RNLI issues SOS after statistics reveal rise in rescues off west Wales coast
The latest figures released by the RNLI charity reveal the number of people being rescued around the Welsh coastline continues to rise, with 1,191 launches and 1,218 people brought to safety in the West Division during 2009.
Since 2000, lifeboat launches in the West have increased by a massive 30%, with 2009 sailing in to the record books as one of the busiest in RNLI history. The rising demand on its service has now prompted the charity to urge the people of Wales to support its biggest day of fundraising - SOS Day - on Friday 29 January.
The seven RNLI lifeboat stations in Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire stretching from New Quay to Tenby have seen a 29% increase in rescues. With 286 launches and 189 people rescued during 2009, five of the stations reported more launches than the previous year.
Tenby was the busiest RNLI lifeboat station in west Wales and the third busiest of Wales' 31 lifeboat stations. The RNLI volunteer crew at Angle saw lifeboat launches soar from 25 launches in 2008 to 41 in 2009. The inshore RNLI lifeboat at Little and Broad Haven was twice as busy as in 2008 and the volunteer crew at Fishguard rescued 10 more people in 2009. Statistics have shown a sharp increase in rescues at Cardigan, from 32 launches in 2008 to 55 in 2009. New Quay also experienced a busy period, with a 24% rise in the number of launches.
It was also an exceptionally busy year for RNLI lifeguards who operate on 27 beaches in South and West Wales. During 2009, RNLI lifeguards in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Swansea responded to 1,198 incidents and aided 1,410 people.
In Pembrokeshire, where the service has been operating since 2008, the number of people aided has increased by a massive 47% from 561 people aided in 2008 to 823 in 2009. Whitesands was the busiest beach in the area, with 156 incidents and 183 people assisted during the summer months.
Colin Williams, RNLI Inspector of Lifeboats for the West Division says:
‘Throughout 2009 it is clear that the RNLI's volunteer lifeboat crews and our lifeguards have been working hard to provide a ring of safety around the Welsh coast. Holiday-makers were able to enjoy the west Wales coastline safe in the knowledge our lifeboats crews and lifeguards were at the ready should their services be required.
‘As we start a new decade, the figures for the last 10 years show lifeboats in the West have launched nearly 10,463 times and rescued 10,266 people. These ten-year statistics indicate that an increase in popularity for coastal recreation is a major reason for the increase in RNLI call-outs.'
Once again, machinery failure has been the main reason the services of our volunteer RNLI crews have been called upon. Lifeboats in the West Division have launched to 272 incidents of this nature in 2009, a 23% increase on last year's figures. It is evident that more and more people are taking to the sea for recreation, with rescues to powered pleasure craft amounting to 331 of call-outs.
The RNLI, a charity that is independent of Government and reliant on donations, is calling on the public to respond to its own call for help by supporting RNLI SOS Day this week on Friday 29 January.
Wendy Reason, RNLI Fundraising and Communications Manager for the West says:
‘In a year when many families and companies are experiencing hardship we have been astounded by the response from supporters to our national fundraising day. Across Wales people have been busy organising SOS themed events, which will take place on Friday. From Sip Our Soup lunches to a See Our Snowdrops open garden event, we are so grateful to everyone who is supporting our volunteer crews and lifeguards.
‘There is still time people to get involved in one of the events or organise one of their own - there's plenty of help and ideas at www.rnli.org.uk/sos.
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.
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