Brian Miles CBE looks back on an eventful 1995 1995 proved to be yet another busy and eventful twelve months for everyone involved with the RNLI.

A highlight had to be the 17th Conference of the International Lifeboat Federation in Montevideo, Uruguay, in February. The RNLI hosted the first conference in London in 1924 as part of its centenary celebrations, and nine countries were represented on that initial occasion. Records confirm how much value was obtained from sharing knowledge and experience and except for a break during the Second World War, a conference has taken place every four years since then - growing in scale on every occasion. Twenty-seven countries were represented in Uruguay and the agenda was comprehensive.

Every lifeboat organisation, including the RNLI, clearly relished the opportunity to discuss matters of mutual concern and to learn from its international counterparts.

In a world dominated by disputes of various kinds it is a relief to find that saving life from disaster at sea transcends boundaries; unites nations and inspires friendship and respect. Long may that continue to be the case.

At the end of the 17th Conference the RNLI formally offered to host the next conference in 1999, the Institution's anniversary year. 1999 may seem some time ahead but we are already developing plans for the conference, which will complement our Anniversary celebrations.

Fast lifeboats I referred last year to the introduction of the 25 knot Severn and Trent classes and the improvement to the level of cover which we will be able to provide once they have entered service. One year on, it is pleasing to say that the programme is now under way and a number of stations have already received their new lifeboats. The response from the coxswains and crews has been encouraging and already much favourable comment has been made about the performance of these faster lifeboats in adverse weather conditions.

One of the principal targets of our strategic plan is to build 24 Severns and 26 Trents by the end of the year 2000. When that is achieved, virtually any point 50 miles from the coast can be reached within 21/2 hours - some one-third quicker than at present.

As we develop a faster and more capable fleet we must never forget how dependent we are on the dedication and commitment of our lifeboat crews. As I write it seems likely that lifeboat launches in 1995 will set a new record; indeed services by all classes of lifeboats have increased by roughly 70% in the last 10 years. In some cases, lifeboat stations are answering more than 100 calls a year and by any standard this is an enormous commitment, not just for our volunteer crews, but also for their families and, in many cases, for their employers.

Records August 1995 certainly broke all records, with lifeboats launching an average of 50 times a day, lending emphasis to the RNLI's sea safety initiative to help ensure that people going to sea are prepared for any problems that might arise.

As well as giving up time for service launches, lifeboat crews must also make an ever increasing commitment to training - some of it at the station, and also at courses held in Cowes and at Poole Headquarters. When the training programme really got underway a few years ago, there was a fear that we might be imposing too much on our crews. The opposite seems to have been the case, and the training is so highly regarded that we are being urged to provide more - a real tribute to the dedication and commitment of all RNLI lifeboat crews.

I have often said that the RNLI can never afford to be complacent, or fail to recognise indications that its performance can be improved. During 1995 we conducted a major efficiency review , and as part of this all lifeboat stations were asked to comment on the support they receive from Headquarters. The response was very encouraging but, nevertheless, some problems were highlighted which we will be doing something about early this year.

Let me provide two other examples where action needs to be taken. First, the vital matter of public awareness - in other words the visibility of the RNLI to the public in Great Britain and Ireland - and whether it considers the RNLI is an organisation they wish to support.

Awareness Regular surveys test spontaneous awareness; prompted awareness and the propensity to give to the RNLI, and recent results have shown a surprising fall in all these areas. Those actively involved with the RNLI, and that most certainly includes the readers of The Lifeboat, may feel that the RNLI is a very visible organisation and one everyone would wish to support. Clearly, however, there are members of the public who do not know about the RNLI and the magnificent work of our crews.

I believe we can all play a part in helping to publicise the Institution by encouraging friends and acquaintances to share the pride we all feel in the lifeboat service.

The second area of concern is the fall in income from legacies. Many readers will be aware from Ian Ventham's letter included with the Autumn journal that legacy income declined in 1994 by 4%, and that this trend continued into 1995. Clearly this is worrying, and although we can identify some causes, including the decline of property values and that people are living longer and needing to make provision for their old age, we are taking positive action to reverse this trend so that people will remember the RNLI in their wills in the future.

Finally, I have thoroughly enjoyed the 1995 lifeboat year, as indeed I have enjoyed every year spent with the RNLI. I mentioned the highlight of the International Conference in Uruguay, but I have enjoyed many other highlights, usually involving visits all around the country.

Once again, my thanks for all that you do for the RNLI and I look forward to meeting many of you in the future.

On behalf of everyone at Poole Headquarters, I wish you and your families a happy and successful New Year..