2009 Record year for RNLI - Broughty Ferry busiest lifeboat station in Scotland

New statistics reveal RNLI lifeboats around Scotland had their busiest year on record in 2009 and now the charity is issuing an SOS calling on the public to support its biggest day of fundraising on Friday 29 January.

Scotland’s RNLI lifeboats launched a total of 1,121 times, an increase of 22% on the  2000 figure. It was a busy year for the whole of the charity across the UK and Ireland with RNLI lifeboat launches exceeding 9,000 for the first time in the charity’s 186-year history.

Broughty Ferry was the busiest RNLI station in Scotland launching its lifeboats 103 times and rescuing 44 people. South Queensferry was the busiest single RNLI lifeboat in Scotland launching 70 times and rescuing 118 people.

Local RNLI lifeboats launched a total of 156 times and rescued 63 people.  Local RNLI lifeboat 2009 search and rescue launches:

Arbroath – launched 33 times and rescued 17 people

Broughty Ferry – launched 103 times and rescued 44 people

Montrose – launched 20 times and rescued 2 people

From a gallantry medal award winning rescue to a baby being born onboard and a floating caravan, lifeboat crews around Scotland responded to a variety of emergencies in 2009. The more common reasons for the lifeboats being launched included stricken working and leisure boats, people cut off by the tide, in danger of drowning and missing individuals. (Downloadable images from rescues are available at http://www.rnli.org.uk/who_we_are/press_centre/photos/section_listing_region?region=321485&listing=Scotland)

Murray Brown, Coxswain, Broughty Ferry Lifeboat says:

'Most of our shouts last year were lesiure related. I think it was our busiest year because people cannot get away as much and spend more time on our beaches, and local areas in leisure craft. Our crews are highly trained, and we are there to help but would prefer if people did not get in trouble. We ask people to check the high and low tides and they are printed in the paper, so they are easy to find out. If you’re in a boat, then make sure you take your lifejacket and do your engine checks and radio checks before you set off.

The front line troops get all the credit, but credit goes to everyone who supports the RNLI, by putting money in the pot. We depend on donations as a charity to keep the service running.'

Wave Crookes, Divisional Inspector for the RNLI in Scotland says:

‘2009 was the busiest year on record not just for the RNLI in Scotland but the UK and Ireland as well. Lifeboat crews were ready to respond no matter what the emergency, although helping to deliver babies and towing a caravan isn’t something our crews do regularly. We’re hoping that the way our volunteers help the public during times of crisis motivates them to get involved in our annual fundraising ‘SOS Day’ this Friday 29 January. Information about local events or how to organise your own fundraiser can be found at www.rnli.org.uk/sos. Finally I’d just like to thank the public and our volunteers as the charity really couldn’t provide this lifesaving service without their continued support.’

Volunteer lifeboat crews across the UK and Ireland launched a total of 9,154 times in 2009, rescuing 8,186 people. The RNLI’s rescue service was not confined to the beach, lochs or open sea this year. During the November floods in Cumbria the RNLI’s Flood Rescue Team helped hundreds of Cockermouth’s residents reach safety.

Michael Vlasto, Operations Director for the RNLI says:

‘The record breaking figures in 2009 may be, in part, due to people holidaying at home in the UK and Ireland instead of planning holidays abroad during last year’s financial uncertainty. However, we look at long-term trends and, as we start a new decade, the figures for the last 10 years show our lifeboats have launched close to 80,000 times rescuing 76,489 people. These ten-year statistics show that coastal recreation is the increasing reason for RNLI lifeboat launches.’

Lifeboats launched 1,916 times in 2009 to people using sail pleasure craft – a 26% rise on the 2000 figure of 1,518. Launches to powered pleasure craft in 2009 were up 67% on the 2000 figure of 1,313 at 2,199; and manual craft – which includes surfers – has jumped from 457 launches in 2000 to 843 launches in 2009, an 84% increase. Lifeboat launch figures to fishing and commercial vessels and aircraft remained have constant over the last decade.

On Friday 29 January 2010, schools, workplaces, groups, and friends are encouraged to organise a fundraising event based on the SOS acronym. Events planned around Scotland include Surf Off Scotland, Sample Our Scones and Shave Our Scalps or why not go online and take part in or Sell Our Secrets. For SOS inspiration and downloadable support in staging your own RNLI SOS event, or to search for an SOS event to attend in your area, visit www.rnli.org.uk/sos where you can also donate online. Alternatively text SOS to 84424 to donate to the RNLI (£3 will be deducted from your mobile phone bill and the exact amount received by the charity will vary according to the network).

Notes to editors

Fully audited RNLI annual lifeboat statistics will be available upon publication of the RNLI’s Annual Report and Accounts, which can be viewed online at www.rnli.org.uk from May 2010 (Note: the provisional lifeboat statistics available today are extremely close to the expected audited figures; lifeguard and flood response figures will remain unchanged).

Notes on RNLI categories of rescue casualties – UK and Ireland figures

· People in the Sea: swimmers, divers and those who have fallen into the sea. 2000 = 942; 2009 = 1,517 (61% increase)

· People Ashore: cut off by the tide, stuck on sandbanks/rocks/cliffs, injured. 2000 = 498; 2009 = 1,172 (135% increase)

· Sail Pleasure craft includes kite surfers. 2000 = 1,518; 2009 1,916 (26% increase)

· Manual Pleasure craft includes surfers. 2000 = 457; 2009 = 843 (84% increase)

· Powered Pleasure craft. 2000 = 1,313; 2009 = 2,199 (67% increase)

Media contacts

For more information on the RNLI annual statistics: please contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For more information please telephone Stephen Stack, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07827 892243 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Rachel Martin, Media Relations Manager Scotland on 07786 668903 or ramartin@rnli.org.uk This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

RNLI online

For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 140 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives.

A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland.