Coastal emergencies on the increase, RNLI 2005 rescue statistics shows busiest year on record
Search and rescue statistics published today (21 Feb) by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) show that 2005 was its busiest year on record. RNLI lifeboats launched 8,273 times compared to 7,656 the previous year – an 8 per cent increase nationally.
More significantly, launches in the south west of England and Wales more than doubled this trend and have increased 16% and 15% respectively.
Michael Vlasto, RNLI Operations Director comments:
‘Considering that 68 per cent of the people we rescued last year were rescued from pleasure craft1, it’s no surprise that the busiest coastal RNLI lifeboat station is once again Poole, in the south, with 147 launches listed. The volunteer crews there rescued 145 people in distress.
‘As the number of pleasure boats in the UK is said to be 4.5 million2, participation in watersports involving around 3.5 million people3, it is again not surprising the coasts of the south of England and Wales, both havens for watersports enthusiasts, are by far the busiest areas when it comes to rescues in the UK.
‘Lifeboat launch statistics for June, July and August accounted for 47 per cent of our total launches during 2005, so summer sea users need to be much more aware of the dangers associated with the coast, especially when you consider many people are with their most “precious possessions†– their children.
‘Thanks to the public across the UK and Ireland, we have arguably the most reliable and professional lifeboat rescue service in the world. The RNLI, which is a charity, invests in designing the most technically suitable lifeboats to achieve faster response time, and in providing the best training possible to ensure those in distress at sea are dealt with swiftly and efficiently – preventing many lives being lost, and saving many from potentially perilous situations by getting to them sooner.’
Regularly monitoring activity and analysing incidents allows the RNLI to plan the deployment of lifeboats and other resources to meet future needs as sea and coastal use trends develop. The RNLI is also able to guide its Sea Safety education initiatives, targeted at beach goers and boating and fishing communities to prevent incidents happening in the first place. These programmes focus on making sea users aware of the risks and dangers so that they don’t end up becoming a statistic.
Michael Vlasto continues:
‘Our particular thanks must go to all our crews for their continued commitment, selflessness and dedication and to the thousands of station and fundraising volunteers – all working tirelessly to ensure the RNLI can continue to save lives at sea.’
