'A YEAR of intense activity and gratifying success for the lifeboat service" is the phrase used in the RNLI's report to describe the happenings in 1972. The facts certainly justify this. The total number of lives saved, which is the true criterion of success, was 1,447, a record figure in time of peace. For the first time ever the Institution's income exceeded £3 million, expenditure being slightly under that figure.

By contrast with the increase in lives saved, the number of service calls answered by RNLI lifeboats dropped somewhat for the first time for many years. This reduction was largely accounted for by a decrease in the number of launches to pleasure craft.

Launches to the help of commercial fishing vessels increased from 274 to 311. It is also pointed out in the report that for the second consecutive year no member of a lifeboat crew lost his life on exercise or on service.

In presenting the report to the meeting of the governors of the Institution the Chairman of the Committee of Management, Commander F. R. H. Swann, QBE, RNVR, emphasised the encouraging progress made with the huge boatbuilding programme in which the RNLI is now engaged. At the end of 1972 21 new lifeboats were under construction or on order. It is primarily to ensure that this boat-building programme succeeds that the Institution's many new plans for raising additional money are being developed.

A Great Benefactress Mrs R. M. Reed, who died at Eastbourne in March, was one of the most generous supporters the RNLI has known in its long history. Indeed, if no allowance is made for changes in the value of money, Mrs Reed's benefactions amountedamounted in all to a higher figure than those of anyone else. In her lifetime Mrs Reed presented the new Cromer life-boat, which is named Ruby and Arthur Reed, at a cost of £72,000. In her will she bequeathed her entire estate to the RNLI, the total amount being increased considerably because of exemptions from estate duty granted by the last Finance Act.

Portuguese Visitors A further example of the growing cooperation between lifeboat services in different countries was afforded when a lifeboat delegation from Portugal, headed by Rear-Admiral A. V. Gomes, visited Cowes, Dover and Littlehampton in April of this year. The delegation inspected the 44-foot Waveney class lifeboat, stationed at Dover, and other lifeboats of the Waveney class being built and engined at the yards of William Osborne, Littlehampton, and Groves and Guttridge, East Cowes.

Lifeboats of the Waveney class are to be built under licence in Portugal.

New Shore Boat Rescue Scheme The former inshore rescue scheme, which has been operating since 1962 and which was administered jointly by the RNLI and HM Coastguard, has now been amalgamated with the old shore boat scheme under the name 'Shore Boat Rescue Scheme*. The object is to rationalise existing arrangements for the help of private boat owners in the work of saving life at sea. The changes follow discussions held by the Government committee to coordinate marine search and rescue arrangements. The RNLI will continue to make payments to private boat owners whose boats have put out at the request of RNLI representatives, or when a private individual launches from the shore on his own initiative in order to save life at sea. Under the new scheme HM Coastguard will be responsible for making payments to any shore boat called out by Coastguard action.

1974 Celebrations Branches and guilds of the RNLI are planning a wide range of activities in COVER PICTURE This unusual photograph of the Swedish schooner Minn, her rudder damaged and drifting rapidly towards Dodman Point, was taken from the Falmouth, Cornwall, lifeboat The Princess Royal (Civil Service No. 7) on August 8, 1972, by Miss Birgitta Rydbeck, a professional photographer, who was a member of the Mina's crew, after she had been taken aboard the lifeboat. In saving the schooner and her crew of 10 in a south westerly gale and a very rough sea, the lifeboat, whose coxswain, Mr Walter Brown, received the RNLI's bronze medal at the annual meeting in May for this service, ranged some 10 feet while alongside the casualty. The Princess Royal (Civil Service No. 7), which is a 46-foot Watson type, was on temporary duty at Falmouth at the time. When this picture was taken the member of the crew in the foreground was adjusting his lifejacket, not visible in this instance, further manhandling the tow line.

1974 to supplement the national projects being staged to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the RNLI. Good progress is also being made with the national projects. On page 18 some details are given of the manner in which the Scout movement will be supporting the RNLI next year. All yachtsmen will be welcome at a major rally which is being organised by the Royal Yachting Association in conjunction with the offshore branch of Shoreline (the old YLA) to take place at Plymouth on Saturday, July 20, 1974.

This will be the opening day of the international life-boat exhibition.

As a forerunner of the 1974 celebrations the RNLI will have an exhibit in the Lord Mayor's Show in London in November, 1973. The commemorative service in St Paul's Cathedral will take place at 12 noon on March 4, 1974.

Details of how supporters of the RNLI should apply for tickets will be announced later. It is likely that some form of ballot will have to be made to branches and guilds, but this will depend on the demand for tickets.

A series of postal commemorative covers will be issued during 1974 commemorating various aspects of the Institution's history and traditions, with an album on sale to contain them.

