and presentation of awards FESTIVAL HALL, LONDON, MAY 21A BRIGHT, sunny morning; friends from all parts of Britain and Ireland gathering on the South Bank of the Thames ready for the annual general meeting and presentation of awards in this 150th anniversary year of the RNLI; and to give a wonderful start to the day, the presentation in front of the Festival Hall, of a cheque for £100,000. It was the biggest cheque Commander F. R. H.

Swann, CBE, RNVR, chairman of the Committee of Management, had ever received for the Institution; handed to him by Mr Roy Bailhache, chairman of the Jersey branch, to pay for Jersey's new 44' Waveney lifeboat, it represented a memorable effort on the part of Mr Bailhache himself, the branch and guild and, indeed, of all the people of Jersey.

Following this happy prologue, the morning continued with the presentation of the annual report and accounts to the governors of the Institution. Speaking on behalf of the Committee of Management, Commander Swann reported that operationally 1973 had been a very busy year, with over 2,600 services and a record number of lives saved (1,757); there had been many acts of great gallantry and, happily, for the third year running no lifeboatman had lost his life on service. During the summer 255 lifeboats of varying sizes were operated at 196 locations.

Turning to the lifeboat fleet, Commander Swann continued: 'We are now beginning to benefit from the many developments of recent years and the accelerated boat-building programme we started after the Fraserburgh disaster. The second Arun boat went into service in 1973 and is a great success. The third boat is due to be launched shortly.

Further boats of this class will be built of grp. The Atlantic 21 ILB was also further developed in 1973 and given a one-off self-righting capability. We have recently launched our third 70' boat. At the end of last year we had 24 boats building, or on order, of which we expect to commission 10 this year and 10 in 1975. We need to order over 40 boats in the next few years to achieve our target of virtually a self-righting-fleet by 1980.

This is a formidable task which will cost a lot of money and explains our current appeal for funds.' Commander Swann reported ex tensive shore works in hand, including new housing for the full-time crew at Spurn Point, a dock for a 44' Waveney at Fleetwood and a berth for a similar boat at Whitby. The Headquarters had been moved to rented accommodation in Poole, pending the building of the new Head Office, the site for which, and for the Depot, had been cleared. The sheet piling along the waterside boundary had made good progress and work would soon start on the office building.

42 and 44 Grosvenor Gardens had been advertised for sale by tender.

The national membership scheme with (at that time) 16,000 members of whom about 12,600 were yachtsmen, was progressing well and making a considerable financial contribution.

On the subject of finance, Commander Swann reported a surplus at the end of 1973 of £124,320. Revenue had increased by about £700,000 (about £400,000 due to legacies and special gifts and about £300,000 to branches and guilds) to £3.8m. Like everyone else, the RNLI was being affected by inflation; recurrent expenditure was up £0.4m at £2.57m and capital expenditure up £0.35m at £1.15m. Unfortunately the assets shown in the Institution's balance sheet had fallen to £3.1m compared with £3.9m for the previous year. This was mainly due to a fall in the value of the investments of nearly £lm, partly because of the transfer of £323,000 to the pension fund and partly because of the fall in the market. It now cost nearly £4m a year to run the RNLI so it was obvious that the free reserves, at just under £lm at that time, were completely inadequate and a major cause for anxiety.

In conclusion, before inviting questions, Commander Swann said: 'It is impossible to forecast the future with any confidence because, like other charities, we are affected by economic circumstances over which we have no control. All I can say is that the RNLI has a clear idea of the kind of boats it wants and how they should be deployed and operated. The morale of its crews and supporters is very high. The only anxiety is financial. We need a lot of money to run the Institution and carry out our plans. We are doing our best to make the public aware of our needs and we hope that there will be a good response to our appeal.' After some discussion of the dilemma of the continuing inflation with regard to the assets of the Institution, Mr Gabriel Harrison (Committee of Management) congratulated Mr D. A.

Acland, chairman of the finance committee, on doing what appeared to be avery sensible medium term operation, and the report and accounts were adopted nem. con.

The president, HRH the Duke of Kent, was re-elected unanimously, as were the vice-presidents.

