Lyme Regis commemoration service ends with lifeboat call out

A congregation of around 300 people joined the RNLI crew, representatives of maritime emergency services and other harbour users to remember those who had lost their lives at sea over the years, and to celebrate today’s vibrant harbour community.

The service was conducted by the Vicar of Lyme Regis, Reverand Virginia Luckett, assisted by Lyme Regis Baptist Church minister Reverand Chris Woodman. Musical accompaniment was provided by Lyme Regis Town Band and Lyme Bay Moonrakers. The mayor of Lyme Regis was represented by Deputy Mayor, Councillor Michaela Ellis.

During the service Reverand Luckett reminded the congregation that 2025 has particular significance as the 80th anniversary of the end of the second world war. A junior member of Lyme Regis Sea School also read a work of her own composition entitled ‘What the sea means to me’.

The service culminated with four floral wreaths, dedicated to the maritime emergency services, professional mariners, recreational mariners, and the Royal British Legion being blessed before processing through ranks of harbour users to the waiting lifeboat crew. The wreaths were then taken out to sea on the lifeboat accompanied by a gig from Lyme Regis Gig Club and 2 Laser dinghies crewed by sailors from Lyme Regis Sea School.

As well as Lyme Regis RNLI, the other maritime organisations represented at the ceremony were HM Coastguard, National Coastwatch Institution, Lyme Regis Powerboat Club, Lyme Regis Sailing Club, Lyme Regis Sea School, Lyme Regis Gig Club, Lyme Regis Blue Tits, The Boat Building Academy, Lyme Regis Red Mist Kayak Group and the Royal British Legion.

Shortly after the lifeboat crew had scattered the floral wreaths at sea, they received an urgent call from HM Coastguard to search for a paddle boarder reported to be in difficulty to the east of Lyme Regis. Having conducted a shoreline search between Lyme Regis and Charmouth the volunteers concluded that the call had been a false alarm with good intent.

This was the second service call the volunteers had responded to on 25 May having been launched at 04:50am that morning to join a multi-agency search for a missing person who was later found safe inland.

Ends

Notes to editors

Photo captions:

1 Blessing of the floral wreaths on Lyme Regis RLNLI slipway 25 May 25. Credit: RNLI/Richard Horobin.

2. Floral wreaths ready for transfer to the lifeboat crew 25 May 25. Credit: RNLI/Nick Marks.

3. Wreaths proceed to sea. Pilot gig leads Lyme Regis lifeboat and two Laser dinghies from Lyme Regis harbour 25 May 25. Credit: RNLI/Nick Marks.

4. The Blessing of the Boats service congregation 25 May 25. Credit: @ThisIsLymeRegis

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please contact Nick Marks, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Lyme Regis Lifeboat Station on 07568 187582 or [email protected]. or Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager, on 07786 668847 or [email protected], or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.