Christmas lifeboat launches in the west division have almost quadrupled over the last 25 years, meaning Welsh RNLI volunteers are set to be busier than ever over the festive period. During the holiday period, over 500 volunteer crewmen and women across the UK are likely to be called out, away from family celebrations, to save the lives of seafarers in trouble, taking their lifeboats into cold, grey and stormy seas - often at night. Nationally RNLI lifeboat launches over the Christmas holiday period have increased by 300 per cent since 1980 - almost twice the annual average increase during that period, which has seen a 165 per cent rise. Over the last three Christmases there have been over 300 rescue calls answered by RNLI volunteers. In Wales, between 1980-1985 RNLI lifeboats were launched 14 times over the festive period, compared with 50 launches between 2000-2005. RNLI volunteers at St. Davids lifeboat station in Pembrokeshire have had their fair share of Christmas sea dramas in recent years. Only last year, seven crew members left the warmth of comfort of their beds to brave rough seas in the darkness to rescue three men stranded on board a burning trawler on December 21. Dad of two and RNLI St. Davids volunteer Robin Copley, who was recently awarded an RNLI Vellum Service Certificate for his efforts during this rescue, said: "When that call for help comes, it doesn't matter where you are, what you're doing or what time of year it is - you've just got to drop everything and go. All that matters is that someone's in trouble and they are relying on you to get out there and help them. You never think twice about going." The St. Davids crew were also joined by their Angle RNLI colleagues on Christmas Eve, 1999, when they swapped last-minute present wrapping, for a long and arduous towing operation in the middle of the night. Andrew Freemantle, chief executive of the RNLI, commented: "2005 is the RNLI's 181st year of the volunteer, and I am very proud of our lifeboat crews and shore helpers who continue to give up their time at Christmas and New Year, as they do every day of the year, to help save lives at sea. "In a year in which we have been frequently and tragically reminded of the awesome power of nature and the sea, we can be reassured that the waters around the British Isles are kept safer by highly trained, dedicated people who are happy to sacrifice time with their families and friends to help others." Since December 25, 1989, RNLI lifeboats have been called out for search and rescue on every day of the Christmas holiday period. With the number of people using the sea for pleasure rising steadily every year, our crews are having to contend with an increasingly diverse range of incidents around Britain's coastline. Peter Chennell, RNLI sea safety manager, commented: "I'm not an expert on climate change, but there does seem to have been a blurring of the seasons that appears to be leading to an increase in winter leisure activites on the shore and sea during the winter months. "Please, whatever you're doing this Christmas, don't add to the increasing rescue statistics, which indicate that New Year's Day is the busiest day of the festive period for our volunteer crews - so if you plan to go for a seaside or cliff top walk, or intend to sail, surf or swim - our best safety advice is to be properly prepared in terms of clothing and equipment and never to mix alcohol with the sea."