Summer sunshine leads to extra call outs for RNLI lifeboats in Scotland

There were more than five lifeboat launches a day during a busy Summer for the RNLI’s lifeboats, according to figures released by the charity today (Monday 23 September).

The total number of launches for June, July and August was 476 across Scotland’s 47 stations, just short of the record-breaking Summer of 2008 when there were 480 launches. There were 440 launches during the 2012 Summer.

The busiest station in Scotland was Broughty Ferry with 43 launches for its two boats, compared with 23 the previous year.

Dave Martin, Broughty Ferry’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, says, ‘It has been a very busy time for us due mainly to the good weather with more people using the water and we thank employers for allowing the volunteer crew time away from work to help people in distress.

‘The public are becoming more vigilant and aware of reporting incidents to the Coastguard who in turn ask the RNLI to launch lifeboats.’

He added, ‘Our sea safety officers at the station have been visiting water leisure facilities to increase the awareness of safety.’

Tobermory was the busiest all-weather lifeboat station with one lifeboat with 22 shouts, a rise of six on 2012. Queensferry was the busiest inshore lifeboat station, up from 21 to 26 shouts.

Notable increases included the number of launches for the two boats at Arbroath, up from seven to 27.

RNLI lifeguards operated in Scotland for the first time, at Coldingham on the east coast, and they dealt with five incidents, 44 minor first aid treatments, and four missing people.

Andy Clift, Scotland’s Regional Operations Manager, says, ‘A good summer on the weather front has turned into a busy one for our lifeboats in Scotland, with more people coming to enjoy the coast and sea.

‘We would like to remind the public that some of the incidents undertaken by lifeboats could be avoided if they followed simple beach safety messages, adhered to warning signs, and checked tide tables.

‘We can not fault the professionalism and commitment of our volunteer crews who turn out at a moment’s notice 24/7 to help other people in distress, and this is particularly notable when we have long shouts in Scotland lasting several hours.

‘One such shout was the distressing tragedy when the helicopter ditched near Shetland, and our crews from Aith and Lerwick spent many hours helping other organisations to search for survivors, and recover wreckage.’

Andy added, ‘I would also like to thank our dedicated supporters and fundraisers. Without their kind generosity and hard work we would not be able to equip and train our lifesavers or help so many people in trouble at sea.’

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