
Every day in the seas around the UK and Ireland, an army of unpaid volunteers put their lives on the line to save those of others. Saving Lives At Sea tells the story of the ordinary men and women of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) who are ready to answer their pager’s call and race to the rescue of those in trouble, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, whatever the weather. Using footage shot on the crews’ own cameras, this series takes us into the heart of the action, capturing the unpredictable work of the RNLI in unique detail.\n\nOut at sea, the lifeboat crews know that minutes and even seconds can mean the difference between life and death. On the rugged east coast of Scotland, three kids have been cut off in a sea cave by a rising tide, the crew at Dunbar must race to get to them before the rising water does.\n\nMeanwhile on the opposite coast of Scotland, the crew at Tobermory face their own life and death race – a yacht and her four crew members caught in a violent storm are being pushed ever closer to a rocky shore and disaster.\n\nOn the north east coast of England the crew at Blyth are called out to search for a missing 80-year-old man who hasn’t been seen for over six hours after leaving home to search for lobsters on the coast. The crew have no idea if he is in the sea or on shore, but what they do know is that with every passing minute the chance of finding him alive are dwindling.
Source: BBC 2
Series 6 (shortened Versions): Episode 8
Each year the volunteer crews of the RNLI respond to around 9,000 call outs, from paddleboarders swept out to sea to sinking fishing boats, from families caught in rip currents ...
23-10-2025
BBC 2
Series 9: 1. Saving Lives At Sea In World War Ii
In this special episode commemorating the 2024 bicentenary of the RNLI, Dermot O’Leary uncovers the untold story of the institution’s heroic efforts in the Second Wo ...
16-10-2025
BBC 2
Series 10: 10. Midnight Emergency
In Blackpool, it’s just after midnight when the crew receive reports of a man in the water. After finding him unresponsive, it’s vital to get him urgent medical atte ...
08-10-2025
BBC 2
Series 10: 9. Scuba Diver In Danger
In Plymouth, the crew respond to a mayday call - the highest level of emergency at sea - for a scuba diver who has lost consciousness during a 30-metre dive to a shipwreck. When ...
02-10-2025
BBC 2
Series 10: 8. Kayak Mayday
A kayaker has called a mayday after getting into trouble near the Farne Islands; although he is able to communicate his location via his VHF radio, his voice is faltering, and i ...
23-09-2025
BBC 2
Series 10: 7. Teenager Sos
A frantic mother alerts the lifeguards after six teenagers are cut off by the tide in Watergate Bay, north Cornwall. On Scotland’s east coast, the Anstruther crew race to ...
18-09-2025
BBC 2
Series 10: 6. Hunt For Missing Kayakers
In Portaferry, Northern Ireland, the crew face an increasingly urgent search for two kayakers who’ve been blown out to sea in 50mph winds. In Lyme Regis, on the Dorset coa ...
11-09-2025
BBC 2
Series 10: 5. Into The Eye Of The Storm
A 999 call comes in from the son of a windsurfer in trouble; the Mudeford crew battle 80mph winds in an increasingly desperate search. The Hastings crew race to the rescue of a ...
04-09-2025
BBC 2
Series 10: 4. Yacht On The Rocks
The Newhaven crew make a desperate attempt to convince a solo yachtsman that he needs rescuing; when his anchor line snaps, he is at the mercy of the rolling swells and the stor ...
28-08-2025
BBC 2
Series 10: 3. Windsurfer Caught In The Storm
With Storm Eunice - and its 100 mph winds - battering the south coast, the Portsmouth crew have to decide whether they can even launch to a windsurfer in trouble. Once they&rsqu ...
21-08-2025
BBC 2
Series 9: 1. Saving Lives At Sea In World War Ii
In this special episode commemorating the 2024 bicentenary of the RNLI, Dermot O’Leary uncovers the untold story of the institution’s heroic efforts in the Second Wo ...
16-10-2025
BBC 2
Series 4: Episode 1
Every day in the seas around the UK and Ireland, an army of unpaid volunteers put their lives on the line to save those of others. Saving Lives At Sea tells the story of the ord ...
05-04-2022
BBC 2
Series 10: 6. Hunt For Missing Kayakers
In Portaferry, Northern Ireland, the crew face an increasingly urgent search for two kayakers who’ve been blown out to sea in 50mph winds. In Lyme Regis, on the Dorset coa ...
11-09-2025
BBC 2
Series 6: Episode 10
Last year, the lifeboats around the UK and Ireland came to the aid of over 8,300 people. But no matter what they face when they head out on a shout, all crew members are instill ...
18-03-2023
BBC 2
Series 6 (shortened Versions): Episode 9
We rely on our lifeboat crews 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year - they risk their lives saving ours, even in the most challenging conditions.\n\nIn St Davids, on the Pembroke ...
22-11-2023
BBC 2
Series 9: 6. Trust
Every one of the RNLI’s crew members brings their own unique skills to the station at which they volunteer. But they’re all united by one key element: trust.\n\nIn H ...
09-05-2024
BBC 2
Series 10: 8. Kayak Mayday
A kayaker has called a mayday after getting into trouble near the Farne Islands; although he is able to communicate his location via his VHF radio, his voice is faltering, and i ...
23-09-2025
BBC 2
Series 5: Episode 3
The lifeboat crews are on call all year round, but it is in the summer months when they are at their busiest. While the crowds that flock to the coast relax and soak up the sun, ...
22-05-2024
BBC 2
Series 10: 7. Teenager Sos
A frantic mother alerts the lifeguards after six teenagers are cut off by the tide in Watergate Bay, north Cornwall. On Scotland’s east coast, the Anstruther crew race to ...
18-09-2025
BBC 2
Series 10: 9. Scuba Diver In Danger
In Plymouth, the crew respond to a mayday call - the highest level of emergency at sea - for a scuba diver who has lost consciousness during a 30-metre dive to a shipwreck. When ...
02-10-2025
BBC 2