'Mrs B. Birch (Camberley): Why do we only have the Archbishop of Canterbury? The Chairman: Because the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1824 was one of the prime movers in founding the RNLI, so he has been ex officio ever since.' The Duke of Northumberland was elected as treasurer and Mr David Acland as deputy treasurer, both unanimously. The Committee of Management was elected and the auditors, Price Waterhouse and Co., were thanked by the chairman for all their help and were re-appointed.

'Mr Needham: I should just like to say at this time thank you to the staff of Head Office who carried on during the move to Poole, keeping things going, in my opinion, so well. . . .

The Chairman: Thank you very much, Mr Needham. The staff had a very busy time with this move on top of the 150thAnniversary and I think that we are very much in their debt.' Mr N. Crumble (Orpington) then proposed a resolution from the floor, placing on record in this anniversary year of the RNLI, the thanks of the governors assembled to all officers, committee members, staff", voluntary workers and, most particularly, the lifeboat crews, for their devotion and combined efforts which made possible the lifeboat service; the resolution was seconded and carried unanimously.

* * * Opening the afternoon session, Commander Swann said: 'This morning at a meeting of the governors of the Institution I presented the Institution's annual report and accounts for last year. I did so with satisfaction and pride, for I felt that in the 150th year of its existence the RNLI continued with marked success to carry out the intentions of its founder . . .

'Sir William Hillary was a man of vision and foresight, and one of the most remarkable things about the pamphlet which he published in 1823 was that it provided in many respects a blueprint for the RNLI as it is organised today . . .

Hillary emphasized the importance of local committees established to conduct their own affairs. In a world of increasing centralisation, it is one of the great strengths of the RNLI that so much control is exercised locally . ..

'Our founder also stressed the importance of volunteers. The voluntary system has served the Institution well. It has been maintained through two world wars and through numerous financial crises. It remains the essence of the lifeboat service today.

'In the technical field Hillary was also a far-seeing man and as early as 1824 he published a plan for the building of steam lifeboats. The continuing advances we have made and are continuing to make would, I am sure, have gladdened his heart, and he would have found such new developments as the Arun lifeboat or the fast Atlantic inshore lifeboat a thrilling outcome of his own inspired efforts.

'It was therefore with a feeling that the RNLI as a whole had just cause to celebrate 150 years of voluntary service to people of all nations that we embarked on the celebrations connected with "The Year of the Lifeboat" . .' The following medals for gallantry, awarded for services in 1973, were then presented by Commander Swann: SILVER MEDAL Coxswain John King, Bridling km On April 2, Bridlington lifeboat William Henry and Mary King rescued the crew of five of the MFV White Knight, which was dragging her anchor off Hornsea in storm force north-northeasterly winds. Despite the dangers in going alongside in the seas prevailing, by careful manoeuvring the men were safely transferred to the lifeboat.

Coxswain Michael Berry, St Helier On September 18, St Helier lifeboat Elizabeth Rippon rescued the crew of six of the yacht Bacchus in an area of notoriously dangerous rocky outcrops.

There was a west-south-westerly gale and a rough sea with heavy swell. The lifeboat grounded four times before clearing the submerged rocks and reaching the casualty.

BRONZE MEDAL Coxswain Michael Mackay, Islay (bar to bronze medal) On March 27, lifeboat Mabel Marion Thompson on temporary duty at Islay, rescued the captain and crew of the Norwegian tanker Olga aground at Bhride Island in a southerly gale and rough sea. Olga's crew climbed on to a lifecraft and were hauled across 90' of rough water.Helmsman John Grove, Horton and Port Eynon On July 2, Horton and Port Eynon ILB rescued three people attempting to swim to the mainland at Rhossili Point against a very strong flood tide.

One of the casualties, a woman, had to be given artificial respiration and Helmsman Grove negotiated a hazardous rocky gully to land her quickly.

Helmsman Benjamin Pearson, Crew Member Alexander Russell, North Berwick On July 26, North Berwick ILB rescued a man who was in difficulties some 20' from the rocks at East Bay, in spite of a heavy 15' swell and a dangerous backwash.

Helmsman Keith Willacy, Morecambe On August 4, Morecambe ILB rescued two people from a sandbank near the Western Valleys wreck. With a gale force south-westerly wind blowing against the ebb tide in an area of dangerous surf, conditions were extremely hazardous.

