Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat

27/10/2026

🧡 An ENORMOUS THANK YOU to the Ladram Kayakers! 🧡

For the past four years, Shaun Ruddy has organised an annual fundraising raffle for Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat as part of a special yearly gathering with family and fellow kayakers.

As Shaun explains:

“The meet itself has been going for 17 years, raising funds for various charities. When I took over, we decided Sidmouth Lifeboat would be a worthy cause as, being kayakers, it is a charity close to our hearts.”

Over the last three years alone, Shaun and his family have raised an incredible £3,813 through a raffle and a range of other fundraising activities! 🌊👏

This year, the timing of the gathering coincided with one of our evening training sessions, giving our crew the opportunity to put on a demonstration for the group. 🚤 (You can find some brilliant photos and videos in the comments - thanks to Shaun!)

To Shaun, your family and all the Ladram Kayakers, we simply can't thank you enough. Your generosity and continued support mean so much to us, and we hope you enjoyed seeing our crew in action as much as we enjoyed meeting you all.

Thank you for supporting your local independent lifeboat and helping us keep our coastline safe. 🧡

03/10/2026

Date: 03.10.26
Time Paged: 14:44
Callout #13

Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat was paged by Solent Coastguard following reports of a possible windsurfer in difficulty off Pennington Point, near the yellow sewage buoy.

With sailing boats in the area, our volunteer crew assembled at the lifeboat station ready to respond.

After speaking with the person who had raised the alarm, it was established that what had appeared to be a windsurfer in difficulty was in fact a black marker buoy used by the sailing club, which was lying on its side.

Thankfully, no one was in difficulty and, once this had been confirmed, no launch was required and the crew was stood down.

B**r Coastguard Rescue Team also assisted with the incident.

This was a false alarm with good intent. The person who reported their concerns did exactly the right thing – if you think someone may be in difficulty at sea, never hesitate to raise the alarm. We would always rather respond and find everyone safe and well.

If you have concerns for someone’s safety at sea or along the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 🧡

Photo Credit: Kyle Baker (illustrative purposes only)

27/09/2026

Thank you to Sidmouth Carnival for another great event last night! 🧡

Our volunteer crew really enjoyed being part of the parade. Thank you to everyone who interacted with us along the route and donated on the night 👏.

24/09/2026

A huge thank you to the wonderful residents and staff at Fourways Residential Home, who recently presented Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat with a fantastic donation of £245.33!

The money was raised at their summer charity garden party, with residents, staff and visitors all coming together to support our volunteer lifeboat crew.

As an independent lifeboat, we rely on the generosity of our local community to help keep on service 24/7, so donations like this really do mean a great deal to us.

Thank you to everyone who helped organise, attended and supported the fundraiser, including friends from The Malden House Care Home.

We’re incredibly grateful for your support. 🧡

Summer fun for a great cause! ☀️🏡
Recently, our Care Manager Linda, along with our amazing staff and residents, proudly presented a cheque for £245.33 to the Sidmouth independent Lifeboat. This was raised during our summer fundraiser charity garden party! Huge thanks to everyone who supported us in giving back to our local lifesavers. 🌊🚢
We also extend a special thank you to The Malden House Care Home for attending the event and supporting this wonderful cause. 🫶

16/09/2026

It was lovely to open the doors of Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat Station this morning as part of this year’s Sidmouth Health & Wellbeing Week.

Our volunteer boat crew and lifeguards welcomed members of the community to the station for an informal ‘Crew & A’, giving visitors the opportunity to meet the team, have a look around our award-winning station and ask questions about the work we do both on the water and in our community.

As a fully self-funded independent lifeboat charity, community is at the heart of everything we do. Our volunteer crew is on service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and opportunities like today are a great chance for us to meet some of the people we’re here to serve – hopefully without the pagers going off!

A huge thank you to everyone who popped in to see us this morning, and to the organisers of Sidmouth Health & Wellbeing Week for inviting us to be part of a fantastic week of events taking place across the town. 🌊🧡

13/09/2026

Date: 12.09.26
Time Paged: 13:58
Callout #12

Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat was paged following reports of a paddleboarder potentially in difficulty off Seaton.

