Busy year for islands' lifeboats

Alderney has a mixture of yachts, motorboats and fishing vessels

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) had a record number of call-outs in 2005.

New figures show the Alderney lifeboat crew were the busiest in the Channel Islands, responding to 34 emergencies.

A total of 80 people were rescued by the service in the Channel Islands. Across the south west of Britain the RNLI helped more than 1,600 people.

The charity said a growth in water sports was one reason for the rise in emergencies nationally.

Being able to help people who may be in trouble is a really worthwhile job Declan Gaudion, Alderney Coxswain

But Declan Gaudion, the coxswain in Alderney, said it did not particularly apply to Alderney.

He said: "In Alderney we don't have vast beaches for water sports.

"What we have is a mixture of yachtsmen, motorboats and a commercial fishing fleet, so we're kept busy."

Mr Gaudion, who has been the Alderney coxswain for five years, said his job went hand-in-hand with his love of boats and seafaring.

"Of course being able to help people who may be in trouble is a really worthwhile job, but for me the main driving force is the camaraderie of working with a great bunch of people."