New Year Message from the Chairman, Commander F. R. H. Swann, QBE, RNVR...

0 One hundred and fifty years ago Sir William Hillary laid down six rules for his new Society of which the first and most important was the preservation of life from shipwreck. I am sure he would be proud of the way the RNLI has discharged this responsibility and is continuing to do so. The record of lives saved and the high standing of the Institution at home and abroad are witness to past achievements. For the future we have new boats of improved design and are well tuned to progressive ideas. The gallantry and devotion to duty of our lifeboatmen is as great as ever and so is the dedication and enthusiasm of our supporters throughout the country. I am most grateful to all of them and send them my best wishes for 1974. Our major problem, as always, is the financial one but I feel confident that the support from the public which the Institution needs will be forthcoming in the future as it has been in the past..