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December
20, 2005
Burnham-On-Sea
RNLI issues Christmas warning to local
coastline users
Burnham-On-Sea
RNLI has warned anyone planning to walk along our coastline or
use the sea over the Christmas period to be on their guard and
stay safe.
 The
warning comes as RNLI crew volunteers across the south west can
expect to be called out, away from family celebrations, to save
the lives of seafarers in trouble.
Martin
Cox, Burnham-On-Sea RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: "It
is easy to be lulled into a false sense of security during the
Christmas holiday period. Make sure you are properly prepared
and safe."
RNLI
lifeboat launches in the south division over the Christmas holiday
period (24 December - 3 January) have doubled since 1980. Now,
the RNLI is urging people to take care and prepare if on, or by,
the sea this festive season.
The
charity's volunteer lifeboat crews in the south west have been
involved in a total of 94 Christmas search and rescues during
the first five years of this decade, and have rescued 87 people.
Between 1980 and 1985, the crews launched 47 times and rescued
36 people during the festive season.
The
RNLI expects 500 of its volunteer lifeboat men and women around
the UK and Ireland will be called out during the Christmas holiday
period to help save those in trouble at sea. This is why the lifesaving
charity is asking people who plan to go for a seaside or cliff
top walk, or a sail, surf or swim, to take care and make sure
they are properly prepared.
 Simon
Pryce, RNLI Divisional Inspector, said: "Lives
will be saved over the holiday period thanks to the continuing
dedication of our volunteer crews and station shore helpers, who
are all ready to respond when a call comes for help. Statistics
prove rescues over the festive period are increasing and this
means some RNLI volunteers in the south west will no doubt have
to abandon Christmas and New Year festivities
at some stage, to help people in trouble. They will do this without
complaining or wishing for attention."
"With
call outs having risen by 200% in the south since 1980 I would
appeal to the public to think carefully about seaside or water
based activities. Please be properly prepared in terms of clothing
and equipment, and never mix alcohol with sea activities."
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