More than 70 lives saved at sea in 2023 in South West

New data shows there were 1,146 lifeboat launches last year

A total of 72 lives were saved in 2023 by lifeboat crews and lifeguards in the South West.

It comes as new figures have been released by the RNLI captured between January and December 2023.

Data revealed there had been 1,146 lifeboat launches over the course of the year.

Figures showed volunteer lifeboat crews saved 34 people and the charity's beach lifeguards across the region saved 38 lives.

Matt Windsor from Bude was on a kayak fishing trip when he got into trouble

The charity said the figures, which cover Cornwall, Devon and West Dorset, are up on 2022.

This year marks 200 years since the RNLI's creation and the charity has set up the Mayday Mile to raise funds to carry on its services.

It is asking the public to run, walk or jog a mile-a-day during the month of May.

Matt Windsor from Bude is one person who has signed up to do a 'Mayday Mile', to thank the RNLI for rescuing him last June.

He told BBC Radio Cornwall how he got into difficulties on a fishing trip after falling from his kayak, and was unable to climb back aboard.

He used the mayday button on his VHF radio to call for help and was rescued by the Ilfracombe RNLI team and a Coastguard helicopter.

Mr Windsor said: "I was very close to losing my life, and if it wasn't for that mayday call and the RNLI, things could have been very different."

Adrian Carey, head of region for the south west at the RNLI, said: "We're now coming up to our busiest time of year, so we're putting out our call for help to raise the funds which will help keep our lifesaving service going today and into the future."

He added: "It's clear from these new figures that demand for our services remains high, with our lifesavers dropping everything to run to the lifeboat station when the call comes in."