good intent - and we'd always rather be called when someone has genuine concerns about a vessel or person at sea.

If you spot someone who may be in difficulty on or around the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Photo credit: Kyle Baker

🏖️ In honour of International Lifeguard Appreciation Day! 🧡Today we’re celebrating the incredible dedication, profession...
04/08/2026

🏖️ In honour of International Lifeguard Appreciation Day! 🧡

Today we’re celebrating the incredible dedication, professionalism and commitment of beach lifeguards everywhere, and especially our own Sidmouth Beach Lifeguards.

It’s been another busy week on the beach, with the team responding to a number of medical incidents, including supporting a casualty experiencing an epileptic seizure and providing treatment to someone who sustained a head injury following a fall. Their quick response, training and calm approach helped ensure both casualties received the care they needed.

Over the weekend, our lifeguards were delighted to join neighbouring lifeguard teams from Exmouth, Teignmouth, Dawlish and Budleigh for a friendly relay event on Exmouth Beach, celebrating 25 years of RNLI lifeguards.

Hosted by the Exmouth RNLI Lead Lifeguard with water safety provided by Exmouth Beach Rescue Club, the event featured running, swimming and rescue board races, showcasing the fitness, teamwork and lifesaving skills that every lifeguard relies on.

While our lifeguards are part of Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat, it was fantastic to come together with fellow lifeguards from across Devon to celebrate our shared mission: keeping people safe on our beaches and in the water.

A huge thank you to every one of our lifeguards for the commitment, professionalism and compassion you show every day. Whether you’re responding to an emergency, providing first aid, giving safety advice or helping someone enjoy the beach safely, your work makes a real difference.

Photo credit: Heath George

Today is World Drowning Prevention Day.Every year, too many lives are lost to drowning - but many of these tragedies are...
25/07/2026

Today is World Drowning Prevention Day.

Every year, too many lives are lost to drowning - but many of these tragedies are preventable.

At Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat, our lifeguards and volunteer crews are called upon to help people in difficulty at sea, often in situations that started with a simple error or an unexpected change in conditions. That's why education and prevention are just as important as rescue.

If you're heading to the coast this summer, remember a few simple steps that could save your life:

🌊 Check the weather, tide times and sea conditions before you go.
🏖️ Swim at a lifeguarded beach whenever possible.
🦺 Always wear a suitable buoyancy aid when taking to the water.
📱 Carry a means of calling for help, and in a coastal emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
💙 If you find yourself in trouble in the water, remember the RNLI's Float to Live advice: lie on your back, keep your airway clear, relax and control your breathing until you can call for help or reach safety.

Whether you're swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing or simply enjoying our beautiful coastline, taking a few moments to think about safety can make all the difference.

Together, we can help prevent drowning and keep everyone safe on our coast.

If you see our crews or lifeguards around Sidmouth today, come and say hello - we're always happy to talk about staying safe by the sea. 🧡

We're delighted to share that the redevelopment of Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat Station has been shortlisted in the Com...
22/07/2026

We're delighted to share that the redevelopment of Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat Station has been shortlisted in the Community Benefit category at the RICS UK Awards 2026! 🎉

This recognition celebrates an incredible collaborative effort between Studio Four Architects, McNaughts Quantity Surveyors, Skinner Construction, our volunteers and everyone who helped bring this project to life.

The awards take place tomorrow, so we're keeping everything crossed! 🤞

Read more about what makes our station so special here 👇
https://www.sidmouthlifeboat.org.uk/sidmouth-independent-lifeboat-station-shortlisted-for-prestigious-rics-uk-awards/

🚁 Last night, we were delighted to welcome Devon Air Ambulance to Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat for an invaluable evenin...
15/07/2026

🚁 Last night, we were delighted to welcome Devon Air Ambulance to Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat for an invaluable evening of training.

Our volunteers and lifeguards took part in two fantastic sessions covering CPR and defibrillator awareness, as part of the Help With All Your Heart (HWAYH) campaign, as well as helicopter operations, scene safety, and what to expect when working alongside Devon Air Ambulance at an incident.

The statistics are sobering:

❤️ In the UK, the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rate is around 8%. However, if a defibrillator is used and effective CPR is started within the first 3-5 minutes, a person’s chance of survival can increase to 50–70%.

Every minute matters, and knowing what to do really can save a life. ❤️

We were also honoured to be joined by Ann Ralli, Founder and Life President of Devon Air Ambulance, who shared the inspiring story of how she turned what many thought was impossible into the life-saving service that now supports communities across Devon every day.

A huge thank you to Elle and Rhiannon from Devon Air Ambulance for delivering such engaging and informative sessions. Our volunteers and lifeguards took away a wealth of knowledge that will help us continue to provide the best possible response when every second counts.

If you’d like to learn more about how you can help someone experiencing a cardiac arrest, take a look at the Help With All Your Heart campaign: https://www.daat.org/who-we-help/cardiac-incidents-how-you-can-help/

☀️ Lifeguard Service Extended Due to Hot Weather ☀️With another spell of exceptional weather forecast this week, we’ve m...
08/07/2026

☀️ Lifeguard Service Extended Due to Hot Weather ☀️

With another spell of exceptional weather forecast this week, we’ve made the decision to bring forward our full-time beach lifeguard service by three days.

Instead of commencing on Saturday 11th July, our lifeguards will now be on duty every day from today, Wednesday 8th July.

The combination of sustained hot weather, forecast easterly winds, increased visitor numbers and schools nearing the end of term means we expect Sidmouth’s beaches to be especially busy. By extending our service, we’ll have more trained lifeguards on the beach to help keep everyone safe.

If you’re heading to the coast this week:

🌊 Swim between the red and yellow flags where lifeguards are on duty.

🛟 If you get into trouble in the water, stay calm, float on your back, and call for help.

📱 In a coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

We look forward to seeing you on the beach - have a fantastic week, enjoy the sunshine, and stay safe! ☀️🏖️🧡

Address

The Esplanade
Sidmouth
EX108BE

Telephone

+441395514903

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share