THOUGHTLESS boat owners and bathers have been blamed for a record number of lifeboat rescues which have already cost more than a quarter of a million pounds so far this year.

Eastbourne's lifeboat service has become known as one of the busiest in the country but this year the number of rescues has topped all previous records and costs are spiralling.

With four months still to go before the end of the year, Eastbourne lifeboat has already answered 105 emergency calls from stricken vessels and stranded bathers.

If the increase continues, it is expected the final figure will top last year's total of 130 by as much as 25 per cent.

The Eastbourne service is manned by one full-time coxswain and a volunteer crew.

It costs £3,000 to launch the

all-weather boat and £1,600 each time the smaller inshore vessel takes to the water.

Much of the blame for the increase is put on irresponsible boat owners and bathers who drift on lilos and inflatables.

An RNLI spokesman said: "Our figures are well up this year and we expect this to be our busiest

year ever. A lot of the problem is down to the stupidity of people. Most of them have no idea

and just take to the water without thinking.

"There are a lot more boats being sold every year and many are breaking down because people are not experienced on the sea. Without the lifeboat crews to pick them up, many incidents could easily lead to tragedy."

It costs £60 million a year to fund the country's RNLI lifesavers, with additional money coming from local fundraising.

The spokesman added: "Obviously we would rather not have to pay anything but it's impossible for crews to function without the money."

He said that extra impetus

would need to be put on local fundraising in the future but added there are no plans to scale down the service at Eastbourne or to cut back on crews.

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