NEWSPOINT At this year's Annual General Meeting in London, reported elsewhere in this issue the Institution's Chairman, Sir Michael Vernon, reported yet another record year for lifeboat launches in the previous year - a report that he has been able to make at each of the seven meetings he has addressed during his tenure in the office! This year however there was a subtle difference in the pattern of call-outs, with large increases in categories outside the traditional customers' of fishermen, commercial vessels and pleasure boats.

The hot and generally gentle summer of 1995 had led to big increases in the number of calls to swimmers, people cut off by the tide and 'manually propelled pleasure craft' - an RNLI category which includes such things as beach nflatables. It could safely be said that never before has the RNLI rescued so many inflatable teeth, lobsters and other strange devices! The lesson is that the lifeboat service is vital to everyone - even though they may think they are unlikely to need it. Indeed one Cornish inshore lifeboat did not aunch to any kind of vessel all summer - its return for the year showing 100% of services to 'Persons and Others'.

The National Collection of Lifeboats which recently opened at Chatham, and which is also reported in this ssue, looksbacktoadiffer- 3nt era and to different casualties.

But although times, ifeboats and casualty pat- :erns may change, 1995's statistics showthatthe RNLI continues to be as relevant :oday as at any time in its history.Shipshape in Bristol fashion The RNLI made sure that it was represented at the Bristol Festival of the Sea over the late Spring Bank Holiday weekend - with a fundraising stand ashore and an Atlantic - funded by the organisers - providing safety cover for the vessels as they arrived. One of her tasks involved helping in the much-publicised incident when the training ship Royalist decided to take a rest on a shoal during her passage up to the docks.

In weather which varied from atrocious to pleasant vast numbers of visitors were given the opportunity to contribute to RNLI funds.

The European Charity Premiere of the new Muppet film, Muppet Treasure Island, was also held in aid of the Institution (plus 90% of the takings at the City's Odeon that night) which gave the regional manager for the south west, Andrew Young, the added bonus of meeting his favourite film star - Miss Piggy! The size of the crowds and the great atmosphere at the event is borne out by information from a usually reliable source who tells us that all of the local pubs ran out of beer on the final night!Road to the point not to be Spurned The road to the Humber lifeboat station at Spurn Point has been re-instated after a section was washed away during the severe storms in February.

A 700m length of roadway had to be constructed, with the expense shared with the Humber Pilots, the only other inhabitants of the isolated headland.

Although the RNLI village had to rely on four-wheel drive vehicles for some two months they were self-sufficient in electricity, water and fuel as facilities had been installed in anticipation of such a breach.

Humber's strategic position - because of its isolation it is the only RNLI station to have a full-time crew - means that it must remain open, and further damage to the roadway is quite possible.

All of the parties involved with the headland have formed a Forum which is working towards an agreement about future routes and outline planning permission which will allow any future breaches of the roadway to be rapidly replaced.Square deal for lifeboat It may not be at all unusual for a helicopter and lifeboat to work together - but it is certainly unusual for them to do it in Trafalgar Square in central London! However, in the early hours Getting of 12 March an RAF Sea King landed in the square (to the bewilderment of the pigeons no doubt) for a five-hour roost with an Atlantic 75 for a static display in support of the RNLFs largest lifeboat day collection throughout GreaterLondon.

The event brought the week-long collection - carried out by an army of some 3,000 volunteers - to an end and raised some £250,000.

There is no record as to whether any visitors tried to feed the giant pigeon...Getting Prepared TheScoutAssociationistorun an appeal over the next three years which aims to help fund a lifeboat to replace the Waveney class The Scout which is currently stationed at Hartlepool and which will probably leave RNLI service in 1997.

The Scout Association has some 538,000 young people and more than 100,000 leaders in over 10,000 groups, so the appeal will also help raise the awareness among the young.Andrew Ashton, ex-coxswain of Lytham St Annes lifeboat, has been appointed deputy divisional inspector of lifeboats for the West division.

This is the first time in some 20 years that a volunteer lifeboat coxswain has become a lifeboat inspector, the last being Les Vipond, ex-coxswain of Blyth lifeboat who became tlirilO inonAS*tSM* Turns inspector an inspector in April 1975.

