A steel life-boat, which is the first of her kind to be built for the Institution, was completed at the yards of Messrs. Yarrow & Co. Ltd. of Scotstoun, Glasgow, in September. She is the first vessel to be built for the RNLI in steel, apart from some steam life-boats built around the turn of the century.

The cost of the new boat, which is approximately £57,000, is being met from voluntary gifts from civil servants through the Civil Service Life-boat Fund. The yo-foot life-boat was shown to members of the Fund at Tower Pier, London, after a passsage in which she called at Plymouth, Cowes and Dover.

She then began a period of sea trials in the form of an extensive tour of the southwest of England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland.

The vessel was built to the design of the RNLI's Naval Architect, Mr. R. A.

Oakley, M.B.E., as a cruising rescue craft which can operate in bad weather.

With a maximum speed of 11.14 knots, and a range at this speed of 650 nautical miles, the new vessel is faster and has a wider range than any of the RNLI's standard life-boats.

INSHORE RESCUE BOATS CARRIED The vessel carries two additional rescue craft on board. One is an inflatable inshore rescue boat which is stowed on the engine casing forward of the wheelhouse and powered by a 33 h.p. outboard motor. Derricks are arranged for handling this craft. A smaller boat of similar type with an 18 h.p. engine is stowed in the forward cabin.

CREWS COULD REMAIN ABOARD Unlike the standard RNLI life-boats, the yo-foot boat has facilities for the crew to sleep on board. The crew's quarters are arranged aft below deck with four berths, lockers and lavatory. At the after end of the wheelhouse there is a small messing cabin and galley with an electric cooker and a refrigerator. In the forward cabin there is stowage for six stretchers, and there are seats which can be converted into berths. There are also a small galley and a lavatory attached to the forward cabin.

DIVISION BY BULKHEADS The vessel is divided athwartship by six water-tight bulkheads. Each engine room is separated from the other by a longitudinal centre line water-tight bulkhead. The space below the tank top is sub-divided into water-tight compartments, some of which are used for stowing fuel, oil and water. Above the tank top an inner shell is arranged to deck level. The space between this and the shell plating is filled with polyurethane.

ENGINE POWER The vessel is driven by twin 8L3B Gardner diesel engines, each developing 230 brake horse power at 1,150 revolutions per minute. In each engine room there is a 230 volt A.C. generator driven by a 31 b.h.p. diesel engine. A 24 volt D.C. service is also available.

The engines are controlled from the wheelhouse, the controls at the steering wheel being duplicated on the flying bridge.

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT The electronic equipment consists of radar, medium frequency radio, ultra high frequency and very high frequency radio (frequency modulation), a direction finder, a Decca navigator, an echo sounder, a loud hailer and an inter-communication unit linking the various compartments.

STEERING The vessel is equipped with Mathway power-assisted steering gear. If there is a power failure the gear can be operated manually and also by emergency tiller and tackles.

Abaft the steering position in the wheelhouse there is a small chart and radio room. Abaft the crew's quarters a compartment contains propeller scuttles and racks for stowing ropes.

STANDARD LIFE-BOAT EQUIPMENT The vessel also carries standard items of equipment to be found in life-boats. These include a searchlight, a deck floodlight, breeches buoys, parachute flares, hand flares, a wave-subduing oil tank with a pump, a linethrowing pistol, life-jackets, scrambling nets, hatchets, axes and knives.

DIMENSIONS AND STATISTICS The following table gives statistical details of the vessel and her performance: Length 71 feet Beam 18 feet Draught (maximum) 8 feet 9 inches Displacement 79 tons Engines Twin 8L3B Gardner Diesel Fuel Capacity 1,200 gallons Speed (Maximum) 11.14 knots Range at maximum speed 650 nautical miles Cruising speed 1,000 r.p.m 10.4 knots Range at cruising speed 860 nautical miles Maximum speed on one engine 9.3 knots Fresh water capacity 250 gallons The ports of call during the trials in October and November were: Cowes, Brixham, Newlyn, Appledore, Cardiff, Crosshaven, Valentia, Kilronan, Sligo, Killybegs, Barra Island, St. Rilda, Stornoway, Lerwick, Stronsay, Kirkwall, Stromness, Kinlochbervie, Ullapool, Loch Ewe, Mallaig, Tobermory, Oban, and Campbeltown..