RNLI lifeboats launched an amazing 8,141 times in 2007, rescuing 7,834 people around the UK and RoI. RNLI lifeguards on 71 English beaches rescued 1,350 people and responded to 8,201 incidents. The charity’s Flood Rescue team (previously the Rapid Response unit) and some lifeboat crews were in action during the Summer floods in England and Wales, rescuing another 200 people.

Tower, on the River Thames, was the busiest of all 233 lifeboat stations, launching 265 times and rescuing 92 people. Rhyl was the liveliest station in Wales, launching 84 times and rescuing 53 people.

In Scotland, the most active station was Kinghorn, which launched 69 times and rescued 39 people, while the busiest station in Ireland was Arranmore, with 51 launches and 55 rescued.

RNLI Operations Director Michael Vlasto says: ‘Despite fewer visitors to the coast during the early Summer months due to the unseasonable weather, our lifeboats and lifeguards continued to respond to a high number of calls for help, with more and more people using the water and beaches for leisure pursuits.

‘Our crews were also called upon to rescue various animals, including dogs, horses and cows, with figures increasing by approximately a third from 75 in 2004 to 108 in 2007 – our busiest year to date for animal rescues. This work ensures that animal owners are not tempted to try and rescue the animals themselves, which can often result in loss of life.’