RNLI reveals crews saved more lives, launches Mayday Mile

The figures also show that the service launched 1,413 times last year. 

The charity is now looking ahead to another busy summer of lifesaving. It has put out a call for the public to support its efforts by signing up for the Mayday Mile.

Experienced pilots Paul Clifford and Duncan Laisney were two of those lives saved last year.

They were able to return to the families after they were rescued from a life raft by Jersey RNLI after crashing their light aircraft into the English channel on November 3.

All three of Jersey RNLI’s lifeboats launched – from St Helier and St Catherine – in a major multi-agency operation which also involved Jersey Coastguard, Channel Islands air search and a French rescue helicopter.

Paul said: "If the RNLI hadn’t rescued us it would have been a different story. I don’t know of anyone else who’s been in that situation and survived.

"I was undergoing some advanced refresher training when, at the furthest point from the runway, the engine lost power. We did all we could to get the engine going again, but had to ditch the plane. We knew it was incredibly risky and we were unlikely to survive."

Alex Scott, volunteer Helm on St Helier’s inshore RNLI lifeboat, said: "When you here there is an aircraft gone down, you’re thinking the worst, hoping for the best. 

"It was quite a windy day, there were big seas so we weren’t quite sure what we were going to see when we arrived at the location."

"We didn’t get to see the life raft until we were very close by, just because of the state of the sea, it was qute lumpy and it’s a very small object, very low down in the water so we were almost right on it before we sould see it. That was a great feeling to see the guys lying in the liferaft."

Paul Clifford & Duncan Laisney are rescued by the RNLI 7 Jersey RNLI volunteer crews rescue two people from light aircraft ditched in sea. (Image: RNLI)

With demand for its lifesaving services at a high, the charity is launching the Mayday Mile fundraiser with the challenge of covering a mile a day for the month of May.

All money raised will help to provide the vital training and equipment that is needed to keep its lifesavers safe, while they risk their own lives to save others.

Lucy Ashton, Regional Engagement Lead at the RNLI, said: "The RNLI has been saving lives at sea for very nearly 200 years. Our incredible lifeboat crews across the south west launched over 1,400 times last year to help those in need, and our lifeguards kept people safe across our beaches. We are so proud of our brave and selfless lifesavers."

"As a charity, we rely on the generous support of members of the public to continue this lifesaving work. We need ongoing fundraising – now, more than ever to keep providing our lifesavers with the best equipment and training for their important lifesaving role.

"Every Mayday Mile completed will help give our lifesavers everything they need to continue to keep people safe this summer – and beyond. It’s so easy to get involved, and to have fun whilst helping the RNLI save lives."

The Mayday Mile takes place from Monday 1 May to Wednesday 31 May. Sign up and find out more at RNLI.org/SupportMayday today.