The RNLI’s Saving Lives at Sea will return to television screens for an eleventh series this month, marking ten years since the lifesaving series first aired on the BBC. The new 10-part series, featuring RNLI lifeboat crews and lifeguards from around the UK and Ireland, begins on BBC Two and iPlayer at 8pm on Tuesday, August 18.
More than 30 RNLI lifeboat stations will be featured in the series, which combines real-life rescue footage with interviews with volunteer crews, lifeguards and people rescued at sea.
The opening episode follows rescues involving crews at Scarborough, Dungeness, North Berwick and Porthcawl, while the fourth episode will mark another landmark for the programme as Saving Lives at Sea reaches its 100th episode. At Scarborough, the lifeboat crew responds to a yacht after its engine and electronics fail, while the Dungeness crew is called to rescue two casualties from the English Channel.
North Berwick RNLI goes to the aid of a capsized kayaker swept offshore by strong winds, while Porthcawl volunteers respond after a fisherman becomes tangled in fishing gear and is swept overboard.
‘One of those rescues you never forget’
Porthcawl RNLI helm Chris Missen described the incident as one of the most emotionally challenging rescues he and his crew had undertaken.
“It was one of those rescues you never forget,” he said. “The casualty had become tangled in fishing gear and had been swept overboard as a result. Luckily, he had a waterproof phone case on him and was able to call for help. “It was winter and, by the time we reached him, he had been in the water for nearly an hour. His body temperature was very low. We got him onboard, and I am pleased to say he made a full recovery.”
Missen said crews feel the responsibility to bring members of their communities home safely and welcomed the opportunity for the rescue to be featured in the programme.
“The series shows how lifeboat crew and lifeguards rescue those in distress at sea, and the lifesaving nature of our work,” he said. “We are delighted to feature in such a long-running series alongside our fellow lifesavers from across the RNLI.”
Thousands Aided by RNLI Crews
The new series comes after RNLI lifeboat crews across Ireland and the UK aided 8,290 people during 2025, saving 272 lives. RNLI lifeguards helped a further 36,213 people and saved 117 lives on some of the UK’s busiest beaches during the year.
The first episode of the eleventh series of Saving Lives at Sea airs on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer at 8 pm on Tuesday, August 18.
