Journal of theRoyal National Lifeboat Institution

Volume 52 Number 516

The

LifeboatSummer 1991 Silver and Bronze medal services

Fast Afloat Boat prototypeThe Annual Meetings

Drinking TeaSaves Lives!

BOAT TEs BOAT!TEA

TEA BAGS

No, this is not a new medical discovery.

But it is true, because every time an 80-tea bag packet of Lifeboat Tea is sold,

four pence is contributed to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

And everytime a 125g packet of loose tea is sold, two pence is donated.

As for the life-reviving effects of Lifeboat Tea on the drinker,

that fact was never in question.

W a r n f o r d TeaUnit Bl, Townsend Estate,

7 Portland Close, Houghton Regis, Beds.

Tel: 0582 664440 Fax: 0582 664405

Available in larger Sainsbury's and RNLI shops, please telephone for direct delivery from our factory.

The Summer 1991

LifeboatRoyal National

LifeboatInstitution

ContentsVolume 52Number 516Chairman:MICHAEL VERNON

Director and Secretary:LT CDR BRIAN MILES RD FNI RNR

Editor:MIKE FLOYD

Headquarters:Royal National Lifeboat Institution, WestQuay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ.Telephone Poole (0202) 671133Telex 41328.London Offices:Royal National Lifeboat Institution, 202Lambeth Road, London SE1 7JW.Telephone071-928 5742 (Enquiries and Fundraising)071-928 4236 (Public Relations)071-928 5743 (Central London

Committee)Advertisement Manager:PETER HOLNESSRoyal National Lifeboat Institution, WestQuay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ.Telephone Poole (0202) 671133Telex 41328

RNLI News 74What's happening in and around the Institution

Lifeboat ServicesNotable launches around the coast

The Annual MeetingsA report of the 1991 AGM and Presentation of Awards for 1990

BookshelfSome recent publications reviewed

Fast Afloat Boat 3The new prototype lifeboat through the eyes of her builders

Lifeboat ServicesList of services for November and December 1990 and January

and February 1991

Membership NewsNews for Shoreline and Storm Force members

Governors and Life Governors

The Fundraisers

77

83

88

90

93

96

How some of the RNLI's income is raised

Your LettersOn all aspects of lifeboats and related subjects

People and Places

98

102

104Around and about the RNLI

Due to lack of space in this issue several naming and dedication ceremonies have beenheld over to the Autumn issue of The Lifeboat

COVER PICTUREby

Maggie Murray/Format

The five medallists arrive for aphotocall at Tower Pier, on theThames, before the Presentation ofAwards at the Royal Festival Hallon 14 May 1991.

Next Issue: The Autumn issue of THELIFEBOAT will appear in October 1991, andnews items should be received by Friday, 23August 1991.

All material submitted for considerationwith a view to publication should be ad-dressed to The Editor, THE LIFEBOAT, RoyalNational Lifeboat Institution, West QuayRoad, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ.

Photographs intended forreturn should beaccompanied by a stamped, addressed enve-lope.

Subscription: Ayear'ssubscriptionforfourissues costs £5.00, including postage, butthose who are entitled to receive THE LIFE-BOAT free of charge will continue to do so.

Overseas subscriptions depend on the costof postage to the country concerned. Write tothe RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, DorsetBH15 1HZ.

Printed by the Friary Press. Bridport Road.Dorchester. Dorset

73

NEWS NEWSBlowing up a StormThe RNLI's Storm Force junior club will beknown to a much wider audience now,following the naming of an InterCity 125locomotive 'Storm Force' on Saturday 27April.

The ceremony was held at Poole stationjust before 0900, in time tor the train to makea special trip to the National ExhibitionCentre at Birmingham fora commemorativeStorm Force rally.

The honour of naming the train fell toseven-year-old Laura Scaife from Barnsleywho won a competition in Storm Force News,the regular newspaper for members of theclub, and guests at the ceremony includedthe mayor of Poole Councillor Mrs AnneStribley, the deputy director of the RNLIRay Kipling and InterCity Manager CrossCountry Brian Johnson.

Ray Kipl ing voiced the Institution'sappreciation of the train's name, saying: 'TheRNLI is delighted that an InterCity 125 is tobe named Storm Force after its junior club.There are already over 15,000 members andwe hope the train wil l encourage lots more tojoin. We think it important that as manyyoungsters as possible should be aware ofthe lifeboat service.'

On arrival at Birmingham the Storm Forcemembers were treated to a ful l day'sprogramme of displays, competitions anddemonstrations - with an Inshore lifeboatcarrying out 'rescues' on the lake at theExhibition Centre.

Open all hours

The new extension to the RNLI headquartersin Poole was officially opened and dedicatedat 1130 on Monday 29 April 1991 inconditions often described as' typical lifeboatweather'.

The building was provided from the bequestof Mr Kenneth Thelwall (whose bequest hasalready funded two lifeboats) and MrChristopher Hobson, executor of the estate,handed over the building to the Institutionfollowing an address by the Mayor of Poole

74

Seven-year-old Laura Scaife receives her commemorativeStorm Force nameplate from Brian Johnson of InterCityafter naming the InterCity 125 train after the RNLI's juniorclub. The Institution was also presented with a mountednameplate.

President visits Jersey crewsHRH The Duke of Kent, President of theInstitution, met the crew and families of thetwo RNLI stations in Jersey (St Helier and StCatherine) during a visit to the island on 16May.

During the visit the Duke signed the lifeboatbook of honour and attended a reception atwhich he met RNLI, Jersey branch and ladies'lifeboat guild officials. Before going on tof u l f i l l other commitments His RoyalHighness also presented a certificate ofservice to Michael Berry, recently retiredcoxswain of St Helier lifeboat for 20 years.

Mrs Lucia Hobson unveilsthe plaque tocommemorate the officialopening of the RNLI'sheadquarters extension.Pictured (from left to right)are the Sheriff of PooleCouncillor Mrs DoreenBugo, the Mayor of Pooleand Admiral of the PortCouncillor Mrs AnneStribley, Mrs LuciaHobson, Mr ChristopherHobson, the Chairman ofthe RNLI Mr MichaelVernon and the Director LtCdr Brian Miles.

and Admiral of the Port, Councillor MrsAnne Stribley.

The bui lding was accepted on theInstitution's behalf by its Chairman, MrMichael Vernon, following which the Rectorof Poole, The Reverend Stanley Holbrooke-Jones performed the service of dedication.

Mrs Lucia Hobson, the wife of MrThelwall's executor, was then invited tounveil a special commemorative plaqueinside the building.

- NEWSPOINT—As this issue of The Lifeboat goes topress the 16th International LifeboatConference has just come to an endin Oslo. Once again the conferencehas brought home the value ofsharing knowledge between thelifeboat services around the world.

Not only does it avoid the need foreach service to 're-invent the wheel'by working in isolation, it also forgescloser links - invaluable at a timewhen the world is becoming smallerand 'international standards' loom.

There is no suggestion at presentthat any such standards should applyto the lifeboat services of the world,and it would be a virtually impossibletask given the widely differingoperating conditions, constitutionsand tasks of the constituentmembers. Lifeboat organisationsrange from the fully government-funded to the fully voluntary, andoperate anything from hundreds ofsophisticated lifeboats to a handfulof vessels.

However each can learn somethingfrom the others, and it is thanks toInternational co-operation on thislevel that the RNLI began to operatethe Waveney (originally an AmericanCoastguard design), and that theCanadians now build and operatethe Arun class.

One gratifying feeling brought backby the Institution's delegates was thehigh regard in which the RNLI is held.Its experience and its entireorganisation and operation arefrequently held up as an example tothe rest of the world. We cannot becomplacent, for progress marcheson and inflation eats at our financing,but we can be proud of the Institution- and extend again our heartfeltthanks to the voluntary fund raisersand crews without whom it could notexist in any form.

NEWS NEWSOff on passage - to Oslo!

The International Lifeboat Federation's 16thconference, held every four years in a dif-ferent member country, was held in Osloduring the week commencing 3 June 1991,hosted by the Norwegian lifeboat service.

The RNLI was very active at the confer-ence, presenting several papers including atechnical review of the new Fast Afloatlifeboats now under development.

Lifeboats from several European lifeboatservices assembled at Oslo for inspection bythe delegates, including two from the RNLI.

The Arun class Duke of Alho/l and theMersey Marine Engineer left Poole in lateMay for the passage to Oslo via Newhaven,Dover, Breskens, Ijmuiden, Lauwersoog,Cuxhaven, Copenhagen and Skagen. Thenumber of calls being determined by theneed to refuel. They were joined by othernation's lifeboats during the passage - oneBelgian, one German, one Danish, two Dutch

and two US Coast Guard vessels.The crew of the Arun and Mersey class

lifeboats are pictured ready to leave PooleQuay on 23 May 1991 and being seen off bythe director, Brian Miles (centre) flanked bythe two coxswains, Staff Coxswain MikeHouchen (right) and divisional inspector LesVipond (left).

The crew for the trip was drawn from theInstitution's full-time coast staff and volun-teers from lifeboat stations around the coast:Second Coxswain Ian Jones from Llandudno.Coxswain Neill Gudgeon from Lochinver,Mechanic Andrew Putt from Ilfracombe,Coxswain Graham Walker from Wells,Coxswain/Mechanic Hewitt Clark fromLerwick and Coxswain Graham McConnellfrom Donaghadee.

We plan to have a full report of the con-ference in the Autumn 1991 issue of TheLifeboat.

'Help' for childrenA new RNLI film, specifically aimed atprimary school age children, is now avail-able. Called simply 'Help!' it was made byAnthony Honto i r and sponsored byBarclaycard.

The film examines four separate incidentsin which The Mumbles Tyne class lifeboatand Porthcawl'sD class are called into action.

'Help!' is available as a 35mm film or onVHS-format video from the RNLI's filmdistributor's Viscom at Park Hall TradingEstate, Dulwich, London SE21 8EL.

Although hire of the f i lm or video is freethe Institution has to meet Viscom's fee forcarriage, handling and maintenance. A do-nation would therefore be much appreciated- £12 would cover the RNLI's costs.

Stamp of approvalA series of new Isle of Man stamps featuringlifeboats was launched with a splash in Feb-ruary when the Douglas lifeboat Sir WilliamHil/arv was launched into the harbour withthe Lieutenant Governor of the island. SirLaurence Jones, aboard.

Later the chairman of the Isle of Man PostOffice Authority presented Lewin Cain,chairman of Douglas branch, with a framedsheet of stamps - the first off the press - anda donation of £100 for the branch funds.

The five stamps show the island's fivelifeboats in their ports at Douglas, Ramsey,Peel, Port Erin and Port St Mary.

Due to pressure on space in this issue of TheLifeboat reports of several naming and dedica-tion ceremonies have been held over to theAutumn issue

Lifeboat ups and downs...The RNLI's new dock and boat hoistcame into use at the Poole depot in earlyJune, enabling lifeboats to be lifted fromthe water and positioned anywhere in theyard for storage or inspection and workon underwater areas.

Before the dredged dock and dieselhydraulic l if t was installed a crane had tobe hired for each lift out of, and each liftback into, the water, at considerable ex-pense.

The cranes were unable to move aroundthe yard with the lifeboats, so only a smallpart of the depot area could be used forthis work. Cranes of the size required tohandle the new prototype Fast AfloatBoat were few and far between - andeven more expensive to hire.

The hoist has a capacity of 50 tons for

boats of FAB 3's dimensions and both it andthe dock are designed to accommodate thelargest lifeboats at present envisaged. Thephotograph shows the first lifeboat boat to be

lifted in the new hoist, the Watson classJoseph Soar (Civil Service No. 34), as partof the proving trials by the contractors.Laings.

75

NEWS NEWSYet another record for lifeboat launches in 1990

Lifeboat launches, lives saved and people landed1981 to 1990

The steady increase in the number of lifeboat launchescontinued during 1990, standing at a new record of 4,935when the figures were reported to the Annual Meetings inmid-May. The graphs on this page illustrate the trends andthe type of casualty and are taken from the Institution's1990 Annual Report which was issued at the Meetings.

Readers will note a small discrepancy between the totalgiven in the graph and the latest figure, a result of someservices for 1990 being notified to headquarters after thepreparation of the Annual Report.

There was a small increase in the percentage of launchesto pleasure craft, from 54% in 1989 to 56% in 1990, and72% of the lives saved by the Institution's lifeboats duringthe year fell into this category. The total number of launchesto pleasure craft was 2,715 according to the latest figures.

There was an 8% increase in launches to merchantvessels and tankers, with more than half being at night and21 % in winds over Force 7. A third of services were to takeoff sick crewmen.

There was also a very small increase in the number oflaunches to fishing vessels, up just 2 from 810 in 1989 to812 in 1990, with some 247 fishermen saved during theyear (down 12% from 276 to 247).

Lifeboats were called out 555 times to people who werein distress but not aboard any craft or vessel, and 185 liveswere saved on these calls. This figure includes skin divers, bathers andwaterskiers, people and vehicles cut off by the tide and casualties who hadfallen from cliffs or man-made structures.

Lifeboat assistance was requested on 45 occasions for aircraft orhelicopters, more than half following crashes.

Of 221 launches in answer to unidentified distress signals 216 turnedout to be false alarms or hoax calls.

Lifeboat launches by month 1990

5000

4000

3000

2000

1000

4903

1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990

Lifeboat launches 1990

1900 2000

Lives saved by lifeboats 1990

200 «0 600 800 1000 000 BOO

Looking at Lifeboats - The ArunG.L. Watson and Company were com-missioned by the Institution to preparethe design of the Arun class lifeboat andthe lines were the work of Mr J. AllenMcLachlan of that firm. The tank tests ofthe model produced from these linesindicated that the boat would have ex-cellent sea-keeping characteristics.

The modifications to the originaldrawing referred to in the article weremainly concerned with an increase in thesize of the tunnels to incorporate larger

Class, Winter 1990/91propellers, the de- :sign of which hadnot been the directresponsibility ofG. L. Watson andCompany. Thebeam was notincreased.

Mr McLachlan's lines incorporated aseries of 'ragged chines' (referred to as'multiple spray rails' in the article) forthe purpose of reducing pounding. The

Institution elected not to include thisfeature in the class. The RNLI is pleasedto acknowledge that in all material re-spects the hull form of all boats of theArun class have been built to the linesdrawn by Mr McLachlan.

The Institution regrets any misunder-standing which may have arisen fromthe article and apologises for any of-fence or inconvenience caused to G. L.Watson and Company and Mr J. AllenMcLachlan.

76

ifeboatServices

T S E R V I C E S

Hurricane-force winds astwo lifeboats search formissing diversThe rescue of two skin divers in appalling weather conditions has won ActingCoxswain James Dougal a Silver Medal for Gallantry. Weather and seaconditions during the service were extremely hazardous, demanding absoluteconcentration to maintain control of the lifeboat.The divisional inspector of lifeboats forScotland South, Tony Course, said: 'Thecourage displayed in his willingness to un-dertake the dangerous passage is exemplary,and the skill and determination of all crewmembers during this arduous service in alifeboat with a partially exposed wheelhouseare worthy of the highest praise.'

Soon after 1600 on Sunday 6 October1990 a dramatic change in weather condi-tions led to hurricane-force northerly windsalong the east coast of Scotland, and it soonbecame clear to Coastguards that a numberof divers had been caught at sea. Threelifeboats were alerted, Dunbar, St Abbs andEyemouth. The winds were far in excess ofthe launching limitations for St Abbs' rigidinflatable, but the 48ft 6in Solent class life-boat Hugh William Viscount Cough atDunbar was launched at 1644 and Eyemouthat 1649.

FailureA telephone failure at Eyemouth as a

result of the severe conditions meant thatneither the coxswain nor second coxswaincould be alerted, so the un-named 44ftWaveney class lifeboat 44-001 on relief dutyat the station set out with the assistant me-chanic, James Dougal, at the helm.

Taking the lifeboat out of the narrowharbour entrance into the face of 100-knotwinds was only the first hazard. It wasshortly after high water, spring tides and theRiver Eye was in spate. 20ft seas were run-ning into the entrance and crashing over thesea walls and visibility was virtually non-existent in the rain, spume and spray.

The lifeboat was scarcely controllable asshe took heavy head seas overall but onceclear of the dangerous rocks James Dougalheaded for St Abbs where one group ofdivers had been caught in the storm. Thelifeboat met seas of 35ft head-on, the acting

SilverMedal

coxswain reducingpower each time ashe negotiated them.The 44ft boat rolledviolently as shedrove on, her sidedecks awash.

By 1715 thelifeboat was off StAbbs Harbour.Visibility was about

50 yards, wind 90 knots and 35ft seas werebreaking over the rocky outcrops. An Aux-iliary Coastguard at St Abbs had spotted twoof the divers from the harbour wall, but lostsight of them in the spray. All he could see ofthe lifeboat was her searchlight beam, andwith that as his only reference he guided herto the scene. Less than 200ft from the life-boat ' s starboard side lay the Cathedral Rock,the same distance to port jutted the Ebb CarrRocks. Neither were visible and the heavyspray made them undetectable by radar. Theacting coxswain persevered, his crew, life-lines secured, out on deck scouring the seafor the divers until they spotted them, closeto a creel buoy.

Heaving lineOn the third attempt James Dougal

brought the lifeboat close enough for a heav-ing line to be thrown to the divers. Theywere hauled alongside and manoeuvred oneat a time to a position where they could behauled aboard, encumbered by their divingequipment.

The part played by Dunbarlifeboat in this serviceis recounted on the

following page

EyemouthScotland South Division

While the survivors were treated for shockand hypothermia the acting coxswain usedall his skill to keep the lifeboat in positionand to minimise the violent motion causedby the sea conditions.

Two divers were still missing south of StAbbs, and the lifeboat began a search forthem. However, there was concern for thetwo survivors aboard aboard the lifeboat,who were severely seasick, and an attemptwas made to land them at St Abbs. This hadto be abandoned as conditions at the harbourentrance were too dangerous for the lifeboatto enter. The Waveney continued her searchuntil 1900, when an attempt was made towinch the two survivors into a helicopter,but this too had to be abandoned because ofthe extreme conditions.

SuspendedThe search was suspended by the coast-

guard at 1945 and the lifeboat headed southfor Eyemouth. On reaching the entrance itwas obvious that there was no safe way intothe harbour so the coxswain was forced tocontinue along the coast to Burnmouth.Although the entrance was less dangerousthere was an additional hazard - a power cuthad extinguished the leading lights neededto enter - but car headlights were used toguide the lifeboat in to land the survivors.

Fifteen minutes later Dunbar's 48ft 6inSolent class lifeboat followed the Eyemouthlifeboat into Burnmouth Harbour. She hadbeen out for three hours in the same seas,searching the rocky coastline off St AbbsHead. The two remaining divers were washedsafely ashore north of Eyemouth.

The Thanks of the Institution on Vellumhas been awarded to the other members ofthe Eyemouth lifeboat crew: Acting Me-chanic John Buchan, Acting Assistant Me-chanic David Collins and Crew MembersGeorge Walker, Joseph Walker, RobertWalker and Alistair Crombie. The coxswainof the Dunbar, lifeboat Robert Wight, wasalso awarded The Thanks of the Institutionon Vellum.

77

F E B 0 A T S E R V I C E S . L I F E B O A T S E R V I C E S

Fishing vessel skipperrescues stranded manin severe conditionsThe rescue of a fellow fisherman stranded on an island in Storm Force windsearned Scalloway fisherman George Williamson an RNLI Bronze medal forGallantry. The three members of the crew of his fishing boat-James Christie,Theodore Fullerton and John Ward - received framed letters of thanks fromthe Institution's Chairman.

At about 2115 on Monday 8 October1990 George Williamson received a tel-ephone call from James Christie of Burrareporting a radio message that a lobster creelboat had been wrecked on Burwick Holm,two miles north west of Scalloway. Herengine had failed and skipper Ralph Pottingerwas stranded on the island.

Although Aith lifeboat had been launchedit would take her some time to reach theisland, so Mr Williamson spoke by radio tofour fishing vessels at the scene. They wereunable to approach because of their draughtand the weather, but with the rising tide andbad conditions it was possible that thestranded man might not survive until thelifeboat arrived.

BronzeMedal

G e o r g eWilliamson andthree other men didnot hesitate tolaunch to the aid ofRalph Pottinger,even though thecoastguard had ad-vised them not toattempt a rescue,

and they cast off from Scalloway Harbour at2138, aboard Challenge, a steel-built 36ftsalmon work boat. Challenge was towingConquest, a 21 ft, aluminium open boat withan outboard engine.

Challenge headed north towards thefishing vessels off Burwick Holm, which

Scalloway

ScallowayScotland North Division

were illuminating the island with theirsearchlights, in heavy and near-continuousrain squalls and only one-mile visibility.The wind was SW, Storm Force 10, andwhipping the surface of the sea into drivenspray.

Having established by radio that the sur-vivor was on a knoll at the north end ofBurwick Holm George Williamson headedto the east of the island to approach from themore sheltered leeward side.

Islands to the SSW were breaking up theswell, but the wind was funnelling betweenthem to create a very steep and confused sea.

