Seven lifeboatmen from Newhaven, Sheerness and Portsmouth, attended the Annual National Service for Seafarers in St Paul's Cathedral on October 17. Coxswain/ Mechanic Leonard Patten of Newhaven lifeboat, was the RNLI colour bearer, escorted by Crew Members Jack Shinn (I) and Lawrence Deakin (r).

It is the first time the official colour has been used since it was presented to the Institution at the annual presentation of awards in the Royal Festival Hall last May, in the presence of HM The Queen Mother. The silk colour was the gift of the Clothworker's Foundation and was made by the Royal School of Needlework.

Crew Members Stephen Alexander and Melvin Salisbury of Portsmouth, and Malcolm Keen and Colin Washford of Sheerness made up the colour party..