RNLI lifeboats around Scotland launched a total of
429 times during June, July and August in 2009 with
five East coast lifeboat stations involved in 29% of
all rescues around Scotland. Broughty Ferry RNLI
lifeboat station was the busiest, its two lifeboats
launching a total of 38 times. Kinghorn was the
busiest single RNLI lifeboat launching 23 three
times. The lifeboats in Dunbar launched 23 times,
followed by Queensferry with 22 launches and
Anstruther with 19 launches.
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP:
We would like to thank the residence of
TROON for their lifesaving support of the towns
lifeboats and crew.
The volunteers of TROON lifeboat have
had their work cut out for them this summer with a
host of search and rescues. Statistics for the
summer show that RNLI lifeboat responded to 14 call
outs. As we are a charity and voluntary
service the crew rely heavily on local support.
Speaking on behalf of the crew: "the
job can only be done with the support of the town.
Fortunately it was a quieter time for the crew
during the last few months compared to the 29
callouts recorded for 2008."
The main recues were stricken Yachts
injuries at sea in commercial vessels and emergency
landings at Prestwick Airport.
Free all-year-round safety advice for
sea users and beach visitors is also available at
www.rnli.org.uk
Some Scottish lifeboats saw demand double compared
to Summer 2008. Invergordon lifeboat crew helped in
12 search and rescues compared to five last summer.
Kyle of Lochalsh whose volunteer lifeboat crew
helped rescue 38 people (2 of which were children)
during an incident at a regatta in Plockton in
August, launched to eight rescues compared to four
last summer. Loch Ness, the newest RNLI lifeboat
station in Scotland saw its launches increase to
eight this summer compared to three last season and
Portree lifeboat crew were involved in 11 search and
rescues compared to five in 2008
Wave Crookes, Divisional
Inspector for the RNLI
in Scotland says:
‘While
‘It has been a busy summer for
the RNLI in Scotland but as always our volunteer
lifeboat crews, put the safety of the public first –
dropping everything the moment the pager goes off.
Lifeboat crews have responded to a variety of calls
from stricken yachts and fishing boats to injured
walkers and one crew even helped a woman give birth
onboard the lifeboat. Sadly the summer months
haven’t been without tragedy and our thoughts go out
to those who have lost a loved one.
‘Like most of the
population, supporters and our volunteer crew, their
families and employers have faced an uncertain
economic climate this summer making their commitment
to the RNLI even more admirable, and we are
extremely grateful to them.’
RNLI lifeboats
around the UK and Ireland launched nearly 4,000
times (3,979) during June, July and August (3,823 in
2008) while the charity’s lifeguards responded to
10,237 (8,114 in 2008) over the same period
indicating demand for lifesaving services by
holidaymakers and day trippers remains on an upward
trend.
As
a charity, the RNLI relies totally on the support
and generosity of the public to fund its lifeboat
service. It costs £1,200 per year to train a crew
member.
Anyone wishing to make a donation to the charity can
log on to
www.rnli.org.uk call 0800 543210 or write to
RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ.