Search for missing diversThe 48ft 6in Solent class lifeboat Hugh William Viscount Gough was launchedfrom Dunbar in the same search for the missing divers as the Eyemouthlifeboat on 6 October 1990 (see previous page), and the efforts of herCoxswain during the service won him the Thanks of the Institution inscribedon Vellum.A framed letter of thanks signed by the

Chairman has been awarded to the othermembers of the iifeboat crew: Second Cox-swain Orlando Sammels, Acting MechanicAngus Wight, Crew Members JohnFairgrieve, James Huntly, ChristopherRenton and Robert Davies.

The coastguard first informed the stationof the situation at 1644, and the lifeboatlaunched at 1705 into hurricane-force north-erly winds gusting to more than 100 knotswith a very heavy sea breaking on-shore.

In his report on the service the divisionalinspector for Scotland South, Tony Course,observed: 'the crews' response was in thehighest tradition of the lifeboat service. Allknew that they would have to pass throughwhat has been described as a maelstrom, andthat they would have to rely on the seaman-ship of their coxswain to reach the relativesafety of open water: there would be no

Thankson

Vellum

second chance inconditions whichwere described asthe worst in livingmemory.'

The lifeboat wasstruck by a large seaas she was leaving

the harbour and Coxswain Wight had diffi-culty in manoeuvring clear of the narrowchannel, before pausing to take stock of theconditions at sea and pressing on to clear off-lying rocks.

Coxswain Wight had to head offshore fornearly three miles in a north-easterly direc-tion before he could turn the lifeboat down-weather to the south-east on a course for StAbbs head.

She arrived off the head at around 1905and was asked by the coastguard to searchthe area off Coldingham Bay, in a southerly

DunbarScotlandSouthDivision

direction. Although the wind had moderatedslightly and backed gradually to the NNW avery heavy sea remained in the moderategale and visibility was still reduced in theovercast conditions with rain squalls.

The Solent searched for nearly 45 minutesuntil at 1945 the coastguard decided that itwas too dangerous to continue searchingclose inshore in the dark and very bad con-ditions and suspended the search .

The lifeboat was faced with the same con-ditions as the Eyemouth lifeboat, and thesame difficulties in finding a safe haven. Sheeventually followed the Waveney intoBurnmouth at 2005, the crew returning toDunbar after hearing the the missing diverswere now all safe.

Hugh William Viscount Gough was not ableto return to her station until the followingday, being on station and ready for serviceagain by 1930.

78

O A T S E R V I C E S L I F E B O A T S E R V I C E S . . . L I F

The wind was now gusting to Force 1 landvisibility still poor.

Challenge worked her way through anarea strewn with salmon cages and creelsand with some difficulty found her waythrough into the lee of the island, which wasnow illuminated by a coastguard auxiliary'ssearchlight.

Conquest was almost half full of waterafter the passage, but she was bailed out andmotored carefully towards the NE comer ofthe island where the bow was run on to theshingle at the water's edge. Ralph Pottingerboarded her and she was brought clear andreturned safely to Challenge. The trip washazardous, as bilge-water created a stabilityproblem and the Coastguard searchlight wasnow a hindrance as it lit up the flying spray.

It was now about 2157, and although ithad taken just three minutes to useConquestfor the rescue, the transfer to the small boatand handling her while picking up the sur-vivor had required seamanship of a highorder.

With Conquest secured astern Challengeretraced her steps between the creels andsalmon cages, where it was particularly roughin the confused sea and wind-driven spray.Progress was slow into the wind and sea andsome heavy spray and seas were shippedbefore shelter was reached and more speedcould be made.

The survivor was landed at 2220 andfound to be suffering only from mild expo-sure. Aith lifeboat had been making verygood progress towards the scene, in extremelybad weather conditions, but was recalled onhearing that the survivor had been rescued.

Two lifeboats called toblazing ammunition ship

Eastbourne and Shoreham lifeboats werelaunched on 24 February 1991 when fireswept through the 400-ton motor vesselBreydon Merchant some 12 miles SW ofNewhaven.

The vessel was on passage from Essexto Northern Ireland carrying 120 tons ofammunition for the Army there when firebroke out in the accommodation andspread quickly to the engine room. A six-mile exclusion zone was ordered aroundthe ship while a tug towed the casualtyfurther offshore.

The Eastbourne lifeboat Duke at Kent beaches readyfor recovery after her service to the blazingammunition ship Breydon Merchant on 24 February.

(Photo Paul Russell)

Eastbourne lifeboat had just been re-covered after an exercise when the crewheard the ship's initial Mayday on theirradio and were able to identify the vesselby radar and pass on her position to DoverCoastguard.

The lifeboats were recalled after thecrew of Breydon Merchant had beenwinched to safety by two helicopters fromMansion and Lee-on-SoIent.

Tyne and helicopter worktogether to rescue four inheavy swell and galeThe skill and determination of Second Coxswain/Mechanic John O'Donnell,of Arranmore's Tyne class lifeboat William Luckin , during a difficult eight-hour service in winds of up to Force 9 has been recognised in a framed letterof Thanks from the Chairman of the Institution.

ArranmoreIrelandDivision

Arranmore

It was at 2345 on Thursday 8 March 1990that Shannon MRCC notified the stationhonorary secretary of Arranmore lifeboatstation that a local fishing vessel, the 65ftLocative, was in difficulties - drifting withno power and uncertain of her position.

An S AR helicopter of the Army Air Corpsand an RAF Nimrod began a search, and at0015 on Friday 9 March William Luckinslipped hermooring with Second Coxswain/Mechanic John O'Donnell in command.

The wind was NW, gale Force 8 gusting to

9, the seas were more than 6ft high and aswell of some 9ft was running.

The position of the casualty was still uncer-tain, but she had reported that she was some-where to the west of Burtonport so the life-boat set course to the NW at full speed,adjusting as necessary for the large swell,and calling the casualty on the VHP radio.

There was no reply to her calls so thelifeboat continued to search out to the west ofthe area. However, nearly two hours into thesearch the Nimrod reported some falteringcommunication with the casualty and as aresult of a rough VHF/DF bearing the searchwas concentrated to the SW of Arranmore,in the vicinity of Rathlin Island.

William Lukin set course to the south,arriving in the search area at 0330 to find thatthe Nimrod had successfully located thecasualty and that the Army Air Corps heli-copter was attempting to winch the survivorsoff. S

D

At the casualty the wind was still Force 8 to f9 with a rough sea now running at more than &9ft and with a large swell estimated at more |than 30ft. The casualty was lying beam-on to &

79

I F E B 0 A T S E R V I C E S . L I F E B O A T S E R V I C E S .

PORTRUSH Y BOAT AND RED BAY C CLASS CREW IN FLOOD EMERGENCY

Lifeboatmen save peopleand livestock fromflooded townsIn the early hours of 18 October 1990 the towns of Ballycastle and nearbyCushendall in Co. Antrim were badly flooded, and Red Bay lifeboat stationand two of the Crew Members at nearby Portrush have received framed lettersof thanks from the RNLI's Chairman as a result of their actions in helping torescue and evacuate people in the town.

At about 0500 on 18 October 1990Ballycastle was under severe threat fromrising flood water and Fire Brigade Head-quarters asked for help in evacuating peoplestranded in the area. Portrush lifeboat, theArun class Richard Evans (Civil Service No.39), was launched at 0535 and the Coast-guard advised that the station's Y boat wouldbe required on arrival at the scene.

Coxswain Robert McMullan took the life-boat to Ballycastle and on the way it becameclear, via the Coastguard, that a large numberof people had been stranded as the RiverTow burst its banks.

FloodingMeanwhile it had become apparent that

similar flooding had occurred at Cushendallwhere the Red Bay inshore lifeboat is sta-tioned and all the crew assembled at thelifeboat station. They decided not to use theirC class inshore lifeboat due to its weight and

Portrush

- Red Bay

Portrush andRed BayIreland Division

Tyne and helicopter work togetherS, the swell, and dead in the water with no0

»• engine power, so the helicopter's attempt to; lift the survivors had so far been unsuccess-1 ful. At about 0335, with the helicopter flood-\ lighting the area, the lifeboat made an ap-| proach to the port side of the casualty. The[ manoeuvre was attempted five or six times3 but was not successful because of the violent

motion of the casualty in the heavy swell.At about 0345 it was decided to try to

position Locative in a better position forhelicopter winching by towing her into thewind. Second Coxswain O'Donnell ma-noeuvred the lifeboat up to the port bow ofthe casualty and a heaving line and then thetow were passed.

With the tow secure, doubled to form abridle from the lifeboat's stern, the bow ofthe casualty was brought slowly up into thewind and held there to provide the relativewind needed for the helicopter to lift thecrew off.

Almost immediately the helicopter starteda transfer from the trawler's deck, but afterthe first man had been winched aboard theconnecting line to the helicopter parted, fol-lowed by the lifeboat's port tow line.

Second Coxswain O'Donnell had to re-duce engine power to avoid the second towline parting, and with the engines at slowspeed the bow of the casualty fell off thewind another 20° and she began rollingheavily again.

Undaunted the helicoptercrew managed torecover the remaining survivors in very dif-ficult conditions, and with all four survivorsaboard the helicopter the remaining tow linewas cut and the lifeboat set off to the northeast to return to her station. Despite theconditions the long passage was uneventfuland William Lukin was refuelled and de-clared ready for service again by 0800.

Locative came ashore later, and broke upon the South Donegal coast.

the difficulty of manoeuvring and lifting herover obstacles in the flood water, so two 16ftopen boats were obtained from Red BayBoats. The lifeboat crew split into two groups,teamed with crews from the Fire Brigade andbegan systematically searching the floodedarea of Cushendall, checking every propertyand car. In most places the water was waistdeep, but in some areas along the riversidethe floods reached 10ft.

At 0630 one of the boats went about a mileup river to a family which was cut off andtrapped inside a bungalow with floodwaterrunning fast 4ft deep through their kitchen.The family was taken out through a windowand carried to high ground and safety.Meanwhile the main search party was still atCushendall, searching each house andproperty.

StrandedAt Ballycastle the Portrush lifeboat had

arrived in the bay at 0700, and the Y boatlaunched with Crew Members TrevorMcMullen and Trevor Creelman aboard. Shecame ashore near Ballycastle Quay and wasasked to help people stranded in the centralpart of the town, approximately a mile inland.The Y boat and crew members were taken bylorry to the area.

Crewmen McMullen and Creelman ma-noeuvred the boat from house to house invarying depths of water, up to 8ft in places,with underwater obstructions making thegoing difficult. The boat's engine could notbe used and she had to be paddled, sculled,pushed and pulled through the floods. In twohours they ferried 22 people to high groundand to safety, and at 0900 they were releasedto return to the Portrush lifeboat which wasstill lying in Ballycastle Bay.

FloodwaterThe Red Bay crew were still in action at

Cushendall. At 1030 two crew and one of the16ft boats were despatched by road to assista farmer near Glangariff some four milesaway. The boat was launched into the flood-water to lift livestock (mainly sheep) tosafety. Then, at 1045, three crew memberswith a small inflatable were again sent byroad to help in the flood relief work atBallycastle, where the flood waters had stillnot receded and the situation was still criti-cal. They helped to bring six more people tosafety in the town of Ballycastle.

Cushendall police requested further as-sistance in the Glengariff area at 1345 wheremore livestock had become cut off by theflood waters. Five lifeboat crew were des-patched to the scene with one of the 16ftboats and 14 sheep were brought to safety.

By 1600 the flood waters had recededsufficiently to declare the emergency over,and all inhabitants of the Cushendall areawere accounted for.

80

O A T S E R V I C E S . L I F E B O A T S E R V I C E S . L I

TYNE AND CREW MEMBERS HELP REFLOAT STRICKEN VESSEL

Nine seamen rescued from coasterstranded on sandbank in heavy swellA service by Cramer's Tyne class lifeboat Ruby and Arthur Reed II on 21November 1990 has been recognised in a letter of thanks to the crew from theChairman of the Institution. During the service, which lasted for almost sevenhours, the lifeboat took nine people off a stranded coaster, helped refloat herand put out a fire in a chip pan in the vessel's galley!

First news of the casualty came at 1700 onWednesday 21 November 1990 when GreatYarmouth Coastguard informed Cromer thatthe 1,300-ton Stavroula, was aground on theMid Haisbro Sand but in no danger. It washoped to refloat her on the next high water at2120 and the Greek master had requestedlifeboat assistance.

At 1807 Ruby and Arthur Reed I I launchedfrom the slipway to stand by the vessel andproceeded on service with Coxswain RichardDavies in command.

The coxswain set course at full speed to theMid Haisbro buoy 13 miles distant, but at1830 the casualty was heard calling theCoastguard. The crew now wanted to aban-don ship, and a few minutes later red flareswere seen dead ahead. The casualty could beseen aground on the Mid Haisbro Sand,lifting slightly in the moderate swell. Thewind had increased to ENE Force 4 to 5 witha moderate sea, but there was a heavy swellof some 15ft running from the north east.There were still two hours to go before highwater springs on the sand bank.

SwellAt 1910 the coxswain approached the

casualty on her port side working the helmand engines continually in the heavy swelland asked the casualty's crew to take thelifeboat's lines lines forward and aft. How-ever, as soon as the crew saw the lifeboatthey hurried along the deck with their suit-cases and immediately scrambled over theside onto the lifeboat!

With no-one left to take the lines SecondCoxswain William Davies and assistant me-chanic John Jonas went aboard and securedthe lifeboat, but before the stern line could beattached the heavy swell rolled the lifeboat'sstarboard quarter against the vessel's sidebending the quarter rails.

With the nine survivors on board the life-boat moved off into deeper water and the twomen checked the vessel. Assistant mechanicJonas found a chip pan on fire in the galleyand put it out - this could have causedserious problems for the salvage attempt bya tug on the way from Lowestoft. Thecasualty was not found to be taking in water,but the rudder was jammed to starboard

'as soon as the crew sawthe lifeboat they hurried

along the deck withtheir suitcases and

immediately scrambledover the rails on to

the lifeboat'

At 1920 two helicopters arrived and themaster and engineer were returned to thevessel at 1927 ready to refloat her, and thetwo crewmen stayed on board to assist.

The survivors were then transferred to oneof the helicopters at 2015 and both then left.

Before the tug arrived the lifeboat attemptedto refloat the casualty by using a bow lineand turning her to starboard, using her ownengine and the jammed rudder. However,the line parted when the vessel groundedagain.

The casualty was now heading south west,and the swell had built up to some 20ft. Itbegan to run over the main deck and the crewhurried aft to shelter in the accommodation.

The lifeboat was still standing by, and alarge swell came around the casualty's sternand rolled her heavily to starboard. Tengallons of water entered the engine roomthrough an air intake, but both engines con-

Cromer

CromerEast Division

tinued to run normally. The lifeboat then layoff waiting for the tug.

At 2200 the casualty refloated herself un-der her own power, but as the rudder wasjammed the lifeboat came in again to securea towline from the casualty's bow to keep heroff the sand.

TowThe swell was so heavy that the fishing

vessel accompanying the tug to run lineswould not come in close, so the towline waspassed directly to the tug from the lifeboat.However, the connection was lost at the tugend, so the lifeboat moved away to allow thetug right up to the casualty's bow where thelifeboat crew secured the tow wire, afterSecond Coxswain Davies had started thedonkey engine in the fo'c'sle.

Finally at 0015 the casualty was safelyunder tow to Lowestoft with the master andengineer aboard and the lifeboat was able toretrieve her hard-working crew and return tostation.

The lifeboat was rehoused at 0145 and wasrefuelled and ready for service at 0215.

Cramer's Tyne class lifeboat Ruby and Arthur Reed II at the top of her slipway ready for launching.

81

E B 0 A T S E R V I C E S . L I F E B O A T S E R V I C E S .

TYNE WITH CASUALTY IN TOW CALLS OUT ARUN TO RESCUE YACHT

Arun saves yacht and skipper afterlong tow in severe weatherThe RNLI's chief of operations has written to thank the crews of both theFalmouth and Lizard lifeboats following a service involving both lifeboats on16 February 1991.

Falmouth's Arun class Elizabeth Ann waslaunched at 2140 at the request of the cox-swain of The Lizard's Tyne class DavidRobinson, which already hadL'Espoir, a40ftconverted fishing boat, in tow and whichwas also standing by the yacht Innocence. Theyacht was unable to make any headway fivemiles south west of Black Head and theCoastguard reported the weather conditionsin the area as poor, with strong winds and arough sea.

DriftingAfter nearly an hour and a half at sea in

gale force winds Falmouth lifeboat, underthe command of Second Coxswain AlanBarnes, came up on the yacht, a 40ft steelketch, which was drifting two and a halfmiles south west of The Lizard Light.

Because of the difference in height be-tween the Arun and the casualty, and theprevailing weather conditions, SecondCoxswain Barnes decided that it would notbe possible to go alongside without causing

Falmouthand The LizardSouth West Division

damage. The sole occupant of Innocencewas asked to receive a tow and agreed - theonly time the skipper of the yacht answeredhis radio.

The lifeboat was held close-to off theweather side of the yacht, a heaving line waspassed and the tow rope paid out in a bight.To help the casualty get the tow rope aboard

the lifeboat was manoeuvred ahead, andthen down across the bows of the yacht. Thetow was made fast, and paid out enough tokeep the casualty synchronised on the sec-ond wave astern of the lifeboat, before acourse was set to clear The Lizard.

At first the lifeboat and casualty were be-ing carried astern by the wind and tide, sopower was increased in order to make head-way. The coxswain considered taking thecasualty to Newlyn at this point, which was

'At first thecasualty and

lifeboat were beingcarried astern

by the windand tide...'

to leeward, but decided to continue toFalmouth, as that was the port which thecasualty was trying to reach and was also thelifeboat's home port.

When power was increased he was con-cerned for the skipper on board the yacht,who did not answer his radio, and indeed thesafety of the yacht herself. A crewman wasinstructed to keep the skipper illuminatedwith the searchlight for the duration of thelong tow to safety.

RoundedAs soon as The Lizard was rounded, more

than an hour later, power was eased back andthe tow continued towards Falmouth. Oncepast Black Head speed over the ground in-creased as the tidal stream lessened and onarrival at Falmouth the yacht was finallysecured alongside the lifeboat and manoeu-vred onto a mooring just after 0400. Thewhole service had taken some five and a halfhours in gale force winds and heavy seas.

First rescue by FAB 3 prototype while on trialsThe prototype of the new Fast Afloat Boat 3(see page 90 of this issue) carried out her firstservice on 29 May while returning fromSalcombe to Weymouth, where she was basedfor some days for familiarisation trials.

Staff Officer (Trials and Development)Harry Teare was in command when theCoastguard asked the as yet un-named life-boat to locate a casualty in Lyme Bay, to thewest of Portland. Having located the vessel,a yacht called Sualidaz with three peopleaboard, FAB 3 towed her into Weymouth -a two and a half hour tow at about 8 knots.

FAB 3 was reported to have performedwell during the service.

The ketch Sualidazunder tow by the newFAB 3 prototype offPortland Bill. The servicewas the first carried outby the new boat, whichwas on familiarisationtrials at the time.(Photo Stuart Welford)

82

The 167th Annual General Meeting of the RNLI was held on themorning of 14 May 1991, at the usual venue on the South Bank inLondon, with the annual presentation of awards for 1990 followingin the afternoon at the nearby Royal Festival Hall.

Opening the proceedings at the morning AGMfor the Institution's Governors the RNLI'sChairman, Mr Michael Vernon, began by re-minding the meeting that 1990 had been aneventful and difficult year in many parts of theworld, with a sharp recession and uncomfortablyhigh inflation affecting these islands.

However the Chairman was able to report:'The evidence of the 1990 annual report andaccounts is extremely encouraging. Neverthe-less, let us not forget that the cost of ourmassive boat building and shoreworks mod-ernisation programmes has risen significantly,as has the expense of operating our lifeboatservice. Furthermore, despite a recent recov-ery, the fact that the value of our investmentsfell very sharply in the calendar year illus-trates that we are certainly not insulated fromour country's economic problems; this mustnever be overlooked in planning for the future.'Having touched on the difficulties of the past year Mr

Vernon went on to look at the remarkable successes:'As usual our lifeboat crews have done the Institutionproud. Only two years ago the RNLI answered more than4,000 calls. Now, we are up by nearly another thousandto 4,935. In fact, in little over a decade ourwork-loadhasdoubled, and on average 500 more people each year arerescued. In 1990 alone the lives of 1,601 people weresaved.'Although commercial shipping is no less in need of the

RNLFs services than it was, launches to pleasure boats andfishing vessels have risen in recent years. A review carriedout last year showed that there was an increase in thenumber of inshore fishing vessels seeking assistance, andmodern navigational equipment and greater speed may betempting this type of vessel further offshore than is some-times prudent.

Mr Vernon then went on to explain one of the importantchanges made as a result of the review:

'A/so included was a re-assessment of the distanceoffshore that our fleet could provide effective cover. Wefelt able to announce that we could increase this from 30to 50 miles at virtually any point around the coast ofGreat Britain and Ire/and. This is a major landmark inthe Institution's policy continuously to improve the life-boat service.'

