West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team

28/05/2026

🆘 INCIDENT:Rescue at Charmouth Beach 🚨
​This afternoon, the Lyme Regis Coast Guard Rescue Team was tasked alongside West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team and the South Western Ambulance Service to a incident at Charmouth Beach, following reports of an individual who had fallen from the cliffs onto the beach.
Upon arrival, teams successfully located the casualty on the beach, and an initial assessment undertaken by paramedics. Due to the nature of the injuries and the terrain, the Coastguard rescue helicopter Rescue 387 was scrambled for assistance. The casualty was safely transferred via helicopter from the beach to a secondary landing site near the main car park.
​From there, the individual was passed back into the care of the ambulance service and subsequently transported to the hospital for further treatment.

​Incidents like this require seamless teamwork, and we would like to extend our massive thanks to:
▪️​West Bay Coast Guard & Ambulance Crews for the excellent interagency agency response.
▪️​Charmouth Council staff, who stepped in on the ground to assist with vital crowd control.
​▪️NCI Lyme Bay volunteers, who kindly offered to assist with securing the helicopter landing site.
▪️The members of the public who helped us by staying well back from our helicopter landing zones.
​We wish the casualty a full and speedy recovery.

​⚠️ SAFETY REMINDER: The cliffs along our coastline can be highly unstable and should not be climbed upon. Please stay well back from cliff edges and away from the base of cliffs when on the beach.
​In any emergency at the coast, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

12/05/2026

🆘 Tasking: Technical Rope Recovery Near Lyme Regis🚨

​Lyme Regis and West Bay Coastguard Rescue Teams were deployed this afternoon to recover a walker trapped in dense undergrowth below the Lyme Regis Golf Course East of The Spittles. ​The individual had strayed from the main path into thick scrub and quickly realised they were lost and in a dangerous position.

​Key details of the rescue:
▪️​Smart Thinking: Recognising they were lost, the walker wisely stayed put in a safe spot and called for help immediately rather than attempting to push through the treacherous terrain.
▪️​Precision Location: Using the what3words app, the casualty provided a pinpoint location, allowing teams to find them despite being invisible from the path.
▪️​Technical Ex*****on: Due to the steep, overgrown terrain, a rope rescue technician descended from the cliff edge to reach the walker and bring them up to safety.
▪️​Outcome: We are pleased to report the individual was recovered safely with no injuries.

⚠️ ​The Undercliff terrain between Lyme Regis and Charmouth is notoriously deceptive. To stay safe:
1️⃣ ​Stick to established paths: Straying even a few meters can lead to being trapped in dense scrub.
2️⃣​ Download what3words: It is the fastest way for us to find you in an emergency.
3️⃣​ Stay Put: If you get lost, follow this walker's example—stop, stay safe, and call for help.

​In a coastal emergency, dial 9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣ and ask for the COASTGUARD.

Photo Credit: West Bay Coastguard

03/04/2026

🚁 INCIDENT UPDATE: Third Tasking of the Day

​It has been a non-stop day for our crews. Lyme Regis Coastguard and West Bay Coastguard were tasked to our third incident of the day—this time for a person stuck on the cliffs with a rapidly rising tide.
​Due to the precarious location and the incoming water, a multi-agency response was launched, including the RNLI Lyme Regis, West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team and a Coastguard Rescue Helicopter.

​The Rescue:
🚨 ​On the Ground: Two Coastguard officers successfully made contact with the individual on the cliff face.
🛟 ​On the Water: Lyme RNLI remained offshore to monitor the situation and provide safety cover.
🆘 ​The Extraction: After providing the casualty with safety advice for a winch recovery, our officers had to retreat as the tide threatened to cut off their exit path. It was quickly decided that a helicopter extraction was the safest way to get the individual home.

🚁 ​The individual was successfully winched and flown to Monmouth Beach, where they were met by waiting Coastguard teams. Although understandably cold after the ordeal, we are happy to report they were uninjured.

