Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat

04/06/2026

A huge THANK YOU to Sidbury Fireworks for this generous donation of a whopping £1,000, raised during last year's fireworks display!

We are so grateful for your support 🧡

31/05/2026

A huge thank you to everyone at the Blue Ball Inn, and to all who joined last week's Quiz Night.

Thanks to your generosity, an incredible £222 was raised for Sidmouth Lifeboat.

We are extremely grateful for your support 🧡.

29/05/2026

Date: 29.05.26
Time paged: 16:08
Callout #4

Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat was paged in response to reports of multiple members of a family missing while using an inflatable kayak off Jacob’s Ladder Beach.

Both lifeboats - Peter & Barbara Truesdale and Sidmouth 2 - were launched, with our beach lifeguard team also responding to assist.

As the incident required a search operation, Beer Coastguard Rescue Team and Exmouth Coastguard Rescue Team were tasked to support.

Following a coordinated search, the missing casualties were located at sea towards the far end of the beach. Lifeboat crews safely recovered them and returned them to shore, where they were reunited with their family.

Thankfully, all those involved were found safe and well.

This incident serves as an important reminder of the precautions that should be taken when using inflatables and kayaks at sea:

🛟 Always wear a life jacket or buoyancy aid

📱 Carry a fully charged mobile phone on your person in a waterproof pouch

🌊 Check weather, tide and sea conditions before heading out

📍 Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return

Our thanks to Beer Coastguard Rescue Team, Exmouth Coastguard Rescue Team, our beach lifeguard team and all volunteers involved for their teamwork and swift response.

📸 Photo credit: Beer Coastguard Rescue Team

26/05/2026

Date: 26.05.26
Time paged: 11:50
Callout #3

Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat was tasked at 11:50 today to assist Beer Coastguard Rescue Team with the recovery of an abandoned tender found at the far end of Jacob’s Ladder Beach.

Following the request for assistance, the Sidmouth 2 lifeboat was launched and crews quickly located the unattended vessel.

The tender was safely recovered and towed back to Port Royal Beach without incident.

The incident highlights the close working relationship between local rescue agencies. Members of the public are reminded to ensure tenders and small craft are properly secured and clearly marked to help avoid unnecessary emergency callouts.

If you see an emergency along the coast, always dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.

Enquiries: [email protected]

Photo Credit: Beer Coastguard Rescue Team 🙏 🧡

22/05/2026

Tomorrow marks the return of our Beach Lifeguards for the summer season! 🌊☀️

Our lifeguards will be patrolling the beach throughout the summer half term, the summer school holidays, and weekends in between - helping to keep everyone safe while enjoying the coast.

Over recent weeks, the team has completed intensive surf lifeguard training at the lifeguard unit, Sidmouth Beach and Sidmouth Lifeboat Station. Training included both classroom learning and practical beach exercises covering:

🛟Lifeguard duties and procedures
🛟Beach environment, weather and tides
🛟Rescue techniques
🛟First aid and basic life support, including defibrillator use and treatment of major bleeds

During training, the team responded to a real-life emergency. Lifeguards carried out a primary survey, administered pain relief, and safely extracted the casualty using a stretcher before handing over care to the ambulance service.

Training was delivered by Surf Life Saving Great Britain trainer assessors, alongside Rhys John from Harlyn Surf School, and assessed by highly respected trainer Chris Rae, who has more than 35 years of experience in surf lifesaving training.

This season sees five returning lifeguards - including two entering their sixth year on patrol - alongside five new recruits. Four of the new lifeguards have progressed through the ranks at Sidmouth Surf Lifesaving Club, highlighting the strength of local training and development within the club.

The team also welcomed a volunteer trainer from the surf lifesaving club to complete the qualification course, helping strengthen the partnership between the club, the lifeguard service, and the wider community.

To continue building their skills, lifeguards also attended a three-day maritime casualty care course.

Please remember to stay safe on the beach this summer and speak to the lifeguards if you need any advice or assistance 🧡.

21/05/2026

🧠✨ THINKING CAPS AT THE READY! ✨🧠

Gather your smartest friends and join the team at the Blue Ball Inn for a fantastic Friday Night Quiz in aid of Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat.

📍 Blue Ball Inn, Sidford
📅 Friday, 22nd May 2026
⏰ 7.00pm start
💷 £2 per person
👥 Maximum 6 per team

PLUS… don’t miss the BIG Blue Ball Prize Raffle 🎟️
Just £2 a ticket for your chance to win!

Bookings are advised:
📞 01395 514062
📧 [email protected]

Come along for a brilliant evening of laughs, friendly competition and fundraising for a great cause - SEE YOU THERE! 🎉

14/05/2026

Three cheers for all the Independent Lifeboats around the country!! 👏 🧡 👏

We are happy to share with you the combined stats for our members for 2025

06/05/2026

We were saddened to hear of the tragic loss of life following this incident.

Our thoughts are with the community, families, friends, emergency service personnel and all those affected. 🧡

Volunteer rescuers aged 78 and 62 died after their boat rolled during "treacherous" conditions.

25/01/2026

🚨🛟 Applications are now open for the Sidmouth Beach Lifeguard Service, 2026! 🛟🚨

The Sidmouth Beach Lifeguard Service is back for summer 2026, and Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat is now recruiting lifeguards for the upcoming season.

We’re seeking enthusiastic, capable individuals who are confident in the water, physically fit, and enjoy working with people in a public-facing, safety-critical role.

The service will operate during summer half-term, the school summer holidays, and weekends in between. Applicants must be 18 years or older by the start of service.

Successful candidates will receive full training, including a Surf Lifesaving Great Britain qualification and an advanced first aid course, prior to commencing duties.

Applications are now open and will close on 28th February 2026.

To apply, please email [email protected] to request an application form.

Join the team and play a vital role in keeping Sidmouth Beach safe in 2026.

23/01/2026

🚨Flood alert for South Devon coast from Dawlish Warren to Seaton🚨

Please keep away from the seafront to avoid risk of damage to people or property from pebbles thrown in-land by the sea.

Warning below issued by the Environment Agency.
Last updated 12:13pm on 23 January 2026

"High tides today and tomorrow may lead to flooding.

Flooding is possible from Friday evening until Saturday morning.

Areas particularly at risk include roads along the seafronts.

The high tide at Exmouth on Friday evening is at 21:45PM. Forecast total high tide level is 2.41mAOD, which is 0.81 metres above tide table level. Force 8 south easterly winds and offshore wave heights of over 3.8m are forecast over the high tide.

We are closely monitoring the situation.

Take care and avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water.

Flood alert area: Exposed coastal areas at Dawlish Warren, Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth, Branscombe, Seaton."

See more here: https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/target-area/113WACT1C