Coxswain William Holmes, Angle On August 5, Angle lifeboat stood by the oil tanker Dona Marika which had gone aground at Wooltack Point.

Although the tanker's crew eventually got ashore over the rocks, the lifeboat had persistently tried to rescue them, going alongside, despite a rise and fall of about 20', seven times.

Helmsman Dennis Faro, Eastney On August 5, Eastney ILB rescued the crew of two of the yacht Jo of Ryde three miles south south west of Eastney Point in gale force winds. The bow of the ILB was put alongside the yacht in very dangerous conditions.

Coxswain John Fox, Shoreham Harbour (bar to bronze medal) On August 5, Shoreham Harbour lifeboat Dorothy and Philip Constant saved the yacht A Ibin Ballad and her crew of three. A tow line was successfully passed, it being considered too dangerous to take off the exhausted crew. There was a south-south-westerly gale with 25' waves breaking over the yacht.

Helmsman Donald Jones, Rhyl On August 7, Rhyl ILB rescued two boys clinging to a perch between Rhyl and Prestatyn. Helmsman Jones had to put the bow of the ILB against the perch in a westerly gale and through waves 6-8' from trough to crest.

Assistant Mechanic Keith Richardson, Crew Member Jack Barrett, Walton and Frinton On August 15, Walton and Frinton lifeboat Edian Courtauld rescued five people from a speedboat awash on Pye Sands in a moderate to fresh easterly wind and a choppy sea. As the lifeboathad grounded a little over one cable from the casualty, Assistant Mechanic Richardson and Crew Member Barrett volunteered to wade and swim in very dangerous waters to re-assure and assist the people on board the speedboat, who were up to their waists in water, until the lifeboat refloated.

Acting Coxswain Thomas Rowley, Scarborough On September 29, Scarborough lifeboat J. G. Graves of Sheffield saved the ex-HDML Eun Mara an Tar and rescued her crew of four in a storm force north-north-westerly wind and a very rough sea. A tow line was passed successfully, it being thought too dangerous to take the crew off. The tow line parted three times before reaching harbour.

Coxswain Arthur Farrington, Seaham On November 11, Seaham lifeboat The Will and Fanny Kirby rescued 18 anglers cut off on the drum head of North Pier, which was being swept by heavy seas. Although frequently thrown clear by the surge of confused seas and swell, the lifeboat was taken into the 'corner' formed where the drum head joins the main pier while the anglers, two or three at a time, jumped into the lifeboat. Coxswain Farrington required six stitches to a head injury sustained during this service. He also broke a wrist.

Doctor Paul Barclay, MC, TD, Cromer On November 15, medical help was needed for an injured crew member aboard the trawler Boston Jaguar. As there was no other local doctor he could ask to go, Dr Barclay, the station honorary secretary, went himself in the lifeboat The Good Hope, on temporary duty at Cromer. There was a strong gale force north-westerly wind and a very rough sea. Although suffering from severe seasickness, he boarded thetanker in very dangerous conditions to attend the injured seaman.

Coxswain Albert Brown, Workington On January 27, the lifeboat City of Edinburgh on temporary duty at Workington rescued the crew of seven of the fishing vessel Kia-Ora in a storm force south-south-easterly wind and a very rough sea. Kia-Ora was dragging her anchor and out of control and the lifeboat was held alongside while all the crew were taken off.

