John McCarthy presents RNLI video Journalist and broadcaster, John McCarthy, presents the new RNLI video which is being launched at the London International Boat Show at Earl's Court this month. John, embarked on a circumnavigation of Britain with comedienne Sandi Toksvig after his ordeal at the hands of terrorists in Beirut came to an end.

John, now a keen leisure sailor and RNLI supporter, visited Brighton, Jersey, Oban and the Royal National Lifeboat Collection at Chatham Historic Dockyard during filming to talk to lifeboat crews and those they have rescued.

The video (untitled at time of going to press) has been filmed on location throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Many of the rescues featured involve members of the public who never thought they would need a lifeboat: like the 300 ferry passengers whose catamaran struck the rocks off Jersey, or the young students who went for a late night walk on Brighton beach and were swept into a raging sea.

The video will be available through the Video Factory at £8 including postage and packaging (see advertisement in the Small Ads section of this issue). Visitors to the Boat Show will be able to obtain the video at a special show price of £5.

AGM and APA The RNLI's 1998 Annual General Meeting and Presentation of Awards will take place on Thursday 21 May at the Barbican Centre at 1130 and 1430 respectively. Governors will receive an application form with this issue of The Lifeboat If supporters would like tickets to the APA they should apply to the AGM office before the end of March.

US Commandant visit Admiral Robert Kramek, Commandant United States Coast Guard, toured RNLI HQ on 19 November and met Director Brian Miles and members of senior staff.

Admiral Kramek is the 20th Commandant of the USCG and was in the UK heading the US delegation to the International Maritime Organisation conference.

N E W S P O I NT At first glance 1997 could be thought to have shown the RNLI as something of a paradox.

The casual observer might think it Odd that in the same year as it began preparations to look back and celebrate its 175th anniversary the RNLI also set up a working group to look forward into the future - to try to divine what sort of lifeboat service will be needed in the new millenium.

With the 175th anniversary falling in 1999, and the working group preparing a paper called 'Lifeboats beyond 2000' the new century seems to mark something of a divide, yet in truth it only shows that the more things change the more the RNLI at least stays the same.

This issue of The Lifeboat is a good illustration of this ever-changing changelessness. On the one hand we look at the way in which the RNLI's heritage is being preserved at the Historic Dockyard at Chatham, and only a few pages before we examine how lateral thinking produced a thoroughly modern solution to a new launching situation.

When the RNLI was founded there simply was no sheltered launching site at Brighton, neither was there the need nor the technology to create one. Similarly at Burnham it was the changing use of the sea which made it economical to excavate a large hole, fill it with water and create a marina suitable for launching an Atlantic. New situations demanded new solutions-and the floating boathouses were the result.

This is why 'Lifeboats beyond 2000' and other crystal ball gazing is important. As the world changes the RNLI must change with it if it is to continue to provide the best sea rescue service possible. Yet at the same time its ethos, its very character must remain unchanged.

Volunteers maintain the Institution's heritage at Chatham and volunteers still crew Brighton's 30-knot marina-based Atlantic - just as they did the beachlaunched pulling and sailing lifeboats.

There is nothing paradoxical about looking both ways at the same time - for the RNLI not only has a proud history but it also has an equally proud future.

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 BH151HZ The Lifeboat is published four times a year and is sent free to RNLI members and Governors.

The next issue will be Spring 1998 and will appear in April 1998.

News items should be received by 30 January 1998, but earlier if possible. AN material submitted for possible publication should be addressed to the Editor, The Lifeboat, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ.

Photographs intended for return should be accompanied by a stamped, addressed envelope. Contributions may be held for subsequent issues and to reduce costs receipt will not usually be acknowledged unless requested.

For further information on how to join the Institution as a Member or Governor contact the Membership section at RNLI Headquarters, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1H2.

Any products or services advertised in The Lifeboat by third parties are not in any way endorsed by the RNLI and the RNLI shall not be responsible for the accuracy of any information contained in such advertisements nor has it investigated or verified any of the information.

The Lifeboat is published by the Roval National Lifeboat Institution and printed by The Friary Press. Bridport Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1JL Trent named at Sunderland Saturday 30 August saw one of the hottest days of the month for the naming ceremony of Sunderland's new Trent class lifeboat, Macquarie (shown right).

Sunderland station branch chairman, Mr G. Snowball, opened proceedings to the 500 assembled guests and Robin Warrington, deputy divisional inspector of lifeboats for the North, described the Trent class lifeboat. The lifeboat was funded by a legacy from the estate of the late Commander Stone and the executor of his estate, Mr M. S. Norgate, handed the lifeboat to the RNLI, which was accepted by Roly Franks, RNLI deputy chairman, and passed into the care of the station.

Following the acceptance by Mr J. G. Finn, Station honorary secretary, and a service of dedication, the Marske Fishermens' Choir performed a new song, The Lifeboat' much to the delight of the crowd. Mrs Snowball, Sunderland ladies lifeboat guild chairman, proposed a vote of thanks and Mrs C. Gaudini, lifelong friend of Commander Stone, named the lifeboat Macquarie.

