Architect's plans showing the proposed RNLI training college, which will provide multi-purpose training on a single site.Securing the futureThe RNLI is moving forward on a number of key initiatives included in the RNLI Plan for 2000 and Beyond. The initiatives fall into two main categories: firstly, developments which will greatly improve the service we give from Poole headquarters to lifeboat stations, our volunteers and supporters, and secondly, those aimed directly at saving more lives. These new initiatives will in no way reduce the time and money we are currently spending on maintaining and improving our core business, that of running a lifeboat service second to none.

Developments at Poole HQ We plan to build a residential RNLI college, as a centre of excellence providing training tailored to meet the needs of all our crews, other volunteers and staff. Part and parcel of the college will be a wave tank to give practical training in a realistic but controlled environment and a training simulator, which will give crews virtual experience of navigation in all conceivable circumstances.

We also plan to establish a purpose-built store, handling every item requiring distribution from Poole, to improve our service to the coast. We will also enhance the boat maintenance facility, ensuring lifeboats in transit and those used for training are kept in prime working condition.

Finally, we have long wanted to improve the way we receive visitors at Poole; giving volunteers, supporters and the public from all over the country a proper insight into the lifeboat service. To achieve this we will create a purposebuilt visitor/heritage centre designed to receive at least 50,000 visitors a year. There is work to be done before we can provide more details, but the plan is to be fully operational by the end of 2003.

Inland water/hovercraft The initiatives aimed at saving more lives have been inspired, to a large extent, by the closer attention we have recently been giving to areas where lives have been lost or are apparently at risk and where lifeboats have not been in a position to help. The first of these areas is inland water.

To examine the practicalities of extending our cover to stretches of inland waters, a pilot scheme is to be launched in 2001 in three or four locations in the UK and Ireland. The work we are doing to investigate the use of hovercraft in shallows and on mud flats is likely also to be relevant to inland water rescue. Currently, we have an experimental craft on order and will be using the early part of 2001 for trials.

Beach rescue Another area that has given us cause for concern is the apparent risk still faced by many people who use British and Irish beaches. A recent study has shown that an average of 200 lives are lost on beaches every year. There are probably 400 beaches in the UK and Ireland which should have some form of rescue cover, but only a fraction of that number currently do. We have been working hard, alongside such organisations as the Royal Life Saving Society and the Surf Life Saving Association to improve the delivery of safety messages to beach users, but it is obvious that more needs to be done.

We are in a great position to help. To this end, in close collaboration with the RLSS, SLSA, local authorities and, most importantly, with local lifeboat stations, we will run a pilot scheme in 2001, establishing four beach rescue units to provide fulltime surveillance and rescue capability during daylight hours in the summer months. In all aspects their purpose will be to complement and, where possible, increase the effectiveness of our lifeboat stations and provide a seamless rescue service from the beach outwards.

Four local authority areas which match the criteria for the pilot scheme have been identified.

They are Bournemouth and Weymouth in Dorset, and Caradon and Restormel in Cornwall. Talks with the local authorities have started already to get the pilot up and running in time for the summer season 2001. Presentations to lifeboat stations, regional fundraisers and divisional bases within these areas are already happening and will continue throughout the pilot.The Lifeboat is published four times a year and is sent free to RNLI members and governors. The next issue will be Spring 2001 and will appear in April 2001.

News items should be received by 16 February, but earlier if possible. All material submitted for possible publication should be addressed to: The Editor, The Lifeboat. RNLI. West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1H2.

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: Membership, RNLI, West Quay Road. Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ. Tel: 0800 543210.

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 Royal National Lifeboat Institution and printed by The Friary Press, Bridport Road, Dorchester, Dorset DTI 1JL.Spreading the word Hewitt Clark MBE, the RNLI's most decorated lifeboatman, recently sailed from New York to Southampton as an expert speaker aboard Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2. He joined other notable speakers, which included polar explorer Sir Wally Herbert and former hostage Terry Waite. The theme of the speeches during the voyage was 'beyond the human limit'. Hewitt was able to entertain and inform the cruise passengers with tales about his life as a lifeboatman, and hopefully raised the profile of the RNLI at the same time.New lifeboats across the country September was a busy month for naming ceremonies, with several new inshore and all-weather lifeboats receiving their offical dedication.

The month kicked off with the naming of Trent class lifeboat Inner Wheel II at Poole. The lifeboat will be part of the relief fleet, which means it could be called into service at short notice at any of the lifeboat stations operating a Trent class lifeboat. Funding for the lifeboat came from an Inner Wheel appeal and a number of legacies, the largest of which was £'/2 million from Mrs Martha Mindelsohn, a former member of the RNLI's Edgbaston and Harborne Guild.

At Ramsgate, the new Atlantic 75 was funded by a legacy from the late Mr Bob Turnbull and a donation from his wife Jane. Mrs Turnbull attended the naming ceremony on 9 September to name the new lifeboat Bob Turnbull n memory of her husband.

