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Eleven people saved by Swilly lifeboat 23.01.08

THE Lough Swilly RNLI crew launched 28 times last year and rescued a total of 11 people, new figures show.
The station was also the first in the country to get the new and more powerful Atlantic 85 inshore boat.
The figures were announced ahead of the RNLI's fundraising drive 'SOS Day' that takes place around the country on Friday.
RNLI divisional inspector for Ireland, Colin Williams said: “Once again Irish lifeboat crews have had a very demanding year, having assisted so many people in trouble.
The RNLI crew in action on the Swilly. "Our voluntary lifeboat crews are extremely dedicated to training and making themselves available to launch the lifeboats within minutes. It is these volunteers and our extraordinary fundraisers who make it possible to provide this vital lifesaving service."
The table shows that the 43
RNLI crews around the country launched a total of 922 times last year, rescuing 1,119 people.
The busiest were Arranmore RNLI, who launched 51 times and rescued 55 people. The Donegal-based lifeboat also launched last Saturday to go to the assistance of a trawler with a fire onboard, 60 miles offshore.
The call-out statistics for 2007 show that again, the most common reason for lifeboat launches is to assist pleasure craft users who accounted for 242 of the year's launches. Ten call outs were to rescue animals in trouble. "This work ensures that animal owners are not tempted to try and rescue the animals themselves, which can often result in loss of life," said Mr. Williams.
The hardworking charity is calling on members of the public to respond to its own ‘SOS call’ by supporting them this Friday, January 25. To take part in RNLI SOS day please visit www.rnli.ie/sos  or call 1800 789 589.
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