TheAnnualGeneralMeeting

(Left) Mr Michael Vernon, theChairman of the RNLI addresses theaudience at the Annual Presentation ofAwards ceremony in the Festival Hall,London on 14 May 1991.

Stressing that the RNLI'sprimary aim and duty is tosave lives at sea the Chair-man emphasised the criti-cal aspect of speed of re-sponse.'Every single minute

counts. A minute may sound a short time, but it caneasily mean the difference between life and death tosomeone in the water.'There were many factors which contributed to the' speed

of response', Mr Vernon went on, outlining the progressthe RNLI is making to improve it. One factor has nothingto do with more powerful engines or improved hull designand this is the time between callout and a lifeboat launch.Thanks in large part to electronic paging this has beenreduced significantly over the past 10 years.

Moving on to a subject which is high on the RNLI's listof priorities at the moment the Chairman turned to facili-ties at lifeboat stations, stressing their importance andreflecting how the programme of modernisation and re-furbishment has gathered momentum.

He stressed that the rebuilding is not for cosmeticreasons, in many cases the original boathouses were builtto house a pulling boat whose launching power wasprobably munching grass in a nearby field.

'Nowadays sophisticated tractors need to be undercover as much as the high-tech lifeboats they serve. Weare a/so doing our utmost to provide the modern facilitiesour crews deserve.'The need to improve boathouses to accommodate the

new generation of lifeboats was inextricably linked withthe most important factor in getting to a casualty quicker- the increase in the speed of lifeboats - and Mr Vernon

The five medallists arrive at Tower Pier for a'photocall' on the morning of the presentationof awards, with HMS Belfast providing thebackdrop.They are (from left to right) Shane Coleman(Second Coxswain/Mechanic Lowestoftlifeboat, Bronze medal), George Williamson(fisherman, Scalloway, Bronze medal),James Dougal (Acting Coxswain Eyemouthlifeboat, Silver medal), Robert Gorman andPeter Heading (Crew Member andHelmsman respectively Aberystwyth lifeboat,Bronze medals).

83

confirmed that the Institution is on schedule for its target tohave fast lifeboats at all stations by the end of 1993.

The Mersey building programme had continued at animpressive rate throughout 1990 with orders recently placedfor the last 14 fibre reinforced composite (FRC) boats - dueto be completed within the next 22 months. Eight newMerseys were completed in 1990, and nine more will be inservice by the end of 1991. Two Tyne class and the last ofthe long line of Aruns had also gone to their new stations.

The Chairman was also able to report that the new FastAfloat Boats (FAB) 3 and 4 are progressing on schedule.

'The 17m prototype, FAB 3, is undergoing the mostrigorous sea trials which will continue until we can becompletely satisfied that she is in every way suitable tobecome the first of a new generation of fast All-weatherlifeboats. It is fair to say that first impressions are veryencouraging. Last year you will remember I causedsomething of a sensation by announcing that this boatwould cost £lm to build, this year it is the boat herselfwhich is causing the sensation.'

To put the price into perspective Mr Vernon added thatalthough the 18-knot Arun class building programme wascomplete the price would now be somewhere around£800,000. Although the extra speed and size was bound tocost more the difference is by no means unreasonable.

The meeting heard that the 14m FAB 4 prototype is notfar behind her larger sister and is being fitted out atOsborne's yard in Littlehampton. She will be launched bythe end of 1991.

INSHORE LIFEBOATSMoving on to the smaller lifeboats Mr Vernon referred to

development work on a 22ft version of the Atlantic 21 rigidinflatable at the RNLI's Inshore Lifeboat Centre at Cowes.She is showing excellent seakeeping tendencies with im-pressive speed. Also under examination is the feasibility ofa 35 to 40 knot inshore lifeboat, launching from a slipway,davit or off a beach.

Turning from the hardware of sea rescue to the peoplewho make it possible the Chairman emphasised that thecontribution of lifeboat crews could not be stressed toohighly. Their free availability, their courage and their skillwere paramount, but their skill could always be enhancedby rigorous training.

Ten stations receiving new boats in the past year hadmeant ten crews undergoing week-long familiarisationcourses at Poole, followed by a passage back to station.

7 think it is a mark of the whole-hearted dedication ofour crews that they are prepared to give up their own

time to attend these courses. Volunteers they may be buthighly expert lifeboatmen they are determined to re-main.'New-boat courses only represented a part of the special-

ised operational training, which is not a new invention, heexplained. The RNLI has always recognised the impor-tance of ensuring expertise in every field and there arefacilities for training at every level for staff and volunteers.

OPERATIONAL REVIEWSThe RNLI's newly-declared undertaking to increase

lifeboat cover to 50 miles offshore had been assisted by theInstitution's regular system of 'coast reviews'. These allowit to assess the service provided by every station and takeinto account local conditions, casualty potential and theavailability of crew and ensure that the right boat is in theright place at every location. The reviews now beingundertaken include a detailed study to see how manystations operating only an All-weather lifeboat could im-prove their service if they also had an Inshore lifeboat.

The ebb and flow in the need for lifeboat cover was wellillustrated during 1990, Mr Vernon explained. Three formerstations, Teignmouth in Devon, Tobermory on Mull andCourtown in the Irish Republic, were reinstated followingperiods when a lifeboat had not been required.

Brand new stations are also needed sometimes, and anAll-weather lifeboat station is currently under evaluation atPortree on the Isle of Skye, while Marazion in Cornwall hasan Inshore lifeboat for the first time. Other changes haveseen Walmer in Kent operating a 29 knot Atlantic 21 inplace of an 8 knot Rother class. The Chairman summed upthe changes succinctly:

'No one can accuse us of standing still!'Two major station projects were also reported to the

meeting. The first is at Workington, where the Institution'sfirst 'davit launching' system for an All-weather lifeboat isunder construction. It is the only way that 24-hour cover bya Tyne class lifeboat can be guaranteed on that inhospitablesection of coastline.

At Angle in Pembrokeshire the first new slipway andboathouse to be built for 31 years is to be constructed. Thecurrent slipway is beyond economic repair and a newstructure is the only solution. Both Workington and Anglewill cost more than £ 1 m, but the shoreworks are as essentialto saving life as the new lifeboats.

Paradoxically the RNLI currently pays no Value AddedTax on new lifeboats or new boathouses, but incurs the fullrate on slipway and boathouse modification and refurbish-ment. The Chairman emphasized that VAT is a very serious

A lifeboat is normavailable for visileto view between ttwo meetings, butthis year majorstructural work onthe Festival Piermade it impossiblto bring a lifeboatalongside.A photocall washowever arrangec.for press andphotographers atTower Pier beforethe AGM, using trMersey class lifebMarine Engineer.

Acting Coxswain James Dougal from Eyemouth and two of the divers involved in his medal-winning service werere-united at the Annual Meetings. James Dougal is pictured (centre) with Elizabeth Mayer and Steven Pert/grew.

James Dougal receives his Silver medal for Gallantry from HRH TheDuke of Kent, President of the Institution.

84

problem which is being tackled with vigour. Increasingexpenditure on shoreworks led to a VAT liability of about£600,000 last year, and the figure will be greater still in1991 - exacerbated by the increase from 15% to 17.5%.

Every effort is being made to persuade the Government toalter the present anomalous regulations and, in companywith other charities, the Institution still fears that it couldlose its existing zero-rating status after European harmoni-sation in 1992. This could place a burden on the RNLI of asmuch as £3m a year on present costs.

The Government's desire to assist charities is seen inconcessions to individuals, such as Gift Aid, payroll givingand covenants, but the Chairman remarked that it makes nosense if the Institution has to hand the money back, andmore, through Value Added Tax.

THE FUND RAISERSHaving dealt with a less than happy situation Mr Vernon

moved on to more pleasant matters, reminding the meetingof the Headquarters and Depot Open Days in August and ofthe warm reception shown to the public by those who manthe lifeboat stations. The effects of this publicity are hugelybeneficial, the Chairman explained, adding:

'We know from recent research that some 88% of alladults know about us, and are sympathetic to the cause.There is some concern, however, that we are failing tocapture the attention of the under-25s as much as out-long term future demands, and steps are currently underway to improve matters.'No matter how efficient the Institution, how quick its

response times or how well it is known nothing would bepossible without those who raise the funds to keep the RNLIrunning, and in reporting the reaching of the end of anotherfinancial year in an excellent position to plan for our futurethe Chairman extended his thanks once again to the fundraisers.

In 1990 the hugely effective volunteer branches andguilds workforce was directly responsible for raising over£ 1 Om for the first time, not including the credit for attractinga very large proportion of the legacy income - which wasanother record in 1990 at some £31m.

Mr Vernon admitted that he could not do justice to all thefund raising efforts of the year, but would nonetheless liketo congratulate the organisers of the four local appeals inLincolnshire, Filey, the Mersey area and Derbyshire whoall reached and surpassed their targets in 1990. Betweenthem they had raised over £ 1.8m to fund new Mersey classboats.

Turning from the past year to the future Mr Vernonsounded a note of warning:

'History shows the Institution feeling the effects notduring but immediately following the periods of highestinflation. So I believe we could be entering a danger zonenow. Although the RNLI has a unique appeal, themethods of attracting support are in many ways nodifferent to those used by all the other major charities inthe country. The job of our full-time fund raisers is to seethat the RNLf's use of such methods is as professional ascan be.'

MEMBERSHIPOne fund raising effort which is working extremely well

is the recruitment of members by advertising. Over 23,000new members joined thanks to the 1990 campaign andmembership currently stands at 190,000, with Governorsnow numbering 29,676. Mr Vernon then drew attention torising costs with a comparison of the cost of being aGovernor:

'When the Institution was founded in 1824 it cost a guineaa year to be a Governor. It remained a guinea, believe itor not, until 1969 when it increased to a more realistic£10. £10 in 1969 is the equivalent of well over £70 today,

and another increase is long overdue. I suspect I willhave something to say about this when we meet again.'The Chairman then turned his attention to the accounts

for 1990, which showed that the Institution had faredextremely well, in spite of inflation. Income during theyear had risen by 8% in real terms to £52.4m, and sales ofsouvenirs and gifts, which fell by 1%, were the onlycasualty of the economic climate so far. All other sourcesof income advanced strongly.

Expenditure in the year had increased by exactly thesame percentage as income, with almost half of the in-crease attributable to modernisation and the building ofnew lifeboat stations. Mr Vernon pointed out that in thenext five years this programme will have cost some £20m,and that figure would need to be borne in mind when settingfund raising targets for the future.

Although a significant feature of the 1990 accounts wasthe substantial fall in the value of investments there hadbeen a significant recovery of the losses so far in 1991:

'The volatility of markets over shorter periods can bewithstood thanks to our generally robust financial po-sition. This enables us to think about the RNLI ten,twenty and thirty years into the future. I am confidentthat we are well able to meet any of today's challengesbut this does not mean we can ever relax our efforts toachieve the best in every possible respect. To that end wehave a duty to examine all possible means at our disposalof saving life at sea.'Concluding his report to the Governors Mr Vernon

returned to the people who make up the RNLI, and withoutwhom it could not exist.

'Ultimately it is the volunteer spirit of lifeboatmen andwomen which will guarantee effective lifesaving into thenext millenium. The sea will always demand skill andcourage from rescuers.Lifeboat crews in turn depend onyou and the thousands ofGovernors and other supportersthat you represent to speed them on their way with theresources you provide so unstintingly. Thank you forproviding them in 1990. Long may you continue .'

ThePresentation

of Awards

The annual presenta-tion of awards cer-emony during the af-ternoon saw a goodturnout of supportersand distinguishedguests in the FestivalHall. In his wekomethe Chairman ex-pressed the Institution's great pleasure at having its Presi-dent, His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, present tomake the awards.

Bringing the audience up to date with the news of fundraising, operational and technical advances, which he hadearlier reported to the Governors, the Chairman paid trib-ute to the loyal support from thepublic and volunteers. Thissupport, he said, enabled the RNLI to follow such ambi-tious plans for the future and he emphasised that the year'sresults had been achieved in a period of sharp recession anduncomfortably high inflation.

Referring to the increased speed of response, reportedduring the AGM, Mr Vernon repeated his praise of thepeople involved:

'Electronic paging and the gradual improvement inshore facilities account for much of the difference, but itis also a fine reflection on the calibre of the crews and inparticular those unsung heroes the shore helpers.'Mentioning progress in boathouse improvement and the

development of new, even faster lifeboats the Chairman

85

The medallists in close-up. From left to right Shane Coleman, George Williamson, James Dougal, RobertGorman and Peter Heading.

HRH The Duke of Kent talks to medallists and voluntary workers at areception following the presentations

remarked that FAB 3 was:'...not just a metre longer than an Arun or a good sevenknots faster, she is a more sophisticated rescue machinein every respect and in my opinion will provide excellentvalue for money.'

But it was people who were the Institution's main assetand, linking progress afloat with that ashore Mr Vernonsaid:

'As lifeboats become faster yet more demands are placedon their crews. There is less time to think as hazards loomquicker than they did in the old boats, and accuratenavigation becomes ever more critical. Modern elec-tronic aids have revolutionised search and rescue, butthey are only as good as their operators. The time ourcrews are prepared to sacrifice in learning how to use amodern lifeboat to its full capability is of immense value

to the Institution. Their readiness to man the lifeboatwhen there's a shout is the most generous gift of all.The 100th anniversary of the first street collection was of

particular interest, as it was an historic event for volunteerfund raisers nationwide. Mr Vernon added that, as thoughto celebrate the anniversary, the fund raisers had turned inrecord figures yet again, singling out for special thanks thebranches and guilds new record of over £ 10m.

'That is an extraordinary achievement in which youshould all take pride. We have some splendid examples ofdedicated voluntary service among our awardees thisafternoon. Each one of them will know what it means totake up the challenge year after year of a yet higher fundraising target.

Mr Vernon added that the fund raisers highest recom-pense would perhaps come when they heard the citations

The AnnualMeetings havetraditionally beenheld on a Tuesday inLondon, for reasonsno doubt lost in themists of time.A/though the subjecthas not been raisedat the AGM theInstitution would bepleased to hear ifGovernors, or otherswould prefer analternativearrangement.

Awards presented by HRH The Duke of KenlSILVER MEDALFOR GALLANTRYActing Coxswain James DougalEyemouthOn 6 October 1990 Acting CoxswainJames Dougal took Eyemouth's reliefWaveney class lifeboat to sea inhurricane-force winds when severalgroups of divers had been caught atsea in rapidly worsening conditions.

Two of the divers were found andtaken aboard while the lifeboatsearched unsucessfully for two others,who were later washed ashore safely.Conditions prevented the lifeboat re-turning to Eyemouth and she had toenter nearby Burnmouth using carheadlights as leading marks due to apower failure ashore.The .service is recounted in full in thisissue of The Lifeboat.

BRONZE MEDALSFOR GALLANTRYSecond Coxswain/MechanicShane ColemanLowestoftShane Coleman was at sea, alone, inthe Lowestoft pilot boat on 26 Janu-ary 1990 when he saw a coaster andtug collide. The wind was Force 9 to10 with 6ft seas and driving spray.

The tug began to sink so he imme-diately moved in to the rescue, pluck-

ing the three crew from the wheel-house roof before the vessel sank.Floating cordage fouled both of thepilot boat's propellers and she was ingreat danger of being pulled under bythe sinking tug. All four men werepicked up by Lowestoft lifeboat.The rescue is recounted in full in theAutumn 1990 issue of The Lifeboat.

Helmsman Peter Heading andCrew Member Robert GormanAberystwythPeter Heading was helmsman of Ab-erystwyth's C class inflatable on 18September 1990 when she launchedto an 18ft yacht in difficulties withone man aboard, and subsequentlytook her in tow. With 5ft to 6ft seasrunning over the bar outside the har-bour and worsening weather therewere fears that the lifeboat and towwould have difficulties returningthrough the dangerous seas.

Crew Member Robert Gormanagreed to take his own 32ft fishingboat to sea, and after careful ma-noeuvring was able to take over thetow and return to harbour with theyacht while the lifeboat escorted them.

The vessel was swept by a largebreaking sea while crossing the bar.The service is recounted in full in theSpring 1991 issue of The Lifeboat.

George WilliamsonScallowayCommercial fisherman GeorgeWilliamson put to sea in his own 36ftboat on 8 October 1990 when anotherfisherman had been wrecked andstranded on a nearby islet. Aith life-boat was on her way, but would takesome time to arrive. In storm forcewinds he worked his way throughwaters strewn with creel lines andthenusedhis21ft open tender to resc uethe man from the island.The rescue is recounted in full in thisissue of The Lifeboat.

HONORARY LIFE GOVERNORMr H BiggsBroadstairs Branch: Honorary Secre-tary and Honorary Treasurer 1950 todateBAR TO THE GOLD BADGEMrs B SandersWalsall Ladies' Lifeboat Guild:Chairman 1965-1967,1970-1971,1976-1978,1983-1984. WalsallBranch: President 1984 to dateMrs R ClarkeColchester Ladies' Lifeboat Guild:Committee Member 1950 to date,Honorary Secretary 1967-1973. Col-chester District Branch: HonorarySecretary 1973 to dateMr S A Chase

Thurrock Branch: Chairman an>President 1953 to dateMrs J HardySwanage Guild: Guild Member 195to date, Honorary Secretary and Fla.Week Organiser 1965-1984, President 1985 to dateGOLD BADGEMrs A M HodgeEdinburgh Ladies' Lifeboat GuildCommittee Member and Honorar;Secretary 1952 to date, Flag Da;Convener 1969 to dateMrs D BlackburnBlackpool North Shore Guild: Honorary Treasurer and Vice Chairmai1975-1987. Blackpool Ladies' Lifeboat Guild: Chairman 1987 to dateBlackpool Luncheon Club: Chairmai1984-1985, Honorary Treasurer 1991to date. Halifax Ladies' LifeboaGuild: Honorary Treasurer 1979 t(dateMrs D G WilsonBromborough and Eastham BranchChairman 1965 to dateMrs C D PricePrenton (Liverpool) Branch: Chairman 1965 to dateMrs R G FosterDriffield Ladies' Lifeboat GuildHonorary Secretary 1969-1983Chairman 1983 to dateMrs B Martin

86

read for the gallantry medals to be awarded that afternoon,there being no better proof of the importance of the Institu-tion for which everyone worked so willingly.

In closing the Chairman introduced His Royal HighnessThe Duke of Kent, President of the RNLI, who was topresent the awards.

It had been five years since the President had last pre-sented the awards for gallantry and to voluntary workers,and in his opening remarks he reflected that in that time over7,600 lives had been saved, 180 new boats built and lifeboattechnology had advanced by leaps and bounds.

His Royal Highness went on to say:'What you have not done, I am delighted to say, is changethe way you are. I can vouch for that from the visits I havemade to the coast, the conversations I have had withlifeboat people and the reports I receive about youractivities. Society today is so often accused of being toomercenary, and yet the current strength of the RNLI as anorganisation dependent on volunteers and voluntaryfunding must surely temper such an outlook.'The Duke added, however, that he was pleased to see that

the RNLI was not an organisation blinkered by its tradi-tions. He reflected that in his twenty year association withthe Institution the lifeboat fleet had been adapted to copewith an increasing variety of casualties, from being tailoredto serve merchant and fishing vessels it was now dealingwith more than an equal number of calls from the holidaymaker and the pleasure sailor.

'Rightly, I am sure,you have put much emphasis on speedto the scene of the casualty.' he added, 7 know that hasmeant taking younger men as lifeboat crew to withstandthe battering they receive in a heavy sea. Indeed, I detectan increased effort all round to attract youth onto the sideof the RNLI, and this shows the Institution is looking both

to the present and to the future and that is admirable. Butwhat makes the RNLI extra special is that it appeals toall ages. Anyone and everyone can become involved. Oldage is no barrier to fund raising, in fact it appears to bean excellent way to stave off the effects! The branchesand guilds of the RNLI are an example to all the charitiesin the land both for their dedication and for the resultsachieved. Congratulations to you all.'His Royal Highness then singled out those who were to

receive awards for special praise before moving the tradi-tional resolution recognising and honouring the work of allcrews and voluntary workers. The Duke then presentedone honorary life governorship, four bars to the GoldBadge and 27 Gold Badges, honouring tireless work onbehalf of the Institution.

The presentations of Awards for Gallantry followed,with a Silver medal for Acting Coxswain James Dougal ofEyemouth lifeboat station and Bronze medals for SecondCoxswain/Mechanic Shane Coleman of Lowestoft,Helmsman Peter Heading and Crew member RobertGorman of Aberystwyth and Scalloway fisherman GeorgeWilliamson. Interestingly two of the lifeboatmen - ShaneColeman and Robert Gorman were at sea in vessels otherthan lifeboats in their medal-winning services - and GeorgeWilliamson is a commercial fisherman with no directconnection with the RNLI. Bravery and the saving of lifeat sea knows no boundaries.

Full details of the awards for gallantry and to voluntaryworkers are given below.

