LIFEBOATS RESCUED just over 1,000 people in Irish coastal and inland waters last year, with the inland Enniskillen station in Co Fermanagh the busiest, according to the Royal National Lifeboats Institution (RNLI).
Figures compiled by the organisation show an 8 per cent increase over 2009 in the number of people brought to safety, with 55 lifeboats topping 1,000 launches for the first time.
The RNLI Enniskillen volunteers on Lough Erne launched 64 times and rescued 82 people last year, while Crosshaven in Cork launched 54 times and brought 67 people to safety.
Third busiest was the Dún Laoghaire station in Dublin Bay, launching 50 times, while the Aran Islands all-weather lifeboat launched 49 times.
Wexford’s Kilmore Quay lifeboat station recently received a new Tamar-class lifeboat worth €3 million and rescued 85 people during 43 call-outs.
Some 130 call-outs involved assisting people in the sea, while 329 launches were to power pleasure craft and 109 were to fishing vessels.
RNLI divisional inspector for Ireland Martyn Smith paid tribute to the public for supporting fundraising, which allowed the organisation to carry out its work.
Its “SOS” fundraising day takes place this Friday.
Some 95 per cent of the RNLI’s crew members are volunteers, with a total of 4,660 voluntary crew, 3,000 voluntary assistants on shore and in stations, and 35,000 voluntary fundraisers.