From time to time the R.N.L.I. is asked about the sale of ex-life-boats, the interest in old life-boats now being considerable. A waiting list of over 400 people was the situation in July of this year.

A private buyer, who asked if he could negotiate a purchase direct with the R.N.L.I., later wrote: 'I am delighted to know that, apart from selling boats to other life-boat societies, the only way to obtain ex-R.N.L.I. craft is through the established tender system. I am entirely ready to take my chance with the rest, especially if it will help to increase the amounts obtained by the Institution.

I entirely agree that dealing with individuals would almost certainly attract adverse criticism.'.