RNLI lifeboat crews launched almost 500 times along the East coast last year
New stats show they saved 10 lives in 2025
New stats from the RNLI on the East Coast show that lifeboat crews were launched 497 times in 2025.
The charity's crews saved a total of 10 lives and helped 314 people from stations in Hunstanton to Burnham-on-Couch.
Among the busiest stations was Great Yarmouth and Gorleston RNLI which launched 75 times, aided 19 people and saved 4 lives. Wells RNLI launched 40 times and helped 41 people. West Mersea RNLI launched 73 times and helped 57 people. Meanwhile Clacton RNLI launched 72 times, aided 42 people and saved 2 lives.
In addition to saving lives, the RNLI launches to save animals and prevent animal owners from putting themselves at risk.
They say that the data shows high demand on lifeboat crews across the charity's coastal stations.
In total across the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands the RNLI last launched 9,058 times in 2025, helped 8,290 people and saved 272 lives.
The charity has launched their Mayday Mile campaign, asking people to raise money for the charity so they can keep funding lifesaving missions.
Nick Ayres, the Regional Water Safety Lead in the East of England, said:
"It doesn't matter what time of day it is, our stations are always crewed and ready to take that call and answer that call, and 2025 was a really busy year for our stations on the East coast.
"We've got some interesting locations on the East coast with extensive tidal range, where people get cut off by the tide, not understanding the tidal movement and how quick the water moves in across the beach."
Nick said that if someone is stuck at sea, the best course of action is to encourage them to float, before ringing 999 and asking for the coastguard.
"The last thing we want people to do is enter the water and have our crews searching for even more casualties.
"We heavily rely on the generous donations of the public. And that's why we're launching this Mayday appeal for everybody to do that bit, to donate even more money towards the RNLI so we can continue to save lives and provide the best rescue service there is."