N E W S P O I NT Charting our course for the future Vision and Values for the RNLI can almost hear your groans as I mention two business buzzwords currently in fashion. Notwithstanding this healthy cynicism - I need your help.

My early impressions of the Service are that it has, among many other assets, a very clear idea of where it has come from. The Institution is steeped in history and has a wonderful heritage hard earned by generations of brave lifeboat crews and dedicated fundraisers. Everyone I have spoken to; crew members, shorehelpers, voluntary workers or staff members, is very clear about what the RNLI is here to do - our purpose, which is to save lives from disaster at sea.

Where there seems to be a little less certainty is around two areas: • Where we are going as an Institution? What sort of organisation do we want the RNLI to be in, say, 10 or 15 years time? What, in jargon terms, should be our Vision? • What are the virtues we hold most dear and underpin everything we do and feel about the service; what, simply, are the shared Values of the RNLI? After only four months in the organisation and just four weeks in post, I am beginning to develop my own ideas on these two key issues. However, I recognise that I am new and that the RNLI is a rich and varied organisation, the complexities of which cannot fully be understood by anyone after such a short time.

Yet it is my job to provide a clear sense of direction for the future. This is something which, with my Senior Management Team, I fully intend to do throughout my term as your Director.

Which is why I need your help. I would like everyone who has a 'stake' in the RNLI - crews, shorehelpers branch, committee members, trustees, fundraisers, members, governors, staff and those who work alongside us, to contribute to an exercise to help me and my senior team chart the course of the Institution for the future. It is not just for me or the SMT to decide 'top down' what the Vision for the Institution should be although, clearly, I and my senior colleagues have a view on what it might be.

At this stage, I envisage such words as, 'recognised', 'international', 'leader', 'professional', and 'innovative', as being ones that could well feature in a Vision for the Institution which, incidentally, should not be more than two or three lines long.

The sort of words I am beginning to consider as worthy of being Values for the RNLI are, 'selfless', 'volunteer', 'skilled', 'courageous', 'steadfast'.

You may disagree with or wish to challenge these first impressions and thoughts of mine - please do so. I ask you to do this because the design of Vision and Values is very much a 'bottom up' process involving wide consultation throughout the Institution lasting several months. With this in mind I have asked Ian Ventham, the RNLI's Head of Fundraising and Marketing, and a small staff team to initiate an exercise called 'Vision and Values - charting our course for the future'.

From now on, at numerous normal meetings and gatherings that you will attend, or perhaps direct to some of you by post, we will be trying to give everyone involved in the life of the RNLI an opportunity to participate in defining these two areas of our life: • Our Vision - which is where we want to get to as an Institution.

• The Values that should underpin everything we do.

The aim of this is to ensure that, by the end of this year, everyone in the Institution will know where we are trying to get to and the values that we will apply along the way.

Please play a full part in this process. Try not to be cynical, at least until you really find out what we are aiming to do! i . .. IW--«— Report and inset photo by Martin Woodiuard, Bembridge lifeboat coxswain.

MLain photo by Steve Guscott.

One of the most famous launches in the history of the RNLI was realistically re-enacted on 12 January - the exact centenary anniversary of the actual service.

The incredible story of the 1899 overland launch of the Lynmouth lifeboat Louisa was relived when the newly restored 1887 ex-Bembridge pulling and sailing lifeboat Queen Victoria was hauled 14 miles across Exmoor from Lynmouth to Porlock Weir. The Queen Victoria was built in exactly the same year as Louisa and was of virtually the same dimensions. She was transported up from the Isle of Wight for the event, and had recently been fully restored back to superb original condition after being acquired as a derelict by the present Bembridge coxswain.

Five local shire horses and dozens of volunteers were used to pull the boat through gale force winds, sleet, and driving rain. Ironically, it was a repeat of the same weather that prevailed at the original launch. The original launch was to the 1,900 ton sailing vessel Forest Hall which was dragging its anchors off Porlock with a broken rudder, and in danger of being driven ashore. As it was too rough to launch the lifeboat at Lynmouth, the incredible decision was made to go overland and launch from Porlock Weir, which was more sheltered from the storm.

The total time taken for the re-enactment of the launch was six and a half hours, with a little help from modern technology on the hills. A huge crowd of locals and spectators were gathered at Porlock Weir to welcome the procession, and the atmosphere was incredible.

When considering that the original overland launch took ten hours, which included dismantling walls, taking the boat off its carriage to get through gates, and numerous other obstacles, it is amazing that they achieved it in that time. It was also carried out during the night, with no lighting, and no food or drink. At the end of that arduous journey, the crew launched the lifeboat and took it to sea, which just goes to show what incredible characters they were in that era.