Showtime again! Readers who receive their copy of The Lifeboat in time to visit the London International Boat Show (8-18 January 1998) will find that the RNLI's stand at 60E is definitely not to be missed.

Visitors to the stand this year will see Toshiba Challenger on display - one of the first Atlantic 75s in the new 'all-orange' livery (fondly referred to as having been Tangoed!) - complete with specially made mannequins of crew members and survivors. There also be the usual colourful information and video displays, souvenirs, sea safety and Offshore recruitment.

Luxury lottery prize The lucky winner of the Spring lifeboat lottery will go on a seven day cruise around Scotland's West Coast. Leaving Oban on 6 August 1998, the cruise, kindly donated by Hebridean Island Cruises, will take in some of the most beautiful islands, including Harris, Skye and Eigg. The winner will enjoy luxury accommodation, gourmet cuisine on board, and the magnificent scenery of the Hebrides.

The cruise is for two people on board the Hebridean Princess and includes all meals and entrance fees to castles and gardens - the winner will also receive £500 spending money.

In addition there are eight runner-up prizes that range from £100 to £1,000. If you would like to receive, or require additional tickets, please ring Rebekah Rose on the lottery hotline: (01202) 663219. Hebridean Island Cruises can be contacted on: (01756)701338 New lifeboat for Number Number's new E1.3m Severn class lifeboat. Pride of the Humber, sailed into Hull Marina in brilliant sunshine for her royal naming ceremony on 24 September, All members of the RNLI's only full-time lifeboat crew were present. The men live in RNLI houses at the tip of the remote Spurn Point, and each member of the crew normally works six days a week. The entire team turned out to hear HRH The Duke of Kent name the lifeboat which had been funded thanks to the supreme fundraising efforts of individuals and companies throughout the North East of England.

More than 1,000 guests witnessed the naming ceremony as they basked in the Indian Summer sunshine. Divisional Inspector, Kieran Nash accepted the lifeboat on the station's behalf and the crowd roared its approval as Kieran announced that he would check with Superintendent Coxswain Brian Sevan and crew if they would care to accept the boat, and they replied that they would! Brian Bevan is such a well-known and respected character in the region that a bear, named Bevan Bear in his honour, was sold to raise funds for the new lifeboat. Sales of the bear put £38,000 into the appeal's coffers. Thousands of fundraising events throughout the 1994/5 Number Lifeboat Appeal, boosted by bequests from Miss Lucy Chandley, Miss Margery Hooton and Mrs Self of Cleethorpes, provided the funding for the lifeboat.

The magnificent Severn One of the RNLI's fastest all-weather lifeboats, a 17m Severn class, was open to the public during the Southampton Boat Show in September.

Visitors were able to climb aboard and see the layout and equipment for themselves, while volunteer crew members stood by and answered questions. An Atlantic 75 lifeboat also performed man-overboard demonstrations twice a day.

The RNLI's main stand was again a great success and featured displays, membership recruitment and souvenirs, while volunteers and staff sold lottery tickets and handed out the Sea Safety Liaison Working Group safety booklets.

The Southampton Boat Show is the world's largest on-water boat show and this year boasted 600 exhibitors and was attended by 120,000 people. Special attractions for 1997 included search and rescue displays, a sail past by the Whitbread round-the-world yachts, internet cafe, Ford entertainment area and 'hands on' sailing, canoeing, diving and abseiling.

Alderney wins the cup! There was sustained applause for Coxswain Steve Shaw of the Alderney lifeboat when he stepped up to receive a special award at the prizegiving of the Services Offshore Regatta last Summer.

The Holroyd Smith trophy for outstanding seamanship normally goes to one of the competitors but the committee broke tradition and presented it to the lifeboat.

Very heavy seas during the main event, an overnight race from Gosport to Guernsey, had been peppered with incident and drama.

None more so than the fate of a small cruiser, Parthia, which was knocked down and three of the crew went overboard and a distress call was put out. It was answered by the Alderney lifeboat which arrived at the scene and took the tow. After a very difficult journey in winds gusting 41 knots, and survivors suffering hypothermia and injuries, the lifeboat brought the cruiser safely into harbour.

D class named at Pwllheli Saturday 23 August dawned wet and all indications were that it would continue. The station put their wet weather programme into effect - the crew and shore crew cleared the lifeboat house, dressed both boats and decorated the boathouse.

The new D class lifeboat, funded by a local appeal, was handed over to the RNLI by Mr Chris Andrews, chairman of the Chester branch and was accepted by The Right Honourable, The Lord Stanley of Aiderney, a vice president of the Institution and a member of the committee of management. Lord Stanley thanked everyone involved and in particular all who had spent hours in jumble sales, coffee mornings and on street corners with collecting boxes.

