Porthcawl RNLI lifeboat crew members are to feature in the 12-part documentary series which will show real rescues carried out by the charity’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards around the UK and Ireland.

From the remote and rugged coastline of Aith in the Shetlands, to the packed sands of Woolacombe in Devon, the series gives a unique insight into the lives and work of the charity’s volunteer lifeboat crew members and lifeguards, who rescue thousands of people and save hundreds of lives around our coastline and on the River Thames every year.

The first episode will be shown on Wednesday 16 August from 8–9pm on BBC Two and will include, among other stories, a dramatic rescue of thirty people from a sinking tall ship; a father and daughter being pulled from the sea after being swept from rocks, and the recovery of a selfie-taker who had fallen into the Thames.

Welsh RNLI lifeboat crews are set to feature in early episodes in the series with volunteers from Moelfre, Anglesey, rescuing a dog which plunged 130ft down a cliff and Porthcawl lifeboat crews rescuing a horse rider who suffered nasty injuries after falling on a remote beach. Later episodes will feature rescues by another seven Welsh lifeboat stations, details of which will be revealed later.

Following the success of the four-part first series, which was broadcast last year, this series features more episodes and more real-life rescue footage, accompanied by heart-warming and emotive testimonials from the crew, lifeguards and the people they rescue. The series has been filmed over the past year, with lifeboat crews and lifeguards carrying special cameras and welcoming film-makers into their day-to-day life. Rescues from the RNLI’s archives are also revisited.

Last year alone, RNLI lifeboat crews around the UK and Ireland rescued 8,643 people, saving 431 lives, while the charity’s lifeguards responded to 17,414 incidents and saved 127 lives on some of the UK’s busiest beaches.

Saving Lives at Sea will be broadcast weekly from Wednesday 16 August to Wednesday 1 November on BBC Two at 8pm. The series is made for the BBC by Blast! Films.