RNLI Annual Operational Statistics Report 2008
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RNLI ANNuAL OpeRAtIONAL StAtIStIcS RepORt 2008 1 2 Cover photo: Nigel Millard Foreword Welcome to the first combined annual report on RNLI rescue and prevention statistics. This report has been compiled to communicate the levels of activity undertaken by our lifeboat crews, lifeguards and Prevention and Education teams in delivering the three strands of the RNLI’s concept of operations over the course of the year. 2008 was our third busiest year with just under 8,300 lifeboat launches and, despite the somewhat unpredictable nature of the Summer, our lifeguards were kept busy on the beaches attending over 9,500 incidents. Our Prevention and Education teams reached a combined audience of over 425,000 adults and children, delivering key safety messages, demonstrations and education programmes. What this clearly demonstrates is the RNLI’s commitment to saving lives at sea. However, none of this could be achieved without the selfless dedication and enthusiasm of its volunteers, staff and, most importantly, the generosity of its supporters. Their donations allow us to deliver a service that is second to none. Thank you. Michael Vlasto Operations Director 1 Concept of Operations The RNLI saves lives at sea throughout the UK and RoI by providing a professional service comprising three core activities: • a strategically located fleet of lifeboats, crewed wherever possible by volunteers • a proactive lifeguard service provided mainly on a seasonal basis by a combination of paid and volunteer lifeguards • a safety, education and accident prevention advisory service that underpins the RNLI’s core purpose. Strategic Performance Standards The RNLI aims to: • in all weathers, reach at least 90% of all casualties within 10 nautical miles of lifeboat stations within 30 minutes of launch and achieve an average call out from notification of 10 minutes - The performance standard achieved in 2008 was 84.4% (2007: 85.3%). - An overall average launch time of 9 minutes was achieved in 2008 (2007: 8 minutes). • in all weathers, reach all notified maritime casualties where a risk to life exists, out to a maximum of 100 nautical miles - In 2008, lifeboats launched on service 8,293 times (2007: 8,175), aiding 7,612 people (2007: 7,846), and saving 288 lives (2007: 305). • on designated RNLI beaches, provide a comprehensive prevention and rescue service that meets recognised international lifesaving standards - In 2008, RNLI lifeguards attended 9,536 incidents on RNLI-patrolled beaches (2007: 8,201), aided 11,027 people (2007: 9,883) and saved 49 lives (2007: 62). • deliver comprehensible, straightforward safety advice that positively influences behaviour, measured against recognised benchmarks. 2 Contents Page Definitions 4 Lifeboat statistics overview 6 Lifeboat statistics 2004–8 7 Lifeboat statistics 2008 8 Lifeguard statistics overview 14 Lifeguard statistics 2008 15 Prevention statistics 2008 20 • Sea Safety 21 • Fishing Safety 22 • Beach Safety 23 • Education 24 3 Photo: Nigel Millard Definitions Lifeboats Life saved – where, if not for the actions of the lifeboat and/or its crew, a life would have been lost. Person landed – where a lifeboat rescues a person who is at risk, but not in a life-threatening situation. Person brought in – where a lifeboat rescues a person who is at very little risk, if at all, but if left would have probably been at risk later. Lifeguards Life saved – where, if a lifeguard had not intervened, life would have been lost. Rescue – where a lifeguard responds to a person at risk and physically returns them to shore or transfers them to another rescue craft. Assistance – where a lifeguard aids a person in the sea who is at low risk but, if left, would be at risk. Major first aid – where a lifeguard treats a casualty who is at risk due to sickness or injury and calls in external assistance. Minor first aid – where a lifeguard treats a casualty due to sickness or injury who is at low or no risk but requires treatment to ensure a risk does not develop. Missing/found person – where a lifeguard assists in the location of children separated from their parents/guardians or other persons who have been found or reported missing. Near miss – where a person might have been injured by watercraft, powered or otherwise. Search – an organised search with other search and rescue units for a missing person either at sea or on land; includes body recovery. Preventative action – a high percentage of lifeguard activity is classed as preventative. This is recorded on daily log forms to give an indication of how often the lifeguards prevent situations developing on the beach. 