The Annual General Meeting and Presentation of Awards 1993 Royal Festival Hall, LondonThe Tuesday after the May Day Bank Holiday, 4 May 1993, saw the Institution's 169th Annual General Meeting and Presentation of Awards. Although held at their now-traditional venue on the South Bank in London this year both meetings were held in the Royal Festival Hall and were also some weeks earlier than normal.The events began at 1015, with the arrival of the lifeboatmen to receive a wards for gallantry at Festival Pier, providing a photo opportunity for the press and coverage in the national media the following day.

The prototype Trent, soon to be named Earl and Countess Mountbatten, provided the platform for the medallists and then lay alongside the Festival Pier so that those attending the meetings could see aboard her. She could be seen to be floating well below her marks at times, indicating that a good number of visitors had taken the opportunity! The AGM began at 1130 and the RNLI's Chairman, Michael Vernon, opened his address to the Institution's Governors with a reference to a newspaper article which, although on the front page of a paper with a circulation of some two million, very few of those present were likely to have seen: 'The Royal National Lifeboat Institution' quoted Mr Vernon, 'is the world's oldest national lifeboat service and one of the UK's biggest and most successful charities. Fiercely independent, the RNL1 isacasestudyin private initiative; it abhors even the thought of government financial support. Many belieiv the organization is Britain at its best.' The reason that most would not have seen it, he went on, was because it appeared in the American 'Wall Street Journal', adding how gratifying it was to receive such praise from an influential 'outsider'.

If it was true that the Institution represents Britain, indeedBritain and Ireland, at their best, the Chairman said, it only did so because it continued to receive the best of British and Irish support.

Thanks entirely to that voluntary support the RNLI had been able to keep pace with a growing demand on its services, even through a period of deep recession.

ACHIEVEMENTS In reviewing the considerable achievements of the year Mr Vernon sought to illustrate that the Institution's ultimate cause, saving life at sea, was best served by striving for efficiency and cost effectiveness at every level, and in every sphere of activity.

The statistics, he told the meeting, showed that the RNLI had once again surpassed previous records with a total of 5,445 launches in 1992.

'Our mil's have saved the lives of 1372 seafarers or seaside casualties,' said the Chairman, 'and they helped nearly a thousand more out of difficulties. The recession appears to have had no dampening effect upon pleasure craft activity, oral least on their inislmps, with lifeboats ansuvring 16% more calls from this categori/ than the previous year. Services to commercial craft of all sizeshave remained constant in number for several years,although casualties among fishing vessels are still increasing.' But, Mr Vernon added, it was important to realise that for a lifeboat station and crew these bare statistics meant many more demands on the crews, the boats and the equipment.

'Running an efficient lifeboat service is as much about providing the ability for quick response as it is about lives actually saved. We hai'e a great deal to thank all station mechanics, shore helpers and crew members for guaranteeing that our lifeboats are always ready to go.

CHALLENGE Moving on to the lifeboats themselves the Chairman made the point that the challenge was not simply to get a boat to sea with an expert crew; it was also to be certain that the right boat was available for the job. The rigid inflatable Atlantic 21 had proved best for going alongside a grounded yacht when Frank Dunster and Roderick James won their Silver Medal in 20ft seas on Chichester Bar last October; the speed, power and range of the Arun had been essential to Peter Bisson of Guernsey during his Silver Medal service to a yacht in mid-Channel and to Hewitt Clark of Lerwick when he towed a fishing vessel through a hurricane for his third Bronze Medal in January. At the other end of the size scale the speed and manoeuvrability of Whitby's D class inflatable, expertly handled by Bronze medallist John Pearson, had saved the life of a man in 12ft surf.But there was more to come said the Chairman: 'Despite the recession, we have been able to forge ahead with our plans to provide boats that will gradually replace the Aruns, Waveneys and Atlantic 21s. Each of these will provide our crews with an even more effective means of carrying out their task.

