The Broughty Ferry lifeboat crew were called out 119 times last year it has been revelaed.
The lifesavers rescued dozens of people from the water around Dundee during that time.
The local figures were revealed in the RNLI’s annual rescue report released this week.
They showed that a total of 408 lives saved by the charity’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards across Scotland last year – more than one life saved every single day, and a 17% increase in the number of lives saved on the previous year.
Volunteer lifeboat crews at 46 lifeboat stations spent 1,117 more hours at sea on rescue missions, rescuing 169 more people than in 2020.
The charity is now putting out its own Mayday call as it faces yet another busy summer.
With high numbers of visitors expected as people continue to choose to holiday closer to home, more funds are needed to ensure the lifesaving service is able to keep everyone safe.
Scottish lifeboat crews saw an increase to incidents involving paddleboarders, swimmers and sailing vessels in 2021, and that trend set to continue in 2022 with leisure activities on the water a popular pastime for many keen to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
In particular, Kinghorn Lifeboat Station in Fife recorded a bumper year of rescues with the station – crewed entirely by volunteers – launching 73 times in 2021.
A standout call for the crew was back in October 2021 when the team saved the life of a swimmer who got into difficulty off the coast of Kirkcaldy.
Reflecting on a busy year, Kinghorn volunteer crew member, Neil Chalmers, is gearing up for more of the same in 2022 and knows how crucial fundraising in May is for the charity’s lifesaving service.
He said: ‘‘Summer is our busiest time of year, with thousands of people at risk of getting into danger by the water. Ordinary people just enjoying days out with family or friends.
“Mayday is our own call for help, as we rely on the generosity of the public to take part in events like the Mayday Mile and raise the funds that allow us to be there when we’re needed most.
“But we need to be ready. Training, kit, stations, fuel … these are just some of the things we need to save lives, and that your fundraising can help provide.’
The RNLI’s Mayday national fundraiser begins on Sunday 1 May and will run for the whole month across the UK and Ireland.
Claire MacDonald, RNLI Fundraising and Partnerships Lead for Scotland, added: ‘It’s clear from these new figures that demand for our services is continuing to rise, with our lifesavers dropping everything to run to the lifeboat station when the call comes.
"Every penny raised during Mayday will go towards ensuring we are ready to save even more lives this year.’
- You can sign up for the Mayday Mile, or make a donation in support of the RNLI’s lifesavers, here.
**Don't miss the latest headlines from around Dundee and Tayside. Sign up to our newsletters here .
And did you know Dundee Live is on Facebook? Head over to our page to give us a like and a share .