After the presentation of awards for gallantry, the following resolution was moved by Coxswain Derek Scott, BEM (The Mumbles): 'That this meeting fully recognising the important services of the Royal National Life-boat Institution 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.' In moving this resolution, Mr Scott said: 'One hundred and fifty years ago when our founder member, Sir William Hillary, laid down the basis of what was to become the oldest national sea-rescue service in the world, its principal aim was quite clear, namely, the preservation of life from shipwreck at sea. Over the last century and a half men have died in upholding that tradition, but, ladies and gentlemen, the one thing that has never changed in all that time has been the hand in need of help in the water.' Mr Scott looked at the lifeboat service through a lifetime's experience in his own village of Mumbles. In particular he remembered the majestic record of Coxswain William Gammon, and the loss of the Mumbles lifeboat, with Coxswain Gammon and all his crew, when, in 1947, they were trying to rescue the crew of a ship called Santamba in hurricane force winds: 'The blow to our little community was absolutely shattering, but like other lifeboat stations that had suffered such a tragedy, I do not believe the thought ever crossed our minds that there would never be another Mumbles lifeboat. It seemed so natural for us to form a new crew as quickly as possible, because it seemed to us that for a village to lose its lifeboat was like losing its identity.' Coming up to the present day Mr Scott said: 'Over the years this Institution of ours has had to change, not in its purpose, but as regards its ideas to keep abreast of modern times. We have more modern boats at present which are faster than previously. Some of them are slightly bigger and they are far better equipped and we also have, as most of you have seen outside, a fleet of inshore rescue boats. . . .

'The crews have also changed. No longer do we have an abundance of inshore fishermen to call on, but in many boats such as my own you will find a great cross-section of crews. They come from all walks of life. I have, for instance, a bricklayer, a draughtsman, a painter and decorator, and a headmaster of a school, to name just a few. I find this is a great advantage because they apply their individual talents to the handling of different types of equipment that we carry in these boats today. It is not all heroism in lifeboats. It is hard work, training and a state of readiness that makes a good lifeboat crew. However, all this can become a little tedious and it is sometimes broken by the lighter-hearted moments that you come across from time to time.

'I remember one beautiful occasion when I was asked by the Coastguard repeatedly, "What is your position?" We were being thrown around really badly at the time. He said it again and before I had a chance to answer him the mechanic looked up and he said: "I don't know what his position is, but ours is bloody desperate!" . . .

'. . . I have always believed that a coxswain is only as good as his crew.

When you are setting off in the blackness of night into gales force 9, into God only knows what, the feeling of unity between a lifeboat crew is inexplicable and no matter how frightened you feel you know that the crew of the ship who are waiting for you are a great deal more frightened than that. Then, maybe after hours of battling through heavy seas and being beaten to death you arrive and you are wet and cold and thinking, "What on earth am I doing here?" and then you see the casualty which can be a a terrifying situation where life is hanging by a thread, but this is the moment that we have all been prepared for. From the time that lady sold her flag or arranged her coffee morning to raise funds—that was when this rescue started, not when the maroons were fired. Anybody who works for or supports this Institution in some way is responsible for the preservation of life at sea. If you could share with me and see the look on a survivor's face at the moment of rescue, and share that marvellous feeling with the lifeboatmen when they are coming home in the boat and the job has been done, then you would all know that this last 150 years has been more than worthwhile.' Since the last AGM the Committee of Management has awarded three honorary life governorships and 12 gold badges to honorary workers for long and distinguished service. Presentations were made at the Festival Hall by Commander Swann to all but Mr Knox, Mrs Martin and Mrs Wright, who were unfortunately unable to be there: HONORARY LIFE GOVERNOR Mr R. N. Crumbie Chairman of Orpington and Districtbranch since 1948: chairman Central Appeals Committee since 1970.

A most enthusiastic worker for the Institution, Mr Crumbie is prepared to give his time and energy to help the service in any possible way. In addition to being the chairman of a very successful branch, he has been chairman of the Central Appeals Committee, responsible for fund-raising activities on a national scale, since its formation.

Lady Olwen Carey Evans, DBE President and chairman of South Caernarvonshire guild since 1941.

Lady Olwen has been an official of a most active and productive guild for the past 33 years. Her leadership has been an inspiration to everyone.

Mr W. R. Knox, CBE MM JP Honorary secretary of Portrush station branch from 1938 to 1973 (except for war years).

Mr Knox's record of service, spanning a period of over 40 years, is known throughout Northern Ireland. In his capacity as a vice-president of the Royal British Legion, he had some influence on their decision to provide a new lifeboat for the Institution in 1972.

GOLD BADGE Mr H. Biggs Honorary secretary of Broadstairs branch since 1952; honorary collector 1950 to 1952.

A tireless worker throughout his 23 years with the Broadstairs branch, Mr Biggs has been largely responsible for its financial success. He was instrumental in organising a new ladies' lifeboat guild in Broadstairs, and has also undertaken many speaking engagements on bahalf of the institution.