​Despite it being a busy day for us, we want to highlight that the casualty did exactly the right thing. When they realized they were in trouble and the tide was closing in:
▪️​They stayed put to avoid making a bad situation worse.
▪️​They called for help immediately.
▪️​Their quick logical thinking turned a dangerous situation into a successful rescue

If you find yourself in difficulty along the coast, follow their lead: Dial 9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣ and ask for the Coastguard.

03/04/2026

🌊 Busy Day for the Team: Double Call-Out 🌊
​It’s been a high-tempo day for the Lyme Regis Coastguard team, with two very different incidents requiring a swift, multi-agency response.

​🚑 Incident 1: Medical Rescue at Seatown
​Our first tasking took us toward Seatown to assist a casualty with a suspected broken ankle. Due to the challenging terrain, we worked closely with our colleagues from West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team. Utilizing our team’s off-road capabilities, we were able to successfully locate and extricate the casualty, transferring them safely into the care of the awaiting South Western Ambulance Service. We wish them a swift recovery.

​💣 Incident 2: Live Ordnance on Lyme Beach
Just as we were returning to the station, a second call came in: suspected ordnance discovered on the sandy beach in Lyme Regis.
The team deployed immediately and located the item— later confirmed to be a live, high-caliber .50 caliber projectile. The round was slightly deformed, presenting a potential risk to the public.
​▪️An initial cordon was established. Following consultation with the MOD Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, the cordon was extended to ensure the safety of beachgoers, local business staff, and emergency workers.
▪️​This was a massive team effort. We would like to extend our thanks to West Bay Coastguard, our Senior Coastguard Operations Officer from HM Coastguard - Dorset, Lyme Regis Town Council, Lyme Regis Fire Station , and Dorset Police for their vital assistance in maintaining the scene.
​
​Fortunately, upon arrival, EOD experts were able to safely remove the live round for disposal at an off-site location. This meant the cordon could be lifted quickly, allowing the beach to return to normal.

​⚠️ Safety Reminder: If you find something unusual on the beach that looks like old ammunition or ordnance, do not touch it. 1. Move away from the object.
2. Keep others back.
3. Dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

08/03/2026

On International Woman’s day we celebrate the contribution Women make to the West Bay Coastguard Rescue team and the wider UK Coastguard family.

07/03/2026

01/03/2026

🚨Call out: Medical evacuation from the Coast Path 🆘

The Lyme Regis Coastguard team was tasked this afternoon to assist a casualty on the South West Coast Path at Thorncombe Beacon.

​Working alongside our colleagues from West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team, Rescue Officers provided immediate assistance before coordinating a safe evacuation. Due to the challenging terrain of the coastal path, both teams worked together to extract the individual to an awaiting South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust Ambulance for onward care.

​This was another great example of the seamless teamwork between our local stations to ensure a swift and safe recovery. We wish the individual a full and speedy recovery.

🚨​In a coastal emergency, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. ⚓

26/02/2026

🚨 Last Nights Tasking ⚠️

Just as the team were wrapping up a scheduled training at 19:02, we were tasked by the National Maritime Operations Centre to reports of an emergency whistle being heard in the vicinity of the Cobb and Lyme Regis harbour.

Thanks to the team already being on-station, we were on scene and meeting with the first informant within four minutes.
Initial searches were conducted immediately. During these enquiries, a local fisherman reported seeing two surf/bodyboarders in the water roughly an hour earlier, with no confirmation they had returned to shore. With the potential for overdue boarders and the initial report of distress signals, we requested further assistance from the RNLI Lyme Regis (Lifeboat) and the West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team.

Following a thorough search of the Cobb, the seafront, and the surrounding waters, no further whistle sounds were heard. It was eventually determined that the sounds were likely vocal local birdlife.
With no persons found to be in distress and no one reported missing, all assets were stood down and returned to base by late evening.

While this turned out to be a false alarm, it was a False Alarm with Good Intent. We would like to thank the vigilant members of the public who dialled 999 and asked for the Coastguard.
In a real emergency, every second counts. If you hear a whistle or see someone you believe to be in distress at the coast, never hesitate. Call 999 and ask for the

21/02/2026