4 5 Photo: Nigel Millard Lifeboat statistics overview 2008 LIFEBOATS NUMBER LAUNCHES 8,293 LIVES SAVED 288 PEOPLE LANDED 1,624 PEOPLE BROUGHT IN 5,700 PEOPLE RESCUED (SAVED, LANDED AND BROUGHT IN) 7,612 2008 was the RNLI’s third busiest year in its history with 8,293 lifeboat launches. 2004–8 PEOPLE RESCUED RESCUE CRAFT LAUNCHES LIVES SAVED (INCLUDING YEAR LIVES SAVED) ALB 2,494 115 3,331 2004 ILB 5,233 321 4,238 IRH 68 5 30 2004 TOTAL 7,795 441 7,599 ALB 2,712 110 3,632 2005 ILB 5,675 196 4,568 IRH 63 5 57 2005 TOTAL 8,450 311 8,257 ALB 2,600 56 3,343 2006 ILB 5,801 191 4,709 IRH 66 1 66 2006 TOTAL 8,467 248 8,118 ALB 2,578 81 3,296 2007 ILB 5,518 223 4,492 IRH 79 1 58 2007 TOTAL 8,175 305 7,846 ALB 2,539 103 3,319 2008 ILB 5,694 184 4,269 IRH 60 1 24 2008 TOTAL 8,293 288 7,612 ALB – all-weather lifeboat ILB – inshore lifeboat IRH – inshore rescue hovercraft 6 Lifeboat statistics 2004–8 Lifeboat launches and numbers of people rescued (including lives saved) Launches 8,600 People rescued 8,450 8,467 8,400 8,293 8,257 8,200 8,118 8,175 8,000 7,846 7,795 7,800 7,599 7,612 YEAR LIVES SAVED 7,600 2004 441 7,400 2005 311 Number of launchesNumber of and people rescued 2006 248 7,200 2007 305 2008 288 7,000 0 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Year Lifeboat launches by division YEAR/NUMBER OF LAUNCHES Division 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 EAST 2,418 2,556 2,486 2,348 2,707 IRELAND 912 961 936 951 876 NORTH 1,133 1,117 1,154 1,147 1,035 SCOTLAND 946 1,056 1,050 1,032 973 SOUTH 1,352 1,578 1,584 1,546 1,574 WEST 1,013 1,165 1,245 1,136 1,114 NO DIVISION 21 17 12 15 14 (ON-PASSAGE SERVICES) TOTAL 7,795 8,450 8,467 8,175 8,293 Lifeboat launches by month 1,800 2004 2005 1,600 2006 1,400 2007 2008 1,200 1,000 800 Number of launchesNumber of 600 400 200 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Months The peaks reflect good weather and increased leisure activity around the coast and at sea. 7 Lifeboat statistics 2008 By division NUMBER OF NUMBER OF TOTAL PEOPLE RESCUED LIFEBOAT LAUNCHES LIVES SAVED LIFEBOATS (INCLUDING LIVES SAVED) DIVISION STATIONS EAST 43 69 2,707 68 2,203 IRELAND 43 55 876 34 1,010 NORTH 33 54 1,035 40 831 SCOTLAND 45 53 973 50 768 SOUTH 35 55 1,574 50 1,675 WEST 36 52 1,114 46 1,122 NO DIVISION (ON-PASSAGE SERVICES) N/A N/A 14 0 3 TOTAL 235 338 8,293 288 7,612 Number of lifeboat launches in varying wind speeds 1,800 1,613 1,600 1,531 1,423 1,400 1,290 1,200 978 1,000 800 649 Number of launchesNumber of 600 400 319 299 200 131 44 13 2 1 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 – Calm (<1) – Light airs (1–3) – Light breeze (4–6) – Gentle breeze (7–10) – Moderate breeze (11–16) – Fresh breeze (17–21) – Strong breeze (22–27) – Near gale (28–33) – Gale (34–40) – Severe gale (41–47) – Violent storm (56–63) – Hurricane (64–71) – Storm (48–55) Wind force (speed in knots) Number of lifeboat services performed in daylight/darkness NUMBER OF LIFEBOAT SERVICES IN … DIVISION % IN DARKNESS DAYLIGHT DARKNESS EAST 1,622 1,085 40.1 IRELAND 515 361 41.2 NORTH 679 356 34.4 SCOTLAND 607 366 37.6 SOUTH 977 597 37.9 WEST 787 327 29.4 NO DIVISION (ON-PASSAGE SERVICES) 9 5 35.7 TOTAL 5,196 3,097 36.6 (average) 8 Iife guards Casualty Handover major rst aid 2008 Missing/found - age ranges Lifeboat statistics 2008 Lifeboat launch outcomes 2% 1% Hoaxes (probable and confirmed)Iife boats No service – lifeboat unsuitable 3% Unsuccessful search 7% Resolved unaided 60% Gave assistance 13% False alarm 14% Others assisted casualty First information received from: Lifeboat launch outcomes 2008 Types of Casualty SOURCE NUMBER OF LAUNCHES % HM COASTGUARD 6,812 82.14 IRISH COAST GUARD 426 5.14 LIFEBOAT STATION PERSONNEL 287 3.46 CASUALTY ITSELF 240 2.89 MEMBER OF PUBLIC 183 2.21 POLICE 64 0.77 COAST RADIO STATION 63 0.76 HARBOUR MASTER 54 0.65 ANOTHER VESSEL 48 0.58 LOCAL MEDICAL PERSONNEL 44 0.53 OTHER 32 0.39 RESCUE COORDINATOR OTHER 11 0.13 IRISH GARDA 11 0.13 LOCAL PILOTS OFFICE 8 0.10 CHANNEL ISLES MRCC 6 0.08 RSPCA 1 0.01 MOD UNITS 1 0.01 ISLE OF MAN COASTGUARD 1 0.01 LOCAL COASTWATCH 1 0.01 TOTAL 8,293 100.00 9 Lifeboat statistics 2008 Time to launch from receipt of first information ALB 2,500 ILB 2,000 IRH 1,500 1,000 Number of launchesNumber of 500 Iife guards 0 0–5 6–10 11–15 16–20 21–25 26–30 31–40 40–60 60+ Time to launch (minutes) Over 50% of launches occur within 15 minutes of receipt of the first information.