EACH YEAR particular recognition is given to crew members taking part in conspicuous rescues, and in 1973 the RNLI annual awards were presented to lifeboatmen from Bridlington (Yorkshire), St Helier (Jersey) and Torbay Devon).

The Maud Smith Bequest, a monetary award for the bravest act of lifesaving a member of a lifeboat crew, has been made to Coxswain Michael Berry of Helier. On September 18, 1973, the lifeboat under the command of Coxswain Berry rescued the crew of six of the French yacht Bacchus in a very rough sea. It was night time and, to reach the yacht, the lifeboat had to negotiate a dangerous narrow, shallow passage through rocks, and she grounded four times. For this service Coxswain Berry was awarded the Institution's silver medal.

The Ralph Glister Award is made for the most meritorious service of the year performedperformed by the crew of an inshore lifeboat.

The award for 1973 has been made to Motor Mechanic Barry Pike of Torbay. On October 5, without regard to the safety of his own life, he leapt from the ILB in a dangerously rocky area in an attempt to rescue a woman.

Although washed ashore exhausted he re-entered the sea several times until he finally brought the woman s body ashore. Mechanic Pike was awarded the Institution's silver medal for this service.

The James Michael Bower Endowment Fund was established in 1955 by the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company as a memorial to James Michael Bower, late third officer of ss Stratheden who lost his life in a disaster.

Monetary awards from this fund are made to those who receive the RNLI's gold or silver medal for gallantry. The 1973 awards have been made to Coxswain John King of Bridlington, Coxswain Michael Berry of St Helier and Motor Mechanic Barry Pike of Torbay, all silver medallists. Coxswain King was awarded a silver medal for the rescue of the crew of five of MFV White Knight on April 2, 1973. The lifeboat closed the casualty twice in a very rough sea with winds gusting to hurricane force..