MORE than 200 people were rescued by lifeguards at 10 beach locations around Northern Ireland last year.
RNLI Lifeboats were launched a total of 269 times, bringing 279 people to safety.
In addition, the charity’s lifeguards responded to 182 incidents, helping 218 people.
The figures compare to 2014 when lifeboats were launched 261 times, rescuing 281 people, while lifeguards helped 284 people
Enniskillen RNLI had the most call outs in 2015, launching 74 times over the 12 months bringing 89 people to safety.
Bangor RNLI in Co Down was the busiest single site station launching 45 times and helping 77 people, while Portrush RNLI launched 40 times and rescued 25 people.
The figures come after it revealed that Belfast lifeboat was put out of service after being targeted by vandals.
The voluntary organisation said the theft of part of the steering system would cost hundreds of pounds to repair putting it out of action for the next two weeks.
