1,188 lives saved in 1991 Provisional figures for 1991 indicate that lifeboats were called out 4,407 times during last year and that 1,188 people were saved from death at sea by lifeboatmen and women.

Lifeboats were at sea for a total of 6,800 hours. 30% of services were either partly or completely conducted in darkness and 11.3'/ were carried out in Force 8 or over. 58'; of call-outs were launches toall categories of pleasure craft.

Since it was founded in 1824, the Institution has saved more than 122,000 lives. It is estimated that around £48 million will be needed to run the lifeboat service in 1992, all funds being raised from voluntary contributions.

Newspoint 20 years at 30 knots The Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat is such a modern design it is sometimes hard to realise that 1992 marks the 20th anniversary of the class.

It was in June 1972 that B503, the first Atlantic 21 to go on station, took up her duties at Hartlepool - to be followed by three more stations later that year.

Such was the success of the versatile. 30-knot lifeboat that a decade later there were 30 stations operating Atlantic 21 s, and by the end of 1991 46 stations had been allocated the RNLI's fastest lifeboat.

Stations receiving the new boats to replace old. slow lifeboats found that the number of call-outs normally increased, and by the end of 1991 Atlantic 21s had launched 13.665 times, saved 4,251 lives and their crew members had won 12 medals for gallantry.

The design has been refined over the years and the development of an 'Atlantic 22' will see the class active well into the 21 st century - a fine testimony to the success of one of the Institution's most versatile lifeboats.

Trial summer station for Looe At a recent meeting of the Institution's executive committee, it was agreed to re-establish a lifeboat station at Looe in Cornwall for a trial period of one summer season.

Establishing the station is subject to suitable accommodation being available to house the lifeboat, a 16ft D class inflatable which it is hoped would begin operations during the summer season of 1992. The situation would be reviewed at the end of the trial period.

The decision to extend lifeboat cover in the area reflects the increasing number of leisure craft that are using local waters.

• The RNLI's executive committee has also approved the permanent establishment of a summeronly D class lifeboat station at Ilfracombe.

At the dentist 'Filling time' while waiting fur tin- dential 's drill nt liia local aurgeon in East Hani, London, the RNWaasststantpubUcrelgtiom officer Rubin Sharp apotted two loved ;ssi(cs of THL LIFEBOAT journal - of Winter 1985/86 and Summer 1986 respectively - on the reception room table.

The two jonr uila,atill faithfully serving the RNl.l iia well us acting (is ii welcome diversion for those about to 'open wide', may well liohi the record for 'active service in u waiting room'.

Unleaa, ot conrae...

New committee of management member Swansea's Commodore Robert Hastie has been elected to serve on the committee of management, responsible for running the RNL1.

The committee is composed of 26 vice presidents plus 40 elected members who volunteer their knowledge and experience in a variety of fields such as boat design and construc- tion, and offer commercial, industrial, financial, public relations, fund raising and medical skills.

The committee, which meets three times a year, works through an executive committeeand varioussubcommittees.

Commodore Robert Hastie CUE RD* vu RNR (RETD) joined the Royal Navy for National Service in 1951 and has been involved with the Senior Service ever since.

He was made Aide-de- Camp to Her Majesty the Queen in 1977 and became a Commodore, KNK in 1979.

A Justice of the Peace and vice lieutenant of West Glamorgan, he has also been chairman of the Mumbles lifeboat station since 1987.

Commodore Hastie is married with threechildren and lists his recreations as sailing, shooting, skiing and tennis.

First launch for The Four Boys At 1030 on 28 November 1991, Sennen Cove's new Mersey class lifeboat The Four Boys, the first Mersey to be allocated to a slipway station, sped down the slipway on its first launch at its new home.

The lifeboat, named in memory of the four boys who drowned on a school trip when they were swept from the rocks at Lands End in Mav 1985, had arrived to a tremendous welcome from the local community.

On the day of the launch, school children lined the beach area and a school of porpoise cavorted just off the slipway.

Ex-coxswain/mechanic Maurice Hutchens, who was at the wheel during the search for the fourboys, was asked by the present coxswain/ mechanic Terence George to take the wheel for the first launch.

