Rescue statistics show new record set in past six months

Chiswick’s Lifeboat has just had its busiest period since being launched six years ago.

And they are not the only ones. Rescue statistics released this week show lifeboats from the four RNLI stations along the tidal Thames including Chiswick and Teddington launched a total of 317 times between January and June 2008.

A spokesperson for the RNLI said, “Sadly, the major reason for lifeboat rescues on the Thames is to help people who have deliberately jumped into the water, which can make the life of the volunteer crew more harrowing.”

Gravesend, Chiswick and Teddington between them launched a total of 137 times in that period. Gravesend rescued 26 people, Chiswick 19 and Teddington 11.

October 16, 2008