To wind up the proceedings Commandant VonlaMcBride, a member of the RNLI' s Committee of Manage-ment, proposed a vote of thanks to His Royal Highness TheDuke of Kent for attending the meeting and for presentingthe awards.

at the Royal Festival Hall on 14 MayLudworth and Mellor Ladies' Life-boatGuild: Honorary Secretary 1962-1968. Cowbridge Branch: Commit-tee Member 1969-1971, HonorarySecretary 1971 to dateMrs P de ReybekillHandsworth Wood Guild: Commit-tee Member 1966 to date, Chairman1968-1970,1974-1976,1981-1983.Birmingham Branch: Souvenir Sec-retary 1979 to dateMiss J JohnstoneLeamington Spa Branch: HonorarySecretary 1965 to dateMr G A Guy (deceased)Wolverhampton Branch: BranchMember 1967-1990, President 1972-1990Mr H P BellHarwich Station Branch: BranchMember 1968-1986, AdministrationOfficer 1970-1975, Chairman 1975-1979, Vice Chairman 1979-1981,Chairman 1981-1986, Eastern Re-gion Liaison Officer 1987 to dateThe Lady Mackintosh of HalifaxNorwich Ladies' Lifeboat Guild:President 1967 to dateMrs S A ChaseThurrock Ladies' Guild (now amal-gamated with Branch): Chairman1968-1980. Thurrock Branch: Hon-orary Secretary 1968 to dateMrs M V Blatchford

Plymouth Ladies' Lifeboat Guild:Committee Member 1966 to date.Assistant Honorary Treasurer 1966-1967,Honorary Treasurer 1967-1989Mr G MothPort Isaac Station Branch: CrewMember 1947-1953, HonoraryTreasurer 1966 to dateMr R Norgrove JPFarnham Branch: Committee Mem-ber 1974 to date. Vice Chairman 1978-1981, Chairman 1981 to dateMrs F W ForbesHorley Ladies' Lifeboat Guild: Hon-orary Secretary 1967 to dateMrs P SlaterMargate Ladies' Lifeboat Guild:Committee Member Pre-1956 to date,Vice Chairman 1973-1974, Chair-man 1974-1976, Vice President1976-1978, Assistant Souvenir Sec-retary 1980 to dateMrs J KnightCamberwell Branch: Lifeboat DayOrganiser 1953 to date, HonorarySecretary 1967 to date, HonoraryTreasurer 1971-1983Mrs P JohnstonSt Marylebone Branch: Chairman1965-1980, Lifeboat Week Organ-iser 1980-1984, Chairman 1984 todateMrs M WentworthHarrogate Ladies' Lifeboat Guild:

Chairman 1950-1960, CommitteeMember 1961 to date, Vice Chairman1975-1976Captain W J KnightLimerick Branch: Honorary Secre-tary 1966 to dateMr T S WyllieDunoon Station Branch: AssistantHonorary Secretary 1937-1939, As-sistant Honorary Secretary 1945-1952, Honorary Secretary 1952-1965.Troon Station Branch: CommitteeMember 1966-1979, Vice Chairman1979-1982, Chairman 1982-1990Dr D BusfieldHumber Station Branch: HonoraryMedical Adviser 1968-1990Mr R A PainDover Station Branch'. HonoraryTreasurer 1966 to date, Chairman1982 to date, Deputy Launching Au-thority 1984 to dateAlderman T BithellFlint Station Branch: CommitteeMember 1966 todate,Chairman 1968to dateMr D O'SullivanBallycotton Station Branch: DeputyLaunching Authority 1964-1967,Honorary Secretary 1967 to dateMr P J GallaherValentia Station Branch: HonorarySecretary and Honorary Treasurer1968 to date

87

(5) Gss o m e r e c e n t p u b l i c a t i o n s r e v i e w e d

THE STORY OF THE PWLLHELILIFEBOATS (1891-1991)by Jeff MorrisTHE STORY OF THEFRASERBURGH LIFEBOATSby Jeff MorrisBoth published by Jeff Morris at £2including p&pThe prolific Honorary Archivist of theLifeboat Enthusiasts Society has added twofurther titles to his 'Story of series of inex-pensive booklets which examine in detailparticular lifeboat stations or groups ofstations.

As usual the author traces the history ofthe stations from their earliest days, 1891 inthe case of Pwllheli, and has located someearly photographs including one of the unu-sual 'tubular' lifeboat which served at thisstation on the Lleyn Peninsula for a shorttime after it was first opened. There is evena photograph of the boathouse at the sametime, sitting in splendid isolation near Gim-let Rock in 1891 and contrasting with themore built-up scene in another photographtaken almost 100 years later.

Pwllheli now operates the RNLI's latesttype of lifeboat, a carriage-launch Merseyclass, and since 1964 has also had a D classinflatable. The services carried out by boththe All-weather and Inshore lifeboats overthe years are well documented and, as usual,Jeff Morris's book can be recommended toanyone with an interest in the work andhistory of lifeboats in the area.

The Story of the Pwllheli Lifeboats can beobtained from Mr C. Thomas, 102 LonCeredigion, Pwllheli, Gwynedd LL53 5PPfor £2 including postage and packing.Cheques should be made payable to' PwllheliLifeboat Crew - Book Account'.

The Story of the Fraserburgh Lifeboatstakes a similar look at the Fraserburgh life-boat station, which had one of the first life-boats to be built and which was also the firstRNLI lifeboat station in Scotland.

Fraserburgh has a long and distinguishedlifeboat history, but the town has paid theprice with the loss of no less than 13lifeboatmen's lives in the course of severaldisasters. The most recent of course waswithin the memory of many of today's crewsand supporters, the loss of The Duchess ofKent in January 1970 with just one survivorfrom her crew of six. The chilling photo-graph of the moment of her capsize appearsin the book, and still haunts anyone who hascontact with the sea or with the lifeboatservice.

Although the station was non-operational

for a few years following the disaster it wasfully operational again by April 1979 andsince 1985 has had a modern Tyne classlifeboat on station to cover the wild stretch ofnorth-east facing coast around the port.

Copies of The Story of the FraserburghLifeboats can be obtained for £2, includingpostage and packing, from Mrs T. Summers,32 Cairnhill Drive, Fraserburgh, Aberdeen-shire AB43 5ST.

SIMPLE ELECTRONIC NAVIGATIONby Mik ChineryPublished by Fernhurst Books at £7.50ISBN 0-906754-67-4

With electronic aids to navigation prolifer-ating on small boats of all kinds and tech-nology advancing on all fronts it is hardlysurprising that a revised second edition ofthis volume has been required only threeyears after first publication.

Author Mik Chinery runs a powerboatschool and has been involved in the incor-poration of electronic navigation in RYAcourses, a background which has enabledhim to explain the principles and applicationof this still relatively new field.

Although he sounds the traditional warn-ing that all electronics are aids to 'proper'navigation it is perhaps a sign of the timesthat he admits that many now see the chart-and-pencil methods as aids to the electron-ics... Also of note is that with increasinglyuser-friendly electronics one finds less in theway of detailed technical explanation of theoperating theories, an entirely reasonableapproach.

Given the essential technical backgroundand the sound approach advocated in SimpleElectronic Navigation both the tyro and themore experienced should be able to selecttheir electronics with ease and obtain betterand more reliable use from them.

TOWER ABOVE ALLby Jimmy CampbellPublished by The Self PublishingAssociation at £5.95ISBN 1 85421 1269

The profits from Jimmy Campbell's cleverly-titled book about the B lackpool he has knownfor more than 45 years will go to the RNLI,and so it is perhaps appropriate that the veryfirst chapter looks at the well-knownBickerstaffe family. Robert Bickerstaffewas the coxswain of the first Blackpoollifeboat for 23 years until he retired in 1887,and one of his sons, John, became the first

BRITISH IOcEAWOGRAfiHIC

chairman of the Blackpool Tower Company- neatly linking the Institution with the titleof the book!

The text takes the form of extracts fromthe author's holiday diaries between 1946and 1990 and reflects on changes over thatperiod. Although there is little specific men-tion of the lifeboat service the sea is neverany further from the book than it is from thehistory of the town of Blackpool.

BRITISH OCEANOGRAPHICVESSELS 1800-1950by A. L. RicePublished by the Ray Society at £9 (seetext)ISBN 0903874 19 9Although publishedsome years ago thisparticular volumefrom the Ray Society(which is more usu-ally associated withlearned works onnatural history) hadnot been brought toThe Lifeboat's noticebefore. The society isat present having a book sale, offering BritishOceanographic Vessels at the reduced priceof £9, and it therefore seems appropriate tomention the volume at this time.

The author has compiled a comprehen-sively illustrated history of vessels involvedin oceanographic research stretching over150 years, and appearing in alphabeticalorder of the name by which they were knownwhile carrying out their work. This selectionobviously takes in the period of purely sailingships, through hybrids to the fully poweredvessels of the mid-20th century.

Perhaps the vessels' only common de-nominator, other than their work, is thatthere seems to be no common denominator!As the publishers say on the dust jacket:

The history of marine science is inti-mately associated with the development oftechniques for obtaining the raw data andwith the vessels from which the observationswere made. Over the past two centuries theships employed have ranged from totallyunsuitable ones, which happened to be avail-able at the time, to, less commonly, purpose-built vessels incorporating the most sophis-ticated technology of the day.'

The result is a 192 page, well producedvolume which anyone with an interest inships and the sea will find a delight to dipinto.

LOGBOOK FOR CRUISING UNDER SAILdevised by John MellorISBN 0-906754-62-3

LOGBOOK FOR CRUISING UNDER POWERdevised by Tim Bartlett and Tom Willis of Motorboat andYachtingISBN 0-906754-61-5

Published by Fernhurst Books at £12.50 eachPublishing a book for the purchaser to fill in himself may at first seeman odd idea, akin to selling empty wrappers! However any small boatowner will appreciate not only the need for recording navigationalinformation but also the pleasure to be gained after the event inrecalling the events of a passage or cruise through the pages of a logkept at the time. He will also appreciate having his memory jogged asto what he should record at any given time.

The differing needs of the sailing and powerboating skipper arewell illustrated by the different format of these two companionvolumes which, it seems to this reviewer, tread a successful linebetween the flexibility needed by different owners and a too regimentedapproach.

A nicely bound A4 format logbook is bound to be more expensivethan a tatty exercise book, but as well as being more effective it willalso look much more impressive on the chart table or in the bookcase!

THE HAMPDEN FILEby Harry MoylePublished by Air Britain (Historians) at £16.50ISBN 085130 128 2

Harry Moyle's very detailed examination of the Hampden, aided byhis own personal experience in the aircraft, is perhaps of more interestto the aircraft than the lifeboat enthusiast but is included here for twovery good reasons.

The first is that the author, a lifeboat supporter, is donating asubstantial amount of the cover price to RNLI funds, and the secondis that there are links in the text with the lifeboat service, moreparticularly in the section dealing with the aircrafts' crashes in the sea.

Harry Moyle himself was rescued after being shot down in the sea(by Spitfires, in fact) and was rescued by a fishing boat from NorthBerwick. Although that lifeboat station was not operating during thewar the crew were from a lifeboat family, one of whom was awardeda Bronze medal for Gallantry some 30 years later.

A comprehensive and exhaustive history of this type of aircraftwhich will appeal to the aircraft enthusiast. The Hamden File can beobtained from Harry Moyle at 57 Astbury Avenue, Parkstone, Poole,Dorset BH12 5DU at £14.50 - £2 less than the bookshop price.

Historic letters give an insight into Sir William Hillaryand the founding of the Isle of Man lifeboat stations

Some 60 letters written by Sir William Hillary to the Institution between 1824 and 1845 and now in theRNLI's archives have recently been treated for preservation and placed in a presentation box - the cost beingmet from money raised by the Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. Many of these letters deal with the establishmentof lifeboat stations on the Isle of Man, where Sir William then lived, and give a fascinating insight into theearliest days of the RNLI on the Island.

Very shortly after the founding of the Institution on 4 March1824, Sir William proposed the 'establishment of a DistrictAssociation of the Royal National Institution'. Some threemonths later, on 5 June 1824, he wrote to the Central Committeepointing out that as the bulk of shipwrecks on the island werefrom 'the surrounding kingdoms' it would be of benefit to allmaritime interests for lifeboat stations to be established by thenational organisation.

On 22 June, Sir William forwarded his detailed plan, whichcovered no less than nine, closely handwritten pages. Heproposed seven lifeboat stations for the Isle of Man:-

'1 'Dougios to tie mode a 'Depot and have a Life float,•with a Mortar and other apparatus.

2 'Derby ttaven the Life 'Boat to Be placed on a cradle, or truck.with high •wheels - to be sited on the centre of

the ridge between 'Derby Mavcn andCastletown 'Bays

3 fort Le Murray theLifeboattobeplacedonacradlewithhighand fort 'Erin wheels, to be moved by horses to whichever

side of the Calf of Man it is needed4 feel yiLife 'Boat sited on the neckjiflandbe tween

the Castle and the mainland: and a 'Mortar5 Jurby (between 'Bishops Court and the point ofHyr)

A Life 'Boat and'Mortar6 It&msey 'Bay A Life 'Boat and Mortar7 Laxey A Life 'Boat'The postal services in those days must have been extremely

By Barry Cox, RNLI Honorary Librarianefficient, for the Minutes of the Committee Meeting held inLondon four days later (on 26 June, at No. 12 Austin Friars)recorded the receipt of Sir William's plan, commenting that hehad indicated there 'would not be found a want of active andintelligent Committees, and hardy boats' crews'!

On 5 July, the draft of a reply to Sir William, to be signed bythe Chairman, was approved, but unfortunately the contents arenot recorded. Certain matters must however have been put inhand for on 18 August Sir William wrote requesting one of 'MrPlenty' s designed lifeboats of 20 feet length', and the Committeegave approval on 25 August.

This lifeboat, which cost £100, was presented to the Isle ofMan District Association and stationed at Castletown. Therewas already a boat at Douglas built in 1824 by Mr Ogden, jun,of Sunderland from funds supplied before the Institution wasformed. (It is interesting to note that the very first lifeboat on theisland was given to Douglas by the Duke of Atholl in 1803).

Subsequently, boats to Palmer's plan were supplied to Peel(1829) and Ramsey (1830). As a result four of the seven stationsproposed by Sir William Hillary in 1824 were functioningwithin six years, a very short time in reality. Of the other three,Port Erin had to wait 58 years for its lifeboat station, beingformed only in 1882, while those suggested for Jurby and Laxeynever materialised.

The station at Castletown closed in 1922 leaving, as now, fourof Sir William Hillary's proposed stations active.

89

O N T R I A L - F A S T A F L O A T B O A T p

Sunday 3 February 1991. Wind slight, northeasterly. Visibilityclear. Sunny. To the layman a crisp bright sunny winter morning.Time 11.45 am.

Alan Norman, slipway superintendent at boaibuilders WilliamOsbome. gave the final command "Slack off winch". Less thanfive minutes later FAB 3 slid gracefully and uneventfully into thewaters of the River Arun at Littlehampton.

This undramatic event witnessed by some 40 or 50 people,heralded the start of a new era for lifeboats. !t was the first timeIhat FAB 3, a new high-technology lifeboat prototype entered thewater. Nine months of intense building activity had come to anend and the boat was now ready for trials.

The building phase was, in itself, just the culmination of twoyears of research and development by a team of dedicatedtechnical professionals at the RNLI. Starting w:ith a blank sheetof paper and using the wisdom accumulated through more than150 years of life-saving, the designers and operators togetherspecified a new concept in lifeboats.

It was to be the fastest All-weather lifeboat in the RNLI fleet,with a design speed of 25 knots. Standards of equipment had tobe 'state of the art" and accommodation in line with the require-ments of today's operating conditions.

An operating range of 250 miles at full speed was required andsurvivor accommodation had to be greater than in the Arun class,the current large All-weather lifeboat.

These demanding criteria - and many more - led to an immensetechnical effort headed by David Hudson, chief technical officerof the RNLI. It started with a series of discussions, designdrawings and calculations. Later on. the early design ideas wereencapsulated in a scale model which was tested exhaustively inlank tests and as a free-running radio controlled model foroperational performance under varying wind and sea states.These tests confirmed Ihat the initial technical designs werefeasible and indeed acceptable.

But the proof of the pudding is in the eating. The RNLIcommissioned William Osborne to complete FAB 3 as a first-of-series. To meet the speed criteria it was essential that the weightof the boat was maintained at as low a level as possible, withoutsacrificing strength. This led to the choice of fibre reinforcedcomposites, or 'FRC'. as the building material. The deck andsuperstructure is effectively a sandwich of foam contained withintwo fibre reinforced plastic sheets. It has the characteristic ofextremely high strength for its weight, considerably higher thanaluminium, but it does create special requirements in the buildingphase. It is not possible, for example, to weld brackets orstiffening materials directly to the surface. Stiffening has to beresin-bonded lo the material and even the smallest bolted item hasto be located specifically on to wooden cores set and bonded intothe FRC material. This leads to an immense amount of detaileddesign in terms of the location of every single bolt, nut orfastening throughout the whole 17m boat. Given that there aresome 20.000 such fastenings in a boat of this size, this is no meanfeat.

In addition FAB 3 has been fined with the latest navigaiionaland electronic equipment. For example, closed circuit televisiongives the helmsman a view of the engine compartment and of theaft deck of the boat. Satellite navigation equipment enables theboat's position to be established with great accuracy anywhere onthe surface of the globe. A comprehensive galley, which includesa microwave oven, gives the operators standards of comfort nothitherto associated with lifeboats, and offers the prospect of

Continued on page 9290

The RNLI must always have an eyeof sea rescue many years ahead. 0latest design of Fast Afloat Boat (R

is designed to achieve even highiretaining - and even imprc

standards of IAlthough FAB 3 is, as yet, only a pr

of intensive trials and developmerbased on her can enter service, sh

Here Neville de Moraes of Williarfrom the builde

The prototype fast afloatboa! (right) may havesuperficial similarities withthe Arun class, but she wasthe result of a 'clean-sheet'design approach.Apart from being muchlatger at 17m overall andwith roughly one-third asmuch again in volume (dueto extra beam and depth)her engines are mountedaft and use V-drives whichgrves greater usableinternal space.As usual with prototypesthe hull has been paintedgrey (only acceptedlifeboats wear the fullliveryi but the superstruc-ture is in an experimentalhigh-visibility yellow.

Lifeboats and their equipment are complexand must work with complete reliability in theworst of conditions. It must be stressed thatFAB 3 is a prototype, and it is possible thatthere will be many changes to both boat andequipment before a new FAB enters service.

R O T O T Y P E T A K E S T O T H E W A T E R

• to tne future, anticipating the needsne project now well under way is thei,B) :<nown as FAB 3. This 17m boat&r speeds than current boats whileiving on — the current high•iNL! lifeboats.Dtot/pe, and there are many months11 ahead before a class of lifeboats0 is already showing great promise.

nOsborne looks at the FAB 3 storyr's point of view

(Above!. The sophisticated fibre reinforced composite (FRC) construction gives lightweight with strength, but needs much planning at the design stage.

(Above). The unpainled wheelhouse module (also in FRC) is craned into positionon the hull.

(Above) A modem lifeboat is complex... |ust a small part of the wiring, switches andcircuit breakers for the engine and equipment in the process of inslallation.

91

ON T R I A L - FAB 3 T A K E S TO THE W A T E R Continued

survivors being given more than the traditional hot cup of tea!Full medical facilities, including a working space for a doctor

and a comprehensive medical kit, are also part of this boat'sstandard features.

To pack all this new equipment into a boat of this size and stillallow operators the maximum operating efficiency and workingspace was not easy. A full scale mock-up of the wheelhouse wasbuilt to make sure that all equipment could be fitted in exactlywhere it was required and comments were invited on the preciselayout of instrumentation and equipment.

Similarly teams of medical advisers were brought down toWilliam Osborne to inspect and comment on the level andlocation of medical equipment so that as the boat was built theright equipment was installed in the right place.

William Osborne's project manager, Steve Answell, who wasresponsible for master-minding the nine-month building phase,commented 'The amount of detailed investigation and thethoroughness with which it has been done represents the mostcomprehensive thinking that has ever gone into a new lifeboat inall the thirty years I have been associated with building them.'

So, after two years of design and development and nearly a yearin the building, what happens now?

March and April of 1991 saw George Barnes and Jerry Morris,the two lifeboat coxswains at William Osborne, busily putting theboat through its paces. A set programme of builder's trialsincluded comprehensive testing of every aspect of the boat.Machinery, electronic equipment, loose gear and navigational aidswere all each tested separately and together and in the two monthsafter launch FAB 3 was put through some 60 hours of intenseexamination.

Any weaknesses were determinedly removed, settings wereconstantly corrected, refinements were built in, until the day camefor handing over to the RNLI - Wednesday 15 May -1991.

Between May and August the RNLI's own crews will have putthe boat through a similar series of tests, trials and familiarisationtrips, which will probably encompass the equivalent of anotheryear of normal operating use.

Plans include trying out the boat in every conceivable conditionand every possible sea state. As wide a number of technicalpeople as possible will be invited to state their views, so that byearly August further adjustments can be made to eliminate thosedisadvantages that remain and to build in other desirable featuresthat may be considered worthwhile.