'Satisfied that the all-weather lifeboats will fulfil our needs well into the next century we christened them the Severn and Trent classes. These river names were chosen because they both run through the heart of the country and reflect the traditional support which flows from those who live inland.' Production of both classes is now under way, reported Mr Vernon, and 25-knot all-weather lifeboats will be on station in the first half of 1994.

The newly-developed Atlantic 75 came through trials with flying colours during the year and is now in production providing an even faster and more sea-kindly rigid-inflatable than the Atlantic 21 she will gradually replace.

The Chairman was also able to report that the building programme for Mersey class lifeboats was now virtually complete, with ten entering service in 1992. This meant that the RNLI's long-proclaimed aim to have fast lifeboats at every station before the end of 1993 would be met.

ENHANCE However, it was more than just speed through the water which gets a lifeboat rapidly to the casualty, added Mr Vernon.

The Institution was developing equipment to enhance efficient lifesaving, testing a wide range of electronic aids to make navigation easier and faster. Night vision equipment was under evaluation and a hand-held VHP direction finder was being developed for inshore lifeboats.

RNLI equipment is sometimes put through the severest tests, and the Chairman illustrated this with a reference to the capsize of Hartlepool' s Wa veney class lifeboat in February when she was twice overturned in 40ft waves. Teesmouth's Tyne had already been knocked down in the same seas but both lifeboats had righted themselves and their coxswains regained control. But one crew member aboard the Hartlepool boat needed more than self-righting to save his life, added the Chairman: 'Robbie Maiden was thrown into the freezing North Sea and for 35 agonizing minutes he was lost in the darkness and the waves.

He owed his life to his protective clothing which saved him from hypothermia, his lifejacket which kept his head above water and to the light it carried and which was spotted by a vigilant helicopter crew. His praise for his safety equipment was all the assurance we ever needed that our efforts in this field are worthwhile.' NEW DESIGN On the same theme Mr Vernon reported that recent efforts had led to a new design of self-inflating lifejacket for crews of allweather lifeboats, and that its introduction this year will provide crews with a far less bulky lifejacket than its predecessors but with the same buoyant properties.

On the subject of safety and equipment Mr Vernon remarked that a method of firing hand-held maroons had been developed which limited the risk enough to allow their continued use when a back-up signal for the pager is required.

Regular reviews ensure optimum lifeboat cover around the coast and the Chairman was able to report that a decision had been made to establish two new inshore lifeboat stations - North Kessock in Scotland and Bundoran in the Republic of Ireland.Looe, in Cornwall, he added was currently under evaluation for D class operation, and at Swanage, Campbeltown and Portrush all-weather cover was to be supplemented with D class infla tables.

The need for supplementary inshore cover was, remarked the Chairman, partly due to the diversity of casualties, and that it was gratifying that the RNLI was able, through adequate funding, to react immediately to new demands.

The capital cost last year of all new lifeboats, equipment and shorework improvements was close to £15m, he said, and a great deal of effort goes in to ensuring that every pound is spent effectively.

Careful capital expenditure was important, remarked Mr Vernon, but so too was the RNLI's use of its human resources.

During the year a thorough review of working practices had been carried out in every department, uncovering very little inefficiency but pointing to some improvements. These included a planned maintenance system for Tyne, Arun and Mersey class lifeboats and the reorganisation of operational and technical divisions round the coast. The creation of larger fundraising regions will reduce administrative overheads and this was also result of the review.

Mr Vernon pointed out that the Accounts for 1992 had some important stories to tell. Income rose by nearly £10m, 18% more than the previous year, and comparison with the retail price index increase of 3.7% showed just what an outstanding performance this was.

What of the recession?' asked the Chairman, reflecting that this time last year he was announcing the first drop in annual income for many years, and warning against complacency.

'All I can say' he remarked, 'is that the fundraisers must have taken my words to heart. The income generated by the efforts of volunteer branches and guilds has exceeded inflation by a healthy margin. Often arising from their efforts is the income from legacies, which in 1992 was quite exceptional exceeding for the first time over 60% of total funds raised. The branches and guilds are to be heartily congratulated.

