Top coxswains Bill Cargill, coxswain of Montrose lifeboat and Harold Jones, retired coxswain of Beaumaris lifeboat have been honoured by their local communities for their hard work on behalf of the lifeboat service - Bill has been named 1996 Montrose citizen of the year and Harold has been made an honorary Burgess of Beaumaris.

Bill has been with the Montrose lifeboat since 1976 and was chosen for the award from nominations put forward to the local Rotary club.

Harold has served the RNLI for more than half a century in one way or another - starting as a crew member on the Beaumaris lifeboat he moved up through the ranks to coxswain. Today, at 86 years old, he raises cash for the RNLI by selling souvenirs. The honorary Burgess title is awarded at the discretion of the local council and has only been made twice since 1974.

Music to the ears! Phil Coulter and Jim Davison are great supporters of the lifeboat service and are putting all their efforts into the release - and the distributors are hoping that the single might even enter the national 'charts'.

If even a small percentage of RNLI members bought the single this could happen -just imagine the Lifeboat Chorus on Top of the Pops'! Ask for 'Home from the Sea' by Jim Davidson and the Lifeboat Chorus on Debonair Records. CD - CDDEB S1006, Cassette- MCDEBS1006 When the RNLI's film 'A Good Job Well Done' was issued the theme music, Phil Coulter's 'Home from the Sea', was in great demand. Unfortunately at the time it had not been issued in the UK! But now the haunting music is due to make a comeback, and in a very big way.

Not only is the song to be released as a CD and cassette single on 11 November, but it is also to be sung by Jim Davison and the Lifeboat Chorus at the Royal Command Performance the day before!The writing's on the wall! The RNLI's Operations Room needs your help - do you have any surplus 'Sasco' magnetic characters to spare? One complete wall of the Central Operations and Information Room (COIR) is devoted to a magnetic board which is used to keep track of which lifeboat is where.

As the number of lifeboat stations has grown so has the demand on the relevant letters and numbers, but unfortunately the manufacturers can no longer supply the extra characters needed.

The characters were sold by Sasco and marked 'Die- Cut Magnetic Characters NMC'. They are 25mm high, black, and in a simple upper case sans-serif typeface.

If you have any to spare the Ops Room would be delighted - and more than willing to swap you some spare Qs and Zs! People of Courage In June Toshiba Wave Warrior was officially named by RNLI Chairman David Acland at Southampton's Ocean Village. On 29 September she set sail, with 14 other 67ft steel yachts, from the Solent for Rio de Janeiro on Leg 1 of the BT Global Challenge Round The World Race, devised by Chay Blyth. RNLI crew members join skipper Simon Walker for 5 of the 6 legs, which conclude in July after 30,000 miles 'the wrong way round' against the prevailing winds. Toshiba is the official supplier of portable PCs to the race. Each yacht is equipped with two PCs .which will be used for weather forecasting, electronic mapping and fax communications. They have sponsored the RNLI crew members taking part in the race.

Jack Goldie from Largs is our representative on Leg 1, with Chris Gaskin from West Kirby on Leg 2, Haydon Scott Edwards from Craster on Leg 4, Angela Morris from Fishguard on Leg 5 and Carl Thomas from Mumbles on the last Leg. Michael Buerk, the newscaster and reporter, will be sailing the leg from Wellington to Sydney. Each is raising up to £6,000 for their places, and this will be matched by Toshiba, the aim being to fund a lifeboat from the programme. As an added incentive to the crew, Toshiba will donate a further £1,000 to the RNLI for every leg won. Sponsorship forms have been sent out with the current and previous issues of The Lifeboat- don't wait for the race to finish please send them in now with your donations.N E W S P O I NT New look for a familiar friend Welcome to the Autumn 1996 issue of The Lifeboat. We're sure that you will notice some of the changes that we have made, but equally certain that you will find all of your favourite items inside the new-look cover - although perhaps in a different place and under a different name.

We carried out detailed research across a wide cross section of the readership before making any changes, and you all said that you wanted to see more features, more people and a slightly more modern approach to layout and style. This is what we have aimed for, all the while retaining the essential character of The Lifeboat.

The Lifeboat has always evolved, changing to reflect the developing lifeboat service and the changing needs of its supporters and volunteers. We will continue to evolve, but the changes in this issue represent a step forward to give us a new platform from which to develop.

We're sure that you won't be backward in coming forward with your comments, and we welcome them all. Only by hearing what readers of The Lifeboat want can we set about providing it - so send those letters and faxes...

