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Lifeboat crews see busiest summer Lifeboat crews see busiest summer
(about 7 hours later)
Volunteer crews from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution have experienced their busiest summer, figures show.Volunteer crews from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution have experienced their busiest summer, figures show.
There were 3,830 lifeboat launches in June, July and August, preliminary RNLI figures show. This is a 4% increase on the previous peak in 2005.There were 3,830 lifeboat launches in June, July and August, preliminary RNLI figures show. This is a 4% increase on the previous peak in 2005.
The RNLI said that increasingly people seemed to be taking part in a "greater range of water-based activities".The RNLI said that increasingly people seemed to be taking part in a "greater range of water-based activities".
Tower on the Thames in London was the busiest station with 109 launches. On the coast Rhyl, Denbighshire, saw 78. Tower on the Thames in London was the busiest station with 109 launches. On the coast, Rhyl in Denbighshire saw 78.
Poole in Dorset was the second busiest station on the coast with 78 lifeboat launches, while Essex's Southend-on-Sea saw 73 call-outs. Poole in Dorset was the second busiest station on the coast with 74 lifeboat launches, while Essex's Southend-on-Sea saw 73 call-outs.
The latest figures showed 70% of the summer's launches were performed by the RNLI's fast and rapid-response inshore lifeboats, reflecting how more people were using the sea for activities such as sailing, kite surfing, surfing, diving and angling.The latest figures showed 70% of the summer's launches were performed by the RNLI's fast and rapid-response inshore lifeboats, reflecting how more people were using the sea for activities such as sailing, kite surfing, surfing, diving and angling.
'Sea for leisure''Sea for leisure'
RNLI sea safety manager Peter Chennell said: "Our volunteer crews are still being called out to the typical types of summer holiday rescues of children swept out to sea on inflatables or people cut off by the tide - indeed our busiest coastal stations are located in the traditional busy seaside resorts.RNLI sea safety manager Peter Chennell said: "Our volunteer crews are still being called out to the typical types of summer holiday rescues of children swept out to sea on inflatables or people cut off by the tide - indeed our busiest coastal stations are located in the traditional busy seaside resorts.
"However, our crews also appear to be helping people who, more and more, are using the sea as a recreational environment.""However, our crews also appear to be helping people who, more and more, are using the sea as a recreational environment."
He said more people were using "the sea for leisure" because of a greater range of water-based hobbies, access to relatively cheap equipment as well as "year-round improved weather patterns".He said more people were using "the sea for leisure" because of a greater range of water-based hobbies, access to relatively cheap equipment as well as "year-round improved weather patterns".
"While the majority enjoy their watersports without getting into trouble, some do end up needing the help of the RNLI's lifeboat volunteers," he said."While the majority enjoy their watersports without getting into trouble, some do end up needing the help of the RNLI's lifeboat volunteers," he said.