by Martin Jefferies

Lifeboat crews in Margate had their busiest year in a decade in 2009, according to official figures released Monday (January 25).

The town's inshore lifeboat was launched 40 times in just 12 months, while the all-weather vessel was despatched 25 times in the same period. RNLI volunteer crews helped rescue 78 people from potentially life-threatening situations - an increase of 140 per cent on 2008.

Nationally, the charity responded to more emergency calls in a year than at any other point in its 186-year history, with more than 9,000 launches at lifeboat stations across the country.

Peter Barker, operations manager at Margate lifeboat station, said: "The RNLI's own statistics show that coastal recreation is increasing. The fact that more people were reported to be spending their holidays in the UK last year, coupled with the irregular weather conditions that can catch people out suddenly, perhaps explain the increase."

Ramsgate lifeboat station had a similarly busy year, although with 77 launches in 2009, crews were actually less busy than in 2008.

The figures were released as the RNLI appealed to Thanet residents to support its SOS Day this Friday (January 29). The annual fundraising event raises vital funds for the charity, which costs around £375,000 a day to run and relies entirely on public donations.

For more information about local SOS Day events or to make a donation to the RNLI, visit www.rnli.org.uk.