Lyme Regis RNLI marks 60 years of inshore lifeboats

Introduced in 1963, the inshore lifeboat is an invaluable asset in the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) fleet.

The RNLI in Lyme Regis has had an inshore lifeboat since 1967 but volunteers have operated many types of rescue craft for more than 160 years. Since 1963 the Lyme Regis volunteer crew has launched 1,499 times.

Mark Colley, volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager in Lyme Regis, said: “The latest inshore lifeboats, operated by the RNLI have enabled our volunteer crew to reach areas close to shore, cliffs and rocks to rescue people in trouble. These fast and highly manoeuvrable lifesaving craft answered the need for a quicker and more agile response to rescues in areas of water that were more challenging to the larger and slower all-weather lifeboats.

“Our current lifeboat, Spirit of Loch Fyne, and its crew are part of our community and suit the demands of the rescues we carry out and its unique features and capabilities have made a huge difference to the efficiency and effectiveness of our 24/7 search and rescue service.

“The lifeboat and its crew have aided many people in difficult situations, whether that’s people being cut off by the tide, boats in trouble or water users in need of our help. “

Pictured above: The first generation of B Class Inshore Lifeboats (ILBs), the Atlantic 21 on duty in Lyme Regis in 1973

In June 2019 the Lyme Regis crew aboard Spirit of Loch Fyne rescued two teenage boys being swept out to sea from the River Axe.

Senior helm Tim Edwards, who was aboard the lifeboat that day said: “The Atlantic 85 lifeboat is a very capable lifeboat to work with. Whether you’re heading to the scene of an incident, conducting a careful search or carrying out the actual rescue, she’s got all the power and kit you could want. On this occasion, we were very quickly on scene and otherwise, those two boys could have been in very serious trouble.”

Pictured above: Tim Edwards

The Spirit of Loch Fyne arrived in Lyme Regis in March 2012 and replaced a smaller vessel, an Atlantic 75 named Pearl of Dorset. She served for 15 years and answered some 500 calls for help.

Pictured above: The Pearl of Dorset and the Spirit of Loch Fyne

Tim Edwards and his fellow long-serving helm Jon Broome were among the first to take charge of the Atlantic 85 on its first shout. Jon Broome said: “This class of lifeboat handles rough conditions unbelievably well, and on that first shout the ability of the boat to handle heavy seas probably saved a kayaker’s life.”

Pictured above: Jon Broome