All those who walked the whole distance on the re-enactment were in total agreement that it was nothing by comparison to the original journey in 1899, but it made everyone even more appreciative of the selflessness and dedication of the crew at that time.

The organisation of the re-enactment event was superb, and the whole local community seemed to be involved in some way.

Special praise should go to Event Co-ordinator Edward Nightingale, and Event Manager Ashley Clark, who worked extremely hard to make the project possible. Their team were responsible for making the re-enactment so successful, and creating such a superb and memorable day.

It was superb to see the ex-1887 Bembridge lifeboat Queen Victoria used for such a memorable and authentic event, and it certainly warmed the hearts of those who have been involved in the long struggle to restore her. Despite numerous approaches to many other organisations who turned the restoration project down due to the poor condition of the boat, the Classic Boat Museum on the Isle of Wight accepted the task with no reservations whatsoever, and did a magnificent job of the restoration.

She was completed and launched in June 1998, and has been involved in several events since, which helps towards paying off the remaining restoration costs. Anyone who is interested in having the boat present at an event should contact Martin Woodward for details on (01983) 873125.

There is no doubt that all who took part in the 1999 reenactment will not forget such a fitting tribute to the achievements of those courageous characters of a hundred years ago.

Mini artics for MTUs! The RNLI recently took delivery of three MAN 7.5 tonne tractor units with a difference - they are the first of their type in the UK! The chassis have been converted into 'mini-artics' for coupling to the RNLI's mobile training units tMTUs) which travel the length and breath of the UK and Republic of Ireland taking training to the stations. The tractor units are equipped with sleeper cabs, sixspeed gearboxes, rear air suspension and 'mini' fifth wheels.

All aboard Stormforce 10! As part of the 175th anniversary celebrations, Drayton Manor Family Theme Park has teamed up with the RNLI to launch a fabulous new white water experience - Stormforce 10.

The new 'wet knuckle ride', which recreates a dramatic lifeboat rescue mission, is unique to Europe and is the UK's first reverse chute water coaster. It has a 180 degree platform to send boats backwards down a 9 metre drop - hitting speeds of 40mph and pulling over 3g! It is also the first ride in the world to be associated with a registered charity and fundraising generated by the ride will be donated to lifeboat coffers to pay for a brand new Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat.

Stormforce 10, due to be launched by a boatful of lifeboat crew members on 1 May, is a must for any brave RNLI member.

Drayton Manor Family Theme Park, home of the award winning 'Shockwave', the UK's only stand-up roller coaster and many other exciting rides, can be found just off Junction 9 of the M42 near Birmingham. For further information call (01827) 287979 (24 hour info-line) or browse at www.dravtonmanor.co.uk New Year Honours The following have been honoured with awards by Her Majesty The Queen in the recent New Years Honours: FOR SERVICES TO THE RNLI Officer, Order of the British Empire (QBE) Mr A K S (Roly) Franks - RNLI Deputy Chairman.

For services to the RNLI and the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability.

Member, Order of the British Empire (MBE) Mr Keith Horrocks - lately Blackpool lifeboat crew member (Blackpool Visitor Centre Coordinator).

Mr Raymond Thomas - Honorary Secretary, St Agnes lifeboat station.

OTHER AWARDS OF INTEREST Knight Commander, Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) The Lord Digby - Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Commander, Royal Victorian Order (CVO) Commander Michael Higham - lately Grand Secretary, United Grand Lodge of England (The Freemasons have funded 11 lifeboats).

Commander, Order of the British Empire (CBE) Mrs Margaret Farquhar - Lord Provost, Aberdeen City Council for services to local government (President, Aberdeen station branch).

Mr Ron Neil - lately Chief Executive, BBC production for services to broadcasting (Chairman of the Public Relations Committee).

Member, Order of the British Empire (MBE) Dr Judith Spenceley - General Medical Practitioner, Inverness, for services to health care (Honorary Secretary of the Inverness guild).

Mr Michael Tregear - for services to the Territorial Army (Sennen Cove lifeboat crew member).

Another successful show S/iiE LONDON BOAT SHOW •-17 JANUARY Despite the media hype of an impending recession, exhibitors generated record sales at the 45th London boat Show in January and the RNLI was no exception with provisional income figures topping £35,000.

Once again the RNLI stand attracted thousands of visitors who saw a variety of exciting displays including, a lifeboat wheelhouse representation, video wall, interactive Sea Safety section, model lifeboats, crew members through the years, as well as all the usual features.