Mike Floyd, EditorNamed and dedicated...Final 'Beeby' lifeboat named.

The final chapter of the £1,000,000 legacy left by the late Mr Charles Beeby closed on 30 June 1996, with the naming of Berwick-upon-Tweed's D class lifeboat Sunrise and the opening of the station's new boathouse. The station's Mersey class lifeboat Joy and Charles Beeby, named in March 1993, was also funded by the Beeby legacy.

Richard Thorton, executor of Mr Beeby's estate, spoke about Mr Beeby before handing over the lifeboat.

Following a service of dedication, Mrs Elizabeth Thorton named the lifeboat Sunrise and her children, Emily and Samuel cut the tape to officially open the new lifeboat house.Percy Henry Patmore MBE MM named at St Bees Clear skies and brilliant sunshine on 18 May 1996 heralded an ideal day for the naming of the new St Bees lifeboat. The Atlantic 75 lifeboat was funded from the legacy of Mrs Florence Patmore in memory of her late husband. In her lifetime she has expressed a wish that a lifeboat might carryhis name - a brave man who received the Military Medal for services in World War I and the MBE between the two wars.

A service of dedication was led by The Reverend Canon Philip Bryan which was immediately followed by Lady Kerr naming the lifeboat. Percy Henry Patmore MBE MM was launched for a demonstration before tea was served at the Seacote Hotel.Two lifeboats named during open days Open days at the Inshore Lifeboat Centre, Cowes on 16 and 17 August, was also the setting for the naming ceremonies of two Atlantic 75 lifeboats, both destined for the relief fleet.

On the Friday Mrs Watts, niece of Mrs Beatrice Dorothy Brown whose generous bequest funded the new Atlantic 75, handed over the new lifeboat. Anthony Oliver, deputy head of fundraising and marketing received the lifeboat on behalf of the Institution. This was Anthony's last Atlantic 75 ceremony before his retirement at the end of the year and he gave thanks to all those who leave bequests to the Institution. Following a service a dedication, Mrs Watts named the lifeboat Beatrice Dorothy after her aunt.

On the Saturday Mr Peter Hosker, Solicitor and personal friend of the late Harry and Dorothy Walters presented the lifeboat to the Institution. After the service of dedication Mrs Hosker named the lifeboat Walters Lifeboat, it having been funded from the generous bequest of Mrs Dorothy Walters.

Duchess of Kent names new Whitby lifeboat A beautiful, sunny day on 12 June 1996 greeted HRH The Duchess of Kent when she arrived in Whitby to name their new Trent class lifeboat, George and Mary Webb - the Duchess is no stranger to the town as this is the third Whitby lifeboat that she has named.

The funding for the lifeboat came from The Mary Webb Trust which was set up following Mrs Webb's death in 1987. It was after George Webb's death in 1994 that the trustees donated the funds for a lifeboat to be named in memory of George and Mary Webb.

Before handing the lifeboat into the care of the RNLI, Mrs Cherry Nash and Mrs Jacqueline Fancett, daughters of George and Mary Webb, spoke of their delight at seeing the Trent class lifeboat named after their parents.

The service of dedication was led by the Reverend Michael Aisbitt, Rector of Whitby and lifeboat Chaplain, and the naming was then carried out by Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Kent.Windsor Runner named at Blyth The Trent class Windsor Runner (Civil Service No 42) was named and dedicated at the Northumberland port of Blyth on a bright and breezy afternoon on 13 July 1996.

She is the 42nd all-weather lifeboat to be funded by the Civil Service, Post Office and British Telecommunications Lifeboat Fund - better known by its acronym 'CISPOTEL'. Sir Robin Butler, vice patron of CISPOTEL and head of the Home Civil Service, officially handed over the lifeboat.

Following a service of dedication Lady Butler named the lifeboat with the traditional champagne and she slipping her moorings to give the assembled dignitaries a taste of her abilities during a brief trip around the harbour.

• CISPOTEL has a unique record of support for the Institution, having raised some €2.5m since it was formed in 1866, funding 42 all-weather lifeboats and one Atlantic 75. Three CISPOTEL-funded lifeboats are currently on station and three former lifeboats form part of the historic collection at Chatham.

CISPOTEL is currently raising funds for its 43rd lifeboat, but there may be many people in the public service interested in helping the RNLI who, because of re-organisation and privatisation, are no longer channelling their efforts through CISPOTEL. Lynda Jones, the Honorary Secretary of the fund would be glad to hear from them at:- Culver House, Beaconsfield Road, Bromley, Kent BR1 2BL Tel (01811 466 1150.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 involved.

