The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our lifeboat crews – a staggering 95% of whom are volunteers – provide a 24/7 search and rescue service over 230 lifeboat stations covering 19,000 miles of coastline around the UK and Republic of Ireland. We also provide a seasonal lifeguard service on over 180 beaches and a Flood Rescue Team, which is ready to respond to severe floods wherever they occur.
RNLI lifeboat crews and lifeguards rescue an average of 32 people every day. In the south-west last year, our volunteer lifeboat crews launched 1,586 times and rescued 1,571 people. Meanwhile, lifeguards on 98 beaches in the region had their second busiest year on record, assisting 13,639 people.
In Dorset last year, 126 people were assisted by RNLI lifeboat crews from Lyme Regis, Weymouth, Poole and Mudeford stations, with volunteers spending 2,584 hours at sea. RNLI lifeguards on the county’s 21 patrolled beaches last year dealt with 2,150 incidents, assisted 2,246 and saved seven lives.
More recently, the charity announced that Weymouth lifeboat station was the second busiest in Dorset for the 2012 summer months of June, July and August, launching to 32 emergencies.
The RNLI relies on voluntary donations to fund our lifesaving services – 98% of our total income comes from donations. With you support we will continue to save lives at sea.
