"In 2016 nearly 30,000 people needed the help of the RNLI’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards – so the charity is asking people to think, take more care at the coast and respect water.
RNLI lifeboats are on hand 24/7 every day of the year to help those in need and the charity’s lifeguards patrol over 240 beaches around the UK and Ireland between April and September.
The number of lifeboat launches around the coast is up 275% from 2015 to 8,851 in 2016 (a five year high) lifeguard incidents are also at an increase from last year to 17,414. The charity’s lifesavers saved 558 people’s lives last year.
It’s not just those who use water frequently who find themselves needing help, last year proved that a trip to the coast can prove fatal if people do not take care or ask for help."
https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2017/ma ... 66597570=1
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