Busiest year for Scots lifeboats

The RNLI was involved in hundreds of rescues last year

Coastal emergencies in Scotland are on the increase, with figures for 2005 showing a 10% rise in lifeboat call-outs on the previous year.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in Scotland said it had been the busiest year on record.

The charity's 52 boats were called out more than 1,000 times, helping to rescue more than 900 people.

Oban's single lifeboat took part in 61 call-outs alone - including one which involved delivering a baby.

The busiest station was Troon which launched its two boats 78 times, while teams in Arran, Lochinver, MacDuff and Kirkcudbright saw their rescues increase by more than 100%.

RNLI spokesman John Caldwell appealed for donations to its crew training campaign.

Training costs

"Our volunteer crews undertook a variety of roles, from helping to deliver a baby, rescuing stranded walkers to aiding stricken vessels in violent storms," he said.

"Without the dedication and commitment of our volunteer lifeboat crew, the role of saving lives at sea would be impossible.

"However, to give our crews the best training possible costs money, which is why we are appealing to the public."

RNLI's appeal, Train One Save Many, aims to raise £10m over five years.

Search and rescue statistics also showed an 8% rise in call-outs nationally, making it the busiest year on record across the UK.

Launches in the south west of England and Wales increased 16% and 15% respectively.