Hot summer leads to huge rise in RNLI calls

Thursday 30 January 2014

Jersey’s lifeguards dealt with an 80% increase in incidents last year as the sweltering summer drew more people out on to the water, according to figures out this week.

And lifeboats were similarly busy, with 60 launches recorded and with crews spending an astonishing 532 hours – the equivalent of 22 entire days – out at sea. Statistics released by the Royal National Lifeboat Institute showed that RNLI lifeguards at four beaches – St Ouen, St Brelade, Plémont and Grève de Lecq – dealt with 355 incidents.

Those incidents involved 483 people.

The figures are well up on those for 2012, which saw RNLI lifeguards deal with 197 incidents and help 260 people.

Andy Hurley, RNLI Regional Operations Manager said that the statistics showed the dedication of volunteer lifeboat crew.

He said: “The figures released today, go some way to illustrating the incredible dedication shown by the charity’s volunteers, without whom we could not carry out our core purpose to save lives at sea. 

“These volunteers are equipped and trained to respond to all kinds of incidents whatever the weather throws at them. However it is a massive commitment, not only for them, but for their families, loved ones and employers who must also become part of the wider RNLI family.”