THE ANNUAL MEETING of the RNLI this year was split into morning and afternoon sessions at the Royal Festival Hall, London, the first being for the governors and the second for the presentation of medals for gallantry and awards to voluntary workers for devoted service.

The Chairman of the RNLI, Commander F. R. H. Swann, OBE, RNVR, at the morning meeting of the governors, said the year had been one of intense activity and gratifying success for the lifeboat service. During the year 1,447 lives were saved, which was more than in any other year in time of peace since the RNLI was founded nearly 150 years ago. Clearly the number of lives saved was the most important criterion of achievement, for it was solely for the saving of human life that the RNLI was founded. For the second consecutive year there were no fatalities among members of lifeboat crews while on exercise or on service.

For the first time for many years the total number of launches on service decreased slightly to 2,379, a reduction of 297 on the 1971 total. It wastoo early to say whether this meant that the graph of service calls, which for a long time past had shown a steady upward trend, had begun to level off. Nevertheless it was a fact that the total number of launches to pleasure craft decreased somewhat, whereas there was an increase in launches to the help of commercial fishing vessels.

Commander Swann said: 'In the past years my predecessor in office and I have spoken of the great building programme on which we were about to embark. This is now under way in an impressive manner. At the end of last year there were no fewer than 21 new conventional lifeboats under construction or on order. When one realises that new lifeboats are tending to cost on average not much less than £100,000 each—a 70-foot lifeboat of the Clyde class costs appreciably more—one has some idea of the magnitude of this programme in financial terms.

'It is, however, a programme which we are convinced is necessary and one which we are determined to bring to a successful conclusion to ensure that the lifeboat fleet is in every way modernised by 1980, and that it provides the volunteer crews with the best boats and equipment for their efforts to save life at sea.' The cost of the lifeboat service lastin a year of rapidly increasing costs but about 100,000 of that figure was due to rises in operational costs.

0 Capital expenditure had increased by more than £250,000 due to the first year of the new boat building programme.

• Total assets had increased by more than £100,000. Property had increased by about £240,000 due to the purchase of the land at Poole, but investments and fixed assets were down.

Commander Swann continued: 'We expect that normal revenue during the next few years will cover the recurrent costs of the service. It will not, however, meet the cost of the new construction programme which we estimate will on average cost a further £1 million a year for the next eight years. This extra finance must be found from other sources.

'We have plans for raising extra revenue to meet these additional costs, and I am confident that these will be successful.

'It is vital that we should not only cover costs, but also build up the level of the Institution's reserves so that the ratio of reserves to payments is maintained.

At present our free reserves stand at the low level of £1.4 million, which is only sufficient to meet 3J months' expenditure if income from all sources suddenly ceased. That our income should be suddenly completely cut off must be considered as an unlikely event, but your Committee feel that the target for which they must aim is to maintain free reserves equivalent to at least six months' expenditure.

'One of the measures we adopted last year to obtain increased regular income was to establish a system of national membership of the Institution. This scheme, which has been given the name "Shoreline", and came into being on October 31, 1972, has been designed to give those who may not necessarily want to belong to any of the Institution's active branches or guilds the opportunity of supporting the lifeboat service with a regular annual donation. His Royal Highness, the Duke of Kent, our President, honoured us by becoming the first member under the new scheme.

'The Yachtsmen's Lifeboat Supporters' Association, known up till now as the YLA, has been incorporated into the scheme as from March 1. The membership of the YLA has increased to roughly 11,200.1 have personally been closely associated with the YLA since its inception, and am delighted it has been possible to incorporate it into the new national membership as a category known as an "Offshore member".

'As a result of these changes we now have two ex-YLA committee members on the Fund Raising Committee as representatives of the "offshore" members, and I am sure this will be beneficial to this important committee and its work.

'I cannot over-emphasise', said Commander Swann, 'the importance to us 1824-1974 Since the foundation of the RNLI on March 24, 1824, by Sir William Hillary, its lifeboats have to date saved close on 97,000 lives in peace and war. Next year marks the 150th anniversary of the Institution and an impressive programme of commemorative events is planned (see page 2).

of legacies and special gifts as a source of income. The generosity of so many people towards the Institution and its work is truly wonderful, and we must all make it our duty to see that our needs in this respect are as widely known as possible.