The official naming and dedication of Portsmouth's new D cfass lifeboat, Heyland II, took place on 16 September. The lifeboat was donated to the RNLI by Frank Warren, who performed the naming ceremony.

Northern Ireland's first Severn class lifeboat was named and dedicated at a ceremony on 22 September at Portrush Harbour. The new lifeboat.

Katie Hannan, is named in honour of the late Katrina Hannan, whose bequest of over £1 million provided most of the funding.

Thousands turned up on 30 September to see Beaumaris lifeboat station's new Atlantic 75 Blue Peter II and the new Blue Peter II lifeboat house.

The lifeboat was named by Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq, and the boathouse was officially opened by Sir Richard and Lady Williams-Bulkeley.

On the same day, Suggs, from 80s band Madness, was at Whitstable for the official opening of the new lifeboat house and the naming ceremony of the new Atlantic 75 class lifeboat Oxford Town and Gown. The lifeboat was funded by the Oxford Lifeboat Appeal, which raised £76,000 despite being far from the coast.

Other recent ceremonies include D class Lords Feoffees III, at Bridlington; Trent class Dr John McSparran, at Larne, and Atlantic 75 V Y BBC Radio Cleveland, at Hartlepool.London Lifeboat Week The London Lifeboat Week appeal has traditionally been the RNLI's largest single fundraising event.

Local branches lake part in events, local store and street collections, and the London regional team co-ordinate a massive effort on Lifeboat Day itself to cover every mainline station, the underground, airports, taxi ranks, companies and shops.

For the last few years the total sum raised through the appeal has just topped £250,000 - a magnificent sum - but local organisers are anxious to increase this for 2001. Together with staff at Poole. the London team are investigating possibilities for skateboarders with sandwich boards in and around the City, and a mobile hoarding wilt be used elsewhere in the region.

London Lifeboat Day will take place on 13 March 2001. For anyone from Greater London wishing to assist the regional office, or with ideas for extra fundraising during Lifeboat Week, please contact Joy Baker or Rebecca Connor on 020 7839 3369.

The Lifeboat on audio tape The Lifeboat is also available on audio tape, in conjunction with Talking Newspapers Ltd. The audio tape version is free, although recipients may wish to make a small 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 BH15 1 HZ Email: [email protected] design competion In September 2000 the headquarters of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) saw the award of prizes to the winners of a national architectural design competition based on the RNLI's slipway station at Tenby on the Pembrokeshire coast.

The competition was promoted by the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects, who have the RNLI as one of their adopted charities, and was open to students from schools of architecture around the country. The Worshipful Order donated the prize money for the competition, which was organised by RIBA.

Funding was provided by commercial sponsors including consulting engineers Posford Duvivier, and Binnie Black and Veatch, which both provide professional services to the RNLI.

The competition presented students with a real-life project in a sensitive location with many aspects apart from technical design to be considered. The brief for the competition was provided by the RNLI and students had the opportunity to visit the existing boathouse at Tenby and discuss the project with the station honorary secretary, Arthur Squibbs, and members of the crew.

Over 100 students took up the offer of the visit and 39 entries were eventually received. A panel of judges chaired by eminent architect Joanna Van Heyningen, and including RNLI shoreworks manager Howard Richings, identified four winners.

The first prize of £1,000 was awarded to Stuart Pike, a student from Portsmouth University. The other winners were: 2nd Chris Shelley and joint 3rd Sean Daly and Shui Fong Lau. Although the prize-winning design will not be built, the judges were extremely impressed with all the entriesMagnificent models During the last year, a number of model makers responded to a request in The Lifeboat from Maureen La Frenais, RNLI display and visits coordinator, to produce Atlantic 75 and Severn class models for display within the RNLI. A few of these models were recently presented to Poole headquarters and they will soon be placed on display at various locations. The detail and quality of workmanship has been excellent, so a very big thank you is due to everyone who has made, or is in the process of making, one of these models.

We are keen to receive more examples of all lifeboat classes. There are still, however, a number of models in the RNLI collection in need of some tender loving care and if anyone, particularly near Poole, would like to offer their services, please contact Maureen on 01202663369.Dive... dive... dive...

A hard-hitting RNLI video, aimed at preventing divers getting into trouble in the water, was launched at the Dive 2000 Show in October.

The video starts with the funeral of a diver who has ignored some of the basic safety rules before going into the water. It highlights the dangers of drinking before diving, diving too deep too quick and not staying attached to a boat - mistakes which can all lead to problems in the water or even death.

There are too many accidents, with often serious consequences, among the diving community and this video aims to cut the statistics through some hard-hitting images and messages', said Peter Bradley, national sea safety manager.

The video, which has a working title of Deep Trouble, has been made by the RNLI's video production manager, Edward Mallinson, under the direction of Martin Woodward who is a professional commercial diver and coxswain at Bembridge lifeboat station on the Isle of Wight.