175 year launched RNLI Director, Andrew Freemantle, officially launched the 175th anniversary year at the Earl's Court Boat show, setting the wheels in motion for the 1999 calendar of events.

The dates for the Flotilla week at Poole have now been announced as 20-26 June with 23 June selected as the day for the flotilla sail-past at Poole Quay. There will be a terrific festival atmosphere all day on Poole Quay with lots to do and see including the 175th anniversary roadshow. Everyone is welcome to come to this event, but space will be limited and it may not be possible for everyone to get a good view - unfortunately it is not possible to issue tickets or guarantee seats to see the flotilla.

As there will be tremendous pressure on staff resources during the entire week, there will be no Open Day at HQ - but the Depot site will be open to visitors on the flotilla day for limited access to view some of the boats and static displays.

Caught in the web... Again There was a fair amount of interest in the list of lifeboat-related web sites which we published in the Winter '98/99 issue of The Lifeboat.

As a result we have several additions to the list, some deletions and some changes of address.

Please let us know if you have any further information.

We do not have the resources to guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the list which we hold, but it can be emailed to readers of The Lifeboat on request. Email [email protected] - but please bear in mind that we might be busy producing the next issue when it arrives. We'll reply as soon as possible! We could also make the list available on 3.5in floppy disk, but only as a Word file in Macintosh format at the moment. Please send a donation to cover the cost of the floppy and postage.

And, if you haven't been there already, you really should visit the RNLI at www.rnli.org.uk, which also links to the interactive RNLI's Sea Safety site at www.seasafety.org.uk.

Farewell to an old friend It can sometimes be forgotten that the excitement of having a new lifeboat on station is often tinged with real sadness at losing an old friend - a lifeboat which has see the crew through thick and thin and whose every nut, bolt and foible is well known to them.

When the crew from Broughty Ferry brought their Arun Spirit of Tayside into the Poole Depot for decommissioning they felt that they had to respect her 20 years of service at their station by doing so in style - and full traditional dress.

Once safely alongside they allowed themselves a private farewell involving traditional Scottish 'tea' - and our photographer.

Remarkably the horizon in his photograph is straight and he managed to get all the crew in the photo...

Magnificent as the crew appeared we have it on good authority that Musto are not going to be commissioned to design yellow, foul-weather kilts.

Anniversary Calendar .„- Don't miss these special 175th Anniversary Events • 1 May 1999 Opening of the Stormforce 10 flume ride at Drayton Manor Theme Park • 24-28 May 1999 Chelsea Flower Show, London. Gateshead Borough Council has designed and planted the first-ever floral lifeboat and slipway! • 27 May 1999 RNLI AGM and Presentation of Awards at the Barbican Centre, London.

Come and see the special birthday cake! • 4-6 June 1999 Lifeboat Challenge. Find out how many lifeboat stations can be visited in 48 hours - or try it yourself! • 20-26 June 1999 International Lifeboat Conference at Bournemouth, including...

• 23 June 1999 Spectacular flotilla of new, historic and overseas lifeboats off Poole Quay (morning) Roadshow Dates 20-26 June, Poole Quay 2-7 July, Exeter (Granada Services, junction 30 M5) 13-17 July, Manchester (Albert Square) 19-22 July, Builth Wells (Royal Welsh Show) 24-28 July, Blackpool (seafront) 31 July-2 August, Greenock (Tall Ships) 18-22 August, Gateshead (Metro Centre) 25-30 August, Brighton (seafront) Selsey Celebration More than 300 people gathered on the foreshore at Selsey on 6 September last year for the naming ceremony of the station's new D class lifeboat Peter Cornish.

John Plant, the Chairman of the Appeal Committee handed the new boat over to the RNLI, represented on this occasion by George Rawlinson the Divisional Inspector of Lifeboats for the south.

George was then able to hand the boat over to the station, with Honorary Secretary Clive Cockayne doing the honours on its behalf.

The lifeboat was named Peter Cornish by Mrs Barbara Cornish, accompanied by her sons Robert and Gavin, in honour of her late husband.

After a service of dedication the lifeboat was launched for a short display of her capabilities before the guests repaired to the boathouse for a buffet.

Weymouth Ceremony Weymouth's new Atlantic 75 Phyl Clare 3 was named during a ceremony held at the quayside boathouse on 3 October 1998.

Although the station has been operating an Atlantic alongside its Arun since 1995 the previous boats have been from the relief fleet and this was an opportunity to welcome their own Atlantic, which had arrived during May, to the harbour.

