RNLI in Scotland saved twice as many lives in 2024 as charity shares Mayday call
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has today released its rescue figures for 2024, which show the charity’s lifeboats in Scotland saved twice as many people than in 2023.
Across the UK and Ireland RNLI lifeboats launched over 9,100 times in 2024, making it the fourth-busiest year in the charity’s 201-year history.
RNLI lifeboats from 46 stations around the coast of Scotland launched 1182 times, saving 36 lives*. One of those lives saved was Chris who was rescued by Macduff RNLI after he was caught up in a rip current in the Moray Firth.
‘I'd gone under at least twice and knew I was close to death, then I saw the helicopter, then the Macduff team searching for me, I knew if I could hang on I'd probably be OK.
A couple of minutes later I was pulled on the boat and the guys set about keeping me alive.’
With demand for its lifesaving services at a high, the charity is putting out its own ‘Mayday’ call, and urging the public to get involved with its biggest national fundraising event, the Mayday Mile. Participants are challenged to cover a mile a day for the month of May, with every penny raised helping to make sure that the charity’s lifesavers have everything they need to keep people safe this summer and beyond. Running a 24/7 lifesaving service is expensive and costs are rising - in 2023, it cost over £190M to run the RNLI.
Chris Brydie, RNLI volunteer at Queensferry RNLI Lifeboat Station, says: ‘Usually it’s our crew heading out to respond to Mayday calls, but now we’re the ones asking for help. Thousands of people get into danger on and around the water each year and need our help, but everything we do is only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters.’
Whether you choose to walk, jog, hop or skip, a mile every day in May will help raise vital funds for RNLI lifesavers, so that they can continue to keep people safe at sea.
Chris Brydie, who is taking on the London Marathon for the RNLI this April, added: ‘It’s clear from these new figures that demand for our services remains high, with our lifesavers dropping everything to run to the lifeboat station when the call comes. We’re now heading towards our busiest time of year, so we’re putting out our call for help to raise the funds which will help keep our lifesaving service going today, and allow us to be there when we’re needed most.’
The RNLI is encouraging everyone to get involved in the Mayday Mile this year, including businesses like Lost Shore – a surf resort based just 25 minutes from the centre of Edinburgh. On Sunday 11 May, they’ll be hosting their very own Mayday event and a sponsored swim in Europe’s largest inland surf pool to raise funds for the RNLI.
To sign up for the Mayday Mile, or to make a donation in support of the RNLI’s lifesavers, visit RNLI.org/supportMayday
ENDS
*The RNLI defines a life saved as an incident where, had it not been for the intervention of the RNLI, emergency services and/or a third party, a life would have been lost.
Notes to editors
- RNLI fundraisers and crew are available for interview by request.
- The casualty rescued by Macduff RNLI is not available for interview.
- The Mayday event at Lost Shore will take place on Sunday 11 May. More details coming soon.
RNLI media contacts
For more information, please contact Regional Communications Manager, Natasha Rushby, on [email protected] or 07826900639, or Regional Communications Lead, Martin Macnamara on [email protected] or 07920 365 929 or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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.
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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.