The lifeboats - Courageous volunteers

THERE are few enough constants in our ever evolving world but the courage and dedication of the lifeboat crews all around our coast is one.

Come hell or high water the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) will turn up and do their utmost to help those in difficulties at sea.

Last year the RNLI Irish crews were busy with an increase of 13% in callouts compared with 2008. Lifeboats based at the 43 stations around the country launched 976 times and rescued some 1,008 people.

This is a considerable service to society and is not without risk. In an age when selfishness is so prevalent their courage and volunteerism are exemplary.