By the time this issue of theLifeboat reaches you, coastal hovercraft trials will have been completed as part of the RNLI's hovercraft pilot scheme.

Following successful results from initial trials at Poole, the 7.6m Griffon 450TD hovercraft has been tested at selected locations in Morecambe, Hunstanton, Flint, West Kirby and Southend.

These locations have been specially selected for their environments - for instance, they may have extensive sand or mudflats that make waterborne response difficult. Mud rescue, in particular, can be very dangerous and slow to execute, but a hovercraft can reach the casualty very quickly and effect a rescue without danger to the rescuers.

Experienced lifeboat crew have been involved in the testing and their comments will help the hovercraft project team decide if the craft has a practical use for the RNLI throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland. So far, the project team have received very positive comments from the crewsand members of the general public, and the trials have enjoyed much press and media attention, including a prime time slot on BBC's Tomorrow's World. The hovercraft also went to the aid of a vessel in difficulties during trials at Hunstanton, when 20m narrowboat Ocean Princess was agrou on Bulldog Sand, at the mouth of the River Ouse.

The hovercraft gave assistance but, luckily, was nc required further as the casualty eventually manage to refloat on the incoming tide.

Speaking of the project just before the coastal trials, its managers, Hugh Fogarty and Tony Stanki said, 'During the evaluation in Poole, we tested a standard Griffon 450TD hovercraft and tried to establish what terrain and conditions it could work with and how much training would be involved for the volunteers who would operate it. The hovercrc showed that it could withstand damage, was easy prepare for launch, worked well over sand and mu and crew training was comparable to that undertaken by inshore lifeboat crews. Its limitatior which will be further tested during these coastal trials, include a relatively small carrying capacity an a weather restriction to a wind speed of less than 25 knots and a wave height of less than 70cm.' The project team's findings will be submitted in report to the RNLI's Executive Committee in November and a decision will be made whether to introduce hovercraft to the RNLI's fleet.Bigger, brighter, better lam sure you will have noticed trial this issue of theLifeboat magazine looks somewhat different to previous issues. This is the result of six months' work by the editorial team reviewing how we can provide you with all the information you want about the RNLI in an interesting and attractive format. Although the most obvious change is to the design, these changes are more than cosmetic. Our aim is to make sure that you are kept fully informed about the activities of the RNLI, while also receiving an insight into the people and processes that make this vital organisation work so effectively.

We have introduced a new Listings pull-out-and-keep section. In this section you will find key official information such as details of naming ceremonies, new boats on station and a full list of all RNLI launches. We have also added a new Crew Page, to highlight the achievements of our volunteer and full-time crew members, and a Station Profile, which will highlight a different RNLI station each issue.

We have replaced the old lifeboat services section with Lifeboats in Action This section will still have the popular accounts of actual rescues but these will be presented in a livelier format, which will concentrate more on the people involved than on the operational details. Your fundraising pages have also been brightened up, with a new Fundraising Feature in each issue, together with the latest stories of fundraising activities.

Features have been given a facelift too, with stimulating stories looking at the people involved in the lifeboat service as well as operational accounts, history, regional focus and much, much more. Finally, the News section will make sure that you are kept informed of all the RNLI's activities.

All these exciting changes deserved a fresh new look so we have given the magazine a thorough 'wash and brush up'.

We hope that you like the clear, bright new look as much as we do. I would be delighted to receive your comments on both the new format and design.

Jane Smythson Editor Lifetime achievement RNLI corporate services director, tenVentham, former head of fundraising and marketing, had a great surprise in July when he was presented with a Lifetime Achiever's Award by Kevin Kibble of Professional Fundraising magazine. The award, announced at the Institute of Charity Fundraising Managers (ICFM) convention in Birmingham, is a free vote throughout the charity fundraising profession to recognise an individual's impact on the world of fundraising over an extended period. In handing over the award Kevin (right) said, 'Ian is the clear winner of this year's award - receiving twice the number of votes of the nearest candidate.'The Queen's Golden Jubilee Many readers will already be aware that HM The Queen will be celebrating her Golden Jubilee next summer.

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2002 Her Majesty, a patron of the RNLI since 1952, will be making visits throughout the UK between 1 May and 5 August as part of the celebrations, The focal point will be the central weekend of 1-4 June, when The Queen will attend a National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's.

A calendar of events is currently being organised by the Golden Jubilee Office. For further information on events in your area visit the official website at www.goldenjubilee.gov.uk Polish lifeboats celebrate theUfeboat is pleased to announce that The Polish Ship Salvage Company. Polskie Ratownictwo Okretowe, has been awarded the RNLI's Silver Medal in recognition of its 50th anniversary this year. The service, founded in 1951, operates 31 lifeboats from 20 stations and has both fulltime and volunteer lifeboatmen.

It has long been a tradition for the RNLI, secretariat of the International Lifeboat Federation, to present overseas lifeboat societies with the award on this special anniversary occasion.

Polish rescue tug Huragan at the T983 International Lifeboat Conference in Sweden.

Storm Force in Scrapheap Challenge A team from RNLI HQ is taking part in the Channel 4 show Scrapheap Challenge. The team was successful in their first challenge, to build a machine that would throw an ostrich egg without breaking it, beating a team of ballroom dancers from Kent. Their second challenge is being shown at 6pm on Channel 4 on Sunday, 21 October.

Don't miss it!Ellen MacArthur joins Offshore Intrepid round-the-world yachtswoman, Ellen MacArthur, received a certificate of honorary lifetime Offshore membership from the RNLI in August in recognition of her tremendous achievement for British sailing in the Vendee Globe.

