After naming West Mersea's new Atlantic 21 Alexander Duckham on July 1, another brilliant summer day, and unveiling an inscribed plaque, R. A. G. Joseph, marketing director of Duckhams (I.) with S. R. Page, publicity manager, went aboard for a trip afloat. The gift of this ILB commemorated both Duckhams 75th anniversary and the 150th anniversary, in 1974, of the RNLI. From the time she went on station at West Mersea at the beginning of April until mid July, Alexander Duckham had launched on service 25 times and rescued 19 lives. photograph by courtesy of Alexander Duckham.