VOLUNTEER lifeboat crews rescued just over 500 people at sea off Hampshire and the Isle of Wight last year.

Figures released by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) show volunteer crews launched 435 times and rescued 503 people.

The Calshot lifeboat launched 95 times, rescuing 97 people, while in Lymington there were 58 launches and 80 people rescued.

On the Isle of Wight, Yarmouth launched 45 times, rescuing 122 people, while at Bembridge there were 41 launches involving 67 people.

The busiest Hampshire lifeboat station was Portsmouth, with 104 launches and 80 people rescued, while Hayling Island launched 92 times and rescued 57 people.

Across the country, the Poole based charity's fleet of 330 rescued 7,507 people - an average of 21 every day - despite the wet summer.

Michael Vlasto, RNLI operations director said: "Although launches to commercial and fishing vessels remain at a steady level, the ever increasing range of coastal recreational pursuits has seen our crews respond to more and more incidents relating to people engaged in leisure pursuits.

"It's no coincidence that the areas of the coast where we are busiest are those that draw the crowds, even during 2004 - one of the wettest summers on record.

"Monitoring our activity and analysing the sorts of incidents we respond to helps us to plan the allocation of our resources to meet future needs."

He added: "As 2005 is the Year of the Volunteer, our particular thanks go to all our crews across the UK and Republic of Ireland for their continued commitment, selflessness and dedication. Our gratitude also goes to the thousands of station and fundraising volunteers."