'When it comes to accounting matters the Institution depends on good co- operation from its supporters, branches and guilds. Your response to the call to lobby government for fairer treatment on VAT was admirable; so too has been the branches' willingness to adapt to the new accounting year and reporting methods. It is very disappointing the Chancellor was not able to help with the former, perhaps we should be thankful we did not need his co-operation with the latter!' Looking at other fundraising efforts Mr Vernon reported that although gift and souvenir sales were being encouraged, through branches and mail order, the results were very disappointing in 1992. This was largely due to accounting problems which are being thoroughly investigated and in future years, he remarked, RNLI Sales will produce a healthy revenue for the Institution.

Work continued to develop the RNLI's base of regular donors, and Mr Vernon reported that membership now stood at 205,000.

ENCOURAGING New ways of attracting support were being tried, he went on, and the low-budget advertisement on Channel 4, designed to persuade viewers to phone in with donations, was only a test - although early results were encouraging.

The RNLI's bedrock was still its branches and guilds, and the Chairman remarked that it was exactly 100 years since the first ladies lifeboat guild had been established at St Annes.

Mr Vernon reported that the RNLI's reserves stood at £123m, and added that although that might appear high to some people the cost of replacing the 90 Waveney and Arun class lifeboats would alone cost much more than this. He went on: 'It would be wrong in the view of your Committee of Management to underwrite our commitment to the future with any less.' There were other areas to which the Institution should pay heed, said Mr Vernon, and in the coming year a staff member would be co-operating with other safety-at-sea organisations to inject RNLI experience into their efforts. The young in particular could, he believed, benefit by learning more about the dangers of the sea, and the RNLI would also benefit if they knew more of the Institution's work. A youth promotion officer is to be appointed to pursue this double objective.The Chairman remarked that although the RNLI is 'fiercely independent7 it cannot operate in isolation. The year had been one in which further progress had been made in developing working relationships with HM Coastguard, the Department of Transport, the helicopter services of the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.

Linked training courses for lifeboat coxswains and coastguard officers were one example and the government's recognition of plans for 25-knot all-weather lifeboats where helicopters were being re-deployed was another.

The influence of the Institution may extend far afield, Mr Vernon said, but the foundation of its success remained at home.

He referred to a very topical matter when he added: 'The public is currently being given such a good opportunity towitness the cause of that success through the ITV documentary series 'Lifeboat', which was filmed at Salcombe lifeboat station last year. Its portrayal of the crew as they go about their business with quiet efficiency can only help to inspireyet more to join our ranks as regular supporters.' The Chairman concluded his address with wholehearted thanks for the Governors' continuing support and asked the meeting to vote on the Committee of Management - who were elected en bloc. The meeting was then opened for questions from the floor, which ranged from the style of flag-day lapel stickers to the establishment of new D class stations, taking in boathouse construction and fundraising regions on the way. The questionswere answered by members of the Committee of Management and staff who gleaned several valuable pointers from the discussions.Governors waiting for the afternoon's Presentation of Awards were able to see a preview of the following evening's episode of the Central TV programme 'Lifeboat', or visit the prototype Trent which was lying at the Festival Pier. Many managed both! At 1430 Mr Vernon opened the 1993 presentation of awards with a welcome to the RNLI's President, HRH The Duke of Kent, to 'our annual celebration of voluntary work for the lifeboat service'.

There were, he said, some outstanding and gallant rescues to applaud and a record number of awards to honorary workers. 32 gold badges were to be presented, and as these recognised a minimum 25 years fundraising he surmised that the late sixties must have been a vintage period for recruitment! Interestingly that period had been a crucial one for the RNLI.It was entering an exciting new era of fast lifeboats while facing very high inflation. Income was barely keeping pace with running costs and reserves fell to a dangerously low level.

In praising those who had been involved since those days Mr Vernon remarked on their contribution to a remarkable turnaround in the Institution's fortunes.

The Institution now had the resources to guarantee an up-tothe- minute lifeboat service for many years to come, a promise it would have been hard to make twenty-five years ago. The honorary awards were richly deserved, the Chairman added, as were thanks to all who work so hard to sustain this healthy state of affairs.

