Lifeboats in the South Seas - in TongaJust before Christmas, Swanage lifeboat station received news of their old lifeboat, Thomas Markby, which served at the station from 1928 to 1949.

The letter came from the Kingdom of Tonga where the old lifeboat's German owner is currently based. Her owner, Mr Lojda, writes: Since 1977 we are the owners of Ambler which is the former lifeboat Thomas Markby. We purchased her in Guernsey in 1977 and after four years of refitting and testing we sailed to Tonga via two years in the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Brazil, Argentina via Cape Horn to Chile, Easter Island, Pitcairn, French Polynesia, Cook Islands, Tonga, Fiji, New Zealand and back to Tonga.

She is a strong solid boat in any weather and we have decided to take care of her for many more years. We hope you like to hear of one of your lifeboats which is still sailing around.

C. & Z Lojda, Neiafu/Vava'u, Kingdom of Tonga, South Pacific.The letter and photograph were forwarded to the Editor by Llew Hardy, who had joined Thomas Markby as a crew member in 1937 and served as her second coxswain from 1946 to 1949. He remembers one particular service in December 1947 when they launched in a Force 10-11 storm and spent 13 hours searching for missing crew members of a capsized tug - 'she was a fine sea boat, Wet, but sea kindly. I shall never forget the fury of the elements that night.' ... and in New Zealand While on holiday in New Zealand, Dave Jeeves, crew member of Exmouth's inshore lifeboat, came across another ex-RNLI lifeboat enjoying an active retirement on the other side of the world. The Liverpool class ON 914 Tillie Morrison Sheffield II, now named Rescue III, was originally stationed at Bridlington from 1953 to 1967 and is now in active use at New Plymouth, North Island, as a pleasure boat on tourist trips around the Sugar Loaf islands.

Yet another ex-lifeboat is now serving in New Zealand waters - Girvan's Brede class lifeboat Amateur Swimming Association was sold to the New Zealand coastguard service in 1993, and is now based at Nelson, South Island.

On a recent visit to the UK, Harold Mason, coxswain of the newly named Sealord Rescue presented a commemorative plaque to the people of Girvan from the residents of Nelson. Q r / i O O OtJlVIHJ Badges Fireman Sam arrived at the RNLI Poole headquarters in one of Poole Fire Brigade's engines - not to put out a fire, but to draw the 68th national lottery which took place on 31 January. Sam was appearing in his latest exploits at the Poole Arts Centre, and joining him at the draw were children from Winchelsea Special School and Dave Kennett, former coxswain of Yarmouth lifeboat. Dave retired in December 1994.

Anthony Oliver, deputy head of fundraising and marketing supervised proceedings and on hand to see fair play was the Institution's director, Lt Cdr Brian Miles CBE.

The prize winners were: Volvo car Mrs T. Davies, Deganwy, Gwynedd.

£1,000 Mrs R. Steggle, Basingstoke, Hants.

£500 V. Farrant, Ryde, Isle of Wight.

£250 Mrs B.J. Wilkes, Bristol.

£100 Mrs A.D. Hobson, Calverton, Notts; Mrs E. Tupman, Edinburgh; Mr & Mrs G.F. Spray, Cirencester, Glos; Mrs B. Shaw, Chorley, Lanes; A. Pole, Leicester.

£50 S. Pickering, Welwyn Garden City, Herts; Mr & Mrs J. Mitchell, Cheltenham, Glos; Miss C.R. Hoskins, Dagenham, Essex; J.D. Blyth, Lincoln; Miss G.M. Dickinson, Baling.

The Long Service Badge for crew members and shore helpers who have given active service for 20 years or more has been awarded to: Anstruther - Head launcher T.B. Small Ballycotton - Mechanic M.P.L. Walsh Berwick-upon-Tweed - Head launcher J. Swan Burry Port - Crew member H. Owen, shore helper T.T. Griffiths Clogher Head - Coxswain F. Sharkey, tractor driver P. Flynn Cromer - Crew member P.J. Smith Eastbourne - Deputy head launcher F.

Wakefield Islay - Crew member J. MacTaggart Llandudno - Shore helper I.J. McNeil Rhyl - Crew member G. Williams, shore helper J. Dyson Scarborough - Emergency mechanic P.

Harrington, shore helper J. Pearson The Lizard - Coxswain P.H. Burgess, crew member M.R. Legge Quiet help from Plymouth fisherman When Sam Webber died in Plymouth, aged 94, he had rarely left the city other than by water. Having gained his first boatman's licence in 1914 at the early age of 16 he spent his working life and all his spare time on or near the water.

For many years an inshore fisherman, he was never happier than putting out from Plymouth Sound or the Yealm in an open boat to go crabbing or hand-lining. He never lost his respect of the sea or his delight at landing a fish.

Both he and his wife lived very frugally. They built their own bungalow by Stonehouse Creek and the furniture they put in on day one was never renewed. Even the rarelywatched TV they had in recent years was black and white and for most of their lives they recorded every penny they ever spent.

Not that they did not enjoy life.

Playing cards, laughing with friends and giving away most of the fish he caught gave Sam real pleasure. But he also had a secret. All their scrimping and saving had a purpose. Having known much poverty in his youth he was determined to leave a legacy which would be well used.

He chose the RNLI. He never told anyone, but he would have taken proper pride that other RNLI supporters now know that a humble Plymouth fisherman contributed £300,000 and he would especially have enjoyed the surprise caused to his many acquaintances who assumed he was as poor as his appearance suggested!New Year's Honours Her Majesty the Queen has honoured the following for their services to the RNLI in this year's New Year Honours list: Knight Bachelor: Sir Michael Vernon Chairman of the RNLI.

MBE: Mrs Annie Bolton Lately president of Bramhall and Woodford guild.

MBE: Mrs Pauline Hodge Honorary secretary of Edinburgh ladies' guild MBE: Roy Norgrove Chairman of Farnham branch MBE: Leslie Robson Helmsman of Flamborough lifeboat Other awards of interest, for achievements not directly connected with the Institution's work, have been made to: KCB: Sir David Mansel Lewis Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed (president of Burry Port branch) KCB: Captain Sir Malcolm Edge Deputy Master and Chairman Board of Trinity House (ex-officio member of the committee of management) KBE: Sir Peter Crill Bailiff of Jersey (patron of Jersey lifeboats) MBE: Jack Abbott RAF Warrant Officer (deputy launching authority at Trearddur Bay lifeboat station) MBE: Captain David Poison Harbour Master at Lerwick (chairman and deputy launching authority, Lerwick lifeboat station) MBE: William Rogerson Officer in charge, British Transport Police, Bangor (husband of secretary of Holyhead ladies' guild) On Station The following lifeboats have taken up station and relief fleet duties: ALL-WEATHER Torbay - Arun 52-19 (ON 1076) Marie Winstone on 3 February 1995. Temporary station duty.

INSHORE Relief - D465 Palmer Bayer on 24 June 1994.

Poole - B548 on 28 November 1994.

Temporary station duty.

The Mumbles - D463 Nellie Grace Hughes on 29 November 1994.

Relief - D474 G C H Fox on 6 December 1994.

West Kirby - D473 Thomas Jefferson on 21 December 1994.

Hayling Island - B526 on 11 January 1995. Temporary station duty.

Newquay - B539 on 15 February 1995.

Temporary station duty.