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New data reveals Northwest RNLI crews remain busy as charity issues Mayday

Lifeboats News Release

The RNLI has today released its operational figures for 2022, which show an increase in lifeboat launches off the Northwest coast. RNLI lifeboats operating in the Wirral, Cumbria and Lancashire launched 396 times in 2022, a slight increase from the 392 launches in 2021.

Martin Fish

Blackpool's D class RNLI lifeboat

Blackpool was the busiest station in Northwest, with launches rocketing from 71 in 2021 to 113 in 2022. Nationally, RNLI lifeboats launched over 9,300 times in 2022 – an increase of 5% on the previous year*.

It was also a busy year for the crew at Morecambe RNLI with the volunteer crew launching 55 times during the year. It was a similar picture at New Brighton, with lifeboats launching 52 times in 2022, with over half those launches in the darkness.

In Cumbria, Barrow RNLI lifeboat launched 27 times in 2022 compared with 21 times the previous year. Fundraisers will be showing their support to local crew by putting their best foot forward for the Grange-over-sands Mayday Mile on 21 May.

People in the water requiring assistance was the most popular cause of lifeboat launch in the Northwest in 2022, with 116 launches to offer help to people already in the water.

The charity is now putting out its own Mayday call as it faces yet another busy summer. With high numbers of visitors expected as people continue to choose to holiday closer to home, more funds are needed to ensure the lifesaving service is able to keep everyone safe.

With demand for its lifesaving services at a high, the charity is putting out its own ‘Mayday’ call, urging the public to take part in the Mayday Mile – taking on the challenge of covering a mile a day for the month of May. All money raised will help to provide the vital training and equipment that is needed to keep its lifesavers safe, while they risk their own lives to save others.

Faye Maher, RNLI Regional Engagement Lead for the RNLI in Wales, the West and Isle of Man said: ’Summer is our busiest time of year, with thousands of people at risk of getting into danger by the water. Ordinary people just enjoying days out with family or friends.

‘Mayday is our own call for help, as we rely on the generosity of the public to take part in events like the Mayday Mile and raise the funds that allow us to be there when we’re needed most. But we need to be ready. Training, kit, stations, fuel … these are just some of the things we need to save lives, and that your fundraising can help provide.’

Whether you choose to walk, jog, hop or skip, the Mayday Mile challenges you to cover one mile in any way you like every day in May, whilst raising vital funds for RNLI lifesavers so that they can continue to keep people safe at sea.

Events are being held across the Northwest in support of Mayday from Hoylake RNLI’s Mayday crew car wash to West Kirby’s Duck Race on 8 May at West Kirby Marina. The Three Shires Cycle organised by the Crewe and Nantwich RNLI branch will take place on Sunday 21 May. More information can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/514006195367

There will also be a variety of fundraising events and collections across the area for the lifesaving charity inland including collectors descending on Manchester on 13 May and Manchester Piccadilly train station on 26 May.

Ms Maher added: ‘It’s clear from these new figures that demand for our services is continuing to rise, with our lifesavers dropping everything to run to the lifeboat station when the call comes. Every penny raised during Mayday will go towards ensuring we are ready to save even more lives this year.’

To sign up for the Mayday Mile, or to make a donation in support of the RNLI’s lifesavers, visit RNLI.org/SupportMayday

ENDS

*In 2021, RNLI lifeboats launched 8,868 times.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Danielle Rush, RNLI Regional Media Manager on 07786 668829. Alternatively, please contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Martin Fish

Blackpool's D class RNLI lifeboat

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.

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