A Tayside lifeboat station was the busiest in Scotland this summer as shouts threatened record-breaking levels.
RNLI figures show Broughty Ferry’s two lifeboats launched 43 times during June, July and August a period that saw 476 call-outs across 47 Scottish bases.
The Broughty Ferry crew attended just 23 shouts last summer and their sudden upturn has been mirrored in Arbroath where launches almost quadrupled from seven to 27.
Kinghorn rose from 14 shouts to 19 over the three months, Anstruther saw a drop from 23 to 12, while Montrose decreased from 10 to eight. The statistics revealed more than five launches a day across the UK over the summer.
In Scotland, crews fell just short of a record set in 2008 when there were 480 launches, but still topped last year’s 440 shouts.
Dave Martin, Broughty Ferry’s lifeboat operations manager, said: “It has been a very busy time for us due mainly to the good weather with more people using the water, and we thank employers for allowing the volunteer crew time away from work to help people in distress.
“The public are becoming more vigilant and aware of reporting incidents to the coastguard who in turn ask the RNLI to launch lifeboats.
“Our sea safety officers at the station have been visiting water leisure facilities to increase the awareness of safety.”
With 22 shouts, Tobermory was the busiest station with a single all-weather lifeboat, while Queensferry, on 26 shouts, topped the list for sites with just inshore boats.
RNLI lifeguards operated in Scotland for the first time this summer, at Coldingham on the east coast, dealing with five incidents, 44 minor first-aid treatments, and four missing people.
Andy Clift, Scotland’s regional operations manager, said: “A good summer on the weather front has turned into a busy one for our lifeboats in Scotland, with more people coming to enjoy the coast and sea.
“We would like to remind the public that some of the incidents undertaken by lifeboats could be avoided if they followed simple beach safety messages, adhered to warning signs, and checked tide tables.
“We cannot fault the professionalism and commitment of our volunteer crews who turn out at a moment’s notice 24/7 to help other people in distress, and this is particularly notable when we have long shouts in Scotland lasting several hours.”