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Busy year for lifeboat volunteers Busy year for lifeboat volunteers
(about 10 hours later)
Scottish lifeboat crews rescued almost 900 people in 2007, making it the third busiest year since records began.Scottish lifeboat crews rescued almost 900 people in 2007, making it the third busiest year since records began.
New figures have shown that volunteers from the RNLI launched lifeboats 1,028 times and rescued 886 people last year.New figures have shown that volunteers from the RNLI launched lifeboats 1,028 times and rescued 886 people last year.
The charity responded to a variety of SOS calls, from rescuing children cut off by the tide, to sinking fishing vessels and stricken whales.The charity responded to a variety of SOS calls, from rescuing children cut off by the tide, to sinking fishing vessels and stricken whales.
Kinghorn inshore RNLI lifeboat was the busiest station in Scotland, launching 69 times and rescuing 39 people.Kinghorn inshore RNLI lifeboat was the busiest station in Scotland, launching 69 times and rescuing 39 people.
It was closely followed by Broughty Ferry, which launched 66 times and rescued 36 people.It was closely followed by Broughty Ferry, which launched 66 times and rescued 36 people.
John Caldwell, from the RNLI in Scotland, said: "Last year RNLI lifeboat men and women dropped everything when the call for help came, and helped rescue 886 people around Scotland.
'Lifesaving service''Lifesaving service'
John Caldwell, from the RNLI in Scotland, said: "Last year RNLI lifeboat men and women dropped everything when the call for help came, and helped rescue 886 people around Scotland.
"That year was the third busiest on record for Scottish RNLI lifeboats, but without volunteer crews it would be impossible to run our lifesaving service.""That year was the third busiest on record for Scottish RNLI lifeboats, but without volunteer crews it would be impossible to run our lifesaving service."
Kinghorn was the busiest lifeboat station in Scotland
The RNLI relies solely on public donations to train and equip volunteer lifeboat crews.The RNLI relies solely on public donations to train and equip volunteer lifeboat crews.
The latest rescue statistics have been published as the charity gears up for its annual SOS fundraising day, on Friday 25 January.The latest rescue statistics have been published as the charity gears up for its annual SOS fundraising day, on Friday 25 January.
SOS themed events will be held across the country, from the Sound Of Scotland ceilidh to Sample Our Stovies stalls.SOS themed events will be held across the country, from the Sound Of Scotland ceilidh to Sample Our Stovies stalls.
Nevis Range Mountain Experience, in Fort William, will donate £1 to the charity for every person who skis or snowboards in a kilt on Friday.Nevis Range Mountain Experience, in Fort William, will donate £1 to the charity for every person who skis or snowboards in a kilt on Friday.
There are more than 230 RNLI lifeboat stations across the UK and Ireland, which are operated by 4,800 crew members, 95% of whom are volunteers.There are more than 230 RNLI lifeboat stations across the UK and Ireland, which are operated by 4,800 crew members, 95% of whom are volunteers.