LIFEBOATS were launched a record 682 times in the south this summer and Poole volunteer crews and Bournemouth lifeguards were among the busiest.

This was 79 launches more than in June, July and August last year and four more than in 2003 - the busiest year on record.

The Poole-based RNLI Beach Lifeguard service reported its busiest season in the south and south-west with a record 7,361 incidents, compared with 6,672 last summer.

The second busiest station in the south-west was Poole, whose volunteer crews launched 59 times, one less than Torbay, Devon.

"These increases may be down to the weather we've enjoyed this summer as more people took to the water," said Simon Pryce, RNLI divisional inspector.

"RNLI stations have reported rising numbers of calls to divers, yachts, motorboats and people cut off by the tide.

"That is why the RNLI continues to promote sea safety through its many initiatives, aiming to educate people before they take to the water," he said.

Beach lifeguards operate on 59 beaches throughout Dorset, Devon and Cornwall and the second-busiest RNLI team was on Bournemouth's sands.

The lifesavers responded to 1,179 incidents, while the busiest, Carrick in Cornwall, dealt with 1,729.

"RNLI lifeguards have been especially busy this summer. The standard qualifications they hold are enhanced by specialist RNLI training at the beginning of each season and this summer all of their training has been put to good use," said Mr Pryce.

"We work in partnership with local authorities across the south and south-west, whom I commend for their commitment to beach safety, and for recognising that lifeguards on beaches save lives," he added.

Mr Pryce said the statistics showed how vital training was to the volunteer crews, and last year it opened a £25 million college and survival centre at Poole.

This summer it has launched a Crew Training Campaign, aimed at raising £10 million over the next five years.

First published: October 3