The boat will then be put to the test by operators and their viewscanvassed.

It will have been one of the most comprehensively designed andtested lifeboats to have been built anywhere in the world. It will

The size of FAB 3 has allowed space for a special survivors' cabin below decks,additional seating is also provided at the aft end of the wheelhouse.

'Sprite', the lifeboat's mascot (provided by Osbornes for all lifeboats built by the yard)watches over the inside steering position with its engine controls and electronics.

have had the views of professional designers, boatbuilders andother advisers, intermingled with the views of experiencedoperators. This amalgam of experience will embody itself in thefinal shape and fitting of a lifeboat that is designed to take theRNLI into the 21st century.

All in a day's work for the hundreds of people involved in thevarious stages - but there is perhaps only one who will havewitnessed everything that has happened. For, in common withevery William Osborne lifeboat, a small mascot lives in thewheelhouse - presented by the employees of the yard to illustratetheir commitment and the part of their lives that has been put intothe boat.

This small purple mascot - called Sprite - has lived in thewheelhouse of FAB 3 from the very beginning and will liveaboard for the rest of the boat's life. She will be with her onevery life-saving mission, she will see the final fulfilment ofhundreds of people's work each time a life is saved at sea.

Below decks (this is looking through the engine room) the additional size of the prototypeis obvious - as is the amount of plumbing, piping and wiring needed to provide a reliableAll-weather lifeboat.

92

L I F E B O A T S E R V I C E S NOVEMBER and DECEMBER 1990JANUARY and FEBRUARY 1991

Aberdeen, Grampian54ft Arun ON 1050: December 12 andJanuary 13Aberdovey, GwyneddAtlantic 21: November 10, 17 andDecember 30Aith, Shetland52ft Arun ON 1100: November 2Aldeburgh, Suffolk37ft 6in Rother ON 1068: January 28Alderney, Channel Islands44ft Waveney ON 1045: November 12,23, 26, December 22, 31 and January 20Amble, Northumberland44ft Waveney ON 1004: November 4 andDecember 30Angle, Dyfed47ft Tyne ON 1114: November 4,December 4 and 25Anstruther, Fife37ft Oakley ON 983: November 17Appledore, North Devon47ft Tyne ON 1140: November 23 and 28Atlantic 21: November 10, December 25and 26Arran (Lamlash), StrathclydeC class: November 22Arranmore, Co DonegalRelief 47ft Tyne ON 1142: November 2, 3and 947ft Tyne ON 1111: November 24,December 7, 29, January 11 and 29Atlantic College (St Donat's Castle),South GlamorganAtlantic 21: December 3Ballycotton, Co CorkRelief 52ft Arun ON 1071: November 5,21, December 10 and 1452ft Arun ON 1067: February 5 and 12Baltimore, Co Cork47ft Tyne ON 1137: November 14 andFebruary 10Ballyglass, Co Mayo52ft Arun ON 1159: December 3 andJanuary 15Bangor, Co DownAtlantic 21: November 24 andDecember 15Barmouth, GwyneddRelief 37ft 6in Rother ON 1022/November 137ft 6in Rother ON 1063: February 23Barra Island, Western Isles52ft Arun ON 1143: November 23Barrow, Cumbria47ft Tyne ON 1117: November 4, 28 andDecember 14Barry Dock, South Glamorgan52ft Arun ON 1018: November 23,December 13, 28, January 5, 8, 26 and 27Beaumaris, GwyneddAtlantic 21: December 24 and January 5Bernbridge, Isle of Wight47ft Tyne ON 1126: November 24 andDecember 10

D class: November 23Blackpool, LancashireD class: December 16 (twice)Blyth, NorthumberlandRelief 44ft Waveney ON 1034: November13 and 30Bridlington, Humberside12m Mersey ON 1124: November 9, 10,21, 24, 26, December 28 and January 15Brighton, East SussexAtlantic 21: November 9 (twice), 15, 18(twice), 28, December 23 (twice), January6, 12, 13 and February 24Buckie, Grampian52ft Arun ON 1093: November 26 andDecember 27Burnham-on-Crouch, EssexD class: November 24 and January 5Calshot, Hampshire33ft Brede ON 1104: December 28Relief 33ft Brede ON 1090: February 2Campbeltown, StrathclydeRelief 52ft Arun ON 1077: November 5,6, 10, 23, 27 and December 2252ft Arun ON 1059: February 21Clacton-on-Sea, EssexAtlantic 21: November 2, December 3,January 5 and 13Cleethorpes, HumbersideD class: December 14, 30 andFebruary 20Clogher Head, Co Louth37ft Oakley ON 942: November 26 andJanuary 5Criccieth, GwyneddC class: February 3 and 28Cromer, Norfolk47ft Tyne ON 1097: November 21Cullercoats, Tyne and WearC class: November 9 and December 23Donaghadee, Co Down52ft Arun ON 1107: November 10(twice), 23, December 12, 16 and 28Douglas, Isle of Man47ft Tyne ON 1147: December 11Dover, KentRelief 52ft Arun ON 1160: December 1,29, 30 and January 850ft Thames ON 1031: February 10Dunbar, Lothian48ft 6in Solent ON 1020: November 20and 21Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin44ft Waveney ON 1036: JanuarysD class: January 24Dunmore East, Co Waterford44ft Waveney ON 1035: December 8(twice)Relief 44ft Waveney ON 1005: December29Eastbourne, East Sussex37ft 6in Rother ON 1055: November 29,December 12 and February 24D class: November 29

Exmouth, South Devon33ft Brede ON 1088: November 10, 11(twice), December 12 and January 1D class: January 1 and 20Eyemouth, Borders44ft Waveney ON 1026: November 20, 21and 29 (twice)Falmouth, Cornwall52ft Arun ON 1058: January 20, 21 andFebruary 16Atlantic 21: December 10 (twice),January 2, 13 and 17Filey, North Yorkshire37ft Oakley ON 966: November 13 andJanuary 19Fishguard, Dyfed52ft Arun ON 1076: November 16, 26 andDecember 7Relief'52ft Arun ON 1071: February 13Flamborough, Humberside37ft Oakley ON 972: November 24,January 18 and 19Fleetwood, Lancashire47ft Tyne ON 1156: November 4, 22,December 3, January 6, 23 and 27D class: November 4, December 3 andJanuary 15Flint, ClwydD class: November 16Fowey, Cornwall44ft Waveney ON 1028: November 21,December 7 and 20 (three times)Fraserburgh, Grampian47ft Tyne ON 1109: January 21Galway Bay, Co Galway52ft Arun ON 1118: November 3, 4, 6(twice), 15, December 2, 9, 17 (twice), 21,January 6 and 8 (twice)Relief 52ft Arun ON 1150: January 29,February 9 and 14Girvan, Strathclyde33ft Brede ON 1105: December 11,January 6 (twice) and February 22Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk44ft Waveney ON 1065: December 9 andJanuary 19Atlantic 21: November 16Hartlepool, Cleveland44ft Waveney ON 1044: November 29Relief 44ft Waveney ON 1001: January 13Atlantic 21: December 22 and January 13Harwich, Essex44ft Waveney ON 1060: November 22(twice), 23, December 14 28 and January 7Atlantic 21: November 1,17, 23, January2, 6 (twice) and February 13Hastings, East Sussex12m Mersey ON 1125: November 11,December 31 and January 4D class: November 6, 18, 30 andFebruary 3Hayling Island, HampshireAtlantic 21: November 6, 9, 18, Decem-ber 30 and January 7

93

L I F E B O A T S E R V I C E S N O V E M B E R A N D D E C E M E

Helensburgh, StrathclydeAtlantic 21: November 3, 6, December22, January 1 (twice) and 18Holyhead, Gwynedd47ft Tyne ON 1095: November 9, January6, 27 and February 17D class: November 8Horton and Port Eynon, West Glamor-ganD class: November 4Howth, Co Dublin52ft Arun ON 1113: November 4 (twice),24, 25, 26, December 18, January 13and 24Hoylake, Merseyside12m Mersey ON 1163: November 7,December 7, January 8 and February 23Humber, Humberside52ft Arun ON 1123: November 1,6, 23,December 7, 14, January 27, February 2and 6Hunstanton, NorfolkAtlantic 21: January 27Ilfracombe, North Devon12m Mersey ON 1165: January 6Invergordon, HighlandRelief 44ft Waveney ON 1001: November544ft Waveney ON 1033: December 16and 17Islay, Strathclyde50ft Thames ON 1032: December 21 andFebruary 21Kilmore, Co Wexford37ft Oakley ON 994: November 7Kinghorn, FifeC class: November 25Kirkwall, Orkney52ft Arun ON 1135: December 12Largs, StrathclydeAtlantic 21: November 4, 8, 25, 29,December 6, 13, January 18 andFebruary 27Lerwick, Shetland52ft Arun ON 1057: November 2,December 12, 25 and January 29Littlehampton, West SussexAtlantic 21: November 4, 10, 18 and 25Littlestone-on-Sea, KentAtlantic 21: November 9, 18, December6, January 23, February 19 and 23The Lizard, Cornwall47ft Tyne ON 1145: November 12, 14, 15and February 16 (twice)Llandudno (Orme's Head), GwyneddD class: December 15, January 12 andFebruary 16 (twice)Lochinver, Highland52ft Arun ON 1144: January 7Longhope, Orkney47ft Tyne ON 1138: December 25Lough Swilly (Buncrana), Co DonegalD class: November 1

Lowestoft, Suffolk47ft Tyne ON 1132: November 23 andDecember 24Relief 47ft Tyne ON 1122: January 5Lyme Regis, DorsetAtlantic 21: November 2, December 28and February 17Lymington, HampshireAtlantic 21: November 3, 11, December 1and January 20Lytham St Annes, LancashireRelief 47ft Tyne ON 1142: December 15Dclass: January 3Macduff, GrampianAtlantic 21: November 21 and January 13Mallaig, Highland52ft Arun ON 1078: November 12, 23,December 11, 30, January 1 and 13Margate, Kent37ft 6in Rot her ON 1046: November 2,December 8, 22 and January 13D class: November 7, December 3, 22and January 17Minehead, SomersetAtlantic 21: November 25 andDecember 23Moelfre, Gwynedd47ft Tyne ON 1116: November 18,January 8 and 19 (twiceMontrose, Tayside47ft Tyne ON 1152: November 15 and'December 2Mudeford, DorsetAtlantic 21: November 4, 30 andJanuary 15The Mumbles, West Glamorgan47ft Tyne ON 1096: November 8,December 21 and January 8Newbiggin, NorthumberlandAt/antic 21: November 29, December 7and January 10New Brighton, MerseysideAtlantic 21: December 15, 22, January 17and February 2Newhaven, East Sussex52ft Arun ON 1106: December 8, 16, 25,January 6 (twice), 12 13 and 21 (twice)New Quay, Dyfed37ft Oakley ON 961: January 24Oban, Strathclyde33ft Brede ON 1102: November 4, 16(twice), 18 (twice), 30, December 1, 2(twice), 23, January 5, 15, 17, 19 andFebruary 14Padstow, Cornwall47ft Tyne ON 1094: January 11,15and 26Peel, Isle of ManAtlantic 21: November 8 (twice) andDecember 18Penlee, Cornwall52ft Arun ON 1085: November 15, 27,December 25, February 12 and 16

Penarth, South GlamorganD class: November 3, 11 (twice), 25,December 2, 8 (twice), January 26,February 1, 2 and 26Peterhead, Grampian47ft Tyne ON 1127: February 9 (twice)and 20Plymouth, South Devon52ft Arun ON 1136: November 17(twice), 24 and February 9Poole, Dorset33ft Brede ON 1089: November 6Relief 33ft Brede ON 1090: January 22Boston Whaler. November 3, 18, January13 and 21Portaferry, Co DownAtlantic 21: November 7, December 16and 22Porthcawl, Mid GlamorganD class: November 11 and January 19Porthdinllaen, Gwynedd47ft Tyne ON 1120: January 6Portpatrick, Dumfries and Galloway47ft Tyne ON 1151: November 23,December 3 and February 28Portrush, Co Antrim52ft Arun ON 1070: January 7Portsmouth (Langstone Harbour),HampshireAtlantic 21: November 3 (four times), 4,18, Decembers(twice), 30, January 1 (three times), 20 and26 (twice)Port Talbot, West GlamorganD class: January 19Queensferry, LothianAtlantic 21: December 26Ramsgate, Kent47ft Tyne ON 1154: November 2, 8,December 28 and January 8Atlantic 21: January 26Red Bay, Co AntrimC class: November 23 and January 20Redcar, ClevelandAtlantic 21: November 11, December 16(twice), 30 and February 19Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford52ft Arun ON 1092: November!,December 8, January 4 and 27Rye Harbour, East SussexC class: November 18 and December 16

Lifeboat ServicesNovember and December 1990,January and February 1991The services listed are those forwhich returns had been receivedat headquarters by 30 April 1991.

There may be additional serv-ices for which returns had notbeen received by that date

94

1 9 9 0 , J A N U A R Y A N D F E B R U A R Y 1 9 9 1 - Continued

St Abbs, BordersAtlantic 21: November 20St Bees, CumbriaC class: November 22 and December 1St Catherine, Channel IslandsAtlantic 21: November 17 (twice), 29 andDecember 14St Davids, Dyfed47ft Tyne ON 1139: February 3 and 13St Helier, Channel Islands47ft Tyne ON 1157: December 4, 14, 15,30 and January 19 (twice)St Ives, Cornwall12m Mersey ON 1167: November 2, 16,26, February 7 and 19C class: November 29, December 22 andFebruary 21St Mary's, Isles of Scilly52ft Arun ON 1073: December 18St Peter Port, Channel Islands52ft Arun ON 1025: December 16,January 6, 7 and February 28Salcombe, South Devon47ft Tyne ON 1130: November 14 (twice),26 and December 25Scarborough, North Yorkshire37ft Oakley ON 977: December 5 (twice)and 12 (twice)37ft Oakley ON 979: February 2, 8 and 28Selsey, West Sussex47ft Tyne ON 1074: November 9,December 16, January 29 and February 21D class: November 9Sheerness, Kent44ft Waveney ON 1027: November 18,December 24, 29 (twice), January 27, 31and February 7D class: November 3, December 23, 24,29, January 2, 3, 17,19 and February 20Sheringham, Norfolk37ft Oakley ON 986: November 14 andDecember 27

Shoreham Harbour, West Sussex47ft Tyne ON 1158: November 19,December 16, January 6 and February 24(twice)D class: December 16 and February 24Silloth, CumbriaAtlantic 21: November 1Skegness, Lincolnshire12m Mersey ON 1166: November 4Skerries, Co DublinD class: November 24Southend-on-Sea, Essex'Atlantic 21: November 6, 14, 17, 18(twice), 25, December 1, 7, 8, January 20,27 and February 24D class: November 18, 25, 28, 29,December 15, January 2, 9, 20, 26, 27, 29,February 26 and 27Southwold, SuffolkAtlantic 21: November 18 and 27Staithes and Runswick, North YorkshireAtlantic 21: November 30, January 17and February 12 (twice)Stornoway (Lewis), Western Isles52ft Arun ON 1098: November 14, 20,December 22, 27 and January 23 .Stromness, Orkney52ft Arun ON 1099: February 22Sunder-land, Tyne and Wear44ft Waveney ON 1043: November 14,17, 30, February 5 and 16D class: November 17 (twice)Swanage, Dorset37ft 6in Rather ON 1023: December 1,2and 14Teesmouth, Cleveland47ft Tyne ON 1110: November 24,January 7 and 13Teignmouth, South DevonAtlantic 21: February 21 (twice)Tenby, DyfedRelief 47ft Tyne ON 1146: December 27

The prototype 14m Fast Afloat Boat (FAB 4) is at present being fitted out at William Osborne's yard in Littlehampton. Seepage 90 for details of the 17m FAB 3, now afloat for trials.

(twice) and February 19D class: December 25Thurso, Highland52ft Arun ON 1149: December 3, 23,Januarys, 9, 10 and 18Tobermory, Strathclyde44ft Waveney ON 1042: November 22(three times), January 14, 15 and 2754ft Arun ON 1052: February 13Torbay, South DevonRelief 52ft Arun ON 1086: November 17,December 4 and 1254ft Arun ON 1037: December 26, 30,January 3, 13, 28, February 15, 21 and 23(twice)Troon, Strathclyde52ft Ann ON 1134: November 8, 22, 23,December 1, 2, 3, 4, 17, January 15, 22,24, 27, February 16 and 20Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear52ft Arun ON 1061: November 3, 27,December 6, 7, 15, 31, January 12,February 5 and 23D class: February 23Walmer, KentAtlantic 21: November 9Walton and Frinton, Essex48ft 6in Solent ON 1012: November 2, 3,22 and December 3Wells, Norfolk12m Mersey ON 1161: November 4,December 1 and 6West Kirby, MerseysideD class: January 14West Mersea, EssexAtlantic 21: November 4, 17 (twice),December 2, 8, 23, 31, January 5, 6 and 10Weston-super-Mare, AvonD class: November 2Atlantic 21: January 26Weymouth, Dorset54ft Arun ON 1049: January 15Whitby, North Yorkshire47ft Tyne ON 1131: November 2, 7, 11,30, January 13, 18, February 16, 17, 18and 27Whitstable, KentAtlantic 21: November 13, 18 andJanuary 20Wick, Highland47ft Tyne ON 1121: November 13,December 23, January 10 and 13Wicklow, Co Wicklow47ft Tyne ON 1153: November 19 andDecember 8Yarmouth, Isle of Wight52ft Arun ON 1053: December 7, 15,January 8, 29 and February 5Youghal, Co CorkAtlantic 21: February 2Lifeboats on PassageMersey ON 1164: November 12Arun ON 1108: November 29

95

o o IT s in ii pG o v e r n o r s • S h o r e l i n e • S t o r m F o r c e

Positive ReactionsThere's an old saying: 'It only takes one spark to start a fire.'

Well, the spark in this case was the Spring issue'spiece 'Movingwith the Times.' The fire was your overwhelmingly positivereaction in favour of proposed increases in subscription rates.

We had certainly expected to receive a large response, but hadnot anticipated the near-unanimous chorus of offers to increaseyour contributions to the lifeboat service.

The courage and endeavours of the volunteer lifeboat crewshave fired the support of many generations. It is evident thattoday's generation of RNLI members, be they Shoreline membersor Governors, continue to give the highest priority to their con-tribution to the Institution's work. This is especially encouragingwhen, at a time of particular strain on our domestic budgets, thereare more charities than ever making demands on the pounds in ourpockets. Your reaction to the article showed the high regard inwhich the RNLI is held, and deserves our vigilance in applyingever more efficient fundraising methods.

With this thought, let us look at some comments made bymembers.

Raising the ratesNear-unanimous support was expressed for increasing current

subscription rates, especially in the light of 50% inflation since thelast increases in 1986. Many members are making financialsacrifices in order to continue their support. Caution was thereforeurged that the lowest subscription be kept around £10-£15, anacceptable rise to all those who expressed an opinion.

One of the aims of the Membership scheme is to broaden theRNLI's base of support. A low subscription is thus important forrecruiting as many new supporters as possible. You agreed that atiered membership structure (with stepped rates) was valuable inenabling those who could not afford to contribute above this lowerrate to continue doing so.

Paying by instalmentsWhile it would not be cost-effective to administer instalments

for lower subscription rates, it was this method which could helpmake Life Governorship more attractive. The one-off paymentcould be increased to £300, with an alternative rate of £400 forthose wishing to contribute four yearly instalments of £100,perhaps by Deed of Covenant.

Increased value without increased subscriptionsMany members pointed out that conversion to direct debit and

signing a covenant would increase the value of subscriptionswithout costing members anything! When you consider that itcosts 40p in bank charges every time a cheque is cashed, or that acovenant will increase your contribution by a third (if you payincome tax), you will appreciate why the fund raising and market-ing department is so keen on these cost-effective methods!

The Lifeboat JournalA split-vote was recorded, with both sides commending the

interesting and informative content of the journal. Half of you feltthe journal should remain free with membership, as it is animportant way of staying in touch with the Institution's work;while other members said they would willingly pay extra, overtheir subscription, to receive it. A few members felt it was not

necessary and argued it was up to each member to decide whetheror not to receive this.

How can I help without paying more?We have certainly noted your desire to help further, without

having to give more money yourselves. Selling lottery ticketsamong your friends is one way; recruiting new members isanother. Look out in the future for a member-get-member schemeand, by the way, do you have the RNLI credit card?

And finally...Your letters have been most valuable. The comments in them

will certainly be considered in our future planning.In the fund raising and marketing department we will endeavour

to strike the right balance between having the most cost-effectivemembership scheme and safeguarding the needs of our existingmembers. Your feedback will guide us.

Meanwhile, we trust the endeavours of our lifeboat colleagueswill continue to fire your support.

A representative selection of extracts from your letters areprinted below:

L n n 11—' n

(B IE 1C (B (T S K X it IT <BlSome of your views on membership...

