Saving Lives at Sea is a new four-part BBC series on the RNLI’s lifesaving work. Running from 13th July to 3rd August on BBC One.

The series, named Saving Lives at Sea, is part of a special volunteering season by the BBC called Do Something Great. It’s a real-life portrayal of the lifesaving work that RNLI volunteers carry out around our coasts 24/7.

Lifeboat crews from stations including Abersoch, Brighton, Blackpool, Eastbourne, Islay, Rhyl, Torbay, Tower, The Mumbles, Moelfre, New Quay, Oban and Newquay all feature in the series – several of which have, over the past year, carried special cameras and equipment on their lifeboats and welcomed film makers into station life.

The series follows dramatic real-life rescue situations, while also uncovering the heart-warming and poignant reasons why people from all walks of life volunteer to put their lives on the line to save others, and the vital support they receive from their families and communities.

Ben Billingham, New Quay RNLI Mechanic, said: ‘This has been a fantastic project to be involved with and we’re very proud to know that the lifesaving work of New Quay RNLI lifeboat station will feature. The series captures the work of 13 RNLI lifeboat stations but we’re representing the crews of the 237 RNLI stations all around the UK and Ireland, who all do fantastic work every day.

‘We hope people who watch the series will feel inspired by what they see, and learn a bit more about the lifesaving work of our charity.’

Last year alone, RNLI lifeboat crews around the UK and Ireland rescued nearly 8,000 people, saving 348 lives.

The series is made for the BBC by Blast! Films.

  • First episode: Wednesday July 13th, BBC One, 9pm
  • Second: Wednesday July 20th, BBC One, 9pm
  • Third: Wednesday July 27th, BBC One, 9pm
  • Fouth: Wednesday August 3rd, BBC One, 9pm

Find out more about the inside stories from events in the series on the RNLI site.

Missed an episode? Catch up on BBC iPlayer

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Image: Nigel Millard