RNLI experience 'busiest' year in 2005

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has today released figures stating that 2005 was the busiest year on record for rescues.

Some 236 people were rescued from Northern Ireland waters by the nine RNLI lifeboat stations and their 300 strong volunteer crewmembers.

In the period of 2005, the Enniskillen station proved to be the busiest station, launching a total of 35 times and rescuing 56 people. This was followed by the Portrush station, which launched 34 times and rescued 32 people.

Colin Williams, RNLI Divisional Inspector for Ireland, paid tribute to the crews and other lifeboat station volunteers, who devoted so much of their time and energy to saving lives in 2005.

He said: “Without the huge commitment and dedication of the RNLI’s volunteers, we would be unable to carry out our increasingly demanding task of saving lives at sea. As well as responding to the call for help when someone is in difficulty, our lifeboat men and women take part in regular training, which of course adds to the amount of time they have to spend at the lifeboat station and away from their families.

Mr Williams continued: “It is important that we continue to monitor the number and types of rescues that the RNLI’s crews take part in, to ensure that we match the demands of sea users with the correct level and type of lifeboat cover around the coast.”

He added that as the weather improves and attention turns to plans for Easter and summer holidays, the RNLI is urging all water users to think and act responsibly.

He said: “The use of inflatable toys, airbeds and small dinghies in the sea remains a concern. They may be great fun in a pool, but in the sea they are potentially deadly. We strongly advise people not to use them."

Mr Williams concluded by saying that if anyone sees an inflatable drifting out to sea, they should not go after it, but call 999 and ask for the Coastguard immediately, who will in turn alert the RNLI.

Throughout the UK and Ireland, RNLI lifeboats were called upon 8,273 times last year.

(EF/SP)