RNLI help nearly 1,000 people in East during 2021
RNLI Lifeboat crews also saved 30 lives last year in East Anglia
Figures released show RNLI Lifeboats saved 30 lives, helped 914 people and launched 1,086 lifeboats last year in the East.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) figures for 2021, shows that they nationally saved more than one life every day. This being 59 more than the previous year.
In total, 12,903 people were helped by RNLI lifeboat crews over the course of last year - the equivalent of 35 people each day.
The numbers are an increase on 2020 - last year RNLI lifeboats launched 8,868 times – an increase of 7% compared to the previous year.
With Brits continuing to ‘staycation’ in the UK, the charity is expecting another busy year around our coasts.
Mayday mile fundraising
As part of a fundraising effort the RNLI are putting out a 'Mayday call' – asking the public to support them by signing up to the Mayday Mile.
The Mayday Mile challenges you to cover at least one mile in any way you like between Saturday 1 and Tuesday 31 May, whilst raising funds for the RNLI
All money raised will help to provide the vital training and equipment that is needed to keep lifesavers safe, while they risk their own lives to save others
Almost 200 years in service
Pete Emmett, Head of Engagement at the RNLI, said: “The RNLI has been saving lives at sea for almost 200 years.
"We’ve seen a significant increase in the number of people around the UK and Ireland needing our help over the last year, and we are so proud that our brave lifesavers have been there to save them.
"But running a 24/7 lifesaving emergency service is expensive – and costs are rising – which is why we’re calling on people to support our lifesavers."
Jack Lidster-Woolf, Volunteer Crew Member at Southend RNLI, said: “It’s so easy to get into danger by the water – the crew and I see first hand the serious situations that people find themselves in, and where a few minutes could make all the difference.
"Keeping the crew ready for anything takes training, equipment and kit – all things that your Mayday Mile could help to provide."
"Our messaging seems to be hitting the people we are targeting"
Nick Ayers works for the RNLI and is our Regional Water Safety lead: "We can expect a certain increase in lifeboat shouts and lifeguard incidents over the summer. People have been locked away a bit over the last three years or so, so people are looking for any moment of sunshine to get outside and get on the water. Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex have got some incredible places to do that".
"Our messaging seems to be hitting the people, we are targeting. We do a lot of preventative work at the RNLI to ensure that people can enjoy the water safely and always go home after their day at the coast. Nobody intentionally goes to the coast to get themselves in trouble, so we want to do everything we can to promote safer behaviour".