What's in a name? I was intrigued by the selection of proposed names put forward as alternatives to Shoreline Members (THE LIFEBOAT, Summer 1987, Page 170).

They mostly showed a certain degree of aptness or humour, but frankly I see nothing to beat Shoreline Members unless it is one simpler, Shoreliners.

But your penultimate paragraph leaves me speechless—or nearly so! As I see it, the only people entitled to be called Members of the RNLI are those hardy folk who don their wellies and man the lifeboats come hell or high (or low) water to save life at sea.

They are the RNLI Members to whom all others are subservient.

Beyond, or behind these worthies are the inevitable committees, local, district, area, call them what you will, all beavering away under the general guidance of a central or national co-ordinating committee.

Their task is to keep the boats at sea, using their expertise in public relations, fund raising and the optimization of their resources to maintain an on-going organisation.

They are backed up by the efforts of thousands of good people who give much of their time and effort into raising the wind by countless activities, regularly reported in press or journal.

Their help is invaluable. They are the' Support Groups.

Then we come to Derek Jameson's Great British Public which annually dips its hand into its pocket and sends a shower of coinage rattling into the coffers.

Perhaps, too, buying the kids a couple of RNLI pencils when they visit the stations during their holidays.

To them, also, grateful thanks—best expressed by a few choice words around the lifeboat on the little sticky flags.

Something simple like with thanks from the lifeboatmen.

Finally, we come to a more recent group of people who see the sense in making a small yearly donation. Wefew, we happy few who commit ourselves to a few quid each year, preferably (let it be shouted) under covenant are known as Shoreline Members or, as I would prefer, the Shoreliners.

What more apt name could there be for those of us—while backing the RNLI to the hilt—who stand on the shoreline (with dry feet) and watch others doing all the work? I am happy to help in my small way and proud of my plastic card and windscreen stickers fore, aft and mid-ships.

But that gentleman who expects to be regarded as a full member in return for his little voluntary contribution! Surely, he must be joking?—EDGAR GEE, Whitchurch, Cardiff.

Toy lifeboat wanted Twenty five years ago as a young boy, I was the proud owner of a toy lifeboat—a Liverpool type, if my memory serves me right, and driven by a clockwork motor.

Following many immersions in sea-water and numerous self lightings in rock pools, the boat became unseaworthy and was paid off. Now that my son is old enough to enjoy one I would dearly love to have a replacement. It was made perhaps by Triang and was about nine or ten inches long.

If anyone reading this has one of these toys and would care to contact me I would be happy to purchase it or make a suitable donation to the Institution.— o. N. CARSON, 22 Well Lane, Yatton, Bristol BS19 4HT Thanks. . .

When I joined Shoreline it was to contribute towards the help of others in trouble and with no thought that I might be a recipient of such help.

I was a crew member of the yacht Papenou anchored in Studland Bay on the evening of Saturday June 20, 1987 when another crew member was taken ill. A Pan Pan Medico call produced the advice that we should be brought ashore as soon as possible.

We started motoring towards Poole Marina when we learned that our calls had been monitored by the Coastguard and that the Poole lifeboat had been called out to our assistance.

I wish to record my appreciation ofthe immediate response and the smooth, slick and professional way in which things happened. In what seemed to be only a matter of minutes the lifeboat appeared and almost before we realised it a doctor and medical crewman had come aboard. Within five minutes our sick crewman had been taken off and was on his way to shore.

We continued to Poole Marina but were very surprised to have an inflatable appear to guide us in in the dark and even more so to find lifeboatmen on the pontoon to take our lines. Their willing help and cheerfulness made things very easy for us at what was naturally a worrying time.—J. WELSH, Eastleigh, Hants.

. . . and appreciation I should like to place on record my appreciation and thanks to the crew, launchers and team of Selsey lifeboat for their efficient and most courteous assistance provided on July 23, 1987.

Briefly, the circumstances were that our yacht Corsair of St. Helier was disabled when some rope jambed both the rudder and propeller, immobilising both steering and engine power and leaving us only with sail. By the time they arrived I had managed to free the rudder but was still without engine power, thus making a landfall somewhat hazardous.

Whilst, when I reported the problem to the Coastguard, I never envisaged having to be rescued, clearly the Coastguard's advice in recommending we accept a tow was prudent.

I am sure all too often the service provided by the crews of the RNLI nationally are perhaps taken for granted, but I for one and my family certainly appreciate the good work they carried out and in particular the assistance rendered and I am proud to be associated with the RNLI.—B.

LAYMOND, Stanmore, Middlesex.

• Letters to the Editor are always welcome, provided they are on subjects relevant to the lifeboat service or associated search and rescue activities. The Editor would prefer to receive typed material, on one side of the paper only, but will accept handwritten letters, provided they can be read clearly. Material should be addressed to The Editor, The Lifeboat, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ, to arrive in good time for the publication dates sets out on the Contents page..