...thank you for the journal which I always enjoyreading. When my membership comes up for renewal inNovember I would be happy to add £5 to it, or agree toanything similar which is adopted...

RMWBexhill-on-Sea

...my wife and I became Life Governors because thepayment was £200, and by each signing deposited covenantsthe Institution received rather more. We would not havedone so had the fee been £600. On the other hand we feelthat the payment for annual Governorship could beraised...

SLMCrediton

...1 too believe that the subscriptions are not inkeeping with today's prices and am prepared to double myyearly subscription from £6 to £12. I authorise you tocharge this amount, or whatever sum you may agree to foryour future rates...

RSLeigh-on-Sea

...your article has my full support. With inflation anannual subscription of £25 is not enough! For some time Ihave been thinking of increasing it to £50pa but haven'tgot to the bank with this weather. Meanwhile I enclose acheque for £50...

Miss MBWorthing

... an optional magazine at, say, £5pa. Only those whoreally want it would buy it, saving you expense. I feelthat a minimum of £20 would put off a number of potentialannual members, since I guess that many such personscontribute to a number of worthy causes. £10 would bereasonable, plus the £5 for the magazine...

MJESompting

96

... I have supported the organisation for many years bothby subscriptions and collections. I enjoy the magazinebut would prefer to see more of the subscription used forthe work of the Institution. I therefore would have noobjection to paying, say, an annual subscription of £11(£5 for the magazine plus £6 sub)...

MGCEdinburgh

I am a new member of the RNLI, only joining in 1990spurred into action by visiting the NE coast and seeingone or two of its lifeboats... £6 annual membership isvery good value and could be increased, but £20 wouldpossibly see a decline in numbers. I for one would notwish to spend quite so much. £10 would seem a reasonablecompromise in view of the many other demands made by themyriad charities in existence today. The magazine, whileinteresting, is perhaps a perk that could be eitherdecreased in frequency (say twice yearly) or paid forseparately...

LSHeadington

...with regard to the article in the current issue of TheLifeboat regarding an increase in fees. I would like todouble my subscription, and this may include any increasemade by the Institution during the coming year. Mysubscription is made by covenant and direct debit...

LHWAndover

...I feel that there may be people willing to pay a smallmembership fee to the Institution and forego the receiptof the magazine... which could be an ^in addition' costto those willing to pay for it. Arrangements may have tobe made for existing £6 membership who genuinely cannotafford more but who would like to continue to receive themagazine. I enclose a cheque for £5 to cover the cost ofThe Lifeboat for 1991, and wish you well...

WHMStevenage

. . .At the moment becoming a life governor is, I shouldthink, within the reach of ordinary supporters likemyself. Surely if you increase the fee from £200 to £600you may severely suffer from overkill, as I have recentlywitnessed in my voluntary work for another organisation.However I agree with your suggestion for possibly charg-ing all members a nominal annual fee of £5 for thelifeboat journal...

RAELetchworth

... I fully agree that an increase in subscription shouldbe made, I also agree that some people find it difficultto find the sum required in one lump sum. Would it bepossible to donate by monthly instalments?

HWPHounslow

. . .it seems that to pick £600 as a threshold for lifegovernors because of the provisions of Gift Aid is toignore a less brutal and therefore more acceptable way ofachieving Life Governor status while still enabling theInstitution to recover income tax. If the subscriptionfor life governors is raised it would seem sensible tofollow the example of many other charitable bodies andallow life subscriptions in instalments, covenanted ifthe subscriber pays income tax...

BSLlanfairfechan

. . . it seems clear that either the basic subscriptionshould be increased to say £12 so as to cover the cost offour issues of the journal and leave £7 for the lifeboatservice, or members should be asked to pay a subscriptionfor the journal. I favour an increase in subscriptionbecause the collection of a separate contribution wouldentail further costs...

EGGoring Heath

... I feel that some can pay so much, while others canpay more. So I think it should be left to the indi-vidual . . .

WKLondon N13

. . . the minimum rate should remain at £6 for pensionersand those not at work, but I think £20 is not too muchfor those in employment . I think we should all be will-ing to subscribe £5 for four issues of The Lifeboat. . .

KLCrewe

. . .viewed against the annual saving of 1,500 lives andefforts in Force 8+ gales the figures quoted seem minute.If £20 were to be the standard fee, which I support,then OAPs and the unemployed could get a £10 discount .The fact that Governors need only pay £20 flabbergastedme. . .anyone desiring the privilege of that title shouldcertainly be asked to contribute £50pa. The ratio shouldprobably be retained making a Life Governor £500. . .

Members already give a lot of their time and spegreat deal of money on souvenirs. . .an increase tis unreasonable. Surely you are penalising the sare alreadyjujo

ADE- Girvan

ir time and spend ao say £20

hobe

rea ea o money on souvenrs. . .an ncrease o says unreasonable. Surely you are penalising the sector whre already contributing? I feel a modest increase can bustified with your idea of adding the cost of theournal being one to explore...

Coventry

. . .membership fees are too low and in need of re-consid-eration. In 1989 with 163,000 members £1.72m was raised,an average of £10.55 per member, yet in 1990 with 177,000members £1.77m was raised at an average of £10 permember. So whilst membership continues to grow theaverage donation has decreased. . .I consider that the idea of charging for The Lifeboat tobe very reasonable . It is an excellent quality magazineand comparison with other single-interest quality maga-zines at the newsagents would find costs in the region of£1.50 to £2 per copy. I believe that £5 for four copiesof The Lifeboat to be excellent value for money...

PHFareham

I have read with considerable concern the remarks whichsuggest that the Institution is considering discon-tinuing the free supply of the journal to Life Governors.When some years ago I decided to pay the Life Governor'ssubscription the expense was for me a serious cost but Iwas willing to pay it to ensure that I should continueto enjoy the privileges without having to worry aboutfuture subscriptions when I had retired from salariedwork. For the Institution even to contemplate with-drawing the free journal seems to me a grave injustice,particularly to senior Life Governors (I am 78)...

LSPBrentwood

...first of all I agree that a £5 annual fee for TheLifeboat seems to be very reasonable and would be accept-able to most readers. Secondly I think annualGovernors'subscriptions could be doubled to £40 and LifeGovernors at least £400, bearing in mind the influencethey have in running the Institution's activities...

CGReading

...1 was recently involved in similar discussions as acommittee member of a small society. One comment passedwas VI would rather have 100,000 members paying £1 than1,000 members paying £100.' In my view this is not thecorrect approach because membership administration canbe expensive and is a variable cost depending on size...a society must set its membership rates on the basis ofgenerating the revenue surplus it needs to meet itsexpenditure objectives.I think that £10 is not an unrea-sonable amount for the base subscription, representingless than 20p per week. My view is that a top rate ofsay £100 will be acceptable to members and I will bewilling to pay such a rate once my financial circum-stances improve. Just to clarify matters, I have beenunemployed since late last year but have budgeted mysmall income to be able to meet this year's Governorssubscription at the current rates and hopefully anyincrease that may take effect...

CKChelmsford

97

£ £ £

S o m e

T H E

w a y s

F U N D R A I S E

o f t i l l i n g t he

RS

c o f

£ £ £

f e r s . . .

Pushing and pullingAlthough the new term was only days old,the youngsters at Fowey Community Schoolwere soon in action supporting the localcommunity. Fifty-two Year Eight pupilsand their teacher, Miss Annie Saunders,participated in a sponsored 'lifeboat push' inaid of Fowey lifeboat.

For two hours the 12-year-olds, working inteams, pushed a D class lifeboat round theschool bus park. The fine weather made thepush even harder work, and participants andspectators alike were grateful for the coolingdrinks available from stalls manned by Foweybranch members.

Despite their aching limbs, the pupils weredelighted when their final total of 74 laps(over eight miles) raised a splendid £300towards the £500 required to install a radio inFowey lifeboat house.

Coxswain Keith Stuart was equally thrilledwith the amount raised and intends to markthe Institution's appreciation by placing acommemorative plaque in the boathouse.

Pupils at Fowey Community School put their backs to the wheels and trundled a D class inflatable lifeboat 74 times round

their school bus park. Photo Jonathan Barker

Beat theChristmas Rush!

Buy from the comfort of yourown home with the

RNLI Autumn/Winter 1991 Catalogue• Many new Christmas card designs• Exciting gifts for all the family• Order early to avoid disappointment• Many products exclusive to the RNLI• All profits go to saving life at sea

Your copy of the RNLI Autumn/Winter 1991 catalogueis enclosed with this issue of The Lifeboat.

If you or your friends would like further catalogues pleasewrite to RNLI Sales Ltd, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset

BH15 1 HZ quoting reference J91

Great choice! Great value! And a terrific way to helpthe RNLI's lifesaving work

Maiden bowls them overNorth London Area, assisted by Barnetbranch and Elstree and Borehamwoodbranch, organised a highly successful eveningat the Wyllyott Centre in Potters Bar.

More than 400 people welcomed TracyEdwards MBE, skipper of Maiden in the1989/90 Whitbread Round the World race.After a wine reception Tracy entertained heraudience with a lively lecture and slidepresentation on the voyage and the eveningraised over £4,000.

Safety in numbers!Western Geophysical/Shell UK have againpresented three more donations to the RNLI,the results of a safety campaign involvingcrew members of three research vessels.

A donation of £10,000 was presented bythe crew of Western Cove towards the up-keep and maintenance of Lerwick lifeboatstation, a sum of £4,000 was presented byWestern Challenger to cover the cost of newfuel storage tanks at Aberdeen and WesternReliance donated £10,000 towards the costof the crew room at Teesmouth.

Buckets of moneyVisitors attending the Festival of Underwa-ter Sport held at Crystal Palace in Londonwere met on their arrival by a large contin-gent of members from the Lewisham branchwho had arranged a bucket collection and anindoor souvenir stall.

Despite torrential rain and strong winds thebranch raised over £3,000 in only two days.

98

£ £ £ T H E F U N D R A I S E R S £ £ £

Proud occasionAfter his unsuccessful campaignin 1988 to save Worth ing ' scharming Victorian lifeboat houseand turn it into a lifeboat museum,Rob Blann wrote a book about thedeeds of 19th century locallifeboatmen. entitled 'A Town'sPride'.

Now, thanks to a unique co-operation between the author, apublican and the RNLI, the livesand times of those early lifeboatcrews are commemorated pictori-ally in a permanent display withina pub, a pub now renamed 'ATown's Pride' after that book,which wil l support the work of thelifeboat service with raffles andother fund raising activities.

'A Town's Pride' was reviewedin the Autumn 1990 issue of The Lifeboatand all profits from sales will be donatedto the RNLI.

Rob Blann (right) is pictured with thepub licensees Peter and Linda Sim at there-naming of the pub.

In brief

Car wash marathonThere were a lot of clean cars in Margate onFebruary 24 after an eight-hour car washmarathon in a car park next to the town'slifeboat station.

' Dez', a local young man in business on hisown as 'Dez's Car Valeting Service', threwdown a challenge that he could wash 40 carsin eight hours. Mrs Jackie Bowshell or-ganised the event and cars were brought inby regular customers to a strict timetable.The local fire service supplied the waterfrom a fire appliance, music was provided bythe local hospital radio station, and a hotfood stall and an ice cream van catered for alltastes for the crowds attending.

The washing started at 9am and by middaythe half-way target was reached. During thelunchtime break those present were enter-

Arrows on targetShore helper and assistant w i n c h m a n o tHastbourne l i feboat . Da \e Wood, andDa\ c Pocock. an Eastbourne I ishemian.were successful contestants in the TVprogramme "Bullseyc". \ \hich is due tohe shoun in the a u t u m n .

The u\o Da\es \\on various pri/e.s inthe lead-up to the big pri/e - when aprofessional darts player throws thedarts , and his points arc tu rned in to

\ \astncirprolessiorni l he scored 265 points. A cheque forlal amount in pounds was later pre-.Mited to Captain Shearer, honorary

tained by the Margate Drum Majorettes, onehundred balloons were released and a rafflewas drawn.

By 3pm Dez had washed 39 cars, mostlyJaguars, Mercedes, Porsches and even acouple of Rolls Royces, plus a few FordEscorts and other smaller cars, and was ap-pealing for more cars! By 3.45pm he hadwashed 45 cars - plus a passing police carand the fire engine!

Money raised from the event totalled£ 1,318, and went towards the local appeal toraise £3,400 for a radio telephone to be fittedin the new Margate lifeboat, Leonard Ken!.due on station later this year.

Branching out for the menSolihull ladies' guild, formed in 1964, wasmade into a branch in October last year, thusadmitting men through its hallowed portalsfor the first time !

The fine tradition of fund raising set by theguild has been continued by the branch, somuch so that since October no less than£8,533 has been raised.

Major fund raising events included a con-cert by the Chanterelle Choir which raised£200, the house-to-house collection and flagday £2,153 and Bob Tench, a committeemember, successfully completed the LondonMarathon and added £160 to the coffers.

Walk this way...The annual sponsored walk organised byWorthing branch from Splash Point alongthe seafront to Rustington and back, a total of12 miles, resulted in £2,700 being raised bythe 60 walkers who took pan.

Another fund raising event, the BroadwaterFair, realised £547 for the branch.

FIVE years ago Hamish Fraser askedLossiemouth ladies' guild to supply him witha collecting box to take to work on oil rig MCP01 in the North Sea. Contributions which heand his workmates have made so far exceed asplendid £1,576.A CHEQUE for £2,084.19 was presented toNewquay ladies" guild by Newquay Pearl,the money being raised during the past year bythe organisation of several specialist events inaid of the RNLI. These events included aseries of craft fayres, a balloon race duringharbour day and a highly successful fashionweek. The money raised by the events wasadded to the donations received from custom-ers visiting the centre.EVERY Christmas, Denmans Electrical, aMidlands-based firm with several branches,has a charity fund raising day and the staffsefforts are matched pound for pound by thecompany. The Dawley Telford branch choseto support the RNLI and presented cheques tothe value of £430 to Wellington branch.A CHEQUE for just over £ 117 has been pre-sented to Bournemouth ladies' guild by PIPPrinting, Bournemouth. The money was raisedthrough a special Christmas card promotionwith a percentage of the sales donated bycustomers to a charity of their choice.THE ROYAL Mail chose Harwich as a launchpad for its new range of scientific achieve-ment stamps and, as part of the celebrations,generously donated £500 to Harwich life-boat.AFTER an outstandingly successful year offund raising in 1990. totalling £13.000,Broadstairs ladies' guild were able to makeuse of an empty shop in Harbour Street whichthe owner allowed to be used free of charge.Bands of volunteers sold an astonishing arrayof 'nearly new' clothing and other articles andrealised an encouraging £4.050.SINCE 1980 Mr Peter Tully has organised theannual Paignton regatta week firework dis-play and all collections made at each of theseevents, totalling over £9,000, have been do-nated to Paignton branch. A town historian,Mr Tully also gives talks on his specialisedsubject 'Old Paignton'. again donating alltakings to the RNLI - a great supporter andfriend of his local branch.THE West Wight ladies' guild announced thevery pleasing results of its fund raising effortsfor 1990 with a total of £17,833 being for-warded to Headquarters. Sales of souvenirsand Christmas cards accounted for £6,614 and£4,312 was realised from the flag week col-lection.TWO enterprising fund raising activities tookplace in Peacehaven last Christmas. The firstinvolved the Shell Travellers Check servicestation where manageress, Juliet Clarke, ar-ranged for her staff to dress up as FatherChristmases. Armed with collecting boxesthey persuaded customers to part with nearly£135 for Newhaven lifeboat. Further up theroad, Ivan Gadd at the Telscombe Tavern,donned a lifejacket and oilskins and helpedraise £128 in a raffle.THE BOYS of Downside Lodge pre-preparatory school in Purley supported a life-boat week by having an introductory assem-bly and a gift and souvenir shop for threeafternoons. Many excellent drawings, mod-els and written work were produced and over£200 was raised for the RNLI.

99

£ £ £ T H E F U N D R A I S E R S £ £ £

Dry electric!Condensation in the boathouse at Penarthlifeboat station had been preventing the crewdrying out their dry-suits properly, and themoisture was also spoiling some highlyspecialist equipment.

They knew a dehumidifier was the answerto their problems but did not have the fundsto buy one. However South Wales Electricityanswered an appeal for help by the Penarthbranch and generously donated the applianceand organised its free installation.

The station honorary secretary, CaptainGraham Sommerfield, commented 'We areso grateful for this kind donation Withoutthe dehumidifier the crew would often becold and wet even before they even set off ona mission. Now they will always have awarm start'.

All in a day's workA new committee was formed in the Acombarea of York in January of this year and isalready enjoying great success with its fundraising efforts.

The members were very busy on 1 Junewhen they held a grand tombola at the finishof the annual raft race in York. Havingappealed for prizes from local traders, 150very attractive items (all donated) were dis-played, and £289 was raised.

Throughout the day a local video store inAcomb ran a small raffle, raising £61, andduring the evening members were backraising funds through the sale of raffle ticketsat Acomb working men's club, achieving afurther £125. A great day for the newcommittee, resulting in a grand total of £475.

A fishy storyLuncheon with a definitely fishy flavourwas served by Rochdale Ladies' guildrecently. All the dishes were fish based— except the desserts of course! — andwere the brainchild of member GeorgieDonnelly.

Guests were full of praise for the culi-nary delights, and the branch was able toadd £527 to its funds.

SwimsafeOn 1 April this year the Royal Life SavingSociety and the RNLI launched their firstpartnered appeal to the general public -Swimsafe UK.

The appeal runs until the end of this yearand is asking everyone in the country to takepart in a sponsored swim. The appeal has twotargets, the first is to celebrate the centenaryof the lifesavers by swimming a lap of honourof 7,000 miles - the distance around the UK- and link every lifeguard club and lifeboatstation with their dedicated volunteers.

The second target is to raise £500,000 tohelp support both organisations' committedvolunteers.

One participant was Mrs Pat Scanlan, whohad recently recovered from an operation toremove a spinal disc and decided to take upswimming to strengthen her back. She ac-cepted the Swimsafe challenge and covered45 lengths of the Blackpool Lido swimmingbaths to raise over £80 in sponsorship.

The appeal is being sponsored by BritishGas and further details can be obtained fromThe Royal Life Saving Society UK atMountbatten House, Studley, WarwickshireB80 7NN.

In brief

Under starter's ordersThe 24-hour Le Mans car race took placein two places this year - France andBeaminster in Dorset!

The starting flag at the Dorset venue wasdropped by the Institution's director, BrianMiles, and the Scalextric version of theannual marathon was on.

The race took place in the GreyhoundHotel and was organised by landlord DaveMason. The tiny racing cars, operated bytwo sponsored five-men teams, zoomedaround a 24-yard track competing for atrophy donated by Major Marques carrestorers of Sherborne. The event raisedmore than £ 1,200 from sponsorship and agrand raffle.

Pictured at the start of the race are,standing left to right: Mr R. Vivian May,a member of the fund raising committeeand deputy president of Bridport branch,the director and Mrs Joan Best, presidentof Beaminster branch. Kneeling left toright: Dave Mason and the two team

captains, Dixie House and Dick Wetherden.(Photo John Gurd Press Photography)

A PENTAX camera, donated by Boots theChemists, was the first prize in the Christmasdraw organised by Nottingham and Districtbranch. The draw raised over £1,200 forlifeboat fundsMcEWAN'S and Stakis Hotels have donated£500 towards the cost of the new lifeboatstation at Tobermory.A CAKE made by Josephine McLaughlin wasraffled at a function organised by Lough Swillybranch and raised £ 158.MANY Rame branch members supported theFashion Show specially staged by KernowMill in aid of the RNLI. With wine and cheese,an interesting floor show and raffle it proved tobe a most successful event and raised over£250 for lifeboat funds.THE Swanage lifeboat appeal received a boostwhen a cheque for nearly £14,000 was pre-sented to Mike O'Sullivan, chairman of theappeal committee. The money was raisedthrough a competition in the Civil ServiceMotoring Association magazine in conjuctionwith Frizzell Financial Services and will payfor the intercom system, propeller shafts andcoupling to be fitted to the new Mersey classlifeboat Charles Brown.THE SECOND snooker tournament held byWalton and Hersham branch in Februarynetted a record £1,458 for the RNLI, exactlydouble the amount raised in the first tourna-ment in 1990. Over 50 people entered thehandicap event which was finally won by 14-year-old Scott Friedberg.THE Wild Bunch Western Society in MiltonKeynes raised £300 towards the cost of anecho sounder for the new Filey lifeboat. Themoney was raised by giving displays in fullauthentic western costumes.

Two RecordsThe appeal week held in April byCrowborough branch increased its collec-tion by 7% to £4,670.59. This was a verypleasing result particularly in respect of thevillage of Hartfield, which for a number ofyears has been organised by John Milner.

John, who retires this year due to ill health,managed to return a personal record of £348from the small village.

Run for the boats!Three crew members of Hunstanton lifeboatundertook a sponsored run from Wells life-boat station to Hunstanton and raised ap-proximately £600.

First home was Michael Wallace, closelyfollowed by Michael Derby and MichaelReed.

