RNLI lifeguards in the South West had their busiest season in 2010 while RNLI lifeboats in the region spent almost 2,000 hours at sea.

In total, the 35 lifeboat stations launched 1,552 times, rescuing 1,559 people.

Adrian Carey, RNLI divisional inspector, said: 'It has been another busy year and I once again thank all our volunteers, including those who help launch the lifeboats and those who run our lifeboat stations behind the scenes, for their hard work.

'More than half of our lifeboat callouts continue to be to pleasure craft, which isn't surprising in a popular leisure area like the South West, but machinery failure in power and sailing boats is still the main reason why people get into trouble – and in many cases this could be avoided.'

RNLI volunteers in Looe launched the town's two lifeboats 49 times, rescuing 33 people.

Looe lifeboat operations manager David Haines said: '2010 has been our busiest year since the lifeboat station was re-established in 1992.

'Last year we saw a higher percentage of local people and boats assisted than in previous years and more searches for missing persons along the beaches and shore.

'I would like to thank the crew, shore helpers and fundraisers for the tremendous work they do and the commitment they show to the RNLI charity – and I would also like to thank the townsfolk of Looe for their support.'

RNLI lifeguards, who patrol more than 90 beaches across Cornwall, Devon and Dorset, dealt with 12,946 incidents, assisting 14,703 people on the region's beaches, making it the busiest season since the service started in 2001 and a 26 per cent increase in incidents compared to 2009.

Mr Carey said: 'On the beaches, the year-on-year increase in incidents just illustrates how essential the lifeguard service is to a region famed for its coastline.

'Alongside bodyboarding and surfing, which have always been popular, other watersports, like kayaking and kite surfing, have seen a boom over the last few years.

'Even on the wettest day, it's not unusual to see plenty of people in the water, and more than 54 per cent of the incidents the lifeguards responded to were to these activities.'

Lifeguards patrolling four beaches on the Rame Peninsula dealt with 210 incidents, going to the aid of 321 people during 2010.

This weekend many RNLI volunteers and supporters are taking part in the annual SOS fundraising events.

This weekend, the volunteer crew at Looe is taking on a 14-mile triathlon, while Saltash and Fowey under-16s will be rowing the length of the South West coastline on indoor rowing machines to raise money for the charity.

On Saturday the RNLI's divisional support base on Saltash Parkway Industrial Estate will open to the public where there will be displays and activities.