RNLI lifeboats from Peel, Ramsey, Douglas, Port Erin and Port St Mary launched 25 times and saved 16 people last year.
Chris Gaskin, area lifesaving manager for the Isle of Man said: ’Despite a period of 2020 being spent in lockdown in the Isle of Man, our lifesavers remained on call and ready to respond at a moment’s notice.’
He pointed out that the island’s crews launched 39 times and helped 59 people during 2019.
Mr Gaskin said: ’As another summer approaches, we know that our lifesavers face more huge challenges in keeping everyone safe, which is why we’re now the ones sending out our own mayday call and asking for help.
’Our annual mayday fundraising campaign is our call for support to help keep people safe at the coast this summer.’
He explained that each of the island’s stations has around 25 volunteer crew.
Launching on Saturday, (May 1) and running for the whole of the month, the RNLI’s annual mayday campaign asks people to sign up to support our lifesavers. This year, the charity will be calling on supporters to join the mayday mile and cover at least one mile in any way they like in order to raise vital funds.
Mr Gaskin added: ’Our lifesavers drop everything to run to the lifeboat station when the call comes, so we’re asking our supporters to put themselves in the crew’s boots and join the mayday mile. Every penny raised during mayday will go towards ensuring we are ready to save even more lives this year.’
The RNLI station at Peel is expecting to receive a new £2.5million Shannon class all weather lifeboat this summer.
Across the entire charity, a total of 349 lives saved by RNLI lifeboat crews and lifeguards last year – almost one life saved every single day.
To sign up for the mayday mile, or to make a donation in support of the RNLI’s lifesavers, visit RNLI.org/supportMayday
Nationally, RNLI lifeboat crews launched to the rescue on 8,239 occasions in total last year – that’s an average of 23 launches every day and 8,374 people helped.
