Members of the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) visit Lyme lifeboat station

Two voluntary groups dedicated to saving lives at sea forged closer links yesterday (Sunday).

Members of the Lyme Bay branch of the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) visited Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat station for a tour and a talk - and an introduction to the town’s new rescue boat, Spirit of Loch Fyne.

RNLI deputy launching authority Phil Ball conducted proceedings with a talk about the lifeboat crew’s role and an explanation of the new boat’s capabilities.

The Lyme Bay NCI are losing their look-out station on the cliffs at Burton Bradstock and have applied for planning permission to operate from a new building on the east pier at West Bay. The new base would also accommodate RNLI lifeguards in the summer. District councillors will consider their application on April 19.

Lyme Bay NCI operations manager, David Last, said:”We had a most interesting visit to the Lyme Regis lifeboat station and look forward to continuing a close relationship with the RNLI volunteers.”