IN 1957, for the second year in succession, life-boats were launched on service more than 700 times. The total figure was 716, and the last two years have been the only years in time of peace in which the figure of 700 was exceeded.

Life-boats rescued 609 lives in 1957 compared with 533 in 1956. In addition the Institution gave rewards for the rescue of 110 lives by shore-boats.

For the first time in the Institution's history the category of vessels which made the greatest demands on the lifeboats was that of yachts. During the year life-boats were launched 173 times to the help of yachts and rescued 228 lives from them. There were 137 launches to fishing vessels ; 133 to motor vessels, steamers, barges and motor boats ; and 44 launches to the help of aircraft.

The increase in recent years in the number of services to pleasure craft is a significant one. The total number of services by life-boats to fishing vessels, coasters, tankers, barges and aircraft has not declined. In fact the reverse is the case, and year after year the number of such services tends to increase. But the proportion of these services grows less because of the persistent increase in the number of calls made by yachts.

LONG SEARCHES FOR AIRCRAFT During the three months under review in this number of the Life-boat there have been a number of long and exacting searches by life-boats for aircraft which have crashed into the sea. In October life-boats were fifty-six hours at sea searching for a United States Sabre Jet. In November there was a search for two United States Thunder Jets, during which life-boats spent eighty-five hours at sea, and another search for a Hawker Hunter, in which the total time spent at sea by life-boats was 142 hours. Fuller details of these searches are given on page 6.

An unusual service which took place in October was that carried out by the Weston - super - Mare life - boat when seven men were marooned on a sixtyfeet high drilling tower in Bridgwater Bay. One by one the seven men jumped into the life-boat. They were rescued successfully, although the lifeboat was damaged when a heavy sea carried her against the -drilling tower.

A full account of this service appears on page 10.

Six life-boats were called out on Christmas Day. The Margate and Southend-on-Sea life-boats put out to the help of a German collier, the Great Yarmouth life-boat to a Belgian trawler, the Bembridge lifeboat to a steamer, and the Penlee life-boat to a tanker, from which she landed a sick man. The Dover lifeboat was also launched when a coaster was reported ashore.

LIFE-BOAT BENEVOLENT FUND Mr. Arthur Francis, a resident of Brighton, and his wife recently made a gift to the Institution, which was offered, in Mr. Francis's words, as an expression of their " great admiration for the men who man the life-boats around our coasts". The fund is known as the Life-boatmen's Benevolent Fund, to which contributions are invited. The fund will be used to relieve any members or former members of life-boat crews who find themselves in poor circumstances and in need of financial assistance.

Mr. Francis is a relative of the late Miss Maud Holland, who shortly before her death gave the money for the new Dungeness life-boat Mabel E. Holland.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH TO REMAIN ON COMMITTEE H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh has accepted co-option as a member of the Committee of Management of the Institution.

The Duke of Edinburgh was formerly ex officio a member of the Committee in the capacity of Master of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners. He later relinquished that post and became Admiral of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners, and has now signified his wish to remain a member of the Committee.

The present Master of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners, Air Chief Marshal Sir Frederick W.

Bowhill, G.B.E., K.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., remains ex officio a member of the Committee.

NEW COVER FOR JOURNAL As readers will have noticed, the journal now appears with a new cover, although the traditional heads of coxswains are being retained. From time to time in the past the cover of the journal has been changed. From 1911 to 1920, for instance, the colour of the cover was blue. For a short time there was a white cover, with a picture of a life-boat service in the centre and the heads of coxswains at the four corners.

This type of design was retained for some years, although the colour of the cover was changed to sepia. The colour and design of cover in use until the present number were first adopted in 1933.

NEW YEAR HONOURS The list of honours bestowed on those associated with the Life-boat Service in the New Year Honours for 1958 was :— K.B. MR. WALTER BARRIE (Chairman of Lloyds).

G.C.B. ADMIRAL SIR JOHN ECCLES, K.C.B., K.C.V.O., C.B.E..