Just in case: a happy Tony Hunter (below right) the RNLI's chief buyer, stores, receives a case of brandv from David Shepherd, brand manager for Martell Cognac, a bottle of which is carried on all large lifeboats. The cognac has been provided free by Martell since 1970 when the Royal Navy slopped the issue of the traditional lot of Navy rum which had also been carried on lifeboats..