To receive The Lifeboat on a C90 audio tape please write to The Editor, The Lifeboat, RNLI West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH151 HZ.Named and dedicated... continued Elsie Frances II named at Bude Saturday 15 June was a glorious day and the weather for the early evening naming ceremony of Bude's new D class lifeboat could not have been better. Over 100 invited guests gathered in front of the boathouse and following the National Anthem a warm welcome was extended to all by Mr Chris Cloke, chairman of the station branch.

Mr Stuart Underdown then presented the second of two D class lifeboats he has generously funded - the first having entered the relief fleet in March 1994. He spoke of his mother's wish shortly before she died that something might be done to support the work of the RNLI.

After a service of dedication, Mr Underdown named the lifeboat Elsie Frances II in memory of his mother. The lifeboat was then launched into sea conditions rarely experienced in Bude - almost a flat calm as a helicopter from 22 SAR Flight RAF Chivenor hovered overhead flying the RNLI flag.Chivenor hovered overhead flying the RNLI flag.

Mission for two newly named lifeboats As remaining guests were leaving a joint naming ceremony celebration of two new lifeboats, pagers alerted the crews - and both lifeboats were launched to assist with a service to a disabled yacht.

This occasion at Newquay, Cornwall on 18 May 1996, is also thought to be the first time two new station lifeboats have been named in the same ceremony.

Francis Markham in handing over the new Atlantic 75 spoke of her funding - a gift from a lady who had requested anonymity. He was a trustee of her estate which had already provided the funds for the Atlantic 75 lifeboat which entered service in Minehead in November 1994.

Mr Paul Beadle, operations director, Greenalls pic handed over the D class and explained how she was funded - largely as a result of a sponsored walk of the Cornish coastal footpath, organised by the Cornish Inns region of J A Devenish.

The two lifeboats were named - the Atlantic 75, Phyllis by Mrs Diana Markham and the D class. Lord Daresbyby Mrs Maureen Holland, regional manager, taverns division, Greenalls pic.

As the last guests finished their buffet meals, the new lifeboats were launched in support of a rescue being carried out by the St Ives Mersey class lifeboat a few miles offshore. The disabled yacht, Fairlightoi Bideford was escorted into Newquay Harbour by both the St Ives lifeboat and the Newquay Atlantic 75.

Jean and Paul named at Larne During this ceremony, inshore lifeboat D499 was named Jean and Paul and the service of dedication, conducted by local clergy, included the blessing of the Waveney class lifeboat William and Jane.

Paul Coleman, grandson of the donor, Mrs Jean Cudby, named the lifeboat on behalf of his grandmother.

Mrs Cudby, a staunch RNLI supporter and fundraiser, was born in Belfast but has lived in England for many years, funded the lifeboat in memory of her husband.

Rock Light named at New Brighton An appeal by RNLI Port and City of Liverpool branch and New Brighton lifeboat station, raised the funds required for a new Atlantic 75 lifeboat needed at this station. The name of the lifeboat was well chosen to reflect the generosity and support of the people of Merseyside - Rock Light is the lighthouse at the entrance to the River Mersey.

The ceremony was held at the site of the Old Pier in New Brighton on 11 May 1996. The Rt Hon The Earl of Derby, patron of the Port and City of Liverpool branch handed the lifeboat over to Anthony Hannay, member of the committee of management who received it on behalf of the RNLI and in turn handed her into the safekeeping of New Brighton station.

Following a service of dedication the lifeboat was named by The Countess of Derby and the lifeboat was launched and put through her paces - sadly the heavens had opened but the tea provided at the Victoria Hotel was appreciated by all!HRH Princess Alexandra names Samarbeta HRH Princess Alexandra officially named Great Yarmouth and Gorleston's new Trent class lifeboat Samarbeta at the lifeboat station on 24 July.

The £1,025,000 lifeboat has been mainly funded from the proceeds of draws for Volvo cars along with the generous legacies of Miss Elizabeth Longman and Mrs Constance Lillian Rogers.

Following a service of dedication led by the honorary station Chaplain, The Reverend Albert Cadmore, HRH Princess Alexandra named the lifeboat Samarbeta and unveiled plaques at the boathouse.

• 'Samarbeta' means 'working together' in Swedish - more than £4m has been raised by Volvo Car UK Limited and the RNLI during the nine years they have been 'working together'.Hero honoured Brian Bevan, Superintendent Coxswain of the Humber lifeboat, was presented with the Honorary Fellowship of the University of Humberside at its annual presentation of awards in Hull on Friday 26 July.

