The Maud Smith Bequest Award for the bravest act of lifesaving by a member of a lifeboat crew in 1974 has been awarded to Coxswain Tom Richard 'Ben' Tart of Dungeness. On February 11 the Dungeness lifeboat under Coxwain Tart's command landed an injured man from MV Merc Texco in exceptionally rough seas and winds of hurricane force. The lifeboat was launched in the worst conditions ever experienced at Dungeness.

The Ralph Glister Award for the most meritorious service of 1974 by the crew of an ILB has been made to Helmsman Edward B. 'Bev' Brown and Crew Member Robin Middleton of New Brighton, who saved the crew of MFV E.B.H. on June 9. Edward Brown had to drive the ILB over a groyne on to the deck of the casualty and Robin Middleton boarded the vessel to save an injured man.

The James Michael Bower Fund. Monetary awards from this fund are being made to the seven men who received the RNLI's silver medal for gallantry for services during 1974. In addition to Coxswain Tart, Helmsman Brown and Crew Member Middleton, these are Coxswain Albert Bird and Motor Mechanic Ian Jack of Aberdeen, and Coxswain John H. W. 'Joe' Martin and Dr Peter Davy of Hastings..