The Institution is registered as a charity, and of course benefits from the considerable estate duty exemption with regard to gifts up to £50,000 to charity.

The speaker went on to describe the plans for 'a thorough overhaul and reorganisation of the Institution's administration'.

The concept of regionalisation, whereby the responsibility for day-today administration would be delegated and the local voluntary workers would have a say in policy-making, had been started with the setting up of a Scottish Region. The next phase which had just begun was the setting up of a Northern Region.

'It is the voluntary nature of the service', said Commander Swann, 'which is the essence, indeed the inspiration, and while we cooperate with ever growing effectiveness with Government bodies engaged in air and sea rescue, we see no reason and are not proposing to alter our voluntary system in any way. It would clearly be wrong for us even to attempt to modify our voluntary status without fully consulting the Governors of the Institution.' Commander Swann then dealt with the Poole project which involves the movement of the London headquarters and later the Depot at Boreham Wood under one roof.

He said: 'The move to Poole has been progressing at a slower rate than many of us might have hoped. On the other hand, the quite unforseeable rate of inflation over the past year, during which time building costs have escalated by some 30 per cent, has meant that the original figures on which it was decided to make the move are no longer valid.

'It is cause for satisfaction though that your committee did purchase the Poole site when they did, for, with the considerable increase in land prices over the last year, the Institution is lucky to have a very valuable asset in an area of developing commercial interest.

'I would like to conclude by saying that, in these times of rapid change, a high degree of financial courage is required to achieve anything. But having said this, your Committee of Management through its Poole Working Party, are investigating a number of different ways of carrying the project through to completion. The basic problem at the moment is to decide on the size and method of construction, which once embarked upon will not escalate in cost to a figure in excess of that for which we can sell our Grosvenor Gardens and Boreham Wood properties.

At question time Mr Alisdair Garrett, the retiring secretary of the YLA, said: 'Recently, a number of our supporters in the country have expressed their concern to me about the amount of capital which the Institution is devoting to this project at Poole. They feel that at a time when we were asked to put our hands in our pockets for £8 million, the Poole project costing possibly £1 million is something that requires good publicity among our voluntary workers to explain why we are putting this amount of money in the buildings.

'This situation is to some extent foreseen in our Charter, which puts a limit on the amount of our resources we can put into houses and buildings. I am sure the Committee of Management have taken a wise decision, but I feel that their decision wants good publicity among our well-wishers.' Commander Swann: 'I think you have got hold of the wrong end of the stick, if you do not mind my saying so, because, as I said in my speech, the basic problem at the moment is to decide on the size and the method of construction, which once embarked upon will not escalate in cost so that it will be in excess of what we can sell our Grosvenor Gardens and Boreham Wood properties for. It is not the intention of the Committee of Management to put any more money into building at Poole than they can get by realising their existing properties.

'We were advised by P.A. Management Consultants to get out of London.

We have a leasehold building at 42 Grosvenor Gardens. It is very difficult to get staff there. The overheads are high, and it was better to move out. That is what we are doing. We are only exchanging one form of fixed asset for another.

'It is not the intention to use any outside capital or appeal for money for this project. That is why the situation is worrying. It is a question of whether the sale of our existing assets will produce the money necessary to give us what we require at Poole. This again, as I mentioned in my speech, is the major problem at the moment.

'The point you make about the appeal to members, and so on, is thoroughly well recognised at this end. Appealing for money for boats is of greater impor-Presentations to honorary workers by the Chairman of the RNLI, Commander F. R. H. Swann, QBE, RNVR (left to right): Mr David Chapel (Arhroath), Mrs Graham Doggart (Selsey), Professor William Flexner (RNLI headc/ uarters), Mrs Teresa Smellie (Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Mr John Roberts (Ponhdinllaen), Mrs Norman Cavell (Goodwin Sands and Downs), Mrs R. A. Cave-Rogers (Llandudno), Mr G. C. R. Collins (Chatham), Mr John Gray (Belfast), Lady Pink (Portsmouth and Southsea), Mr Eric Thomson (Whitby), Mrs M. Wilberforce (Walton and Frinton) and Mrs Angela Wooldrige (Stourbridge).

tance than appealing for money to put up offices. It is not intended we should do that', added Commander Swann.

