The figures are in, and the RNLI has revealed that 2007 was one of their busiest on record. The charity’s 233 lifeboat station crews launched 8,052 times over the last 12 months, rescuing 7,715 people. Wet weather in summer months meant the RNLI’s flood rescue team and volunteers were active inland, rescuing some 200 people in flood-hit areas. The figures come as the RNLI’s national day of fundraising takes place.

RNLI SOS Day events will raise funds towards the £122m-a-year that it costs to run the service. This charity has 4,800 RNLI lifeboat crew members across the British Isles, of which 95% are volunteers.

Operations director Michael Vlasto, said: “Despite fewer visitors to the coast during the early summer months due to the unseasonable weather, our lifeboats and lifeguards continued to respond to a high number of calls for help, with more and more people using the water and beaches for leisure pursuits.”

For more information on today’s fundraising efforts, visit the SOS Day Website 

Image St Ives Lifeboat