A lot of bottle!A fund raising evening at the Sun Inn,Llanengan, near Abersoch included thebreaking of a bottle which contained £ 1,260.

This amount had been collected over thewinter, with the proceeds of a weekly rafflealso being added to the bottle. A cheque waspresented to the Abersoch branch of theSouth Caernarvonshire ladies' guild.

100

£ £ £ T H E F U N D R A I S E R S £ £ £Stalwart supportLoughton and District branch was formed in1977 and since that time has raised over£103,350. Percy Gibbs. now 90 years old,was one of those who volunteered to serve onthe committee - and he has done so eversince.

His usual duty station at indoor events ismanning the door to receive donations oradmission money and he is always atBuckhurst Hill station during the morningrush hour on Lifeboat Day.

This year he put in a strenuous two hoursraising over £65 towards the branch's recordLifeboat Week total of £4,825.

At a committee dinner held in his honourthe day following his 90th birthday, Percywas told that the committee would like himto accept the role of branch president, and acommemorative plaque was presented to himto mark the occasion.

All in a row!Every year some of the Cullercoats ladiesdress up in lifeboat gear, and sit in a row asthough they are pulling a lifeboat. They thenendure buckets of water thrown at themwhile a member of Cullercoats Club singsthe Grace Darling song!

Over the years the ladies have raised sev-eral thousands of pounds for the RNLI andthis year the total collection in a two-hoursession amounted to almost £400. This sumwas made up to £500 by the club committee.

This annual endurance test is co-ordinatedby Mrs K. Blackman and Mrs Bart Taylorwith Mr Blackman usually singing the ac-companiment!

Romsey's key eventMore than 200 people attended the celebra-tion of Romsey Branch's 21st Anniversary,held by kind permission of Mr and MrsTrevor Harris in their garden at The Frenchieson Sunday 19 June.

The proceedings were opened by FionaRichmond who cut the celebration cake andpresented the raffle prizes. First prize was ahelicopter ride won by Mrs Isobelle Flood.Once her feet were back on firm ground shesaid she had thoroughly enjoyed the trip,which took her over Romsey town centre, theBroadlands Estate and her own home inNorth Baddesley.

The Michelmersh Silver Band providedexcellent music, and entertainments includeda competition in fly casting which was wonby 13 year old Helen Carter. At the end of theday a total of £850 had been raised.

Record supportFlag Day in Huntingdon and Godmanchesterresulted in a record amount being collectedfor Huntingdon branch. The street collec-tion raised £255.41 and the house-to-housecollection realised £2,928.

The horse before the cart

Websters Yorkshire Bitter has launched anational Shire Horse coastal tour to helpcelebrate the 100th anniversary of the firstLifeboat Saturday in Manchester.

The first Lifeboat Saturday, the fore-runner of all charity street collections, fea-tured Shire horses pulling two lifeboatsthrough the streets, and this summer's tour

is planned to raise £15,000 for the 27lifeboat stations at the seaside towns to bevisited.

Derek Hallworth, industrial organiserfor the north is pictured aboard one of thetouring drays, ready for the worst the sea-side weather can throw at him!

(Photo Paul Francis Photography)

Food for thoughtA buffet lunch to celebrate the 25th anniver-sary of Sutton-on-Sea and Trusthorpe ladies'guild was held at the Enterprise Club inMarch, attended by 72 supporters.

A special luncheon to celebrate 25 years offund raising was organised in March bySutton Coldf ield ladies' guild and 90 guests,including several past members, travelledlong distances for the occasion. During its25 years the guild has raised £132,613.

A luncheon held at 'Langton" proved agreat success for Tunbridge Wells branch.The weather was favourable for this outdoorfunction hosted by Mr and Mrs Graveneyand some £674 was collected.

On the right trackMrs Eve West, chairman of the Alton branch,recently presented an RNLI shield to MikeReitzler, licensee of the Railway Hotel, Altonand chairman of its Darts and Social ClubThe shield is awarded annually to a localpublic house which has raised the most moneyfor the Institution during the past year.

The sum raised was just over £1,038 andbrought the total for the Railway Hotel since1982 to over £5,000.

Parlour PerformersFollowing a letter in the Summer 1987 issueof The Lifeboat from John Anstey, a lifegovernor of the RNLI and director of a groupof singers called The Parlour Performers,the Bumpstead district branch 'booked' thegroup for a concert in 1988.

The singers give concerts of Victorian andEdwardian music and proved such a successthat they were asked to return in 1989, in1990 and yet again this year! Over the pastfour years the concerts have raised more than£ 1,300 and have become one of the highlightsof the village year.

The Parlour Performers give their servicesfree for charity and Bumpstead branch canrecommend them highly.

Further information can be obtained fromJohn Anstey, 31 Newbury Street, StBartholomew's, London EC1A 7HU.

Horses for courses §The fourth annual Minehead driving festival |was held in May and spectators enjoyed the odisplay of horses, drivers and carriages. More athan £500 was collected during the day and |the Minehead Ladies' guild was one of three |charities to benefit from the collection. »

101

The North West Passage - who was first?I am most concerned to read inThe Lifeboat that David Scott-Cowper in the ex-lifeboat MabelE. Holland carried out thefirst single handed navigationof the 2,000 mile North WestPassage.My understanding is that in

1977 Willy De Roos achievedthis under sail in one season,and for this he received a KrugAward for Excellence.His Arctic voyage was subse-

quently prolonged to make acomplete anti-clockwise circum-navigation of the Americancontinent, via Cape Horn, avoyage completed in the summerof 1979. This voyage in theyacht Williwaw, a 13m steelketch, is the subject of a bookcalled North West Passage,originally written in Frenchbut translated into English byBruce Penman and it has RearAdmiral G.S. Ritchie,Hydrographer of the Navy 1966-71 writing the foreword.I believe the Norwegian

explorer Amundsen was the firstsuccessful explorer to transitthe North West Passage with a50 tonne fishing boat, takingthree years and finally reach-ing the Pacific in 1906. Thenext time was in the 1940's -

Sergeant Larsen of the RoyalCanadian Mounted Police in StRoche, a specially built two-masted schooner with auxiliaryengine, not only repeatedAmundsen's success but alsomade the passage from west toeast.Willy De Roos may have struck

a lucky year enabling him tomake the voyage from the Atlan-tic to the Pacific withouthaving to winter in the Arcticbut he did do an enormousamount of preparation andhistorical reading beforehandfor his planning of the voyageso that he was able to snatchopportunities whenever theycame.I do not wish in any way to

take away anything from DavidScott-Cowper's incredibleachievement but I do feel thatone should ensure as far aspossible that reports arewritten correctly. Having hadthe pleasure of meeting WillyDe Roos several years ago hemade a great impression on meand although little is publi-cised about his achievements,it is a shame that they are notbetter known.

H. GoslingWheathampstead, Herts

Pride of membershipI became a Shoreline memberlast year. Although I wasunemployed I paid my subscrip-tion as I knew the money wouldbe put to good use.

It was only when I started toreceive my magazine that Irealised just how courageousthe lifeboat crews are.The articles show the brav-

ery, skill and commitment thatis needed by each of the life-boat crews.I find the magazine very

interesting and am very proudto be a member.

Miss C WilliamsCardiff, South Wales

Help on a plate!May I through The Lifeboatthank any readers who respondedto my letter in the Spring 1991issue concerning the breakageof a plate in the 'Heroes ofthe Sea' series to whom I havenot replied personally.At the last count I have had

15 responses to my letter fromreaders, many recommending theBradford Exchange (not infre-quently including envelopesaddressed to the Exchange andin one case a completed orderform), one offering to obtainthe plate from a local charity

£ £ £ T H E F U N D R A I S E R S £ £ £

Shoreham successThe 100th anniversary of the start of RNLIstreet collections was celebrated during theannual Shoreham Lifeboat Week, organisedby the Shoreham and Lancing ladies' guildand Shoreham Harbour lifeboat society.

They had set a target of £5,000, the sameamount that was raised in Manchester andSalford in 1891, and were delighted when arecord £6,141 was collected.

Commemorating this historical eventaroused considerable interest and mediacoverage, and while two lifeboats and threebands were used in Manchester, Shorehammanaged with one lifeboat and two bandsprovided by TS Intrepid and TS Implacable,the Lancing and Littlehampton divisions ofthe Nautical Training Corps marchingthrough the streets.

Make that donation worth even more!Don't forget that the Gift Aid scheme, which came into operation inOctober last year, enables the RNLI to increase the value of almost allsingle donations of £600 or more.

If the donor is an individual (or a company) and pays basic rate incometax the RNLI can claim back the tax already paid on that money from theInland Revenue turning the donor's £600, for example, into £800 for theInstitution.This involves the donor in only a single signature on a simple form which

any RNLI regional office, or headquarters, can supply. The scheme hasalready netted the lifeboat service a considerable extra sum of money.

Any branch which receives a gift or donation of this size and does nothave the necessary forms should contact its regional office, or theheadquarters Fund Raising Department, for advice on increasing thevalue of the donation even more - at the taxman's expense!.

102

shop and three writers offeringa copy of the plate for sale.One of the sellers was Nairn

ladies' guild, who had beengiven the plate to sell for theguild's funds, and this was theone I bought at the BradfordExchange price.Once again my set is now

complete and I am very gratefulto all those who took thetrouble and interest to writeto me. Gordon Whitehead

Copt Hewick, Near Ripon.

Other prayers of the seaWe have been sent a copy of thespecial prayer approved by theArchbishop of Canterbury foruse at ceremonies in connectionwith the RNLI and printed inyour Winter issue. Clearlythis meets a felt need forwhich nothing previously com-posed was quite appropriate.We should like to call the

attention of your readers, ifwe may, to the Forms of Prayerto be Used at Sea in the Book

To a good homeAfter the super article on my lucky win, and desire to find agood retirement home for my 33-year-old A35 in the Spring 1991issue of The Lifeboat, I was delighted to receive so many lovelyletters from readers interested in taking over care of my dearlittle car.I have replied to all, and would like to report that I have

negotiated a suitable figure with Christina Littler and BobHaddon of Birmingham who will take possession before the end ofMay.They seem delighted and although so far we have only had tel-

ephone contact, I feel sure they will be able to drive their'new' acquisition for many years to come.Thank you again for all your congratulations, good wishes and

interest, and I do feel that my lucky win in the 25p raffle willstimulate RNLI funds - after all if I can win, so can anyone!

Miss Daphne KnightsPurley, Surrey

of Common Prayer - still thestandard authorised prayer bookfor the Church of England,which include prayers before orduring a storm and thanksgivingfor safety and deliverance, aswell as the very beautifulcollect which begins 'Preventus, 0 Lord, in all our doings',in which the word 'prevent' isused in its old original senseof 'go before us' .These prayers will be found

in the prayer book immediatelyafter the psalms. Thoughoriginally composed for use inthe Royal Navy there is noreason why anyone may not usethem, who would find themhelpful.

The Prayer Book SocietyGarlick Hill, London EC4V 2AL

The Lifeboat welcomes reader'sletters on any subject connected withthe lifeboat service. Write to:

The Editor, The Lifeboat, RNLI,West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset

BH151HZ.Please mark your letter clearly if it is

intended for publication

Mariner doesn't just promise reliability.

If you're considering buying an outboard, whatever the size, you'llhave noticed that almost every manufacturer promises greater reliability asan important reason for selecting their engine instead of someone else's!

At Mariner, we prefer to deal in proof, not promises. That's why youmay be interested to know that after a stringent, lengthy and punishingprogramme of engine evaluation, the RNLI have chosen Mariner power.Why? Because the one thing their fleet of inflatable rescue boats must have,above all else, is ultimate engine reliability — and as their test programmeproved, Mariner has it!

s

...

OUTBOARDS

The R.N.L.I, is completely financedby voluntary contributions.

Full information from-.

BARRUS^ •i ""MARINE DIVISION

Launton Road, Bicester,Oxfordshire, OX6 OUR.

Telephone: (0869) 253355.

103

P e o p l e a n d P l a c e sa r o u n d a n d a b o u t t h e R N L I

Commissioned to choose the winners!Winners of the RNLI's 53rd nationallottery were drawn on 30 April by RobinGuthrie, Chief Charity Commissioner forEngland and Wales.

Mr Guthrie, who was appointed by theHome Secretary in 1988, recently acceptedan invitation from the director, Lt CdrBrian Miles to visit Headquarters and asthe date coincided with the lottery, MrGuthrie agreed to draw the 20 luckynumbers.

The 53rd lottery realised over £87,000and the prize winners were:£2,000: L. Summerfield, Caerleon,Gwent.£1,000: Mr & Mrs P.J. Francis, Gorton,Manchester.£500: D. Start, Worthing, Sussex.£250: Sheila Eley, Ipswich, Suffolk.£100: Mrs I. Quinn, Chatham, Kent; Mr& Mrs A.E. Foreman, South Shields, Tyne& Wear; SJ. East, Sanderstead, Surrey;Mrs J.R. Pearson, Hull, North Humber-side; P. Johnson, Winsford, Cheshire;

R.M. Getty, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim;G. Livingstone, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire;R.C. Errington, Ashington, Northumber-land.£50: Miss H. MacLean, Clydebank,Dunbartonshire; Miss U.M. Roe, London;Miss J.E. Briggs, Knaresborough, NorthYorkshire; P.V. Turner, Thames Ditton,Surrey; W.H. Child, Mayfield, EastSussex; E.J. Lownes, Sutton Coldfield,West Midlands; J. Duncan, Barnet, Herts;Mrs R. Wilsdon, Oxford, Oxon.

Long Service AwardsThe Long Service Badge for crewmembers and shore helpers who havegiven active service for 20 years or morehas been awarded to:Arbroath - Crew Member S. FergusonBarrow - Crew Member T. KeenanClogher Head - Mechanic J. BurkeCriccieth - Crew Member 1. OwenDungeness - Head Launcher F. Voller

ObituariesWith deep regret we record the following deaths:DECEMBER 1990Angus Mai Donald, first coxswain ofInvergordon lifeboat from 1974 to 1981.Mrs Grace Agate, president of Aldeburgh La-dies' guild from 1965 until her death. In 1966she was elected chairman but had to retire fromthis post in 1987 due to ill health. Mrs Agate wasawarded a silver badge in 1977 and a gold badgein 1986.Lionel Sharpe. honorary treasurer of WestWickham branch from 1969 until his death in1990.Captain John Tickell, honorary secretary ofIlfracombe lifeboat station from 1978 to 1985.JANUARY 1991George Jappy, coxswain of Buckie lifeboatfrom 1962 to 1972, having previously served assecond coxswain in 1961. He was awarded abronze medal in 1968 and a vellum in 1967.FEBRUARY 1991Mike Turner, honorary treasurer of Shrews-bury branch from 1974 to 1983 and from 1986until his death. From 1983 to 1986 he waschairman. Mr Turner was awarded a silverbadge in 1985.Mrs Marjorie Nicklin, a member of SennenCove Ladies' guild. Affectionately known as'Mrs Marmalade', she produced 7,000 jars ofmarmalade over the past ten years which weresold to raise funds for the guild. She wasawarded a framed certificate of thanks in 1990.Mrs Daisy Gosnay, vice president of Aldeburghand District Ladies' guild. She was the lastdirect surv iv ing descendant of the 1899Aldeburgh lifeboat disaster.MARCH 1991Norman Clarke, honorary life governor of theInstitution. Mr Clarke became a flag day organ-

iser in"Ne wport, Gwent in 1946 and held variouspositions with the Harwich branch, Southamp-ton branch and ultimately as treasurer of Col-chester District branch. He was appointedhonorary information officer in 1974. The fol-lowing awards were made during his service tothe RNLI: a silver badge in 1962, a statuette in1970, a gold badge in 1976 and honorary lifegovernor in 1987.David Tate, honorary treasurer of St Albans &District branch from 1966 to 1986. He thenbecame vice chairman and subsequently vicepresident of the branch. Mr Tate was awarded asilver badge in 1987.John Barry, coxswain of Courtmacsherry life-boat from 1952 to 1974, having joined the crewin 1949.APRIL 1991W, Softley, the last surviving crew member ofthe Brancaster lifeboat, the station having closedin 1935.MAY 1991Miss F. Piper, MBE, vice chairman of The LizardLadies' guild from 1980 until her death, havingbeen a member since its formation in 1971.MAY 1991William Gorrie, coxswain of Peel lifeboat from1967 to 1972. He was assistant mechanic from1961 until his appointment as second coxswainin 1962 and was awarded a vellum in 1970.Mrs Mary Stevens, a committee member ofSwansea branch for over 20 years. During thattime she was minute secretary and flag dayorganiser and, together with her husband, wasawarded a certificate of thanks in 1987.Philip G. Clarke JP, life vice president of theRNLI since 1986. Mr Clarke was elected to thecommittee of management in 1972 and wasappointed a vice president in 1984.

A long service...John Chope, retired this year at the ageof 65 - after 52 year's service with theRNLI.

John was born on 14 February 1926and joined the Sennen Cove lifeboatcrew ashore as a 'runner' on histhirteenth birthday in 1939.

As far as the records show he wentfrom 'runner' to shore helper and joinedthe crew in 1950. His last trip in thelifeboat as a crew member was 7 June1983, and from that date he joined (heshore crew again, retiring this year after52 year's service.

Howth - Crew Member N. McLaughlinHoylake - Crew Member P. LangleyMontrose - Mechanic D. MalliePorthcawl - Shore Helper D. ThomasTenby - Assistant Mechanic D. Young,Winchman J. Griffiths

On StationThe following lifeboats have taken upstation or relief fleet duties:ALL-WEATHERRhyl - Oakley 37-29 (ON 1000) MaryGabriel on 23 December 1990. Ontemporary station duty.Kilmore Quay - Oakley 37-09 (ON 976)The Lily Wainwright on 25 January 1991.On temporary station duty.New Quay - Oakley 37-06 (ON 973)Fairlight on 27 January 1991. Ontemporary station duty.Tobermory - Arun 54-07 (ON 1052) Cityof Bradford IV on 7 February 1991.Clogher Head - Oakley 37-11 (ON 978)The Royal Thames on 29 March 1991. Ontemporary station duty.Portree - Waveney 44-007 (ON 1042)Ralph & Joy Swann on 2 May 1991. Ontemporary station duty.Filey - Mersey 12-13 (ON 1170) Keep FitAssociation on 2 June 1991.INSHORERelief - D410 on 6 March 1991.Courtown -D412 on 16 March 1991.Marazion - D411 on 23 March 1991.Ilfracombe - D334 on 23 March 1991.For one season's operational evaluation.Cullercoats - B514 on 9 April 1991.Redesignation to Atlantic 21 status.Kirkcudbright - B585 on 13 April 1991.Relief-D413 on 22 April 1991.Relief- D414 on 29 April 1991.Relief - D415 on 22 May 1991Relief - D416 on 5 June 1991Relief- B586 on 10 June 1991

104

LIFEBOAT CLASSIFIEDHoliday CabinsFor Hire and Sale at

ChurehwoodComfortable, quality holiday homes.

Set in coastal preservation area • Adjoining NT.land and near several N.T. I Historic houses

|«Good touring area close to Dartmoor Nat. Park.

Wembury Bay,Plymouth

^South Devon: (0752)862382

(24hr)

ISLE OF MULLA small guest house and farm in lovely country-side, a mile from villages and two from coast.Package multi-activity holidays. Sea sailingand home cooking. Write to Jenny Matthew,Ardrioch, Dervaig, Isle of Mull, Argyll.

Telephone (06884) 264

Renovation and repair of all types ofmeteorological instruments to

Met. Office standards• Mercury and aneroid instruments• Approved to service and supply

spares for Negretti& Zambrainstruments

• Charts, pens, ink• Display barographs available,

produced in the traditional style

W. J. Read49 Old Vicarage Park. Narborough.

Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE32 1THPhone (0760) 337801

FLORIDA BUNGALOWMinutes Disneyworld, pool, restaurant, sleeps6. From £300pw. Tel (0262) 671900

Binocular Repair SpecialistsHigh quality & realistic prices for repairs

cleaning/realigning. Also new and S/H salesACTION OPTICS

2Old Hill, Avening. Nr Tetbury Glos GL8 8NRTel Nailsworlh (045383) 3738

BOOK & LIBRARY RESTORATIONHand bookbinding services

Kingfisher Bindery (0584) 890124

WEATHER INSTRUMENTSBarometers, barographs, raingauges.frost predictors, hygrometers andthermometers. Also an inexpensiverange of remote sensing instrumentsfor wind, rain and temperature.All available by post. Full colourbrochure and price list from: Met-Check,Depl. P.L., PO Box 284, Bletchlev,Mtton Kcpies, MK17 OQD. Telephone0296712354 (24 hours).

FLUSHING, CORNWALLComfortably furnished quayside holiday cot-tage, sleeping six in three bedrooms, situatedin the centre of this quiet village on beautifulFalmouth harbour. Views across the water toGreenbank and the Royal Cornwall YC.

