SOUTHEND’s lifeboats crews were among the busiest in the country, according to the latest rescue mission figures.

The crews launched 116 times last year to rescue 104 people, making it the third busiest station in the country.

It was by far the busiest of the Essex stations, accounting for almost half of the 378 of the county’s rescue missions.

Overall Essex crews rescued 408 people, five of which were likely to have died without the lifeboat crew’s help.

Gareth Morrison, RNLI lifesaving delivery manager, said: “Yet again our volunteers around the Essex coast have had a very busy 12 months.

“2014 was the warmest year on record for the UK, but conversely the winter storms of January and February brought damaging winds and inland and coastal flooding.

“The former may well have enticed more people on to our beaches and into the water, while the latter no doubt made conditions worse for anyone on or near the sea.”

Notable RNLI rescues included the Southend hovercraft rescuing two girls who were stuck on the mudflats at Leigh in September when thick fog came in.

Two months later the crew also launched to a group of four teenagers and one adult who had been cut off by the tide while conducting a baptism in the sea.

Mr Morrison added: “With our lifeboats, lifeguards and safety messaging, the RNLI provides a ring of safety from the beach right out to the open seas. However, the training and equipment needed to do this costs money, so we are hugely grateful to everyone who supports in whatever way they can.’