Miss L. Dally Honorary secretary of Barry guild from 1942 to 1959; chairman since 1959.

Miss Dally has been the mainstay of the Barry ladies' guild for the past 32 years. She is a most enthusiastic and loyal worker.

Mrs A. Duttson Joint honorary secretary of Fareham branch from 1947 to 1960; honorary secretary since 1960.

Mrs Duttson has worked enthusiastically for the lifeboat service for over 26 years. She organises the annual collection throughout the whole of the very large Fareham Urban District where, through her efforts, the financial return has risen steadily each year.

Mrs A. Hamerton Honorary secretary of Attleborough branch from 1950 to 1954 and since 1957.

Mrs Hamerton has given many years of outstanding service to the RNLI. She is constantly on the lookout for fundraising ideas and the revenue of her branch has maintained a steady rise due to her untiring energy.

Mr D. C. Hill, TD Honorary secretary of Nottingham and District branch since 1950.

Since 1950 Mr Hill has worked steadfastly towards the maintenance of a successful financial branch. His energy has been instrumental in establishing a continuing high income which in latter years has surpassed £3,000, and his influence has spread throughout the county of Nottinghamshire.

Mrs C. W. Keeble Assistant LBD organiser (Epsom) 1948; LBD organiser (Bromley) 1950; assistant honorary secretary of Sidcup branch from 1960 to 1966; honorary secretary since 1966.

Devoting considerable time and energy to the lifeboat service, Mrs Keeble has supported the RNLI in various capacities for 25 years and has helped the Sidcup revenue to rise appreciably.

Mrs J. Macpherson Honorary secretary of Oban guild since 1949.

Mrs Macpherson has been honorary secretary of Oban for almost 25 years.

Although often handicapped by illness, she has given her time most unselfishly.

Mrs D. R. Martin Honorary secretary of Renfrew guild from 1950 to 1967; president since 1967.

An official for the past 23 years, Mrs Martin's enthusiasm and leadership are very well reflected in the guild's financial return. She is also a most generous supporter of the Institution in a great many ways.

Mrs P. H. Megson Honorary secretary of Romiley guild from 1953 to 1972; assistant honorary secretary since 1972.

Mrs Megson has been a member of the guild since it was formed by her mother, Mrs W. J. Kinsey, in 1927. She has been an outstanding worker for over 46 years and the Institution owes a great debt to her family for their invaluable support.

Lady Norton, MBE Member of Central London women's committee from 1957 to 1961; chairman since 1962.

Lady Norton's very hard work for the service through the Central London women's committee, and enthusiastic chairing of their innumerable successful fund-raising events, is amply reflected in the annual revenue figures: they have almost doubled since 1968.

Mrs J. C. F. Prideaux-Brune President of Padstow guild for more than a quarter of a century.

President of the Padstow guild forover 25 years, Mrs J. C. F. Prideaux- Brune has devoted considerable time and energy in support of the lifeboat service.

Mrs E. Wright Honorary secretary of Kelty guild since 1947.

Mrs Wright has been a most energetic and industrious honorary secretary for the past 26 years. She has put great personal effort into the office which is reflected in the steadily increasing revenue from her area.

The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to Derek Scott moved by Commander D. H. F. Armstrong, DSC RD RNR, the immediate Past Master of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners.

1973 ACCOUNTS SUMMARY . thousands Inspectorate Crews and Dependents Pensions Lifeboats and Inshore Lifeboats Station and Running Income Legacies Subscriptions/Donations Miscellaneous Restricted Funds Expenditure Operational Technical Administration/Fund Raising Capital Net Surplus £000's 1,700 1,515 166 479 3,860 £000's 1,075 542 962 1,157 3,736 124 How expenditure was apportioned in 1973.

The pie chart on the left depicts the Institution's expenditure for the year 1973. The diagram has been apportioned into four main divisions, to enable a comparison of the volume of expenditure between capital, operational, technical and administration items. Each main division, where applicable, has been further sub-divided to give a fuller interpretation of expenditure.

The histogram below reveals the increasing cost of the lifeboat service over the past ten years. Each column shows the four main areas of expenditure and a surplus or deficit for the year, whichever applies..