Phone Mr A. Bromley,Ringwood (0425) 476660 or write

22 Gravel Lane, Ringwood, Hants BH24 1LN

ABBEY BOOKSMaritime, naval. Shipping. Yachting

Histoiy etc, Second-hand/Antiquarian Booksfor sale by Catalogue.

nionviEW, srEYne ROAD, SEAVIEW, ISLE OFWIGHT, POM 5BH. Telephone 0983612831

f FAMILY NAME KjfCOATS OF ARMS W

Individually painted by hand(from only £19.95) Write and we will tellyou if a coat of arms is associated with

your name free

ALL ARMED FORCES, SCHOLASTIC,CIVIC AND PROFESSIONAL

Ties, blazer badges and wall plaques(Over 10.000 designs - increasing daily)

ORIGIN OF YOUR SURNAMEWe research the name and print in OldEnglish characters on parchment-typepaper a true record of the name embel-lished with heraldic beasts and shieldsin six colours measuring 13in by 1 lin.

_ Price only £17.95A unique gift

Callers by appointment only

Please send a stamp for free colour bro-chure and price list. For orders phone

(0202) 631761. Visa AccessHouse of Arms and Emblems

Dept Ll 1. 142 Sandy Lane. Poole.Dorset. BH16 SLY

SALCOMBE HOLIDAY HOMESSelf-catering cottages/flats. Brochure on

request: Jayne Sherwood,Salcombe (054 884) 3485 (24 hrs)

TOPOTOTSQUALITY WATERPROOFS FOR

CHILDREN AND ADULTSSou'westers, trousers, blousons etc.

Optional detachable fleece lining.For free brochure send SAE toBrow Cottage, Stoney Lane,

Newbury RG169HQ.Telephone (0635) 40438

MINIATUREMODELS OFLIFEBOATS,

SAILINGVESSELS, YACHTS, AND OTHER

MARITIME CRAFTCommissioned by mantime museums, collectors,

owners, skippers, RNLI stations and crews. Each

subject individually created, by one of the world's

leading ship modellers, to provide exceptionally

accurate and detailed replicas, 'Exquisite perfec-

tion in miniature' - a client. The work includes many

RNLI lifeboats for naming ceremonies, retirements

and collections. Each supplied with certificate olauthenticity and scale.

BRIAN WILLIAMS

West Rock,

The Cleave,

Kingsand, Torpoint,

Cornwall PL10 INF

(Tel: 0752 822638)

Cornwall. Tamarside cottage. Idyllicsurroundings. Sleeps 4. Pets welcome.

T Barnes (0579) 50284

Barometers & BarographsRestored by experienced craftsmen incl.Negretti & Zambra and other famousmakes. Collection point Central London.Russell Scientific Instruments, Rash's

Green. Dereham. Norfolk NR19 1JG.Tel. (0362)693481

FALMOUTH BOSANNETH GUEST HOUSEVisit Falmouth this year and stay in comfort atBosanneth overlooking Falmouth Bay. Wellappointed en-suite rooms, most with sea views.All with complimentary colour TV and tea/coffee makers. Personal service, licenced,private car park. Ex-Whitstable liteboat crew.Brochure on request.

Phone Ann or Eric, 1 Stracey Road,Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth TR11 4DW.

Tel (0326) 314649

SAIL ALYSTRAA 38ft ketch, sailing the Hebrides

Join skipper Tony (ex-MN) and Anya, cookand zoologist, aboard 'Alystra', and help cruisethe magnificent waters of the West Coast.Explore uninhabited isles, enjoy quiet anchor-ages and good food. Learn the basics of cruis-ing, pilotage, navigation, or just take in thescenery. Sail in sheltered waters ideal for thefamily. Single sailors welcome. Cruises startfrom L. Craignish.

From £229-£259 p.p 6 daysMembers of the A.S.Y.C.

RYA Recognised Teaching EstablishmentGILL YACHT CHARTERS

Ardfern, by Lochgilphead, Argyll PA31 8QNTel: (08525) 257

111) nil I A | JIT 6 t.....—.—5—H._IJKU. •*--•--

THE HOTEL FOR ALLSEASONS

Secluded, romantic and wonderfulhospitality

HOLNE CHASENr. Ashburton, Devon

Ponndsgate (036 43) 471AA + RAC" Commendation of B.TJL

SCOTTISH HIGHLANDSINVEREWE GARDEN 6 MILES

Relax in luxury bungalow in over an acre of garden 300yards from the sea. Dinner, bed and breakfast £18.Traditional and vegetarian, home baking

Mrs P. Cawlhra, Cartmel, Aultbea, W. Ross.Tel. (0445)731375

HIGHLANDS of SCOTLANDINVEREWE GARDEN 6 MILES

Luxury bungalow sleeps 4 with patio windows overlook-ing the bay (200 yards]. Available all year, full heating

SAE Birchburn Holidays, Aultbea, W. Ross.Tel. (0445)731375

FALMOUTH, CORNWALLPort Pendennis Harbour Village

Luxury waterside apartment in award-winning development. Two bedrooms,

sleeps 4, also available autumn.Overlooking marina, berth available.

Telephone (0326) 250339

INTRODUCTION TO YACHTINGTry yachting on the Solent. Skippered coursesall year round on comfortable 35ft cruiser.

SAMARA SAILING (0322) 340531

FRKEHOLD PROPHKTIKS

MARINA DEVELOPMENTS/RESALES

SPAIN • FRANCE • USA •and many other areas

BUYING. SELLING OR SIMPLYSEEKING SOUND ADVICE

We Imk forward Pohearing from

Tel: (0590) 677971 (4 lines)

YACHT CREWCrewing opportunities availableCruising/Racing/Delivery/Charter

All experience levels requiredYachts Local and International

Send SAE for detailsCREWSEEKERS, HAWTHORN HOUSE,

HAWTHORN LANE, SARISBURY GREEN,SOUTHAMPTON SOS 6BD

Telephone (0489) 578319Crewseekets - Bringing Yacht Owners and Crew Together

ISLES OF SCILLYMINCARLO GUEST HOUSE - superb posi-tion overlooking the harbour at St Mary's -adjacent the Lifeboat Station. Run by thesame local family since 1945. All rooms H&Cand heating, some with en-suite facilities.

Tel. (0720) 22513 or write Colin Duncan

YACHT AND BOAT INSURANCEPhone Woodbridge (0394) 384749 foradvice and insurance quotations foryachts, angling boats, speedboats.

Coopers, Lime Kiln Quay,Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1BD

TIDEMASTER® COMMANDERTime & Tide. Alarms,

I Sl«p»atch/l»eck»atch & R.D.I.Beacon Timer in a Diving Case

• Clear highly lumimsedic display including-.weep second handease with Mainloss

•L-d MX) fciM

S hour display opium[ •Backlight tor night viewing of

display£59.95 inc. VAT

,1 Trail,- \tarktl'r

YACHTING INSTRUMENTS LIMITEDBOATING DEPARTMENT. MAPPOWDER.

STl'RMINSTKR NEW ION. DORSET DTK] 2EHTel: 02SS 817662; Fax: 0258 817829

THE SPECIALISTS IN ALL FORMS OF SEA BURIAL

THE BRITANNIA SHIPPING COMPANY

FOR BURIAL AT SEA LIMITED

Britannia House • Newton Poppleford • Nr. Sidmouth • Devon

EX10 OEF.Tclcphonc Colaton Raleigh (0395) 6X652 — 24 hours.

105

LIFEBOAT CLASSIFIEDRNLI PRESENTATION

WALL PLAQUESColoured houseflag in relief on

61/2"x5'/2" varnished shieldE15 each ( + £1.75 p&p)

Engraved plate with your wording

Supplied to many crews, stationsand branches for those special

presentationsMARINE CRAFTS

West Rock, The Cleave, Kingsand,Nr. Torpoint, Cornwall PL10 1NF

S (0752 822638).

SARK - CHANNEL ISLANDS

LICENSEDGUESTHOUSE

Family run. Centrally situated nr. La Seigneuhe.Open all year. B&B or half board. Own produce.All rooms H & C, heating, hot drinks, someen-suite. Contact John and Jenny Marsland fortariff and brochure. Sark (O481)831352.

ALMOST AFLOAT...or close waterfront, Fowey Harbour,South Cornwall. Comfortable holidaycottages, Polruan, sleep 2/8. Superb'views, exceptionally well-equipped,mooring facilities. £50/£350 weekly.

Telephone (0726) 870582

FOR YOUR CLUB OR CHARITYRENT-A-RACE

PHONE 093? 222638 FOR YOUR BROCHURE

ITS BACK! FRED'S TIDE GUIDEwhich covers all the British Isles, Eire

and Channel Islands.1991 TIDE GUIDE complete with clock

and Data Pack £7.201991 DATA PACK {for people who

already have the clock) £4.25Make cheque out to 'S.A.A. Sales Office'

and send to the Sub-Aqua Association. 21Leybourne Road, Liverpool L25 4SW.

Telephone 051-428 5451

PLYMOUTH HOE - DEVONAA i RAC >IMPERIAL HOTEL - 22 bedrooms mostlyen-suite - Nautical Cocktail bar- Discount forShoreline members and friends - Detailscontact resident proprietor Lt Cdr Alan K.Jones RNR Retd. Colour brochure and tariff.

Plymouth (0752) 227311

REGIMENTAL TIESAlso Club, Company, Promotional Ties.Blazer Badges & Buttons, Cuff Links, HandPainted Heraldic Shields/Car Badges,Medal Mounting, also miniatures.RADNOR LTD, 39 Thames Street,Windsor, Berks SL4 I PRTel: (0753) 863982

Est 1919 Personal Callers Welcome

106

CORNWALL. Three well-equipped cot-tages on working moorland farm. Lakeviews, log fires. Lovely peaceful loca-tion. Coast 10 miles. Linen provided.Pets by arrangement. Trewalla Farm,Minions, Liskeard PL14 6ED.

Telephone (0579) 42385

For Brochure, Prices or to Order phone

CHAMPAGNE DE COURCY (UK.) LTD.

0233 861202Every bottle sold benefits the R.N.L.I.

^ ^

Restronguet, Nr FalmouthPeaceful, picturesque waters' edge hamlet.Comfortable houses sleep4/8 (two bathrooms).Own gardens, quay, slip and beach near Pan-dora Inn/Restaurant. Open all year. Dogs al-lowed. Peter Watson, Restronguet, Falmouth.

Telephone (0326) 72722

NORTH NORFOLK COASTB&B in sunny bungalow in quiet position inpicturesque Burnham Market, Short distancefrom coast. Situated between Hunstanton andWells. Tel (0328) 738699

PORTRAITS-IN-OILCommission an Original Oil Painting

Your loved one. Pet, House, Boat etc from aphotograph. Paintings of any subject undertaken.

BRUNETH FINE ART, 50 Medley Street,Maidslone, Kent ME) 4 SAP Tel (0622| 750534

MARITIME MODELS

Any type of ship or boat model

built to highest standards

Telephone Peter Halliwell

(0733) 237607

BROADS NATIONAL PARKSKippered day-sailing on beautiful EdwardianBroads yacht. Also B&B accommodation inpicturesque village. Tel (069262) 768

SIDMOUTH SEAFRONTFriendly family-run seafront hotel, totallyrefurbished, en-suite rooms, col. TV.teamakers, good food, parking, fully licenced.Safe beaches. Special offers and bargainbreaks. 5% discount cheque payable to RNLIhanded to you when a/c settled. BrochuresMarlborough Hotel, Sidmouth EX10 8AR.

Tel (0395) 513320

SCARBOROUGH

RAYVIL HOTELComfortable, clean and friendly licenced

hotel in a magnificent positionoverlooking North Bay.

Close to harbour and town, excellent homecooking, en-suites available, tea/coffee all

rooms, private car park.

Reductions for Shoreline members.

(0723) 364901

Sign here to heipthe Cife6 oats...

If you have any autographs of famous people theRNLI can turn them into cash to help run the

lifeboat service.

A specialist auction house will sell individualautographs or collections on the RNLI's behalf.

Individually they may not be particularly valuablebut if we can collect enough they will make aworthwhile addition to the Institution's funds.

Send your autographs to:The Fund Raising Department, RNLI Headquar-ters, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ

ALGARVE, Eastern, 3 farmhouses w/sea view, 10m pool. Rural and peaceful.E150-E250 weekly; winter £450 monthly.Joan Campbell, Box 2 Moncarapacho,

8700 Olhao, Portugal.(010351 89792338

The closing date foradvertisement copy for the

Autumn issue of The Lifebosis 30 August 1991

Under 16?Want to helpthe RNLI?

Join StormForce

Badge, posters, stickers, rallies, your own quarterlyStorm Force News

All for just £3 a yearSend your name, address, date of birth

and £3 to:Storm Force Headquarters,

RNLI, West Quay Road,Poole, Dorset BH151 HZ

Special Discounts for Over 50's and Free Membership of ARP/050 when you take out a policy!

SffldNG CHEAPERMOTOR COVER?

YOUVE COME TO THERIGHTPLACE!

Discount for Over 50'sIf you're looking for cheaper

motor cover, there's no better place tostart than Commercial Union motorinsurance.

In fact, if you're over 50.. .you cansave from 11.5% on CU motor cover!And save up to a further 30% for carsover 2 years old.

Win a Car.. .Get a Free Gift!Request your quote within 21 days,

and you'll automatically receive aFREE CAR COMPASS. And get achance to WIN THE FORD ORION 1.6GHIA OR FORD ESCORT 1 .6 EFi GHIA.

Plus 1 Year Free MembershipofARP

Not only do you get all theseadditional discounts, we also providefree, your first year(s) membership to

GET YOUR FREE QUOTE...

Ring 0772-20-20-02(8am to 8pm. Monday to Friday, or Sam to noon on

Saturday) for your quote and free gift.

Your Chance to WinAFordOrion1.6Ghia

or Escort 1.6 EFi Ghia justrequest yourquptejwithin 21 days

Why thousands switch to CUMotor Cover each year• No-quibble, protection for yourmaximum no-claim discount • New carreplacement facility • Free security

1 etching • Free insurance cover inWestern Europe for 31 days • Freemotorcall emergency call-out service

DETAILS OF THE PRIZE DRAW. The Draw will be held~~on 11th December 1991. All eligible applicants for amotor quotation will be entered. The winner will benotified by Christmas Eve 1991 and has the choice of aFord Orion 1.6 Ghia or Escort 1.6 EFi Ghia. Fullspecifications of the cars are available on requestthrough Commercial Union. Models are subject tomanufacturers changes and availability at the time o1purchase. No cash alternative is available. The nameand address of the winner will be available on requestafter 24th December from Commercial Union at theaddress below. Employees (and their relatives) ofCommercial Union and their advertising agents will notbe eligible for the Draw. The Prize Draw may berepeated during 1991 after the close date.

Get this free cat compass by pinningor using the coupon. The offer closes within21 days and we cannot guarantee it win berepeated. (Please allow 28 days for delivery.)

the Association of Retired Persons(ARP/050) giving you...• Free Mugging Insurance • Free Hos-pital Cash Insurance • Free Domesticand Legal Helplines • Special Discountsfrom leading Companies

To qualify for CD's best quote, alldrivers covered should be 25 years orover and hold full driving licences. Also,your car must be a normal family model(not high performance or sporty), ownedand registered by you, and kept at yourhome address.

But even if you do not qual ify asabove, and haven't passed your 80thbirthday, we maystill be able to giveyou a competitivequote if you provideadditional details.

Registered Office: St. Helen's, 1 Undershaft. London EC3P 3DQ. Registered in England, Number 214B7

Free Quotation, No ObligationSurname Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss(please delete as applicable)

First Name(s)

Address

ABOUT YOUR PARTNER (please attach full details of any other drivers)

Full Name

Occupation Date of Birth / /

. Postcode _

Tel No. (day) _

(eve)

COVER REQUIRED Q Comprehensive (with £50 own damage excess)

1i Third Party, Fire and Theft

Type of use: D Social, Domestic, Pleasure D Personal Business

Do you have a No Claim Discount? D Yes G No If Yes, No. of Years

Do you require Protected No Claim Discount? DYES D NO

ExpiryDateofCurrentPolicy l l

Occupation .

Employer

DateofBirth_Signature . Date .

ABOUT YOUR CARMake

Type (GL etc) _

c.c.

. Model

. Current Value E .

Reg. No.

Please give additional details on a separate sheet if any proposed driver(s) suffersfrom any infirmity which could impair their driving, has had any accident in the last3 years, or any convictions in the last 5 years (apart from one speeding convictioneach, not involving a driving ban, and parking offences).

Please return this coupon to:Commercial Union Assurance, Customer Service Centre,FREEPOST. Preston PR12BR

LIFE.When you open the door of a Volvo 460

Turbo, you'll notice the extra weight of thebuilt-in crash-bar. It's there in all Volvo doors.

Sink back in your seat, secure in theknowledge that you are surrounded by a rigidsteel safety cage.

With crumple zones to the rear and front.

Standard features include collapsiblesteering column, three rear seat belts and adual circuit braking system.

A brief test drive will leave you in nodoubt that the Volvo's 17 turbo-assistedengine has all the power you need for safeovertaking.

A catalytic converter helps cut out 95%of toxic emissions.

At the wheel, you'll notice the power-steering still provides plenty of 'feel'.

In the rear-view mirror you can see thehigh-mounted additional brake light.

This is just one side of the Volvo 460.

With its modern windcheating lines, it'sone of the most stylish cars on the road.

STYLE.When you open the door of a Volvo 460

Turbo, you'll notice the slim pillars, the goodvisibility, the ease of entry.

Sink back in your seat, comfortable inthe knowledge that it's electrically heated anddesigned by back specialists.

With adjustable lumbar support.

Standard features include electric windowselectric sunroof, tinted glass and a radiocassette player.

A brief test drive will leave you in nodoubt that the Volvo's sports suspensiongives an exceptionally stable yet comfortableride.(Wherever you sit.)

A catalytic converter helps cut out 95%of toxic emissions.

At the wheel, you'll notice the highlysophisticated electronic information display

In the rear-view mirror you can see thesplit rear seat with a folding armrest.

This is j'ust one side of che Volvo 460.

With its many standard safety features, it'sone of the most secure cars on the road.

•SK TOUR DEALER ABOUT VOLVO LIFETIME CARE AND DETAILS Of FREE CHILD SEAT PROGRAMME ALL HEW VOLVOS RUN ON UNLEADED PETROL AND ARE FITTED WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AS STANDARD VOLVO 460 TUUBO C16.485

INC C A R T A K t v A T CEHCL STANDARD NATIONAL DELIVERY CHARGE £240. INC VAT I PRICES AND TAX LIMITS CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS PERSONAL EXPORT SALES TEL 10707216J388 FOR A BROCHURE TEL 0800400430 FREE

«» 2 $i1 I

P U L A I DM A R I N E CSYSTEMS

The instant guideto safety at sea.

Legislation or not in 1992. as everyserious boat user knows, safety at seais vital - and when the unexpectedhappens, there's often little time toconsider the correct response.

The bey to a safe decision is informa-tion - and if you don't know theanswer, it must be easily accessible.

That's where Pulaid's Concise Naviga-tional Reference System comes to therescue. This handy set of laminatedrotating discs provides at-a-glance

:ice to the IALA Buoyage System.Flags and Morse. International Regula-tions for the prevention of Collisions

; Parts C and D. Light Character-md International Distress Signals.

No need for endless heavy volumes orjumbled flip cards - just consult anauthoritative source on your charttable. Instantly.

Like all the best ideas, the PulaidConcise Navigational ReferenceSystem is beautifully simple - with aprice to match. To obtain your set inits weather-resistant case, completeand return the coupon. Or visit yourship's chandler.

After all. £ 19.95 is a small price to payfor peace of mind. Particularly whenone of those pounds will support thelife-saving work of the Royal NationalLifeboat Institution.

PULAID MARINE SYSTEMS— supporting the RNLI.

SEE YOURCHANDLER NOWOR FILL IN COUPON BELOW

Yes. please send me the neatest on-board safetyaid of the 90s!Name

Address

County. Post Code

D A cheque tor £1995 including postage & packing (madepayable to Pukiid Marine Sy>tem> Lid ) is enclosed

D Please charge my Access/Visa card (Delete as applicable)or ord<r order by phone now on 0206 763726.

Card number

Expiry Date

Signature

. I

(For multiple orders, enter the quantity required in this box and I—Ienclose the correct remittance at 119 95 per unit, or specify I Ipayment by credit card)

Now mail to: Pulaid Marine Systems Ltd.17ft West .Strppt Cnlrhp^tpr F«t»v CC\n 7RH

The spirit of TraditionMichel Martell, the seventhgeneration of the Martell family tohead this prestigious company,founded in 1715, was in Englandwhen the announcement was madeto phase out the traditional Navalrum ration in 1970. This includedthe provision of rum to Lifeboats"on service"

Being a lover of tradition and akeen yachtsman, he spontaneouslyoffered to provide the RNLI withMartell Cognac.

The Lifeboats have carried Martellever since for use "on service".

Martell & Co. and theirU.K. distributor TheHouse of Seagramare proud of thislink and look for-ward to develop-ing further theirlong standingrelationship withthe RNLI

MARTELLC O G N A C

The House of Seagram,Pinnacle House, 17 Hartfield Road,

London SW19 3SE