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British coast claims more lives

LONDON, England -- More people died off the British coast last year than the previous year, a maritime agency says.

The number of deaths rose more than 20 percent, from 234 in 2000 to 284 last year.

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The deaths included drownings, cliff falls and accidents at sea, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said in a report.

The rise was attributed to an increase in the number of people using the sea and coastline for pleasure, and last summer's good weather in the UK.

Chief coastguard John Astbury told British Press Association: "It is concerning that the figures show a slight increase in the overall number of search and rescue incidents.

"However, we take comfort from the acknowledged increased use of the sea in leisure activities.

"When we consider how many people use the sea and coastline for pleasure and leisure purposes, we can understand the rise in the figures for individuals being assisted at the coast."

The coastguard dealt with slightly more incidents last year than in 2000, attending 12,514 last year compared to 12,008 in 2000. The total number of people assisted rose from 14,717 in 2000 to 16,487 last year.

The figures showed a reduction in the number of people rescued - down to 4,852 in 2001 from 5,217 the year before.

The busiest coastguard was Solent on the south coast, which dealt with 1,405 incidents, assisted 1,874 people and rescued 476 people.

The highest number of lives lost was 28 in both the Solent and Clyde areas.

Astbury said: "We will redouble our efforts in reminding people to take care when sailing or using the coastline for their activities."

He added: "Understandably there are always a number of high-profile incidents, sometimes with tragic results, which we can draw upon to remind the public of the need for safe attitude and practice when at sea or on the shoreline."