RESCUE craft of the R.N.L.I. were launched on service more often in 1964 than in any other year since the Institution was founded in 1824. The number of launches by life-boats was 929 and by inshore rescue boats 238. Lives saved by life-boats numbered 453 and by inshore rescue boats 71.

Figures alone can tell little of the work of the volunteers who man our lifeboats and other rescue craft, but what the figures do tell is a story of success which can hardly be disputed. The inshore rescue boats in their second year of service have proved their worth beyond question; yet in spite of this new and complementary fleet, whose services have been primarily to the aid of small boat owners, the conventional life-boats have had an exceptionally large number of calls on their services.

Figures, too, show the success of the inshore rescue scheme, launched jointly with H.M. Coastguard with the object of enlisting the help of private boat owners. The lives of 323 people were saved in 1964 by private boats putting out from the shore in services recognized by the Institution. Of this number 204 were rescued by boat owners registered under the inshore rescue scheme.

VISIT TO NETHERLANDS The life-boat which the Institution obtained from the United States Coast Guard completed nearly 5,000 miles of sea trials around the coasts of Britain and Ireland before the end of 1964. She was then sent on a visit to the Netherlands, a visit which provides a further example of the happy cooperation which exists between the life-boat societies of the world. Under the command of the Institution's Deputy Chief Inspector of Life-boats, Commander D. G. Wicksteed, R.N.R., she carried out evaluation trials for the benefit of the Royal South Holland Life-boat Society and visited life-boat stations at the Hook of Holland, Stellendam, Ouddorp, Burghsluis and Breskens.

VOLUNTARY SYSTEM Although the advantages of the voluntary system are today readily accepted by virtually everyone connected with the life-boat service or with any serious knowledge of its work, the question of possible State control is still occasionally raised. A revealing comment on this question was recently made at a dinner held by the Linlithgow branch, when the guests of honour were Mr. Tarn Dalyell, Labour member of Parliament, and his wife. In his speech Mr. Dalyell mentioned that State finance of the service had been tried in the past, but after a short period it had been found advisable to return to the voluntary system.

The intention of the present Government, he went on, was to encourage in every way voluntary societies, and especially one such as the R.N.L.I., whose worldwide influence helped understanding between all countries because it made no distinction between nationalities.

NEW R.N.L.I. ENSIGN A new ensign which life-boats are now entitled to wear is being issued to life-boat stations. This is the outcome of a warrant granted by the Ministry of Defence in December, 1964, permitting the wearing by the Institution's lifeboats of a red ensign defaced by the Institution's house flag in the fly. In layman's language this means that the ensign will have a red background, with the Union flag in one quarter; the Institution's house flag will occupy the other half of the ensign from a point about half way down the Union flag ending about three-quarters of the way down the ensign.

ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET Another great figure long associated with the life-boat service has celebrated his icoth birthday. This is Admiral of the Fleet Sir Henry Oliver, G.C.B., K.C.M.G., M.V.O., who was born on 22nd January, 1865. His distinguished naval career began in 1878. At the age of 35 he was appointed Rear-Admiral, and for three years in the first world war he was Chief of Admiralty War Staff.

He commanded in turn the Home Fleet, the Reserve Fleet and the Atlantic Fleet, and he was promoted Admiral of the Fleet in 1928. It was in the next year that he joined the Committee of Management of the Institution and 10 years later he was elected a Vice-President.

We have to announce with deep regret the death on I3th January of Mr.

J. R. Barnett, whose looth birthday was recorded in the last number of THE LIFE-BOAT. An obituary notice will appear in the June, 1965, number.

TIE AND BADGES The right to wear the Institution's tie, blazer badge and small lapel badge has now been extended to include those who man the Institution's inshore rescue boats. In 1958 it was decided that the privilege of wearing the tie and blazer badge should be confined to regular members of life-boat crews and helpers; officers and committee members of branches; members of the Committee of Management and the Institution's staff. The extension of the right is in recognition of the extremely valuable contribution to life-saving at sea which the crews of inshore rescue boats have made in the last two years.

UNIVERSITY SUPPORT Support for the life-boat service from our older universities seems to be much less widespread than it was 100 years ago. On page 282 appears an account taken from a recent book on Cornish life-boats of how the first life-boat stationed at Hayle in 1866 was provided by a fund collected at Oxford University.

A year earlier a life-boat was sent to Tramore in County Waterford after carrying out harbour trials in the Regent's Canal dock at Limehouse. This boat was the gift of the Cambridge University Boat Club, subscriptions having been started some four or five years earlier among the college boat clubs. The name given to the life-boat was Tom Egan to commemorate the originator of the idea, who was himself a former president of the C.U.B.C..