The RNLI's volunteer crews have saved 13 lives and rescued hundreds of people over the last 12 months.

Gravesend's team launched more times than any other Kent station, while Whitstable alone saved five people's lives.

Figures released by the emergency service show the county’s rescue boats were sent out exactly 400 times in 2015, more than once every day.

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In Gravesend the team launched 83 times and rescued 39 people. They also saved the lives of three people, who without RNLI intervention would have certainly died.

Margate made the most rescues at 96 from 51 launches, but none of those people were in mortal danger.

Dover had 46 launches and managed to rescue 48 people - including three at death's door.

In Sheerness multiple people were rescued in many of their missions, with just 81 launches, but 93 people saved.

Walmer, near Deal, had the least rescues, and Dungeness the least amount of launches.

The volunteer crews are called out on a range of incidents including commercial vessels in trouble, adrift fishermen, struggling swimmers and leisure boaters in difficulty.

One notable rescue in Gravesend was back in August when the team saved a man who survived treading water for four hours in the Thames estuary.

VIDEO: RNLI rescue man from Thames estuary

Despite strong currents, being freezing cold and having digested a lot of estuary water, the man was still coherent. He was quickly taken from the water and wrapped up warm.

He had gone into the water to swim, but was carried up estuary by strong currents.

Paul Barker, RNLI community incident reduction manager in the east, 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.

“Over the past year the RNLI has also been working hard to prevent people from getting into danger, whether that is through lifejacket clinics or our Respect the Water campaign. We understand that things can go wrong from time to time, so some preventative maintenance and annual checks prior to the boating season should allow for worry free sea time.

“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.”