THE Carrybridge RNLI crew came to the aid of 33 last year, new figures have revealed.
In 2024 the volunteer crew was launched its lifeboat 18 times on Upper Lough Erne, with nine of these launches carried out in the hours of darkness.
The figures were released ahead of the charity’s annual ‘Mayday’ fundraising drive, which urges the public to support their life-saving work by covering a mile a day for the month of May.
“Every penny raised helps to make sure that the charity’s lifesavers have everything they need to keep people safe this summer and beyond,” said an RNLI spokesman.
Across the North, RNLI crews came to the aid of 469 people last year, saving 16 lives.
A breakdown of the figures shows lifeboats across the RNLI’s 10 lifeboat stations in Antrim, Down and Fermanagh, launched 206 times in 2024 – 59 in the hours of darkness – with volunteer crews coming to the aid of 234 people, 11 of whom were lives saved.
Carrybridge RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Stephen Scott, urged the public to take part in the Mayday fundraiser.
“Usually it’s our lifeboats crews heading out to respond to Mayday calls, but now we’re the ones asking for help,” said the Fermanagh man.
“Thousands of people get into danger on and around the water each year and need our help, but everything we do is only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters.’
“Whether you choose to walk, jog, hop or skip, a mile every day in May will help raise vital funds for RNLI lifesavers, so that they can continue to keep people safe at sea and on inland waterways.”
Stephen added: “It’s clear from these new figures that demand for our services remains high.”