RNLI annual rescue statistics issued today, Friday 30 January 2008 show the charity’s volunteer lifeboat crews in East Anglia launched 605 times and rescued 543 people in 2008.

The busiest lifeboat station in the region – and the sixth busiest across the Institution’s 235 lifeboat stations – last year was Southend-on-Sea, with 110 launches, leading to the rescue of 88 people, followed by Harwich, which launched 74 times and rescued 50 people. In Norfolk the busiest station was Gorleston lifeboat station, carrying out 70 launches and rescuing 63 people.

One of the most significant increases in launches has been to the number of ‘people ashore’, which includes cliff climbers, people ill or injured and people trapped, and has increased from 47 in 2007 to 75 in 2008. Like 2007, incidents involving sail pleasure craft continue to account for a third of all launches (202 in 2008). The number of times that lifeboats were called to strandings or groundings was slightly up, 83 times compared to 79 the year before.

RNLI lifeguards on Norfolk beaches dealt with 411 incidents during the 2008 season and assisted 424 people; while beaches in Great Yarmouth that had RNLI lifeguards for the first time in 2008, saw lifeguards respond to 192 incidents, assisting 240 people.

RNLI Divisional Inspector Andrew Ashton said:

‘Last year’s rescue figures show that East Anglia is an extremely active region for the RNLI, and while some of the more traditionally busy stations have carried out slightly less launches last year, other stations have seen their numbers go up. Some of these variations could be due to poor weather during the summer. 2008 was still one of the busiest years in recent times and this region now benefits from the RNLI’s lifeguard service, where standards of training and equipment, as with the lifeboats, are world-renowned.

‘I would therefore urge people to get involved in the RNLI’s own call for help and sign up to SOS day today Friday, 30 January. There are many activities taking part across the region such as Lowestoft station is holding a “Have a brew with the crew” and Harwich a “Savour our Soup” event.’

To take part in RNLI SOS day and for inspiring fundraising ideas or to simply make a donation log on to www.rnli.org.uk/sos or call 0845 121 4999.

Anyone who wants to find out more about how they can get involved and support the RNLI’s 2009 SOS Day can get a free fundraising pack by calling 0845 121 4999. Alternatively, for more information and ideas, visit www.rnli.org.uk/sos