0 A year ago I said: 'Now we stand on the threshold of the 70's, which promise to be years of new development and greater challenges.' The first challenge was not long in coming, for on 21st January, 1970, the Fraserburgh life-boat Duchess of Kent capsized with the losse of five lives.

This tragic event, coming as it did less than a year after the Longhope disaster, naturally raised many questions in the public mind and considerable criticism of the Institution. As a result a formal investigation was held by the Sheriff Principal of Aberdeenshire in October. Although the court found that no blame was attributable either to the coxswain or crew of the Duchess of Kent or to the Institution, and much of the public criticism was shown to be ill-informed, the proceedings were accompanied and followed by more adverse publicity in the press and on television.

/ am only too well aware of the unfortunate effect this may have had on our supporters, unfair and inaccurate though much of it was, and despite the action taken to refute it wherever this was possible. While I am confident that our voluntary workers will have seen these things in their proper perspective, the fact remains that a very serious challenge faces the Institution.

It is quite clear that whatever may have been the findings of the court, and whatever may have been said by the press, it is the duty of the Committee of Management to do everything possible to speed up the existing programme of modernising the life-boat fleet, by replacing the older non-selfrighting boats by new construction; by improving the sea-keeping qualities of the later non-selfrighting boats and by giving them a self-righting capability where possible. We also have to press on with the development of a 52-foot fast afloat boat, the prototype of which is nearing completion, and also the trials of several types of small fast boats for inshore rescue.

THE CHALLENGE This will inevitably be an expensive process and it comes at a time when costs, both capital and recurrent, are rising rapidly. Despite the magnificent efforts of our branches throughout the country, the rise in income is not keeping pace. This is the challenge we now face.

Studies have been started with the aim of determining how best we can tackle the modernisation problem. At the same time professional advice is being taken with a view to reducing our administrative costs and improving our fund-raising organisation. While my colleagues and I expect worth while results from these measures, we realise that the future of the Institution lies in the hands of our voluntary workers and supporters, and for this reason I have stated the position frankly.

Despite its problems, 1970 has also been a year of achievement. New boats have joined the fleet,more lives than ever have been saved, the performance of our crews has upheld most worthily the traditions of the life-boat service and the valiant efforts of our supporters has, despite an adverse financial climate, once again produced record results. All the members of the Committee of Management join me in thanking you all for these magnificent efforts and I appeal for your continued help in overcoming the problems which lie ahead.

We anticipate that the new-style Journal will help to tell more people about the R.N.L.I.'s work.

Admiral Sir Wilfrid Woods, G.B.E., K.C.B., D.S.O., Chairman H.N.L.I.

• Sir Max Aitken, D.S.O., D.F.C.: 'When one ocean races in Australia or America in rough weather, my crew and I are always concerned about the rescue facilities. When racing we drive a boat to what we consider the limit and that means masts, sails and hull. This being the case, one is always aware of the rescue facilities. In Britain we have a magnificent and helpful R.N.L.I.' 0 Dr. Malcolm Arnold, C.B.E., who composed the 'Padstow Life-boat March': 'Living on the Cornish Atlantic coast, 1 am well aware of the wonderful work done by the Royal National Life-boat Institution, and I would like to wish the new Journal every success.' % Raymond Baxter: 'I was delighted to see the new format for TIIE LIFE-BOAT. For a long time I have held the view that the publication deserves the widest possible readership, and therefore anything that can be done to make it more attractive to the casual purchaser must be a move in the right direction. I wish this facelift for an old friend every possible success.' 0 The Bishop of St. David's (the Right Rev. John Richards Richards: 'I welcome the appearance of THE LIFE-BOAT in its new dress, and I wish it all possible success. The continuing story of the life-boat service is well-worth the telling, and well-worth the reading, and deserves all possible publicity . . . God bless THE LIFE-BOAT.'0 Mr. T. G. Bedwell, who with his wife presented the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk, life-boat: 'No two people could wish the life-boat service more that is good and helpful than my wife and myself.' % Commander Erroll Bruce, R.N. (retd): 'The specimen of your new cover is an impressive professional production, and I feel confident will be a great help in making more people vividly aware of the work of the life-boat service.

Meanwhile I would like to send my sincerest hopes that the new form of THE LIFE-BOAT will assist the superb work of the life-boat crews and the whole efforts of the Royal National Life-Boat Institution. As a yachtsman I knew very well that my family and myself may all need some help at time, and as an ex-lifeboatman I know how splendidly the life-boat crews answer the many calls that fall upon them.' 0 Mrs. Frances Macfarlane, who with her husband presented the Aith, Shetland, life-boat: 'First of all I would like to congratulate the R.N.L.I. on their new cover for the Journal: it is very good and has a modern look which should attract attention to it. ... We receive every edition of the Journal and it certainly does keep our interest alive. Incidentally, no other "good cause" has ever thought of keeping us informed of what goes on, so naturally one tends to lose interest, but not with the R.N.L.I.' % Mrs. A. A. Ritchie, who presented the Ramsey, I.o.M., life-boat in memory of her husband, Mr. James Ball Ritchie: 'I am very proud to be so closely associated with this fine service and to know some of the men, their families, the coastguards and harbour masters who assist them. My husband, who loved and respected the sea, regarded these families as a race apart. I wish THE LIFE-BOAT well on its new course.' 0 Sir Alec Rose: 'I have just received a specimen of the new cover . . . showing the face of a man, one of our best known and loved Coxswains, a man used to modern equipment, but still called on to face awful dangers to save life at sea. This new look of THE LIFE-BOAT should do much to bring home to people the human element involved in this great organisation and I wish all those concerned the success they deserve.'.