The Gravesend lifeboat station has been confirmed as the busiest RNLI station in 2015, saving three lives, statistics reveal.

More than 20 per cent of all Kent RNLI call outs were dealt with by Gravesend.

The Gravesend team launched 83 times, rescued 39 people and saved the lives of three people.

Of those rescues they saved a man who survived treading water for four hours in the Thames estuary between Canvey Island and Allhallows at 9.22am on Wednesday August 12.

Crews from the nine lifeboat stations across Kent launched 400 times in 2015 and rescued 399 people including swept away fishermen, struggling swimmers, panicking leisure boaters and commercial vessels in trouble.

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Gravesend RNLI the busiest station in Kent

Of those, 13 were classed as lives saved – a specific RNLI criteria where a person would have died if not for the RNLI lifeboat arriving on scene.

The RNLI Community Incident Reduction Manager in the East, Paul Barker, said: “Once again our volunteer lifeboat crews have had a busy 12 months working hard to serve their local communities.

“They willingly down tools and drop everything to respond to an emergency call for help day or night, come rain or shine.

“I would like to thank all of our volunteers for their tireless hard work and dedication throughout the past 12 months.

“Without all of our supporters, fundraisers, crews and education teams our lifesaving service would not operate.”

Have you been helped by the RNLI? Send your stories to james.parsons@london.newsquest.co.uk or tweet to @Jame5Parsons