 |
| |
RNLI's busiest year on record |  | |
 | |
Tamar Class: RNLI's latest 25-knot all-weather lifeboat. Source: www.rnli.org.uk
|
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.
Poole tops list
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 craft, it's no surprise that the busiest coastal RNLI lifeboat station is once again Poole, in the south, with 147 launches. The volunteer crews there rescued 145 people in distress.
Coastal rescues increase
'As the number of pleasure boats in the UK is said to be 4.5 million, participation in watersports involving around 3.5 million people, it is again not surprising that the coasts of south 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.
World's best
'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.'
Sea Safety programme
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.
Best crews
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.'
Facts to consider:
The RNLI operates 233 lifeboat stations around the coasts of the UK and Republic of Ireland, with 4,800 crew of which over 4,500 are volunteers. The RNLI fleet consists of all weather and inshore lifeboats and, at selected stations, hovercraft. The RNLI operates four lifeboat stations along the tidal reaches of the Thames (Tower Pier, Chiswick, Gravesend and Teddington). The charity also operates lifeboat stations covering major inland waters at Lough Derg, Republic of Ireland; Enniskillen (Lough Erne) Northern Ireland; and South Broads, Norfolk.
The RNLI introduced hovercraft to its fleet in December 2002, to enhance inshore search and rescue operations. The craft operate in areas of shallow water and mud, which conventional lifeboats cannot navigate. RNLI hovercraft are Griffon 470SAR type, developed in conjunction with the RNLI's technical department specifically for search and rescue purposes. The hovercraft is 7.75m in length, carries a crew of three and has a top speed of 30 knots with a range of 3 hours at maximum speed. Hovercraft statistics 2005: the RNLI hovercraft at Hunstanton, east of England launched 4 times; the RNLI hovercraft at Morecambe and New Brighton, north west of England launched 20 and 9 times respectively; and the RNLI hovercraft at Southend-on-Sea, east of England launched 30 times.
The RNLI's annual running costs are over £119 million - £327,000 per day - and, as a registered charity, the organisation continues to rely on voluntary contributions and legacies for its income.
The RNLI provides a 24/7 search and rescue service every day of the year (to 100 nautical miles from the coast of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland). HM Coastguard and the Irish Coast Guard initiate and co-ordinate civil maritime search and rescue (SAR) in the UK and Irish SAR sea regions. During maritime emergencies on cliffs, beaches, shoreline or at sea each of these authorities calls on RNLI lifeboats, which are declared search and rescue assets. The RNLI responds within agreed criteria.
Pleasure craft users can support the RNLI charity by joining our Offshore membership donation scheme by calling 0800 543210 or logging onto www.rnli.org.uk.
To ensure it is able to provide its volunteer crews with the best possible training, the RNLI launched a fundraising appeal last year called Train One, Save Many. The appeal aims to raise £10 million over five years to make sure its lifeboat crew can continue to save lives at sea as safely and effectively as possible, www.rnli.org.uk/crewtraining.
Information and advice on all aspects of sea safety can be obtained by calling the RNLI on 0800 328 0600 in the UK and 1800 789589 in the Republic of Ireland. Alternatively, email seasafety@rnli.org.uk.
Previously 2003 was the busiest year on record with 8,109 launches and 7,987 people rescued.
|
|
| | Want to send this article to a friend? Please join here | | |
| | Discuss this article, 1 of 21 messages, read more: |  Roxanna Maynard | |
| Posted: 21/02/06 14:17:56 56 | | It is surprising that with all the new technologies and safety reg's coming out all the time, that there is a rise in call out figures. I thought they were all put in place to keep us safe, not leave the authorities running ragged! |
| | Related articles:
 | MCA in Black Sea Partnership
MCA helps bring Search And Rescue services up to scratch in growing tourist area
| |  | Around Britain for the RNLI
Steve Cooksey sets sail around Britain anti-clockwise in aid of the RNLI's 'Train one, save many' campaign.
| | | Sailor dies as yacht loses keel
A young crewman was lost when a yacht capsized off Devon. Four people were airlifted to safety from a liferaft.
| | | Missing yachtsman is named
Man who apparently fell overboard while anchoring off the Cornish coast is presumed drowned
| | | More RNLI launches than ever in 2006
Leisure pursuits blamed as demand for RNLI rescues continues to grow
| |  | A life of high speed and high adventure afloat
Dag Pike tells of his lifelong love affair with the sea - and being rescued from it nine times
| |  | RNLI initiative aims to recruit new boat owners
RNLI Ambassador is a new scheme which will give a year's free Offshore membership to new boat owners
| |  | The sea kayaker's point of view
Extreme sports instructor Kurt Finch joins the great 'driving licence' debate
| |  | Three yachtsmen die as boat disappears
What happened to the yacht that vanished with the loss of three lives?
| |  | Tory peer rescues MOB
Lord Glentoran, 71, saved the life of a man who had been hit by the boom and swept overboard
| | | Machinery failure on leisure vessels
An extract from a recent meeting of the CYCC on the subject of engine failure problems
| |  | Being safe, having fun, staying alive
If you've got one, bung this into your computer and have a butcher's
| |  | Checking your DSC VHF radio
DSC radios have a red button. Do you know how to use it? If not read this!
| |  | What happens if your boat is holed at Sea?
An essential piece of repair kit that could save you, and your boat's life. We can't always prevent disaster, but this new piece of equipment could provide a temporary cure to every sailors worst nightmare, and no, we're not tempting fate. Read on!
| |  | Remember to put safety first in the busy season
Rick Raeburn gives us the rundown on checking your safety gear
| |
| |
| |
| |