Brian, the only serving lifeboat man to have won four medals for gallantry, was selected by the University's Honorary Awards Committee in recognition of the vital work he carries out and his service to the community of Humberside.

The University presents an Honorary Fellowship at each of its awards ceremonies. Other well-known holders of Honorary Fellowships or Doctorates include Sir Brian Rix, Alan Plater, Tony Jacklin and Maureen Lipman.Trent and Severn Update It is well known that for some months the RNLI has been working on the side keel failures on early Severn and Trent class lifeboats. The keels had always been designed to protect the propellers if the boat should take the ground, but to come away on heavy impact without damaging the hull. The first problem was to understand why the original keels had failed under way, for only then could a new design be prepared to meet the requirements.

The keel failures were found to be either cracks in the attachment bonding of the keel to the hull or complete detachment and loss of the keel, and it was considered that these failures were caused by: • The loading on the keels, particularly in the tunnel area when the boat comes off a wave, was greater than the design loads originally considered.• Manufacturing problems and a poor fit between the top of the keel and the hull.

Investigation A full investigation has now been completed, involving a series of drop tests with a model to calculate the loading when a boat comes off a wave and a series of structural tests using sections of original keel and the proposed replacements.

The resulting design was developed in consultation with Lloyd's Register of Shipping, which also carried out theoretical calculations of the strength of the keel and its attachment to the hull.

Differences The original keel was a separate section of fibre reinforced composite attached to the hull by a small area of bonding at the top. The new side keel is manufactured directly onto the boat from foam sections and laminatedover with several layers of FRC covering the complete depth of the keel. This ensures a close fit between the head of the keel and the shell.

The new design The new design has been designed to have two modes of failure: • Damage to the tip of the side keel without the whole keel becoming detached if the boat hits something hard.

• Detachment from the hull without affecting the watertight integrity of the boat when subjected to extreme loads.

Tests indicate that the new design is approximately twice the strength of the original, but there are so many variables that it is impossible to calculate the failure point in terms of sea condition, speed of the boat and size of obstruction. Calculations show, however, that the keel is able to withstand a horizontal point load of at least 27 tonnes on its base. In the case of the Severn, this is equal to three-quarters of the boat's weight taken on the bottom edge of one keel as a point load at 90a.

The way ahead New side keels are being fitted to all Severn class lifeboats and no boat of this class will go on station without the new keels. A refitting programme has also started for Trent class lifeboats, some of which have been on service without their side keels, as they are not essential if she does not take the ground.

Two more for Brighton! The crew members of Brighton lifeboat who were awarded a Silver and two Bronze medals for carrying out the heroic rescue of two young women from under Brighton pier last September, have been awarded two further bravery awards.

The first award, the Maud Smith award which is made to lifeboatman who performed the outstanding act of lifesaving during the previous year, was presented to the helmsman, Richard Pearce. The second, the Walter and Elizabeth Groombridge award which is presented for the most meritorious service performed by the crew of an Atlantic lifeboat, was presented to each of the crew.

Coincidentally, Walter Groombridge was the station administration officer of the Brighton lifeboat from 1970 to 1980.

• Full details of the service appeared in the Spring 1996 issue of The Lifeboat.New Hand at the Helm David Acland was appointed as the new Chairman of the RNLI when the Institution's Committee of Management met on 1 July this year. Mr Acland takes over following the retirement of Sir Michael Vernon, Chairman for the past 7 years.

David Acland has been associated with the RNLI since joining the Committee in 1966. He has been Deputy Chairman since 1993 and previously held the positions of Deputy Treasure and then Treasurer.

Seven new members were also appointed to the Committee : • Sir Peter Miller, ex-Chairman of Lloyd's and the Miller Insurance Group. Sir Peter had been an ex-off icio member since 1984 as Chairman of Lloyd's.

• Col Alan Niekirk CBE, an experienced offshore sailor and distinguished solicitor.

• Noel Smart DL, Chairman of Montrose Branch since 1 970 and a member of the Institution's Fundraising Committee.

• Rt Hon Sir John Roch, an experienced sailorand Lord Justice of Appeal.

• Victor Cocker, Chief Executive of Severn Trent Water and past Chairman of the Forward Birmingham Appeal.

• James Woodhouse, a keen sailor and Chairman of the Norfolk Boat (Ocean Youth Club).

• Capt Sir Malcolm Edge KVCO, retired Deputy Master of Trinity House and previously an ex-officio member of the Committee in that capacity..