Readers interested in receiving details when they are published should write to Pilgrim Philatelies, 17 Best Lane, Canterbury, Kent.

The main programme for 1974 was announced in the January 1973 number of THE LIFEBOAT. The RNLI hopes to build up an imposing record of all the celebrations and events in 1974 and asks for the co-operation of readers of THE LIFEBOAT. Records in the form of film, tape, still photographs or printed matter may be sent to Mr S. E.

Bartholomew, Deputy Public Relations Officer, RNLI, 42 Grosvenor Gardens, London, SW1WOEF.

New Format For over 120 years THE LIFEBOAT has served as the principal means of keeping supporters of the RNLI informed of what was happening in the service. The first number of the Journal dated March 1852, said its aim was to 'materially advance the great cause we advocate, namely, the improvement of lifeboats, their management, and all other means for the preservation of life from shipwreck.' In January 1971 the Journal format changed for the first time since 1852. The 'new look' appearance at once received wide approval and helped THE LIFEBOAT to secure more advertising. With the July 1973 edition the Journal goes A4 size, which we believe will improve the advertising potential and provide even better presentation of editorial. It is fitting, too, that as the RNLI approaches its 150th anniversary the Journal should be presented in a form likely to attract greater public attention.Sir Alec gives a hand Sir Alec Rose launched a new venture, the Hampshire Rose Lifeboat Appeal, on May 20 during the Portcreek water fair at Portsbridge, Hampshire.

The appeal is in connection with the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the RNLI. Branches and guilds in Portsmouth, Gosport, Havant, Waterloo and Fareham decided in recognition of 'the services to seafarers provided by the RNLI during the past 150 years' to launch an appeal to raise £50,000 towards the cost of a lifeboat. Although the appeal was launched in the Portsmouth area it is hoped it will spread throughout Hampshire and will remain open until the end of 1974.

People attending the Portcreek water fair were able to buy shares in the lifeboat and a first-day cover to commemorate the launching of the appeal.

There are three types of envelope available, one for 30p, a limited number at 50p, and a small number autographed by Sir Alec Rose at £1.

Wrens remembered A new home has been found for the lifeboat Aguila Wren now that she has come to the end of her active life in the fleet of the RNLI.

On May 20, at Keadby, near Scunthorpe, there was a ceremony to mark the handing over of the Aguila Wren to the Scunthorpe unit of the Sea Cadet Corps for use as a training ship.

The Aguila Wren was donated to the RNLI by the Aguila Wrens Memorial Fund in memory of the 22 Wrens who were lost by enemy action in 1941 abroad the ss Aguila in a Gibraltar convoy.

The Aguila Wren was a 35-foot 6-inch Liverpool class costing about £14,000 and was stationed at Aberystwyth from 1951 to 1964. She was launched on service 21 times and saved 14 lives during this period. From 1965 to 1972 the Aguila Wren went to Redcar where she was launched on service 31 times and saved 22 lives.

Normally when lifeboats reach the end of their active service they are sold without their livery and name. In thisparticular case, however, the Aguila Wren retains her RNLI colours as well as the name in order to preserve the memorial to the Wrens who lost their lives. She will now be known as the TS Aguila Wren.

Ref-Tom-Tit Early this year the attention of THE LIFEBOAT was drawn to a newspaper obituary notice which read: 'No flowers, but donations to the RNLI Peterhead branch, reference Tom-Tit'.

Inquiries were made and it was found that it related to the part played on December 26, 1914, by the late Captain Charles N. E. Currey, CBE, RN, of Itchenor, Chichester, when HMS Tom- Tit was wrecked at the entrance to Peterhead harbour along with the local lifeboat Alexander Tulloch.

The Buchan Observer and East Aberdeenshire Advertiser, remembering the death of Captain Currey, who was a well known figure, said of his exploit at Peterhead: 'Fruitless efforts were still being made to get a rocket line aboard Tom-Tit. Sub-Lieutenants Norman Currey and John Wales were among the naval party standing by. They volunteered to wade into the maelstrom with a line for a breeches buoy.

'For what seemed an eternity, they battled through the elements often being swept off their feet and dashed on the slippery rocks. Currey had the shore line round his waist, with Wales coming up behind and helping to pay it out.

Darkness was beginning to set in ere the stricken Tom-Tit'screw, with theaidof a rope, hauled the line aboard, secured it, and were brought ashore in the buoy.

Tom-Tit, like the lifeboat, was a write off.' At a subsequent ceremony at Peterhead both Currey and Wales were presented with life-saving medals.

Captain Currey, who died on January 10, was 82.

Crew variations The crews of RNLI lifeboats come from many walks of life. For instance, a member of the Jersey crew is a bank manager, at Port Talbot one of the ILB crew is a clergyman, and an undertaker sails with the Fishguard boat..