The boat was funded by Mr and Mrs Cleare, and in fair weather and sunshine a large crowd of invited guests watched Mrs Phyl Cleare hand her over to the RNLI's soon-to-retire Director Brian Miles. Brian Miles then passed the Atlantic into the care of the station, represented by the Honorary Secretary and past medalwinning coxswain, Derek Sergeant. After the dedication service Mrs Cleare wetted the boat with the traditional champagne - making sure that there was enough left for the crew to toast their new boat! Director to run in London Marathon RNLI Director, Andrew Freemantle, is taking part in the Flora London Marathon on 18 April to raise funds for the lifeboats.

Mr Freemantle is training hard for what will be his first full marathon and says, ' have realised, in many ways, marathon runners have much in common with our volunteer crews. Commitment, stamina, courage and grit are values that are important to the runner and the crew member alike.' The RNLI is encouraging marathon runners to fundraise for the lifeboat and run with the Team Lifeboat'. In return, runners will be well looked after. They will receive a training guide, help with generating sponsorship, a running vest and invitations to a pre-race pasta party. Once the gruelling 26 miles are completed, RNLI runners will be able to relax at a post-race indoor beach party at a venue minutes form the finish line, where facilities will include showers, a relaxing massage and a few well-earned drinks. For further information see the advertisement on page 39 of this issue of The Lifeboat Another busy year Provisional statistics released at the year-end showed that during 1998, for the fifth year in a row, lifeboats launched more than 5,000 times.

The figure has been falling slightly since the alarming peak of 6,108 in 1995, although with an average of 14 launches a day the demands on the service are still very heavy.

The RNLI's Sea Safety Initiative was introduced in 1994, as launch numbers rose rapidly, and Peter Bradley, the RNLI's Sea Safety Officer was pleased to see the slowly falling trend. 'We have begun to see signs that our safety messages are getting through,' he said, 'and we hope this is another indication'.

The figures followed a similar pattern to previous years, although the percentage of calls to pleasure craft fell slightly (down 2% to 54%) and the percentage to swimmers and people cut of by the tide rose by 2% to 23%.

Other interesting aspects are that inshore lifeboats carried out nearly 63% of all services; July was once again the busiest month and the long-suffering volunteer crews spent a total of 38,186 hours at sea - or, looked at in a different way, that's four years and four months at sea! RNLI rides again...

The RNLI is again looking for 50 cyclists to take part in an Arctic adventure. The 500km North Cape Escape route is along the Arctic Highway in northern Norway - land of the midnight sun.

The cycle challenge will take place from 26 June to 4 July to raise funds for the lifeboats and the destination will be the most northerly lifeboat station in Europe.

Last years team raised over £50,000 and this year, as the RNLI celebrates 175 years of saving life at sea, the team is hoping to raise over £100,00.

Challengers will be well looked after and can expect to have the adventure of a lifetime, although the main objective is to raise cash for the RNLI and each member will be expected to raise at least £2,500 to cover the cost of the trip and a donation.

If you are interested in taking part in the North Cape Escape, contact Sue Portsmouth on (01202) 663234 for further information.Get away with the lifeboat lottery By now those of you who receive lottery tickets will know that the top prize is a stunning Peugeot 206. The lucky winner will drive off with their prize when they simply collect the car from their local Peugeot dealership! It is thanks to Peugeot's kind sponsorship that we are able to offer such a marvellous first prize.

In addition there are eight runner-up prizes, ranging from £100 to £1,000. If you would like to receive tickets for this, and future lotteries, please contact Rebekah Rose on (01202) 663219, 8.00am to 5.00pm, weekdays.

Aberdeen Double Mother nature was kind enough to give Aberdeen a break in its run of bad weather on 17 October, to allow the gathered crowds to enjoy the opening of station's new boathouse and naming ceremony of its new inshore lifeboat, Margaret II.

Chairman Alastair Lindsay opened proceedings and following the National Anthem, the lifeboat was handed over to the station by Andrew Cubie, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Scottish Lifeboat Council. The lifeboat was accepted on behalf of the station by George Booth, Station Honorary Secretary, and a service of dedication for the new lifeboat and building followed.

The lifeboat, donated by Mrs M. Minett of Caterham in memory of her late mother, was named by Mrs Mary Addison whose late husband was a senior branch official as well a member of the Committee of Management. A plaque to mark to opening of the new boathouse was unveiled by Mrs Thelma Cowper, a member of the fundraising branch and whose family connections with the station go back some 80 years.

To round off the day, a crew-organised ceilidh and dance at a local hotel raised over £950..