Printing deadlines mean that I have to write my annual message in mid-October - a convenient time on this occasion because I have just returned from two visits which, in their separate ways, confirmed that the RNLI is buoyant and in good heart.

First, I accompanied the President, HRH The Duke of Kent, and the Chairman, Mr Michael Vernon, on visits to seven lifeboat stations in the Shetland and Orkney Islands and the north of Scotland. During an extremely busy two day programme the President met coxswains and crews, their families and representatives from branches and guilds at each station. Passages in four lifeboats were also included, as the President welcomes every opportunity of going afloat in lifeboats and discussing their capabilities with their crews. The President received a warm welcome and we were encouraged by the enthusiasm for the RNLI evident throughout the visit.

Determined Optimism Next I took part in the North West regional conference, attended by nearly 150 branch and guild representatives. All aspects of fundraising were discussed and a number of original ideas were suggested.

The continuing recession has influenced the fundraising efforts of many charities during the year and it would have been understandable if those working to raise funds for the RNLI had felt somewhat dispirited in the unfavourable financial climate and with so much pessimism about the future. The atmosphere at the conference, however, was one of determined optimism - and it was made very clear that the fundraisers have no intention of relaxing their efforts.

The Charities Aid Foundation's annual statistics showed that, in 1991, the RN'LI had the third largest raised voluntary income. It is a great encouragement to be reminded how well the RNLI is regarded, but the real measure of our success is whether we are able to raise the funds to implement our plans. Thanks to the efforts of everyone involved with fundraising that continues to be the case.

Another subject that received attention at the conference was the revised procedures for financial branch and guild accounting. Last year I emphasised that the Institution must constantly be looking for ways to be more efficient and effective and referred to a new system of station branch accounting, providing for returns to Headquarters on a monthly basis, which had been well received.

A year on, it is a great encouragement that the response from the much larger group of financial branches and guilds has been just as positive. When introducing the changes careful note was taken of branches and guilds reservations about details of the proposals and, as a result, a number of the procedures were revised.

In making any changes which we believe are necessary real efforts are made to take account of the experience of those who must put them into practice, and I thank you all again for your understanding and co-operation.

Last year I also referred to the early trials of the prototype fast afloa t lifeboats, and both FAB 3 and FAB 4 have now completed extensive coast evaluation programmes. A large number of coxswains and crews were able to experience their capabilities afloat and a wealth of practical, constructive and sometimes critical comments resulted.

These will lead to a number of modifications before the production build, which should start early in 1993 to provide boats for over 70 stations where the all-weather lifeboat lies afloat. A number of relief boats will be needed, so some 90 boats will be needed in the next 15 years.

Lifeboat development has not been concentrated solely on the FABs, as encouraging progress has also been made with the prototype Atlantic 22. This boat is a much improved version of the very successful Atlantic 21 and the prototype boat has now been tried and tested by no less than 18 Atlantic 21 stations. There seems to be a unanimous view that the new boat is superior to her predecessor.

We hope to start introducing Atlantic 22 lifeboats later this year.

Liaison I referred last year to the RNLI's efforts to establish a closer liaison with our colleagues in search and rescue. These have been developed further during 1992 and, for example, we plan to publish an article in The Lifeboat explaining the role of the Royal Yachting Association in educating the leisure boating population.

We believe that the RYA's initiatives in this area deserve our support and we will continue to promote the safety message.

Whatever efforts are made in any of the RNLI's activities it all comes back in the end to the dedication and skill of our crews, who are being called on to respond to an ever increasing number of calls each year. Some make the headlines, usually because of bad weather and the outstanding efforts of the crew, and many areroutine, but every call must be answered and on average lifeboats are being called out well over ten times a day. During a busy weekend, particularly in the summer, the number of calls is far higher.

Very occasionally we get an opportunity to hear something of what it is like to be on the receiving end of a lifeboat service.

During 1992 I heard from someone who was anxious to tell me of his experiences when he got into severe difficulties when sailing in bad weather. He gave me a dramatic account of an incident where the weather had deteriorated unexpect- | edly, when masts and sails were damaged and aerials carried away - a situation where those on board were reaching the end of their tether.

Relief I was asked whether I could appreci- i ate the feeling of relief when they realised i that their call for help had been answered, and then the even greater relief to see the lifeboat approaching through heavy seas.

I was told that the skill and professionalism and also the compassion of the lifeboat crew would never be forgotten by those aboard the casualty, as nothing was too much trouble in providing comfort on board the lifeboat and in the efforts to transfer a member of the lifeboat crew to the stricken boat so that she could be towed to safety. I was very grateful for this account, as it made me feel very proud, not just of that one lifeboat crew but of all our crews who carry out similar services, day in and day out.

Finally, I have again enjoyed my many visits to lifeboat stations and functions all over the country, and inevitably return to Headquarters feeling much the better for having made them. I might add that we all get a similar uplift when we welcome visitors to Poole.

On behalf of all my colleagues at Headquarters, I send to each one of you every good wish in the New Year, together with my renewed thanks for all that you do personally for the RNLI..