Lifeboat Crews See Busiest Ever Year

A record number of people have been pulled from Scotland's waters, according to the RNLI.

Figures show 1,175 people were rescued in 2014, compared with 1,008 the previous year.

A total of 51 lives were saved last year, that's up from 29 during the previous 12 months.

Kinghorn is now the fifth busiest lifeboat station in the country, while Anstruther is16th.

Broughty Ferry saw the most callouts, known as shouts, in 2014, while Queensferry had the third most.

Scotland Community Incident Reduction Manager Michael Avril said:

"The very nature of the sea means it is unpredictable and can catch out eventhe most competent water users.

"But it’s not just people who set out to use the water who end up in it – walkers can get caught out too as conditions can change very quickly or a trip could mean they end up in the water. We would urge people to respect the water, and never underestimate the power and strength of the sea.

"Always check tide times before taking to the water. Avoid areas where you could get swept off your feet in stormy weather and, if you’re visiting the coast, be sure to visit a lifeguarded beach during the summer months."