The island’s lifeboats launched more than 70 times last year and brought 90 people to safety.

Latest rescue figures were released by the RNLI as it announced its annual Mayday fundraising campaign.

There are five lifeboat stations in the island - at Douglas, Ramsey, Peel, Port St Mary and Port Erin.

In total crews launched 71 times in 2018 and aided or rescued 90 people.

Douglas lifeboat came to the rescue the most times, with 25 launches and 22 people brought to safety. Crews at Peel launched 15 times and rescued 24 individuals and the Ramsey boat launched 12 times and rescued 20.

Port St Mary RNLI launched 13 times in 2018 and brought 17 people to safety and the Port Erin lifeboat took to the water six times to complete the rescue of seven individuals.

For the month of May, the RNLI’s Mayday campaign is asking people to ’do their bit, to fund our kit’.

The lifesaving charity hopes to raise £700,000 to fund the crucial kit volunteer crews rely on, which includes lifejackets, helmets and the RNLI’s yellow wellies.

Speaking on the Mayday launch, Douglas RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer Mike Howland said: ’Lifeboat crews on the Isle of Man know first-hand the commitment it takes to be an on-call RNLI volunteer.

’Our crews drop everything when their pagers go off to launch the lifeboat and head out to help those in trouble.

’The lifeboat crew kit that they wear gives them the confidence to face all weathers and conditions, day or night. The right kit is vital in helping our lifeboat crews carry out what they are trained to do and bring loved ones home.’

He added: ’I hope people will answer the RNLI’s Mayday appeal and consider doing something to support the RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew.

’It doesn’t matter how big or small it is. Every piece of kit on a lifeboat crew member has been funded through the generosity of people who donated to the charity.’

People who want to get involved should visit RNLI.org/Mayday to register for a free Mayday pack. The charity is also encouraging people to show support on their social media or by donating online or buying a yellow welly pin badge.