RNLI rescues in south east region

Despite the wet summer, RNLI lifeboat crews were called to rescues involving 332 power pleasure craft '“ an increase of 20 per cent on last year's figure. And the number of times the RNLI was called to help people that had fallen overboard at sea went up over 40 per cent from 28 in 2006 to 51 last year.

The busiest lifeboat station in the RNLI's south east region and the fifth busiest in the UK last year was Portsmouth, with 119 launches, rescuing 121 people, followed by Calshot, ranked seventh busiest in the UK, which launched 109 times and rescued 83 people.

RNLI Training Divisional Inspector Richard Wynn said: "Even though last year we experienced an unusually wet summer, we continued to respond to a high number of incidents. Considering the dismal weather, the lifeboat launch figures reveal that the level of service was unchanged with a consistently high proportion of rescues to pleasure boats.

"It is worth remembering that the RNLI offers free sea safety advice for sea users to help people prepare for all types of conditions.

"All RNLI rescues, equipment and the training that our volunteer crews require can only be provided thanks to the generosity of the public. Without their goodwill our service would not be able to keep pace with on-going demands. That's why the charity is holding a national day of fundraising '“ RNLI SOS day, which is geared to generating funds for the future provision of the service."

Locally Eastbourne, which is ranked tenth overall, carried out 89 launches, while in Kent the busiest stations were Gravesend lifeboat station, carrying out 80 launches and rescuing 52 people, and Whitstable with 70 launches leading to the rescue of 69 people.

The region has seen collisions increase from four in 2006 to seven in 2007, launches to ill crewman rose from 36 to 49 in 2007; the number of times lifeboats have been called to boats out of fuel has gone up from 16 to 27, and launches to incidents involving steering failures was up from 14 to 35.

To take part in RNLI SOS day and for inspiring fundraising ideas or to simply make a donation log on to www.rnli.org.uk/sos or call 0845 121 4999.

The south east region is currently holding an eBay auction - www.ebay.co.uk/charity - up until 5pm on 25 January, offering various good and services and also a Share our Soup event, to support the SOS day, from 11.30am-2.30pm, in Luxfords Restaurant in Uckfield, and other local Uckfield venues, where people can tuck into a bowl of soup and a roll.