Record numbers of people plucked from Thames by RNLI last year

Londoners were reminded today of the dangers of the Thames after it emerged that a record number of people had to be rescued from the river by lifeboat crews last year.

Nearly 400 people were saved, including inexperienced sailors rescued from boats and people who fell in from bridges and the foreshore.

The record figures were revealed as Londoners were urged to “spare a pound or two” for Royal National Lifeboat Institution volunteers who will be collecting at train stations to mark London Lifeboat Day.

The number of rescues last year is the highest since the RNLI was established on the Thames after 51 people drowned in the 1989 Marchioness disaster.

But with an increase in the number of pleasure boat users, many people refuse to wear lifejackets.

Helmsman Chris Walker, based at Tower lifeboat station, said: “In the past couple of years there has been a massive increase in the number of pleasure users on the Thames.

“More and more people are not wearing lifejackets and are putting themselves in risky positions on the boat.

“We’ve seen quite a few times kids sat on the bow of the boat with their legs dangling over the edge.

“It can get quite choppy on the river and it’s easy for them to slip over the bow and under the boat.

Mr Walker also advised river users to cut the amount of alcohol they consume. He was one of the RNLI crew who rescued a four young people who were stranded on a sinking speedboat last summer wearing only vests, shorts and flip flops. Mr Walker said the boat’s stern was damaged and taking on water fast.

It sank moments after the crew arrived to pluck the ill-prepared quartet to safety.

Mr Walker said: “The four people we rescued from the sinking boat — none of them had lifejackets, or flares or supplies for the day.

“They were by a sheer wall about eight feet from the water’s edge.

“When we arrived at the scene they were doing everything they could to keep the boat afloat.”

He added: “Everything we do is on the back of voluntary contributions.

“Without the contributions of Londoners, we wouldn’t be able to do the rescues we do on the Thames.”

Peter Dawes, RNLI regional operations manager, said: “The RNLI was asked to establish lifeboats on the River Thames following the inquiry into the Marchioness disaster in 1989 when a party boat collided with a dredger and sank.

“Sadly, 51 people drowned in that incident.

“Out of that tragedy grew a lifeboat service that has rescued thousands of people and saved hundreds of lives since it was established in London in January 2002.

“This service is funded entirely by donations from the public so if you spot one of our volunteer collectors in their bright yellow gear, please do spare a pound or two.”