Andrew joined the Lytham St Annes lifeboat crew in March 1985 and was coxswain from May 1988 until October 1995 when he joined the RNLI full-time to begin a series of 'on the job' training visits around the UK before taking up his appointment on 2 January 1996.Net benefit to the RNLI The Institution is to sponsor the first survey of non-profit organisations which aims to evaluate the benefit of investing in the Internet - the global computer network.

The Institute of Charity Fundraising Managers is distributing the survey in the UK and it is, of course, also available on the Internet.

The RNLFs PC Support Manager, Shirley Cook, is conducting the survey, which will includeinclude more than 3,000 nonprofit organisations as part of an MSc in Information Technology.

'Many people/ she said, 'who have involvement and interest in both charities and the Internet think that the results will be of great value to non-profit organisations.' The survey's Internet address is: http: www.bucc.

co.uk/vbp/surveyMedallist calls the shotsThe internationally acclaimed marine photographer Rick Tomlinson renewed his acquaintance with the RNLI earlier this year when he photographed the lifeboats at a selection of lifeboat stations ranging from the Channel Islands in the South to Girvan in Scotland.

Rick has already provided the RNLI with a series of spectacular photographs of Irish lifeboats and his magical timing with the shutter button has added yet more exciting images to the RNLI's photo library.

Although he was shooting partly for his own calendars Rick, a former crew member at Port St Mary, and the RNLI were able to obtain sponsor-RNLI lifeboats Rick's own well-equipped rigid inflatable camera boat was involved in a service with Lough Swilly's D class inflatable - an action which earned him the RNLFs Bronze Medal for Gallantry.

ship from Jameson's Irish Whiskey so that the photographs - although the best that money could buy - are absolutely free to the Institution.

Duringhis 1991 Rothmanssponsored session with IrishIt's good to talk! The telephone number of RNLI HQ changed at the end of April 1996 and the main switchboard is now: Poole(01202) 663000 A recorded message will remind callers to the old number of the change for the foreseeable future.

• Callers who know the extension they require can call it directly by putting '66' in front of the new four figure extension number. For example the direct line to THE LIFEBOAT'S Editorial desk is 663188.

• Some extensions have 'voicemail' - callers can leave a message on the extension concerned.The Royal National Lifeboat Collection at the Historic Dockyard,Chatham The Royal National Lifeboat Collection, which is previewed in this issue, is housed in a new display at the Historic Dockyard at Chatham.

The voucher below enables readers of THE LIFEBOAT to take advantage of a special two-for-the-price-of-one offer on entry tickets to the Historic Dockyard.

The entry price includes all of the displays and attractions at the Dockyard, including the well-known Wooden Walls, which traces the history of wood ship building at the yard, and the ropewalk.

There has never been a better opportunity to view the Collection and see the other maritime attractions on the 80- acre site.

Allow yourself plenty of time at the Dockyard, there is still a lot to see when you have finished your tour of Lifeboat! THE LiFEBOAT/Historic Dockyard Enter the first section of your postcode below and then present this voucher at the Visitor Centre at the Historic Dockyard, Chatham to obtain your discount.

NB. This section of your postcode (for example BH15 or DT1) covers a large area and does not identity you or enable you to be placed on any mailing list. It does however allow the Historic Dockyard to analyse its catchment area..

Two-for-one offer applies to 2 adult or 2 child tickets only, if mixed group the most expensive category applies. This voucher may not be used in conjunction with any other offers. Not valid at special events Your Postcode Valid until 31 October 1996 Two-for-the-price-of-one voucherDuck or Grouse? For the past few years an American, Mr J. P. Young, has made a donation to the RNLI for the specific purpose of making a gift of whisky to lifeboat crews.

Mr Young, from California, has donated enough money for every lifeboat station to receive five bottles of Famous Grouse whisky. Stations from Walmer to Hunstanton received their second delivery during the past winter- which no doubt helped keep them warm during the cold snap! The Lifeboat on audio tape THE LIFEBOAT is also available on audio tape in conjunction with Talking Newspapers.

The audio tape version is free, although recipients may wish to make a donation to cover the additional costs.

To receive THE LIFEBOAT on a C90 audio tape please write to the Editor, THE LIFEBOAT, RNLI West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH151 HZ..