At the afternoon session Mrs Coward (Nicolette Milnes-Walker, who crossed the Atlantic single-handed under sail) presented the awards for gallantry.

She said: 'These citations we have had today have, quite frankly, almost put me off sailing. It is enough to scare anyone when you hear of situations which these lifeboat crews go into, but I think it is a great tribute to the seamanship and gallantry of the British crews that they manage to get into these situations and out again.

'I have not been on the receiving end but I have been to a number of meetings at which funds have been raised for the lifeboat service, and it has been a great pleasure to be there because everybody concerned with the voluntary raising of funds has been so kind, so charming and so enthusiastic.

'It has been most encouraging to realise how the whole country, not just the seaside, really appreciates what is done by the lifeboat people and that everyone is so enthusiastic about supporting them.' Those receiving medals for gallantry were: Coxswain George Leith, Lerwick (SILVER MEDAL) On December 13, 1972, the lifeboat The John Gellatly Hyndman on temporary duty at Lerwick rescued the crew of nine of the trawler Granton Osprey which grounded on Bressay Island in a force 10/11 south westerly gale and a very rough sea. Coxswain Leith had to take the lifeboat, which was constantly being swept by the heavy seas, alongside the trawler twice to rescue the trawler's crew.Coxswain Alfred Pavey, Weymouth (BRONZE MEDAL) On February 4, 1972, the Weymouth lifeboat Frank Spiller Locke saved the yacht Nomis and her injured crewman in a south south westerly gale and a very rough sea. The lifeboat found the yacht nine miles south west by west of Portland Bill, and as it was not possible to transfer the injured man, Coxswain Pavey had no alternative but to tow the yacht in very difficult conditions to Weymouth.

Coxswain Reuben Wood, Aldeburgh (BRONZE MEDAL) On April 10, 1972, the Aldeburgh lifeboat The Alfred and Patience Gottwald rescued the crew of three of the fishing boat Ocean Pride, which was overdue from a fishing trip in a south south westerly gale and a very rough sea.

When found the fishermen were passed life-jackets as their boat would have a very dangerous passage across two shoals to reach the beach. In fact, she was overcome by a large wave and sank as she crossed the inner shoal. The lifeboat, which was following astern, quickly rescued the three fishermen.

Coxswain Walter Brown, Falmouth (BRONZE MEDAL) On August 8, 1972, the lifeboat The Princess Royal (Civil Service No. 7) on temporary duty at Falmouth saved the Swedish schooner Mina and her crew of ten in a south westerly gale and a very rough sea. The schooner, having damaged her rudder, was drifting towards Dodman Point and during the rescue the lifeboat was ranging some 10 feet while alongside the casualty. See cover picture page 2.

Crew member Douglas Gibbin, Hartlepool (BRONZE MEDAL) On October 1, 1972, the Hartlepool ILB rescued a man from a capsized sailing dinghy by the breakwater at North Gare in a fresh south easterly wind and a choppy sea. The ILB was unable to approach the dinghy immediately because of the very confused sea, and Mr Gibbin jumped into the sea to support the survivor until he could be rescued.

Acting Coxswain Malcolm Mackay, Islay (BRONZE MEDAL) On December 25, 1972, the lifeboat Mable Marion Thompson on temporary duty at Islay rescued the crew of three from the coaster Raylight aground off Tarbet Bay in a southerly gale and a very rough sea. Her crew had to take to their rubber dinghy, which began drifting dangerously on to the rocks.

Acting Coxswain Mackay rescued them when they were only some 30 yards from the shore.

Coxswain Jack Leslie, Longhope (BRONZE MEDAL) On February, 10, 1973, the Longhope lifeboat The David and Elizabeth King andE.B. rescued the crew of eleven from the trawler Ross Tern which went ashore on Swona Island and was breaking up in a fresh north westerly wind and a rough sea. Six men were picked up from a life-raft and the other five men could be seen clinging to the trawler's superstructure.