Photo PhilMonkton A gift to warm the cockles Mr J.P. Young, an American gentleman, has been raising his glass in a toast to lifeboat crews every year for the past few years by making a donation to the RN LI with the specific purpose of giving whisky to lifeboat crews.

Over the years, the cockles of every lifeboat station crew have been warmed by Mr Young's thoughtful gift, and now the crews are starting to enjoy a wee dram for the second time around.

This year, four bottles of whisky were delivered to all lifeboat stations in Ireland in time for Christmas.

Scottish Lifeboat Council convener The retiring convener of the Scottish Lifeboat Council, Sir Charles McGrigor, was presented with an inscribed silver salver from the new convener. His Grace the Duke of Atholl, on 23 October 1991.

The salver was presented to Sir Charles from the members of the executive committee of the Scottish Lifeboat Council in recognition of his endeavours as convener from 1975-1991.

The presentation took place at a lunch in the Bal- Colour change for crew clothing The fluorescent 'traffic yellow' colour of the Musto protective clothing supplied tocrewsofall-weathcr lifeboats is to be changed to non-fluorescent 'old gold'.

Fluorescent colours such as the 'traffic yellow' have a relatively low resistance to UV light, which results in the deterioration of the nylon yarn and therefore a lower resistance to wear and tear.

As yet, it is not possible to produce a fluorescent clothing which is colourfast, although the problem is being researched.

In contrast, 'old gold' - which is closer in colour to that of the traditional oilskin - has a light stability factor six times greater than the current fluorescent yellow.

The new colour will be phased in once the stock of existing material has been used up.

moral Hotel, Edinburgh, and was attended by members of the executive committee and the RNLI's Director and head of finance.

Two new Atlantic 21s for Wales The C class lifeboats of two stations in Wales are to be replaced by Atlantic 21 class lifeboats, both of which are expected to arrive on station in 1993.

Both Aberystwyth and Criccieth have been allocated the larger rigid inflatable lifeboats, which will be launched and recovered by tractor and drive-on, drive-off trolley, providing improved cover to meet the growing demands on these stations.

Like father, Like son The lifehoatmen of Lencick station certainly like to keep tiling* in tlie family.

Station honorary secretary since 1968, Magnus Shearer senior felt the time had come at last to step ilou'n from liis po sit ion. Determined to keep up the family trail it ion. Magnus Shearer junior -u'ho lias served as Lerwick's deputy launching authority since 1983 - lias followed in his father's footsteps by taking up liis new honorary secretary role on 27 February 1992.

Rotary Club honour Mablethorpe Alford and Mablethorpe Rotary Club presented their prestigious 'Paul Han is Community Service Award' to members of Mablethorpe lifeboat station at the Grange and Links, Sandilands in February this year.

Mr Ian Noyes of the Rotary Club said the evening had been organised 'to honour a group of men with total commitment and selfless devotion to others and to present them with the highest Rotary award.' The award was received for the station by Mr Rod Stones, who spoke of the interest their community takes in RNLI efforts.

During the evening, a personal 'Paul Harris Fellowship Medal' was awarded to founder member of Mablethorpe RNLI and honorary secretary Mr Bill Stoney, in recognition of 28 years uninterrupted service to the lifeboat station.

Mr John Handley, local Rotary president, described Mr Stoney as a 'rare specimen, a man of special qualities'. The regular flow of lifeboat volunteers, he said, was a tribute to his leadership and personality.

Mr Stoney was awarded the RNLI's Gold Badge in 1988.

Brian Stevenson With deep regret, the Institution has announced the death of Brian Stevenson, regional organiser for the north east.

Brian died in a car accident on Friday 7 February 1992 after apparently suffering a heart attack at the wheel. Nooneelse was hurt.

Brian joined the RNLI in 1975 from Elsam, Mann and Cooper of Liverpool where he had worked since 1953.

He was a keen yachtsman, a committed scouter who ran his own groups for many years, and an enthusiastic supporter of New Brighton lifeboat station.

He was also a member of the crew from 1974-1979 and, fora time, thestation's press and publicity officer.

