The Irish Coast Guard either assisted or rescued over 4,500 people last year, according to their operational statistics published today.
The Irish Coast Guard either assisted or rescued over 4,500 people last year, according to their operational statistics published today. Overall there were 1,802 incidents recorded for 2005, seven fewer than in 2004 with, 4,709 people either assisted or rescued.
However, the figures also revealed that 63 people died in incidents which the Coast Guard were assisting.
Speaking at the launch of the figures the Minister of State at the Department of Transport Pat 'the Cope' Gallagher, said that they clearly indicated the need for safety at all times.
"Training and proper maintenance of equipment is central to survival whilst engaged in activities at sea, on inland rivers and lakes and other outdoor activities".
Although more people were found to be wearing personal flotation devices and lifejackets the Minister reminded people of their importance.
"Wearing an approved, properly serviced, Personal Flotation Device (PFD) or Lifejacket may allow the time necessary for rescue services to reach you should you get into difficulty whilst in the water," he said.
There was also a 15 per cent increase in the number of calls for help from pleasure crafts, 551 compared with 478 the year before.
Irish Coast Guard volunteers (comprising roughly 1,000 members) at 54 locations around the coast, were called out on 663 occasions during 2005 with RNLI Lifeboats called out on 754 occasions during the year.
The Irish Naval Service assisted the Coast Guard on 33 occasions while the Irish Air Corps assisted on 17 occasions. Callouts for Community Rescue Boats showed an increase of 36 per cent, 105 in 2005 compared to 77 in 2004.
The Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue helicopters based at Dublin, Shannon, Sligo and Waterford Airports were called out 452 times - up from 374 in 2004.
Meanwhile, hoax calls were down from 23 in 2004 to 20 in 2005.
