Just over half of the RNLI lifeboat launches last year were to leisure boaters and watersports
enthusiasts.

Figures released by the charity show that out of a
total 8,304 lifeboat launches, 4,160 were to people enjoying a day on the water
around the UK and Ireland – up slightly (1.4%) from the 4,101 in 2012.

Sail boats
accounted for 1,573 launches (down by 5.2% from 2012), while power boats accounted
for 1,920 launches (up by 7% from 2012).

Meanwhile manual leisure craft – surfers, kayaks, paddleboards bodyboards and tenders without
engines – accounted for
667 launches (up by 3% from 2012).

Overall the
number of lifeboat launches in 2013 was similar to 2012, with RNLI lifeboats
launching 8,304 times compared to 8,346 times in 2012.

The volunteer crews
launched 3,069 times into darkness and 124 times into winds above a Force 7.

The
biggest cause for call out for the RNLI was machinery failure with lifeboats
launching 1,596 times to boats with mechanical problems.

The busiest
coastal station was Southend-on-Sea, which launched its lifeboats and rescue
hovercraft 142 times.

Will
Stephens, coastal safety staff officer for the RNLI, urged boat owners to take extra precautions.

He said: ‘While the RNLI will
help anyone in trouble at sea, we’re asking people to respect the water and
take time to be prepared before they go afloat.

‘A few simple things before you
set off including checking your engine and fuel, making sure you are carrying
spares (and the tools to fit them)  and having some way to call for help
will be invaluable should you get into difficulty whilst out at sea.

‘Everybody
on board should be wearing an appropriate lifejacket.’

The RNLI offers a free Advice Onboard service where highly trained volunteers can look at the safety aspects of your boat and provide personal, face-to-face safety
advice service.

Some of the
most notable rescues of 2013 include:

• 
  Thirty
  people were rescued from the sinking tall ship Astrid by lifeboats from Kinsale and
  Courtmacsherry in July. The ship was driven onto rocks off the south coast of
  Ireland and started taking on water. Watch the rescue here.

• Eastbourne’s all-weather
  lifeboat launched to a 27ft motor-sailor that had issued a distress call two
  miles off Beachy Head. One of the boat’s crew had suffered a head injury and
  another was suffering from severe sickness in rough seas. The lifeboat
  volunteers gave first aid and brought the stricken crew and their vessel back
  to shore. See the full story and photos here.

• Hayling Island RNLI went
  to the aid of a Mayday from a yacht approaching Chichester Harbour in
  south-westerly Force 6 winds and 3-4 metre waves, after her tiller snapped and
  the crew lost all steerage control. See here

• 
  Mudeford
  RNLI were tasked to assist a man and his two children after they experienced
  trouble on their six metre Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) in September, the full
  story is available to read here

Watch the video of RNLI 2013 Rescues

Pictures:

Astrid rescue. Credit: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision

Newhaven lifeboat searches for missing boy. Credit: Paul Appleton