It will be sent to diving clubs across the UK and Ireland and to dive training establishments- Copies are available on request.On the ball The RNLI is targeting London football and rugby clubs as part of the Safety on the Sea campaign. We are working with Chelsea and Charlton Athletic and the RFU at Twickenham to promote the SEA Check service. The aim is to attract occasional weekend and holiday boaters to the free service, as research reveals that a high percentage of match crowds either own boats or use them when they are not following their favourite team.

An eye-catching advertisement is going into selected Chelsea and Charlton Athletic match programmes this season and programmes for England's games in the Six Nations rugby union series. An advertisement also went in the programme for England v Australia at Twickenham in November - and we like to think it helped England to their resounding victory.Free entry Free entry Free entry Free entry Free entry Free entry Free entry Free entry G-Mex Centre, Manchester January 12-14 Scottish Exhibition Centre, Glasgow February 16-18 Excel Exhibition Centre, London March 2-4 The Holiday and Travel Shows are three exciting exhibitions with hundreds of stands showing holiday destinations and leisure activities around the world. The RNLI will have a stand at all three shows and can offer supporters free entry. Simply fill in the form below and bring it with you.

+ AND TR '/ IMMOtSUB AND TRAVEL SHOWS Should you wish to bring friends and family, please photocopy this voucher Name Address Postcode Age_ Telephone number Lifeboats Royal National Lifeboat Institution For further information please contact the relevant RNLI office: Manchester 0161 787 8779. Edinburgh 0131 557 9171. Greater London 020 78393369.Win a P&O Cruise P&O Cruises have kindly donated a luxurious cruise for two that you could win by entering the RNLl's Spring Lifeboat Lottery. The lucky winners will escape to the warmer climes of the Canaries on a ten-night cruise aboard P&O's magnificent superliner, Oriana.

Departing from Southampton on 3November, the ports of call include Madeira, Tenerife, Lanzarote and the magnificent harbour of Vigo in Spain, before Oriana returns to Southampton on 13 November. The prize also includes £2,000 spending money to help the winners fully explore their ports of call.

If you would like the opportunity to win this marvellous P&O cruise, remember to return your tickets to Rebekah Rose at RNLI HO by 13 April 2001. If you do not receive tickets, or if you would like more, ring Rebekah on 01202 663219, Bam to 6pm weekdays.A date for your diary The RNLI 2001 Annual General Meeting and the Annual Presentation of Awards will take place on Thursday, 17 May 2001 at 11.30 am and 2.30 pm respectively. Both meetings will be held in the Barbican Hall, Barbican Centre, London.

At the time of publication a speaker had not been chosen, but they will be confirmed in the Spring 2001 issue of The Lifeboat.

Calling all keen gardeners Celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh has called for West Country gardeners to show off their gardens in aid of the RNLI next summer.

'When I am lucky enough to swap rny wellies for rny seaboots and spend a couple of days at sea. I gain a great feeling of security from knowing the local lifeboats are there, all around the coast', he said. 'Whenever they are needed the brave volunteer crew will launch - 24 hours a day and frequently in appalling weather conditions. Its good to know that gardening can help to raise the money to make that possible.' We are looking for interesting, well-kept gardens. The gardener can choose the date and time, and we will give practical support and publicity. The scheme includes Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset and Gloucestershire. For more information, contact the South West regional office on 01179 444999.

Marvellous maroon People in Weymouth will soon hear the traditional sound of maroons again when the lifeboat is called out. Following a complaint when the 25cm-long casing from a rocket, which weighs just 55g, fell on land, the RNLI decided to stop the maroons, as all the crew now carry pagers. However, a number of complaints were received from local people, who felt that the firing of the maroons was an important tradition that should be maintained.

Divisional Inspector George Rawlinson and his team carried out a review and gave the go-ahead for the return of the maroons. 'They will be fired from a different position with the launcher facing out to sea', he said. 'Maroons are useful to raise awareness among the local population and people who need assistance can sometimes hear them and be reassured that the lifeboat is on her way.' Swedish lessons The RNLI has determined the way forward for the Fast Response Boat 1 project following the threemonth evaluation of a Swedish Victoria class lifeboat. Many lessons for the future were learnt from this innovative design but the most important one was that a carriage-launched lifeboat suitable for all weathers and the variety of coastal conditions we cover would require different characteristics from the Swedish design. Furthermore, the increasing deployment of 25-knot Severns and Trents means that 35 knots is no longer the critical requirement to achieving the cover we want. Thus, we are now working towards a 25-knot replacement for the Mersey, 'Fast Carriage Boat 2', which will be ready for service in 2005.

Elsewhere, benchmark trials of three candidate boats which may be considered for the proposed Fast Inshore Boat 1 took place in early December.

The boats were trialled against Atlantic 75s and 21s and results are being evaluated before a decision is made either to use one of the trial boats, or to use an RNLI-designed boat..