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Lifeboat call outs on increase
Lifeboat crews on Wearside have had one of their busiest summers on record, new figures show.
The RNLI's preliminary data shows their lifesavers in the North have recorded their "second busiest summer ever" this year, with 44 call-outs in Sunderland.
Lifeboats in the North launched 620 times in June, July and August, an 18 per cent increase on last summer, when there were 522 rescue launches.
Only the long hot summer of 2003 was busier, with 632 launches.
Andy Clift, RNLI Divisional Inspector of Lifeboats North, said the increase in rescues this summer may be due to higher numbers of people taking day trips and holidays in this country rather than travelling abroad.
"In the past, rescues have generally risen during hot summers when more people travel to the coast and use the sea for leisure activities," he said.
"However, we think the trend for holidaying at home may have had an impact this summer because even though the weather has not been particularly good, beaches have been busy and so have some of our volunteer lifeboat crews."
In their first season of operation, RNLI lifeguards in the North dealt with 965 incidents. This year saw the charity take on responsibility for lifeguarding from local authorities in Sunderland, South Tyneside, Scarborough, East Yorkshire and East Lindsey.
Sunderland was the third busiest lifeboat station in the North this summer, behind Skegness, with 56 rescue launches, and Hartlepool with 46.
RNLI lifeguards based in Tyne and Wear recorded 193 incidents across three beaches. The busiest beach was Skegness, where RNLI lifeguards dealt with 200 incidents.
Matt Horton, RNLI Divisional Inspector of Lifeguards, said a series of rescues had been carried out jointly by lifeguards and lifeboat crews and the teams worked well together to help keep beachgoers and sea users safe.
"Despite the poor weather we have had a busy season and we are very pleased with the service we have been able to provide and the way our lifeguards have operated," he said.
"RNLI lifeguards received extensive training before the start of the season and have used this to great effect, providing a preventative service on 14 beaches in the North of England.
"Our season has now ended but we are already looking forward to maintaining and improving the RNLI lifeguard service in the region next year."
Around the UK and Ireland, RNLI lifeboats launched 3,979 times during June, July and August, compared to 3,823 times over the same period in 2008.
The charity's lifeguards responded to 10,237 call-outs over the same period, compared to 8,114 in 2008.
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Weather for Sunderland
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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