Ellen is endorsing the membership grade for all those who use the sea.

She said, 'I joined Offshore because when you're alone at sea, it's reassuring to know you can always rely on the lifeboat crews.' On handing over the certificate, Offshore recruitment officer Sharon New thanked Ellen. 'We are delighted that someone as famous and respected as Ellen has accepted honorary Offshore membership. I am sure that her support will boost awareness.' Own a Severn class! Readers of theLHeboat can now have their very own Severn class lifeboat and help raise money to save lives at the same time.

Milestone Miniatures Limited of Cornwall have produced a limited edition run of beautiful Severn class models, hand built in English pewter. The 14cm scale models are finished in RNLI colours and come mounted on a wooden plinth with a glass display case - all contained in a presentation box.

Each of the 250 limited edition models come with a certificate of authenticity.

The price of £145 includes VAT and a donation of £25 to lifeboat funds.

Please order direct from Milestone Miniatures Limited, West End, Red Ruth, Cornwall TR15 2SA or Tel: 01209 218356.Terry Rogers of Blackpool lifeboat station, with his wife and children, outside Buckingham Palace before attending a royal garden party on 25 July in the presence of The Queen.

Terry was amongst a group of 41 lifeboatmen. station personnel, fundraisers, RNLI staff and their families wh were chosen to attend in recognition of their long and devoted service to the RNLI.

Picture: RNL1/DKHEUO, ANOTHER AIR-SEA RESCUE.

WHAT IS IT THIS TIME? I SOME CLOWN THINKS ( HE'S A CROSS-CHANNEL ( SW1MMER...ANP ISN'T? BUTHEMM3 OLD OUT Off £ ? TUt TIDE SOME AIRHEAD ON AlllOKlFTEP OUT TO SEA?The Duke's north west tour Volunteers and VIPs from five north west lifeboat stations had the honour of meeting RNLI President, HRH The Duke of Kent, during his coastal tour in July.Accompanied by RNLI Chairman Peter Nicholson and Chief Executive Andrew Freemantle, The Duke enjoyed glorious sunshine throughout the two days.

The first stop of the tour on 23 July saw HRH visit the lifeboat station at Lytham, currently celebrating 150 years of lifesaving. Following a visit to the station's museum and a luncheon, The Duke presented Frank Kilroy, station secretary, with a framed vellum certificate marking the anniversary.

Later in the day, HRH toured lifeboat stations at Blackpool, Fleetwood and Morecambe, where he met the lifeboat crews and their families, branch volunteers and officials, and also inspected lifeboats and their facilities.

Over 500 guests greeted The Duke at Barrow on the second day of his tour, where he formally opened the new station at Roa Island. A local community appeal from 1998-99 raised £277,029 towards the £3m cost of rebuilding the station, walkway and slipway. Ben Bibby, representing the appeal donors, officially handed the station over to Peter Nicholson before the official naming by The Duke.A new inshore lifeboat Work to find a replacement for the D class lifeboat is well under way with the construction of a preproduction boat. The new inshore boat, codenamed IB1 (Inshore Boat 1), will be a development of the existing D class but will use the latest advances in material and equipment technology- These developments mean it should not only be faster, but more consistent in its performance, better equipped, and easier to maintain.

The first pre-production boat will be trialed at the RNLI's Inshore Lifeboat Centre in Cowes to confirm that the changes to the boat fabric, structure and engine have resulted in the expected improvement in performance. Detailed equipment changes will then be evaluated, before the construction and fitting out of four more boats. These will then be trialed at lifeboat stations to get feedback from a cross section of crews in a variety of conditions.

The trials should have started by the time you receive this issue of (heLifeboat and, subject to a successful outcome, the first production IB1s should arrive at stations in 2002.Two lifeboat stations celebrated landmark anniversaries this summer - notching up 250 years of lifesaving between them.Newbiggin Hundreds gathered for a ceremony at Newbiggin on 27 May to celebrate the station's 150th birthday. Guest of honour was His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, a descendant of 'Sailor Duke' who funded the original lifeboat station and its first two lifeboats.

Guests enjoyed music from the Ashington Colliery band and were treated to the first performance of the Newbiggin lifeboat song, performed by the Marske Fishermen's Choir. The Duke gave his thanks and best wishes during an official ceremony and Chris Price. RNLI staff officer operations, spoke of the excellent work of the station before presenting the anniversary vellum to Stan Green, Newbiggin station secretary- Following a vote of thanks by Vivian Brown, chairman of the ladies guild, guests enjoyedrefreshments prepared and served by the guild at the Newbiggin community room.

Barry Dock On 23 June, Barry waterfront was swarming with boats and visitors eager to participate in Barry Dock lifeboat's centenary celebrations.

The packed three-day programme of events kicked off with anin stark contrast to Barry Dock's Ai class lifeboat, Margaret Frances Lc the pulling and sailing lifeboat, due Victoria, takes a trip alongside Barf waterfront during the centenary celebrations.

official ceremony in which RNl Chief Executive Andrew Freemantle presented a centenary vellum to Newbiggir secretary, Ted Powell, and lone service medals were presenter coxswain Ray Brown and mechanic Barry Chick. During 1 service that followed, the bane choirs and assembled guests f maintained the reputation of Welsh singing voices.

Some 26,000 visitors enjoy* the entertainment that followe which included many hours of music and stage performances boat racing, a Red Arrows disp an appearance by the spectaci restored 1887 lifeboat Queen Victoria, workshops, exhibition a fun fair and many other excit attractions.

Both stations have published boot to celebrate their anniversaries - further details can be found in tht Fundraisers section of this issue..