RNLI annual rescue fi gures 2010 – half of all launches are to pleasure craft
L
ast year half of all RNLI lifeboat launches were to people out on the water for fun and the charity that saves lives at sea is calling on boaters
and watersports enthusiasts to stay safe and wear a lifejacket in 2011.
Out of a total 8,713 lifeboat launches around the UK and Republic of Ireland in 2010, 53 per cent (4,634) were to people enjoying a day afl oat. Of those, 2,173 were to power pleasure craft, 1,711 were to sailing pleasure craft and 750 were to manual pleasure craft*
. Machinery failure was the most common cause for rescue, with 1,740 of all launches responding to vessels with mechanical problems – up from 1,687 in 2009. The charity’s lifeboats spent a total of 10,758 hours
(448 days) at sea in 2010, actively rescuing 8,313 people (22 every day), the highest number in the RNLI’s history. Nearly three quarters (72 per cent) of those people rescued were from pleasure craft, with 3,539 from powered pleasure craft, 1,971 from sailing pleasure craft and 462 from manual pleasure craft. Peter Chennell, RNLI Sea Safety Manager, says: “Don’t let a mishap ruin your day afl oat –
before you set off make sure you check your equipment, carry spares and have some way to call for help. If you want advice on how to stay safe at sea, then why not book a SEA Check with us – it’s a free, friendly and confi dential service that’s neither a test nor an inspection and there is no pass or fail. Conducted by one of the charity’s highly trained volunteers, SEA Check is a personal face-to-face safety advice service that takes place on board your own craft, whether that’s a 40 foot yacht, a RIB or a kayak.” Over a third of the launches in 2010 (37 per cent) were in the hours of darkness and 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 lifeguards were also kept busy, responding to 16,662 incidents and assisting 18,775 people during the summer season. RNLI Operations Director, Michael Vlasto, says: “2010 will be remembered for a series of
harrowing disasters overseas but around our coastline our lifeboat volunteers and lifeguards have once again demonstrated their priceless commitment to saving lives at sea. But that is only part of the story, every one of the rescues carried out by the RNLI in 2010 was only made possible due to the incredible generosity of the public, even in these diffi cult times. I would like to say “thank you” to all those who support us. It’s a team effort and, as a charity, we couldn’t do it without them. And I can only ask the public to continue to keep backing us, because every penny counts.” The busiest coastal lifeboat station in 2010 was Poole in Dorset, where volunteers
launched 148 times, rescuing 155 people. The busiest RNLI lifeboat station overall in 2010 was Tower, which is situated on the River Thames in central London. The crew members there launched 491 times, almost half during the hours of darkness (246), rescuing 113 people. High-profi le lifeguard incidents last year included the rescue of 11 people, mostly
children, caught in a rip current at Woolacombe in Devon. And in the aftermath of the fl ooding in Cumbria in 2009, the RNLI Flood Rescue Team was also on standby throughout the year and took part in regular training exercises
Above: Photo Mike Lang RNLI
This photo: Fleetwood RNLI
British Yachtsman Geoff Holt Crowned YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of The Year
O n January 11th 2011, British
yachtsman Geoff Holt MBE was awarded the coveted title of
YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year for 2010. The announcement was made at an awards ceremony held at Trinity House, London. Southampton based Geoff, 44, became the fi rst quadriplegic to sail across the Atlantic when he sailed into the British Virgin Islands on January 7th 2010, overcoming personal adversity and achieving his own impossible dream. It took 28 days to complete the 2,700 mile voyage. Geoff was also the fi rst disabled person to sail solo around Great Britain and has been awarded an MBE for services to disabled sailing. The trophy was presented by Sir Robin
Knox-Johnston, himself a three times winner of the award.
cywinter 2011 87
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