Our volunteer crew launched and made their way towards Seaton to assist.

The paddleboarder was located and confirmed to be safe and well, and the lifeboat was stood down at 14:23.

Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat returned to station and was recovered and ready for service again by 14:40.

Thankfully, no further assistance was required.

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

09/09/2026

Today, on Emergency Services Day, we’re taking a moment to recognise and thank all those who work and volunteer across our emergency services.

At Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat, we’re proud to play our part.

Our volunteer crew regularly works alongside HM Coastguard, RNLI lifeboat crews, Coastguard Rescue Teams, the ambulance service, police, fire and rescue service, air ambulance teams and many others.

Whether it’s a rescue at sea, a search along the coastline or a medical emergency on the beach, effective emergency response relies on people and organisations working together - often in difficult and unpredictable circumstances.

We’re incredibly grateful for the professionalism, dedication and teamwork of everyone we have the privilege of working alongside.

And, of course, a huge thank you to our own volunteer lifeboat crew and Sidmouth Beach Lifeguards for the time, skills and commitment they give to keeping people safe on our coastline.

To everyone who serves, works or volunteers in the emergency services – 🧡 thank you for all that you do 🧡.

07/09/2026

🌊 THANK YOU to our Beach Lifeguards!! 🏖️

As the Sidmouth Beach Lifeguards finished up their final patrols of the 2026 summer season yesterday, we want to say a huge THANK YOU to every member of the team for their dedication, professionalism and commitment to keeping our community and visitors safe.

It has been another busy summer, with our lifeguards responding to a wide range of incidents both on the beach and in the water. From treating more than 40 minor injuries in a single weekend - including weever fish stings, jellyfish stings, cuts and grazes - to managing medical emergencies, the team has been there when people needed them most.

This season has included a serious medical incident requiring lifesaving interventions, including CPR, multiple water rescues and assists, and significant board rescues in challenging easterly sea conditions. Lifeguards have also treated injuries ranging from broken bones and head injuries to a foot laceration following a jump from the sea wall.

Alongside these incidents, the team has managed busy beaches, powerful shorebreak and rapidly changing tides, helped reunite missing children with their families, and provided reassurance and safety advice to countless beachgoers.

Their commitment doesn’t always end when a patrol finishes, either. Members of the team have also assisted people while off duty, including helping a woman who had sustained a major bleed to her leg.

But lifeguarding is about so much more than responding to emergencies. Every conversation, every warning, every school visit and every piece of safety advice plays a part in preventing incidents before they happen.

To our lifeguards: thank you for your hard work, your compassion and the care you show to everyone who visits Sidmouth Beach. We are incredibly grateful to have you as part of the Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat team.

And to everyone who has supported the service, followed our safety advice or simply stopped to say thank you this summer - we appreciate you too. 🧡

07/09/2026

Date: 07.09.26
Time Paged: 21:20
Callout #11

Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat was paged following concerns for a potentially overdue swimmer off Seaton Beach.

A bag containing personal belongings, including car keys, had been discovered on the otherwise empty beach, raising concerns that someone may still have been in the water.

Our volunteer crew launched and was making its way to Seaton when we were stood down by Solent Coastguard after the person had been identified and confirmed safe.

B**r Coastguard Rescue Team, Lyme Regis Coastguard and RNLI Lyme Regis were also tasked to the incident. Following enquiries and a search of the beach and surrounding area, Coastguard teams were able to establish that the bag had been reported missing earlier in the day. The owner was contacted and subsequently reunited with their belongings.

Thankfully, there was no one missing at sea.

The person who raised the alarm did exactly the right thing. Finding unattended belongings on a beach can be a genuine cause for concern, and we would always encourage people to report anything that suggests someone may be in difficulty.

Our thanks to all the Coastguard and lifeboat teams involved for their swift response and teamwork.

If you have concerns for someone’s safety at sea or along the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 🧡

14/08/2026

Many thanks to B**r 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, B**r 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 🧡.