Last year RNLI lifeboats rescued 1,121 people around the Welsh and Manx coast, while 1,569 people were assisted by RNLI lifeguards on 28 Welsh beaches during the summer season. That’s 2,690 reasons to support our charity.
Welsh and Manx lifeboats launched 1,207 times and spent a total of 1,378 hours, over 57 days, at sea in 2010. Even though the number of lifeboat launches was down last year compared to 2009, the RNLI lifeguards were kept busy as they saw a 30% rise of incidents during the summer season.
The lifeboats, manned by volunteer crews of between three and seven, launched a total of 1,207 times in 2010. For every single call to launch, the crews had to stop whatever they were doing – whether at a family celebration, at their day job or asleep in bed – and get to their local lifeboat station as quickly as possible.
RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews responded to more incidents involving pleasure boats in 2010 than any other type of incident within the division. These included the RNLI Beaumaris lifeboat crew launching to rescue nine students from Bangor University who were in the water after their rowing boat broke in half on the Menai Straits in September.
Colin Williams, RNLI Divisional Inspector for Wales and the West said:
‘I would like to thank our RNLI volunteers in providing first class service across the division throughout the year. As a charity we need to continuously fundraise to ensure that our lifeboat crews and lifeguards continue to receive the very best equipment and training so they are able to save lives at sea.’
Volunteers at RNLI Beaumaris lifeboat station on Anglesey were the busiest within the Wales and West division in 2010 as they launched 83 times to various incidents, rescuing 57 people over the year.
As visitors to Welsh beaches continue to rise each year, RNLI lifeguards were once again patrolling south and west Wales beaches, helping to ensure that visitors stay safe. Pembrokeshire RNLI lifeguards were the busiest last summer as they assisted in 842 incidents and helped aid 1,021 members of the public during the season.
Neil Thomas, RNLI Divisional Lifeguard Manager said:
‘2010 has been another busy year for Welsh RNLI lifeguards. During the summer period we saw an increase in beach users, and our world-class lifeguards were busy assisting those in difficulty in the water and providing first aid where required. RNLI lifeguards will soon be preparing for the 2011 season, and we look forward to continue providing help when needed on south and west Wales beaches.’
Major lifeboat rescues last year included a launch by RNLI Tenby volunteers who rescued five men off a sinking fishing boat near Pendine Sands and took them to safety. Being equipped with fast response lifeboats helps to ensure that volunteer crews arrive at the scene in time to save lives at sea.
Another incident was the rescue of a 12 year old boy by the RNLI Porthcawl lifeboat crew. Michael Lally from the Wirral was on a family holiday in August when he was swept out from Trecco Bay as an offshore wind blew his dinghy out to sea. Volunteer lifeboat crew found the boy in the water after he jumped out of the dinghy in an attempt to swim to shore. He was safely reunited with his family.
In the aftermath of the flooding in Cumbria in 2009, the RNLI Flood Rescue Team was also on standby throughout the year and took part in regular training exercises.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, a charity that is independent of Government and reliant on donations, is urging the public to respond to its own call for help by supporting RNLI SOS Day this year on Friday, 28 January. To find out more log on to www.rnli.org.uk/sos or call 0845 121 4999.