Coxswain Leslie brought the bow of the lifeboat against the transom stern of the trawler and rescued the five men.

The Resolution Nicolette Mimes-Walker then moved the following resolution: 'That this meeting, fully recognising the important services of the RNLI in its national work of lifesaving, desires to record its hearty appreciation of the gallantry of the coxswain and crews of the Institution's lifeboats and its deep obligation to the local committees, honorary secretaries and honorary treasurers of all station branches; to all other voluntary committees and supporters and to the honorary officers and thousands of voluntary members of the financial branches and the ladies' lifeboat guilds in the work of raising funds to maintain the service'.

Mr Robin Knox-Johnston, the well known sailor, who is a member of the Committee of Management, moved the vote of thanks, adding: 'We are very honoured that Nicolette could join us today when we pay our respects to those who risk their lives to save others in the hazardous coastal waters around Great Britain and Ireland. I think we should also like to remember their families who stay behind while they go out and risk their lives.' After the annual meeting the lifeboat medallists were entertained to dinner together with their families, at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese in Fleet Street, London, as guests of the proprietors. They then saw Lloyd George Knew My Father at the Savoy Theatre. After the show they went back stage to meet Andrew Cruickshank, Avice Landon, Jack Watling and other members of the new cast.

It was reported that since the last annual meeting the Committee of Management had awarded four honorary life governorships, one bar to the gold badge and ten gold badges to honorary workers for long and distinguished service. The people concerned were: Honorary life governors PROVOST DAVID CHAPEL, MBE honorary secretary of Arbroath station branch from 1932 to 1972 (except for war years).

Mr Chapel's record of service and help for the RNLI spanning a period of over 40 years is well known in Scotland.

He had to cope with the lifeboat disaster at Arbroath and did a great deal at the time of the Broughty Ferry disaster.

MRS GRAHAM DOGGART honorary secretary, Selsey guild from 1941-1961, chairman, Selsey station branch since 1964.

Mrs Boggart's late husband, Mr Graham Doggart, was honorary secretary and treasurer at Selsey from 1944- 1951, and Mrs Doggart, who has organised, among many other things, the lifeboat collection in Selsey and district for more than 30 years, has continued during this time to give every effort to help the lifeboat service.

PROFESSOR WILLIAM W. FLEXNER, PHD RNLI headquarters, London.

Bestowed on Professor Flexner, from Princeton University, in recognition of the very valuable voluntary help which he has given to the lifeboat service in the application of computer technology to the analysis of service records.

MRS J. M. SMELLIE, Great Yarmouth guild committee, 1929- 1938; guild president since 1964', and also station branch vice-chairman.

Mrs Smellie is an enthusiastic supporter of lifeboat affairs in the area and has given many years of outstanding service to the RNLI. She is responsible for having built the guild into the exceptional fund raising organisation that it is now.

Bar to the gold badge MR J. E. ROBERTS, MBE honorary secretary and treasurer, Porthdinllaen station branch, since 1938.

Mr Roberts has been the very devoted and reliable station honorary secretary at Porthdinllaen for 35 years and the Institution owes him a great debt for his invaluable work over so many years.

Gold badges MRS NORMAN CAVELL founder honorary secretary, Goodwin Sands and Downs Station Guild, since 1952.

Since the guild's foundation by Mrs Cavell she has been mainly responsible for its financial success, devoting a considerable amount of time and energy in support of the work of the lifeboat service.

MRS R. A. CAVE-ROGERS honorary secretary, Llandudno station guild, 1939-1944 and 1952-1972.

The Llandudno guild revenue has climbed in the most encouraging manner annually, largely due to the unflagging efforts and enthusiasm of Mrs Cave- Rogers, despite ill-health.

MR G. C. R. COLLINS honorary secretary, Chatham, 1958-1964; also honorary secretary, Gillingham branch, 1955-56.

Mr Collins personally undertakes the organisation of the annual street and house to house collection, the RNLI display at Chatham Navy days, as well as carrying out many speaking engagements on behalf of the RNLI, towing the South East District publicity lifeboat at weekends and helping to organise any other branch fund raising events.

continued on page 32.