LIFEBOAT crews launched nearly 400 rescue missions in Hampshire in 12 months, it can be revealed today.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) risked their lives on call-outs in all weathers on the county's coast and waterways during last year.

Figures released today show crews operating in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight launched 388 missions in 2014 - in a busy year for the volunteer crews.

Severe winter flooding increased demand on the area's seven volunteer stations, responding to calls ranging from commercial vessels in peril, distressed fisherman and swimmers and troubles leisure marine users.

The report comes as RNLI leaders praised their crews while urging the public to stay safe on the water and making a fresh appeal funds to enable crews to continue their vital roles.

As previously reported in the Echo, Calshot RNLI were instrumental in safely rescuing some of the 25 sailors from the giant Hoegh Osaka car transporter when it was deliberately ran aground on Bramble Bank off Southampton after it began listing while leaving the city's port on January 3.

Crews from Hampshire and Isle of Wight stations rescued 580 people last year.

Of these 33 needed first aid while 18 were categorised as “lived saved” who would most likely have died if teams had not intervened.

More than a third (133) of missions were after nightfall - with volunteers braving the unknown to help those in distress at a time when many other people are safely at home.

The busiest lifeboat station in the county was Portsmouth, where crews launched 90 times and rescued 80 people.

Richard Weeks, RNLI Divisional Operations Manager, said: “Yet again our volunteers have had a very busy 12 months. 2014 was the warmest year on record for the UK, but conversely the winter storms of January and February brought damaging winds and inland and coastal flooding.

"The former may well have enticed more people on to our beaches and into the water, while the latter made conditions worse for anyone on or near the sea.”

He praised his lifeboat staff, lifeguards and safety messengers for “drop everything” to respond to round-the-clock calls in all weathers hailing them as the service's “lifeblood”.

He added: “Our message is that we will always launch to assist people in distress, but we are also increasingly encouraging people to be mindful of the potential dangers associated with the sea.”

The seven stations responding to calls are Lymington, Calshot, Portsmouth and Hayling Island on the mainland and Cowes, Bembridge and Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight.

Major operations included Bembridge and Yarmouth launching a 12 hour search for a lone sailor who got into trouble in a trimiran 37 miles south of the Needles who was later rescued by colleagues from the Weymouth station on the evening of October 7.

Cowes and a police helicopter responded to a distress call off Gunard Ledge following freak accident when a sailor was struck by a boom in gale force on a private yacht and was pronounced dead at the scene, But the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Calshot RNLI pulled a man from the River Itchen and administered CPR but he died later in hospital on Thursday, June 19.

Richard Weeks continued: “We provide a ring of safety from the beach right out to the open seas. However, the training and equipment needed to do this costs money, so we are hugely grateful to everyone who supports in whatever way they can.”