RNLI rescued 905 people last year

RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews spent almost 1,000 hours at sea last year and rescued 905 people in Irish waters, writes Lorna Siggins.

Co Dublin’s Howth RNLI station responded to 48 calls for help, rescuing 60 people.

Cork harbour’s Crosshaven station launched 46 times, assisting 43 people, and Fermanagh’s Enniskillen station rescued 46 people.

Most rescues took place in July, but last February set a record for the busiest first spring month in the RNLI’s history in these waters.

Machinery failure was still the main reason for calls, followed by vessels reported to be “in trouble”, grounded or having capsized.