It is with deep regret that the Institution reports the death on 23 April 1992 of Cdr Ralph Swann CBE, a life vice president and former Chairman of the RNLI, at the age of 87.

Cdr Swann first joined the Institution's Committee of Management in 1953 and became a member of the boat and construction committee, which he chaired from 1960-1969, and of the finance and general purposes committee where his success as a city stockbroker was of great value. He was Chairman of the RNLI from 1972-1975.

Cdr Swann was instrumental in the introduction of many aspects of the RNLI which are today very much part of its fabric.

He was a driving force behind the switch to selfrighting lifeboats, the introduction of faster lifeboats (starting with the US Coastguard design which became the Waveney class) and the introduction of high-speed inflatable inshore lifeboats.

He also successfully revised the Institution's investments and was behind the Yachtsmen's Lifeboat Supporters Association, launched in 1969 and the basis for today's membership scheme.

Fittingly, in 1976 a Waveney class lifeboat was named Ralph and Joy Swann and she is still in service, now at Portree.

Ralph Swann had a lifelong love of boats and sailing, joining the RNVR in 1937, cruising in his own yacht after the war years and being at one time Commodore of the Royal Cruising Club..