By Aynsley DavidsonLIFEBOAT crews in East Anglia had a busy summer as they were launched more than 175 times on rescue missions.Figures released yesterday by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) showed its Essex crews were launched 154 times in June, July and August, with Suffolk undertaking 23 rescues.

By Aynsley Davidson

LIFEBOAT crews in East Anglia had a busy summer as they were launched more than 175 times on rescue missions.

Figures released yesterday by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) showed its Essex crews were launched 154 times in June, July and August, with Suffolk undertaking 23 rescues.

The busiest RNLI lifeboat station in East Anglia was Southend with 55 launches during the summer.

Martyn Smith, the RNLI divisional inspector for the East, said: “Despite one of wettest Augusts in memory, a significant number of rescues took place. This is probably due to the increased interest in using the sea for leisure.

“The RNLI's sea safety initiative plays an invaluable part in educating people about the dangers of the sea and the necessity of wearing lifejackets and carrying essential items such as up-to-date flares and a VHF radio.”

He added: “We have fully-trained sea check advisers that visit sailing clubs, marinas, boat shows, boat jumbles and popular launching sites such as Brightlingsea, Felixstowe Ferry or Shoeburyness.

“They provide free advice on training requirements and suggestions for improving both your own safety and that of your crew.

“We believe that without such free help and advice these statistics could certainly have been higher.”

In Essex, Southend lifeboat crews were launched 55 times in June, July and August, followed by Harwich (36 rescues), Clacton (19), West Mersea and Burnham (16 each) and Walton and Frinton (12).

In Suffolk, Aldeburgh lifeboat crews were launched 15 times during the summer, followed by Lowestoft (five rescues), Southwold (two) and South Broads (one).

aynsley.davidson@eadt.co.uk