Figures released by the RNLI on RNLI SOS day, show that last year Irish lifeboats launched 863 times and rescued 993 people. Despite a disappointing summer the demand on Irish volunteer lifeboat crews remained high, with 19 people a week being brought to safety after getting into difficulty on the water.-Photo Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)
These figures show once again how busy Irish lifeboat crews are and how important the service is that these brave volunteers provide in their communities. With the poor weather last year we expected to see a drop in the number of callouts but this has proven only slight. A close examination of the type of callouts our crew respond to shows the three most common calls for help are machinery failure/damage; stranded vessels/people; and medical emergencies at sea or on islands. Of the types of incidents we attend to there has been a marked decrease in callouts to fishing vessels - down 39 on the previous year. Callouts to power pleasure craft remain high, but are slightly down on the previous year to 237, while there has been an increase in callouts to sail pleasure craft - up 11 on 2007 to 168 last year.’
Youghal RNLI crew Martin Morris and Denise Goggin with the teachers and pupils
Now the charity is calling on the public to respond to its own call for help by supporting RNLI SOS day. RNLI Fundraising and Communications Manager Anna Classon says by raising funds the public will be giving their support to their volunteer lifeboat crews and will ensure that they can go on saving lives at sea during the turbulent economic climate:
Bunscoil Mhuire pupils with the fantastic coin trail SOS for the fundraiser for RNLI
Key facts about the RNLI. The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations with 43 in Ireland. The RNLI is independent of the Coast Guard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives. The RNLI is a charity registered in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.RNLI, saves lives at sea, RNLI Fundraising,lifeboat crews, England, Scotland,Republic of Ireland
Youghal RNLI crew Martin Morris helps David Bourke put on the safety jacket
Youghal RNLI Denise Goggin puts the safety jacket on Aoife Flavin
