LIFEBOAT volunteers are urging visitors to the coast to familiarise themselves with tide times following a large rise in people getting into difficulty ashore.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has issued figures for the number of call-outs it received last year, which reveal their rescue boats were launched more than 1,032 times from the 33 lifeboat stations in the North of England.

It is an increase of more than eight per cent in 2015. The charity’s lifeguards in the north also saw an increase in the incidents they attended with 2,398 incidents in 2016 compared to 2,065 in 2015.

Incidents of people getting into difficulty ashore rose almost 16 per cent from 240 in 2015 to 278 in 2016. The busiest lifeboat crew in the north of England was Sunderland, which launched its inshore lifeboats 100 times.

The charity says the figures highlight how people need to take extra care on coastal walks or whilst walking their dogs near the sea.

Dave Cocks, lifeboat operations manager at Redcar RNLI said: “At Redcar last year we had the highest ever number of number of people being cut off by the tide. We had a significant number of people who were obviously going walking and enjoying themselves and finding themselves in difficulty.”

He attributed the rise to more people travelling from further afield for holidays or days out at the coast, who were unfamiliar with tide times and when they were in danger of being cut off by the tide.

“We had seen a significant number of people from out of the area getting into difficulty – I can recall we rescued people from Harrogate and Leeds for example who may not have the same understanding of the coast as someone more local,” said Mr Cocks.

Nationally, the number of lifeboat launches around the coast has increased to a five year high of 8,851 in 2016 and lifeguard incidents are also at an increase from last year to 17,414.

The charity saved 558 people’s lives last year and helped nearly 30,000 people.

Following the release of the statistics, the RNLI wants to equip more people with the knowledge and skills to avoid trouble in the first place.

It is urging people to familiarise themselves with tide times before setting off, to let someone know where they are going and when they expect to return and to call 999 and ask for the coastguard in an emergency. People are also reminded only to swim at a lifeguarded beach.

Darren Lewis, RNLI lifesaving manager said: “In 2016, our charity’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards in the north of England saved 64 lives. The figures from last year show immense dedication by our volunteer lifesavers but the increase in lifeboat launches and incidents dealt with by our lifeguards highlights the need for people to be extra vigilant in or around water.

“Our charity promotes safety messages all year round via interactive campaigns such as Respect the Water and Hit the Surf. Through these initiatives we have equipped thousands of people with invaluable lifesaving tips.

"With Easter just around the corner, it’s the ideal time to remind people that to have an enjoyable time at the coast, they need to treat it with respect.

"A little preparation beforehand and knowing what to do if you do get into trouble can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.”