RNLI rescue statistics released this week reveal the charity's volunteers were in demand in 2012. As downpours brought misery across the country, people still flocked to the coast, meaning members of the RNLI's Flood Rescue Team, volunteer lifeboat crew and the charity's lifeguards were equally busy.

Despite Met Office reports that 2012 was the second wettest year for the UK since records began, the latest figures reveal that lifeboat crews across Wales spent 10,993 hours at sea in 2012.

RNLI lifeboats stretching between Flint and Penarth launched 991 times during 2012, rescuing 925 people, a very slight decrease on last year's figures. It was also a busy summer for RNLI lifeguards, who responded to 1,334 incidents and assisted 1,426 people on 32 of Wales' busiest beaches

It was an incredibly busy year for the Welsh RNLI Flood Rescue Team, who responded to three flooding incidents across Wales and assisted RNLI colleagues during flooding in Devon and Cornwall.

In west Wales, the seven RNLI lifeboat stations launched 254 times and rescued 191 people - spending 2,746 hours at sea.

Angle was the busiest all-weather RNLI lifeboat in Wales with 34 launches during 2012; the station also rescued more people than any other of the west Wales stations. It was Fishguard who spent the most hours at sea during the year with the toal being 492 hours.

Colin Williams, RNLI regional operations manager for the West, said: "Whilst it would be easy to assume the wettest year on record would mean a quieter year for the RNLI, the services of our volunteers have never been more in demand. In fact, nearly half the lifeboat stations in Wales saw an increase in launches, meaning people are still visiting the coast and are venturing into or onto the sea whatever the weather.

"RNLI volunteers on the Welsh coast have proved their commitment to the charity by spending time honing their skills to respond to the wide range of incidents they have to deal with when their pagers sound. This year's hours spent training is a testament to the dedication of the 600 volunteers in Wales, who spent 6,583 hours at sea responding to emergencies and 4,409 hours spent preparing for emergency situations."

Stuart Thompson, RNLI lifeguard manager said: "RNLI lifeguards were also kept busy throughout the summer season as the public continued to visit the country's beaches - even in bad weather.

"On any busy beach, it's easy for people to be separated or lose track of their group. When visiting the beach, remember to keep an eye on members of your party, especially children, and agree on a meeting point should anyone become separated from the group."

The charity's lifeguards are already training and preparing equipment ready for 2013 to deliver another successful safety service across the country's busiest beaches.