THE DUKE OF ATHOM-, chairman of the Institution, reported to the annual general meeting of governors on Tuesday morning. May 17, that during 1982 lifeboats launched 3.304 times, the highest number since the foundation of the RNLI, and saved 1,281 lives. The overall income for the year was £15.7 million, with u half million pound surplus, but the Duke pointed out that the new Tyne lifeboats cost £430.000 each and that four are on order. Capital expenditure rose during the year, with good progress in building new lifeboats.

In congratulating the fund raisers, the Duke noted that branch and guild income had increased again, and that trading profits had passed half a million.

The target for 1983 is £17 million and he said: 7 am sure we can rely on the generosity of the public to help us in our work. The need not doubt the value of their donations, lor they only have to pick up a newspaper or switch on the television at almost an time to see thai one of our 200 lifeboat stations has been in action.' A full report of the AGM and presentation of awards appears on page 232. Penlee investigation The formal investigation into the loss on December 19. 1981. of the Penlee lifeboat Solomon Browne and MV Union Star took place in Penzance from March 14 to April 27 and the Wreck Commissioner.

Richard Stone, oc, announced his findings on May 18. A report, with the Commissioner's recommendations, appears on page 221.

Geoffrey Brice, QC, counsel for the RNLI, said in his final speech: 'The events of one night on one small stretch of coast of Cornwall have left a mark on the consciousness of the whole nation which will never be erased. Within that one small stretch of coast there was displayed a feat of bravery and skill and the willing sacrifice of lives in the service of others which left not even the most hard hearted unmoved. It also left a griefstricken community and a shocked nation with a deep-felt sense of awe and admiration for the courage, heroism and dedication to dut of a small band of men.

'If ever one should get caught up in the mood of cynicism which at times characterises the age in which we live, one would do well to remember the men who gave their all at Penlee.' Penlee's new lifeboat, the 52ft Arun Mabel Alice, was placed on service on Sunday May 8. She lies afloat in Newlyn Harbour.

Salcombe capsize and righting Salcombe lifeboat The Baltic Exchange, a 47ft Watson fitted with an emergency righting air bag. was capsized while on service and righted successfully on the afternoon of Sunday April 10. There were no injuries to the crew and the lifeboat was able to continue a search and return to Torbay under her own power. The lifeboat had launched to the aid of divers whose inflatable dinghy had capsized in very rough seas. With winds gusting up to violent storm, force 11, The Baltic Exchange was hit by two exceptionally large waves, the first of which carried a man overboard and the second capsized the lifeboat; the man was recovered immediately. A team of RNLI officials examined the lifeboat in detail the next day and found minimal damage.

This is the third capsize of a lifeboat in the past four years and each time the boats have righted successfully. In 1979 Barra Island lifeboat, a 52ft Barnett fitted with an emergency air bag, and Islay lifeboat, a 5()ft Thames which has an inherent righting capability, were both capsized in winds gusting up to hurricane force 12 and righted with only minor injury to their crews.

A full report of the events of April 10, 1983, will appear in the autumn issue of the journal.

Marquis Camden It is reported with deep regret that the Most Hon.The Marquis Camden.

DL JP. died on March 22. Lord Camden joined the Committee of Management in 1930, was elected a vice-president in 1954 and a life vice-president in 1978.

At one time or another he served on all the standing committees and was chairman of the Depot Sub Committee and vice-chairman of the Boat and Construction Committee.

Throughout his life one of Lord Camden's greatest interests was yachting, and what he enjoyed he served; he was vice-commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron from 1954 to 1965 and a flag officer of the House of Lords Yacht Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club as well as being a vice-president of the Marine Motoring Association.

Lord Camden will be remembered for his devotion to the RNLI for more than half a century; he will also be remembered as a most kind-hearted man who was concerned at all times for the well being of lifeboatmen and also for that of the permanent staff of the Institution.

Committee of Management In the past year four new members have joined the Committee of Management.

Rear Admiral I. H. Colley, QBE, was co-opted in July 1982. After a distinguished career in the Royal Naval Medical Service from 1948 to 1980, his last appointment being Surgeon Rear Admiral (Ships and Establishments), Admiral Colley became Honorary Consultant in Occupational Medicine to the RNLI. Since 1979 he has served as a member of the Medical and Survival Committee, of which he was elected deputy chairman in July last year.

The other three new members, all co-opted to the Committee of Management in 1983, are Mr Gilbert Gray, QC, Captain P. Greevy and Rear Admiral W. J. McClune, CB.

Mr Gray, who is a Recorder of the Crown Court, is president of Scarborough branch; his recreation is sailing and he is a member of Scarborough Sailing Club. Captain Greevy has been Deputy Harbour Master of Dublin Port and Docks since 1974 and at one time was Chief Officer with the Commissioners of Irish Lights. Admiral McClune had served during the war as an RNVR radar officer, transferring to the Royal Navy in 1947; before his retirement in 1978 he was Chief Staff Officer (Technical) to the Commander-in-Chief, Fleet. Admiral McClune, who has served on the RNLI's Boat Committee since 1981, also enjoys sailing as a recreation.

Humber lifeboat TV series The BBC will show a series of films about Humber lifeboat station in September and October. Cameraman Paul Berriff, whose 1972 film on Bridlington 'Experts in Action' has been used widely by the RNLI, spent four months at Spurn Point, living in a caravan, to be ready for any lifeboat calls. The resulting films show the lifeboat and her work and the way of life for the lifeboat families on the remote promontory of land at the mouth of the Humber. This will be the most extensive television coverage ever given to a lifeboat station. Details of transmission times will be found in the Radio Times in September.

On station The following lifeboats took up station and relief fleet duties during the months March to mid May 1983: Valentia: 52ft Arun class lifeboat 52-23, RNLB Margaret Frances Love, March 14, 1983.

Relief Fleet: 33ft Brede class lifeboat 33-05, RNLB Merchant Navy, April 18, 1983.

Penlee: 52ft Arun class lifeboat 52-24, RNLB Mabel Alice, May 8, 1983..