Preliminary figures released today by the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) have revealed that, during summer 2009, whilst lifeboat crews in the UK and Ireland have reported an overall increase in call-outs, the number of launches on the Isle of Man has dropped.
The RNLI is confident that people on the Isle of Man have been heeding vital safety advice: by following the charity's guidance, people have been spotting dangers and avoided getting into unnecessary difficulty.
Overall, there has been a 30% decrease in lifeboat launches at the Island’s five stations: over the summer, there was a total of 25 launches, in comparison with 36 in 2008.
Ramsey has proved an exception, with four times as many calls reported this summer compared to 2008.
From a Norweigian yacht with engine failure to a fishing vessel with a rope fouling its propeller, the volunteer crew have experienced a particularly busy period.
Number of Lifeboat Launches
Douglas - 7
Peel - 5
Port St Mary - 2
Port Erin - 3
Colin Williams, RNLI Divisional Inspector of lifeboats for Wales and the Isle of Man says, "Although there has been a slight decrease on last year’s summer launch statistics on the Isle of Man, the RNLI’s crews have remained busy.
"Our volunteers are on call 24/7 and when they are not at sea saving lives, they are undergoing intensive training to ensure they are at the peak of their skills.
"A greater range of water-based activities and access to relatively cheap or pre-owned equipment, mean that more people are now using the sea for leisure.
"Thankfully on the Isle of Man, it seems people have been extra cautious and taken heed of our sea and beach safety advice to ensure they don’t get into trouble."
Nationally RNLI lifeboats launched nearly 4,000 times (3,979) during June, July and August (3,823 in 2008) while the charity’s lifeguards responded to 10,237 incidents over the same period (8,114 in 2008).
It is thought that residents on the Isle of Man, being at all times in close proximity to the sea, have an enhanced understanding of its dangers. Furthermore, by carrying the right equipment, it is less likely they will need the assistance of the RNLI.
Alex Maddrell, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Port St Mar, believes that the current recession may also have had an impact on the decline in launches on the Island:
"Due to the ever-increasing cost of fuel, I'm of the opinion that boaters from the likes of Wales, Scotland and Ireland who would normally come across to visit us, have been staying much closer to home.
"The weather has also been a factor in people just not taking the risk to venture over to the island. They have been taking much shorter trips instead.
"Less people on the water on the Isle of Man has inevitably resulted in fewer call outs for the RNLI's crews."
The RNLI has been actively involved in sea safety for more than a decade.
It communicates with the public via educational presenters, who go into schools to speak with children about potential hazards at the seaside, and volunteer Lifeboat Sea Safety Officers who are attached to lifeboat stations and offer free confidential advice to boat owners.
The charity's volunteers are great ambassadors of the RNLI safety message and speak to the public at fundraising events or during station visits.
As a charity, the RNLI relies totally on the generosity of the public to fund its services. It costs ?1,200 per year to train a crew member and ?1,000 per season to train and equip a lifeguard.
Anyone wishing to make a donation to the charity should visit www.rnli.org.uk, call 0800 543210 or write to RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ.
