Happy Christinas The American, Mr J. P. Young, is popular man among RNLI lifeboat crews. Every year he selects a different part of the coast for his generous gift of whisky to lifeboatmen. It is his way of showing admiration for the work they carry out. This year it is the turn of the Scotland, south, division to receive six bottles of Famous Grouse at every station.

An enjoyable Christmas and New Year should be guaranteed to them all.

Ill-gotten gains Four youths were up before a Lisburn magistrate in Northern Ireland after they had been discovered by a police sergeant collecting money from passers-by in bucket wrapped with wallpaper with "Lisburn Young Citizens Volunteers" written on it. The collection was definitely not authorised and the police seized the bucket and its £9.71 contents. As well as administering justice to the boys, the magistrate also ordered that the money be donated to the RNLI.

Silk Cut awards Ramsgate lifeboat crew won the seamanship award for their rescue of the French trawler Gloire a Marie II on Boxing Day 1985. Coxswain Ron Cannon received the award on behalf of the crew. Tynemouth lifeboat crew were given a special seamanship award for their rescue of the fishing vessel La Morlaye in April 1986. Mrs Hogg, widow of Coxswain Captain John Hogg, who sadly died earlier this year, and her son received the medallion on behalf of the crew. She received a standing ovation from the assembled company. St Peter Port lifeboat crew were also nominated for an award under the rescue category which was won by Master Air Loadmaster Ward of the RAF.Long service awards THE LONG SERVICE BADGE for crew members and shore helpers who have given active service for 20 years or more has been awarded to: Amble Motor Mechanic G. Easton Emergency Mechanic J. Stewart Ballycotton Coxswain T. McLeod Borth Crew Member R. J. Davies Longhope Motor Mechanic I. McFadyen Head Launcher A. Sutherland Shore Helper G. Taylor Morecambe Crew Member K. Willacy Port Isaac Crew Member H. PavittSt Davids Coxswain F. G. John Swanage Head Launcher W. E. Bishop On station THE FOLLOWING lifeboats have taken up station and relief fleet duties: Hartlepool: Atlantic 21 class lifeboat B568, Burton Brewer, September 30, 1986.

Lowestoft: 52ft Barnett class lifeboat ON 924, Archibald and Alexander M.

Patterson, October 19, 1986.

Alderney: 44ft Waveney class lifeboat ON 1045 (44-019), Louis Marchesi of Round Table, October 23, 1986.

In the autumn 1986 issue of THE LIFEBOAT it was reported that ON 971 had been placed on station at Dunbar.

The name of the lifeboat should read Joseph Soar (Civil Service No 34) and not as previously printed..