St Ives Lifeboat Station marks busiest year on record in 2025
St Ives RNLI is recording its busiest year ever, with over 85 service launches already in 2025. That’s more than double the 34 launches seen in 2024.
This rise reflects wider RNLI trends across the UK and Ireland, with crews responding to more incidents involving swimmers, paddleboarders, kayakers, and sadly, people facing mental health crises.
Despite the rising demand, the volunteer lifeboat crew at St Ives have continued to show extraordinary commitment, not only in launching and recovering the lifeboats, but also in the unseen hours of training, fundraising and raising awareness of water safety in the community.
Dickon Berriman, Area Operations Manager, says: ‘We experienced a very busy summer around our coast with warm, settled weather providing the opportunity to enjoy the beaches and waters around St Ives. Inevitably this led to an increase in incidents. The St Ives Lifeboat team have risen to the challenge with courage and commitment. There is a lot to maintaining this service which goes unseen, hours of training, restrictions of living on a pager and disruption to family life. Our volunteers are incredible as are their families who support what they do.’
The RNLI is reminding everyone to take extra care when enjoying the water, to always respect the sea and to familiarise themselves with safety advice before heading out. In case of an emergency, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.
Joel Ninnes, volunteer crew member and Water Safety Delivery Support for the RNLI, says: ‘If you’re planning on enjoying a sea swim or cold-water dip over the festive period, you should always carry a means of calling for help. This could be a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch. Remember, if you don’t have any mobile phone signal, don’t panic. You can still try calling 999 or 112, even if your own mobile phone network has no coverage. Your phone will try to connect to any other network available.’
The dedication of the St Ives crew ensures that the lifeboat service continues to save lives at sea, but this vital work relies on the generosity of supporters and the resilience of our volunteers who give their time selflessly.
Building on this spirit, we are now recruiting for both boat and shore crew roles. It’s an exciting time to become involved with St Ives Lifeboat Station, offering a unique opportunity to join a remarkable team, learn new skills and make a real difference in our community. To find out more, visit RNLI.org/RecruitingNow.
For further information, please contact:
Rob Cording-Cook, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for St Ives RNLI on 07766 144462 or email [email protected] or Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected]
RNLI Press Office 01202 336789 or P[email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.