INSPIRED There had been other equally significant periods during the life of the Institution. Many might go back to 1886 and the loss of the Southport and St Annes lifeboats attending the wreck of the Mexico. This tragedy led not only to a re-think in lifeboat design but also inspired the formation in 1893 of the very first ladies lifeboat guild at St Annes. Now, exactly 100 years on, there are nearly 2,000 financial branches and guilds - the bedrock for all current fundraising efforts.

Another milestone in 1993 will be the provision of fast lifeboats at every station, a promise made seven years ago at a projected cost of £50m. By the end of this year the traditional double-ended lifeboats will no longer be seen in the RNLI fleet, although cherished memories will keep their crews' life-saving exploits alive for generations.

By the year 2000 the lifeboat fleet will be faster still, as the target is to have 25-knot lifeboats at no less than half the stations.

A fair proportion of Atlantic 21 stations will also have the faster Atlantic 75 by then.

The Chairman repeated the figures he had given to the AGM - 5,445 launches and 1,371 lives saved - and reflected that launches had risen by nearly 2,000 in the last decade and pondered on what the figures would be ten years from now.

It was, he said: the dedication, skill and courage of the lifeboat crews which convinces me that such efforts will continue. But who will fail to draw added inspiration from the medal citations you are about to hear?' Mr Vernon then introduced the Institution's President, HRH The Duke of Kent, thanking him for the time he dedicates to the RNLI and the interest he shows in every aspect of the Institution.

His Royal Highness began his address by remarking on the Sunday evening in February when a news item stopped every lifeboat supporter in their tracks. The Hartlepool lifeboat's recovery from two capsizes and the recovery of a crew member after 35 minutes in the water not only brought joy and relief to the families concerned; it united all lifeboat supporters with similar feelings.It was, The Duke said, a moment which provided a focus of intense common interest for this huge and flourishing Institution. Amid the day-to-day frustrations of life, even the most dedicated among you may occasionally question what is so special about the RNLI that it should take up such an inordinate amount of your free time.

What are we really achieving, you may ask, and do my efforts actually count? SPECIAL The Duke remarked that, as President, he was in the fortunate position of being able to view the Institution's work a few paces back from the canvas, and assured everyone that the RNLI was special, standing out as a humanitarian face of the people of these shores in a way that few other organisations could. Visiting lifeboat stations and meeting the modest people who appeared to give every waking hour to the cause, he sometimes found it difficult to believe that they expected nothing in return. Butwithout such an attitude no service could cope with the unpredictable requirements of sea rescue. The RNLI copes quite admirably,' he added.

HOPE There was another aspect which made the RNLI special, added His Royal Highness, the hope it can bring to people in utter despair. The timely arrival of a lifeboat to a drowning man is the ultimate offer of hope, but having been at Land's End just over a year ago to name the new Sennen Cove lifeboat His Royal Highness had experienced another example of the hope the Institution could offer. The lifeboat was called The four Boys to commemorate four boys who were lost off Land's End in a tragic accident. Their parents had decided to confront their grief by raising funds for a new boat and he had found the occasion immensely moving and also, because the RNLI was able to offer a positive objective and hope to four devastated families.

'I believe,' said the Duke, 'many of us find the RNLI adds a dimension to our life which gives it that much greater purpose. And there is so much purpose to the RNLI of the 1990s. We save 1300 lives each year.

Our lifeboats are in more demand than ever before. Wekeep211 lifeboat stations supplied with the most modern boats and equipment. And we have a great future ahead of us His Royal Highness closed his address with a poignant reminder: 'Shouldyou ever doubt that your own contribution is of value, just remember that young lifeboatman, Robbie Maiden, plucked from the freezing North Sea last February. His survival was due to a highly professional helicopter crew, but just as importantly to the clothing you provided and to a little light on his lifejacket that could have been paid for out of the loose change in your pocket...' It was a fitting time for the Director to read the citations for the fundraisers awards and the medals for gallantry and for His Royal Highness to present them..