Good summer and crowded beaches made it a busy year for lifeboats

The good summer weather last year resulted in an increase in the number of people rescued by lifeboats.

The 45 stations across Ireland collectively dealt with 1,089 call-outs in 2014, with more than 1,400 people brought to safety. That added up to a 10% increase in average activity.

The busiest stations were Lough Ree in Athlone (69 launches), Howth in Dublin, Enniskillen RNLI station on Lough Erne and Dun Laoghaire.

Lifeboat crews based on the Aran Islands and Arranmore Island were also among those called out most often.

Divisional operations manager for the RNLI in Ireland Owen Medland said the hot summer definitely had an impact.

"With the good summer, busy beaches and water usage it's been a busy year," he said.