RNLI rescues rose by 13 per cent last year

Wed, 29 Jan 2014

Lifeboat crews say the number of people rescued rose by 13 per cent last year compared with 2012.

According to the RNLI, their lifeboats were launched 49 times last year and 78 people were rescued from trouble at sea.

The busiest station was Ramsey's RNLI, with volunteers launching the all-weather lifeboat 16 times – which has doubled since the previous year.

Douglas lifeboat crew also saw their launches double in 2013.

Spokesman Mike Howland says extreme weather has put volunteers to the test: