LIFEGUARDS in Barmouth had their work cut out this year after attending nearly 20% more callouts in 2015.

Last week, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) revealed its rescue statistics for last year.

In Barmouth, the number of people rescued increased by 18 per cent, meaning a total of 26 people were rescued in 2015 as compared to the year previous.

Overall, the charity’s lifeboats in Wales launched 1,058 times and rescued 1,029 people.

In north Wales, the 16 stations located between Aberystwyth and Flint reported 445 lifeboat launches in 2015 and 490 people rescued.

Despite a small decline in the number of incidents compared with 2014, RNLI volunteers from a number of north Wales stations were kept exceptionally busy due to their roles with the charity’s Flood Rescue Team.

Rising flood waters saw a number of deployments throughout December, with much activity focussed around Cockermouth, Cumbria and Carlisle.

Three RNLI volunteers from Dwyfor - Elissa Thursfield, Abersoch RNLI; Bryn Ellis, Pwllheli RNLI; and Paul Filby,Criccieth RNLI - all bravely volunteered to head north and were part of the effort which evacuated at least 360 people from flooded homes across Cumbria during their three-day deployment just before Christmas.

Norma Stockford, press officer for Barmouth RNLI said: “During 2015 we had some tough rescues which were well executed requiring skill, experience and courage, and as usual the crew responded with their customary energy and dedication.

“None of these rescues would have been possible, of course, without the excellent working relationships that exist between the RNLI, HM Coastguard, the Search and Rescue services and the local NHS Ambulance crews.”

Tony Clare, community incident reduction manager for the RNLI, covering north Wales, added: “Our volunteer lifeboat crew and lifeguards have again worked exceptionally hard serving our local communities.

“We continue to urge those working or enjoying our coastline and inland areas to respect the water.

“Inland floods caused heartache for many at the end of 2015 and we ask those faced with floods to be aware of the fast flowing flood waters and to keep a safe distance.

“We understand that things can go wrong from time, so some preventative maintenance and annual checks prior to the boating season should allow for worry free sea time.

“We would like to thank all of our volunteers for their tireless hard work and dedication over the last 12 months, without all of our volunteers, fund-raisers, education teams our lifesaving service would not operate.”

The volunteer lifeboat crews carry pagers 24/7, never knowing what may lie ahead when the alarm is raised.

The most frequent type of call out was the bring people ashore, with 261 incidents of this nature in 2014 – the highest since 2011.

With the RNLI’s services in more demand than ever, the RNLI is highlighting how support from the public is more vital than ever.

Last year, the RNLI became first major UK charity to announce a fundamental change to the way it contacts people.

From 1 January 2017 it will only contact individuals who have expressly given their permission to contact them.

In light of the new ‘opt in’ system, where individuals chose to be contacted, the RNLI says public support is more vital than ever.

For more information, please call the RNLI’s Supporter Care team on 0300 300 9918.