Owen Robert, station honorary secretary, accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the station and informed the guests that the lifeboat had already been on service. Following a service of dedication, Mrs Annwen Carey Evans, chairman of South Caernarfonshire ladies lifeboat guild, thanked everyone for their dedication and efforts.

John Butler, honorary treasurer of the Chester branch and patron of the appeal (pictured right), named the lifeboat City of Chester, Brighton's Atlantic 75 named On 19 October some 200 people gathered in Brighton Marina village square for the naming ceremony of the Atlantic 75 lifeboat Thelma Glossop which was funded by Mr and Mrs Roy Glossop, in memory of Mr Glossop's first wife, Thelma.

Mr Roger Clarke, on behalf of Mr Glossop, presented the lifeboat to Mr Roly Franks, RNLI Deputy Chairman who accepted it on behalf of the RNLI and expressed gratitude to Mr and Mrs Glossop for their generous gift. Colin Maltby MHIN, station honorary secretary, received the lifeboat on behalf of Brtghton lifeboat station and following a service of dedication Mrs Jean Glossop, assisted by her grandson Master James Clarke, took great pleasure in naming the lifeboat.

Following the ceremony, and light refreshments, Mr and Mrs Glossop (pictured left) and some of their family were taken to sea in a local boat and the Atlantic joined them and went through its paces during which it was called out on a service - a very apt conclusion to a very enjoyable day.

Double celebrations at Wick On 20 September, in brilliant Summer sunshine, Wick lifeboat community celebrated the naming of their new Trent class lifeboat Roy Barker II and the official opening of their new boathouse.

The lifeboat is the second to be provided by the bequest of Roy Barker who was a keen seafarer and great supporter of the RNLI. When he died he gave the RNLI the largest bequest it had ever received. The money is in an endowment trust and the interest is used to provide a new lifeboat, bearing his name, every three to four years. Roy Barker I, also a Trent lifeboat, is on station at Alderney, Channel Islands.

Mr Archie MacKenzie DL, Convenor of the Scottish fifeboat coupcil and a member of the Committee of management opened the new lifeboat house. Stuart Mottershaw, an executor of the estate of the late Roy Barker, handed the lifeboat over to the RNLI which was in turn handed into the care of the station - Miss Jane Spears, Mr Barker's personal assistant and companion, then named the lifeboat.

Glenda's lifeboat link When Glenda Jackson CBE, Parliamentary Under Secretary for State for Transport, visited RNLI HQ in August, Director Brian Miles presented her with a photograph of her grandfather, known as 'Father' Jackson - taken when he was a member of Hoylake lifeboat crew in the early 1900s.

During her visit the former actress toured the headquarters and depot and spoke to senior staff. In her role as Minister for Transoprt, Miss Jackson has specific responsibility for shipping and therefore has a special interest in the RNLI.

Royal presentation The Queen Mother was recently presented with a specially commisioned painting of Thurso Lifeboat The Queen Mother by Thurso station branch.

The painting is by local artist Evan Sutherland who donated the painting to the branch who in turn commisioned prints to raise funds.

The branch decided to offer the original to the Queen Mother who officially named the lifeboat back in 1989.

Branch officals and Evan were invited to the Castle of Mey to hand over the painting in person and the Queen Mother treated her guests to a private showing of paintings by Prince Charles and Prince Phillip. Branch members were overwhelmed by the friendly welcome and saw that the Queen Mother and her staff were very knowledgeable about the RNLI and the Thurso station.

A number of limited-edition prints are still available through Ann Oag on (01847) 89596 Lerwick lifeboat named On a blustery day Lerwick's lifeboat community officially welcomed their new Severn class lifeboat, Michael and Jane Vernon, into service. The lifeboat was named on 19 July in honour of Sir Michael Vernon, recently retired Chairman of the RNLI, and his wife Lady Jane Vernon (pictured left naming the lifeboat}.

The vessel was funded by bequests from Miss Eleanor Rennie and Ronald Fee, a gift from Mr J. Young and the Lerwick lifeboat appeal.

Sailing Today helps RNLI Subscribers to 'Sailing Today' magazine, launched in April this year, have raised enough money to buy a new navigation system for one of the RNLI Tyne class lifeboats.

The magazine donated £5 to the RNLI for every reader who took out a subscription between April and June 1997.

Mablethorpe D class named A cool and breezy day greeted guests on Sunday 29 June as they assembled for the naming ceremony of Mablethorpe lifeboat station's D class lifeboat, Patrick flex Moren.

William Stoney, station president, opened proceedings and the lifeboat was handed to the RNLI by Mrs Desiree Volley, sister in law of the late Patrick Rex Moren. The (ifeboat was accepted by James Woodhouse. member of the RNLI Committee of Management and delivered into the care of the station. Following its acceptance by Rod Stones, station honorary secretary, a service of dedication was led by Reverend Bill Baker of Trusthorpe Church of England. John Clegg, guild chairman, proposed a vote of thanks and Mrs Volley named the lifeboat Patrick Hex Moren..