Brian Miles, Director of the RNLI, looks back on 1990 - and forward into the new decade and beyond The deadline for the Winter journal brought home to me that another year has elapsed, a year which I believe has been one of continuing and encouraging progress. It has certainly been another busy twelve months for everyone involved with the RNLInot least our coxswains and crews as the number of lifeboat rescues continues to increase. As always our lifeboatmen have been ready and willing to deal with many different types of rescue - from saving 28 men from a Bulgarian fish factory ship to rescuing two roe deer! The RNLI has never been able to relax its efforts to provide a lifeboat service capable of meeting all the demands placed upon it, and achieving the necessary high standards is a particular challenge today in an era when lifeboat technology and equipment are developed so rapidly.

It has also always been important for the RNLI to plan for the future but it is now essential we look as far into the future as practicable, to anticipate what kind of lifeboat service will be required in the early years of the 21 st century and even beyond.

During 1990 there was a detailed review of the RNLI's search and rescue policy, with the main purpose of assessing future casualty potential around the coast of the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. This has enabled us to determine more effectively what future lifeboat requirements will be, looking ahead into the next century to ensure that the potential can be met.

As part of the review detailed discussions were held with authorities which represent commercial shipping, the fishing industry and the ever-growing marine pleasure industry. Many interesting points emerged which have been helpful in ensuring that the RNLI is planning for the future on the right lines.

Enhanced cover One point deserves special emphasis. The RNLI is now able to provide effective lifeboat cover out to fifty miles from the coast and furthermore, as an indication of our speed of reaction in fair weather, lifeboats are now able to reach virtually any point thirty miles from the coast within two hours and remain on scene for at least four hours. In severe weather any point thirty miles from the coast can be reached within three hours.

This represents our declared facility to the governments concerned, and is a considerable enhancement on previous commitments.

It confirms that the RNLI continues to play a most significant part in ensuring that national commitments to international conventions for efficient maritime Search and Rescue systems are being fully met.

Lifeboat development This time last year I reported that the final boats of the successful Arun and Tyne classes were 'in build'. These were duly completed during the year and are now in service. The final Arun was named at Dundee last May, in honour of our former Chairman, His Grace the Duke of Atholl, at what proved to be a memorable day for the RNLI - particularly as His Grace was supported at the ceremony by his private army, the famous Atholl Highlanders! We had hoped to have the prototype of the Arun's successor, FAB 3, launched and undertaking trials by the end of 1990, but we now look forward to seeing this boat on the water in the spring of 1991. The prototype FAB 4, the smaller of the two fast lifeboats for the future, will be launched later in the year, and as soon as possible these two lifeboats will be evaluated on the coast, so that we can benefit from the experience and wise counsel of lifeboat crews nationwide. I cannot emphasise enough our determination always to ensure that coxswains and crew members are consulted as fully as possible at all stages of the development of a new lifeboat design, as we appreciate all too well that it is they who must use the boat in the future, often in the worst imaginable conditions.

The Mersey class lifeboat building programme continues, and eight boats of this class entered service during 1990. Delays have occurred, due mainly to practical difficulties in completing these complex lifeboats to a very tight schedule, but we remain confident that the programme will be completed to ensure that the target of having only fast lifeboats in service by 1993 will be met.

Major events in 1991 Although it is still many months ahead I would urge our friends and supporters to note the dates of Friday 2 and Saturday 3 August, our next Open Days. Visitors are welcome in Poole at any time, but the Open Days have proved very popular as they have enabled us to lay on a programme of special interest and demonstrate at first hand what we try to do at Poole in support of those who work so hard for the RNLI all over the country.

Another highlight of 1991 willbethe 16th International Lifeboat Conference at Oslo in June. Our colleagues in the Norwegian Sea Rescue Service are working hard to prepare for the conference, and in our capacity as Permanent Secretariat for the International Lifeboat Federation the RNLI is providing some assistance. We plan to send two lifeboats and will also be submitting a number of papers.

Over the years many firm friendships have been established between lifeboat organisations worldwide as a result of these conferences and the exchange of information leads to great benefits all round.

The International Lifeboat Conference and Open Days are but two of the potentially exciting events which will guarantee another busy year for everyone involved with the RNLI. New fund raising ideas are being considered, but again we will not hesitate to draw on the practical and hard-earned experience of our fund raisers from guild and financial branches before they are implemented.

Raising the funds As I write we have heard that the RNLI retains third place in the top ten of fund raising charities. That in itself represents a tribute to all who work so hard for the RNLI but the main challenge lies in ensuring that we raise enough to finance the lifeboat service of the future to the same standards as in the past. I am absolutely confident that challenge will be met.

In conclusion I extend thanks to you all for your support and for your personal involvement with the RNLI, whatever that may be.

The enthusiasm I encounter everywhere for the RNLI is a tremendous encouragement, not only to me but to all my colleagues.

On behalf of us all I wish you and your families the best possible New Year and we are all looking forward to welcoming many of you here in August..