By a happy coincidence, he was appointed area organiser for the north west region on his birthday, 1 September 1975. In May 1982, he was promoted to regional organiser for the north east.

Brian's funeral was held on 14 February at the Baptist Church in Harrogate.

He leaves a widow, Joyce.

Inshore Lifeboat Centre, Cowes to host Open Days this summer Definitely dates for your diary! The Inshore Lifeboat Centre at Cowes on the Isle of Wight is to hold Open Days on Friday 31 July and Saturday 1 August.

The Open Days, the second day of which coincides with the start of the island's Cowes Week, are being organised in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Centre and to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat.

The programme of events includes daily demonstrations, with commentaries, of the capsize and righting of an Atlantic 21 and a D class lifeboat, and a helicopter winching exercise, as well as a daily sail-past of inshore lifeboats.

Lifeboat workshops and the new training centre will be open to the public, and those who work on the construction of the inshore lifeboats will be present to answer your queries.

Photographs will be on display and lifeboat videos will be shown, and souvenirs and refreshments will be on sale. Especially for the children, there will be a treasure hunt and games.

Special events taking place on the Friday will be the naming of the new relief Mersey class lifeboat Bingo Lifeline and the draw for the 58th National Lottery.

The events are scheduled to commence at 2pm.

Please note that the draw for the quarterly RNLI National Lottery will be made on 31 July at the Inshore Lifeboat Centre, Cowes Open Days and not at RNLI Headquarters in Poole as printed on the lottery tickets.

It is hoped that both the lottery and the naming ceremony will be conducted by a well-known personality, but details are yet to be confirmed.

Opening times for Friday 31 July are 10am to 6pm, and on Saturday 1 August, 10am to 5pm.

Admission is free and there will be limited free car parking available.

New deal guarantees £50,000 for the RNLI A new initiative which is guaranteed to raise at least £50,000 for the lifeboat service over the next three years has been signed and sealed by the RNLI and insurance company Frizzell.

In this new arrangement, recently approved by the Director of the RNLI and Ian Woolley, divisional director of Frizzell, the Institution will receive a contribution equivalent to 2.5% of the insurance premium for each motor, home, small craft or travel insurance policy taken out with the Bournemouth- based company by RNLI supporters.

Showboat - and carriage Thanks to the generosity of the organisers of the London Boat Show in supplying the space and Volvo for sponsoring the cost of the stand the RNLI was able to put on a fine show at the 1992 London International Boat Show at Earls Court in January.

The large space available meant that it was possible to display not only a Mersey class lifeboat but also her sophisticated carriage and waterproof tractor.

Crew members from Newquay, St Ives, Skegness and Margate manned the lifeboat to answer questions from visitors.

Although the attendance at the show was down on 1991 and purse strings noticeably tighter the RNLI's receipts were down by only about 3%, largely due to the success of the lottery with its prize of a Volvo car.

The Chelsea pensioners once again showed their indefatigable spirit with their collecting boxes to bring in well over £8,500, and there were several large cheque presentations on the central pool display, some of which are mentioned in The Fund Raisers in this issue.

The RNLI's annual Public Relations awards were also presented at the show.

This year the recipients were the Daily Telegraph, the Hull Daily Mail and BBC Radio Cornwall.

Raymond Baxter, a vice president of the RNLI and chairman of the public relations committee, presented the framed Records of Thanks on the central jetty.

The awards are made annually to individuals or the media who have made a special contribution in publicising the work of the RNLI.

In the last 12 months, the Daily Telegraph has given consistent coverage of the RNLI with news and picture stories and one, on the end-of-year statistics, occupied all the back page editorial space. The junior readers' Young Telegraph also ran a feature.

The Hull Daily Mail published a 24-page colour supplement on the work of the RNLI which gave an excellent impression of the Institution to locals and holidaymakers and resulted in valuable publicity.

BBC Radio Cornwall has shown a special interest in the RNLI and lifeboat stations in its area, giving excellent coverage of operational and fund raising activities and regional staff and lifeboat station personnel make regular appearances on air.

In September, a radio-car visited 12 local lifeboat stations in one day and broadcast live from RNLI events being held at each of the locations..