We have lift offHovercraft to join RIMLI's fleet The first RNU rescue hovercraft will be in operation as early as January 2003, located in Morecambe. The decision to go ahead was made by the RNLI Executive Committee after successful trials in 2001. The hovercraft will complement the existing lifeboat service at Morecambe.

Some preliminary trials took place at Poole with further trials at Hunstanton, Morecambe, Flint and Southend-on-Sea using local lifeboat crews. Tony Stankus, RNLI hovercraft operations manager was delighted with-the trials. 'They proved the hovercraft could withstand damage, was easy to launch and worked well over sand and mud .. and the volunteer crews could easily 'fly' the craft,' he said. The trials demonstrated that the hovercraft are capable of reaching casualties in areas that lifeboats either could not operate or would take a long time to reach, such as close inshore and estuaries.

Morecambe was chosen as the first location for an RNLI rescue hovercraft for a number of reasons. Tony Stankus highlighted: 'its extensive mud and sand flats that are uncovered at low tide, plus areas of quicksand that can prove hazardous for the unwary'. It was also considered appropriate for the first hovercraft to be colocated with a lifeboat station so the lifeboat could provide additional support if necessary.

Since the trials last year, the hovercraft has been modified for search and rescue. This has included increasing the length, stability, buoyancy and thrust, and decreasing the noise level.

Currently trials are taking place to check that modifications have worked and to make final adjustments. Also, training/ crewing requirements are being sorted and guidelines highlighting the limitations of the hovercraft are being drafted.

Initially, there will be temporary housing for the hovercraft at Morecambe, using the existing infrastructure. After one season, Tony Stankus predicts that the hovercraft will have proved itself to be 'a useful, safe and effective mode of search and rescue'. At that point the RNLI will make a planning application, and it hopes to be fully operational with a permanent station in 2004.First inland station Another first for the RNLI is the success of the inland station at Lough Erne, Enniskillen in Northern Ireland. Two Atlantic inshore lifeboats are now stationed at Lough Erne - one on the Upper Lough and one on the Lower Lough.

Michael Vlasto, RNLI operations director commented: 'Extending the lifeboat sen/ice inland is a natural extension of its purpose, although it has presented some new challenges.' He praised the actions of the Enniskillen volunteer lifeboat crew. Since the station opened in May 2002, the crew, including a policeman, company director and a housewife, have launched the lifeboats 20 times, rescuing 16 people.Beach Rescue teams up with the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme to save lives Students working towards the Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award were able, for the first time, to work with the RNLI's team of lifeguards on Sandbanks beach in Poole.

The students, from Wiltshire, were based in the Poole area from 6-10 August 2002. They trained in how to approach the general public and the water safety messages that need to be communicated to holidaymakers using the beach. The students also found out about various aspects of the RNLI's work, which included training with the lifeguards, a visit to Poole lifeboat station and a demonstration of boat safety issues.

The students then worked in small groups on the local beaches, approaching families and children to highlight important beach safety messages and also to explain the role of the Beach Rescue team. The team distributed a new water safety leaflet designed specifically for this event.

'We are delighted to be participating in this initiative,' said Ian Ductcett, Duke of Edinburgh coordinator for Wiltshire. 'It is exactly the type of opportunity that meets the criteria for our students to achieve their Gold Award. We are hopeful it might lead to students deciding to make a long term commitment to voluntary work for the RNLI.1 The school holidays are the busiest time of year for the lifeguards, when many families enjoy visits to the seaside but are often unaware of the potential dangers. The lifeguards hope that the RNLI advice will help to reduce the many preventable accidents and deaths that occur every year around our beaches.

The RNLI estimates that there are several thousand potentially lifethreatening incidents each summer on UK beaches and many more incidents that require the help of a qualified lifeguard. Last year, Beach Rescue lifeguards were located in just five areas in the south and southwest for a limited season. In that time they helped more than 3,700 people, dealing with many types of incidents, major and minor.

In addition to the advice provided by the lifeguards, the RNLI also produces free safety information aimed at children and adults. Get Splashed is a full-colour water safety booklet aimed at 7-10 year olds. Be Safe at the Seaside is a clear and easy-to-read booklet for older readers.

Children (and adults) can also log on to www.H1eboats.org.uk/splashed.asp.Stop Press! Legacy Promotion Campaign Legacies are the biggest source of voluntary income to the voluntary sector - around £1.5bn every year, but they are especially important to the RNLI, Last year threequarters (E78.4m) of its voluntary Income came from this source.

About 28,000 wills a year contain a charitable bequest - around 12% of all wills that go to probate. Despite all the efforts charities have made to persuade more of their supporters to help in this way, this proportion has remained the same for more than 10 years.

What is remarkable is that 67% of the population say that they support charities on a regular basis, yet so few give in this special way. Although the RNLI's income from legacies has been strong in recent years, the numbers are showing signs of decline and the recent fall in the value of shares is likely to have a significant detrimental effect on legacy income.

With this in mind, the RNLI has joined with more than 80 other charities to promote legacy giving. This is the biggest joint venture ever to have taken place in the voluntary sector. The campaign started at the end of September and will last for three years Legacies are a satisfying way to make a significant difference to the causes we really feel passionate about.

They are also completely free of tax.

For further information about the Legacy Promotion Campaign, visit www.rememberacharity.org.uk.

For information about how to leave a gift in your will to the RNLI, contact John Marshall on 01202 663032 RNLI charter and bye-laws The Queen, in Privy Council, has authorised amendments to the RNLI charter and bye-laws which were put to the AGM earlier this year. The changes enable the charity to legally operate lifesaving and relief services on fresh as well as salt water. The new objects clause states: 'The objects of the Institution shall be. first, to save lives, promote safety and provide relief from disaster at sea and, secondly, to save lives, promote safety and provide relief from disaster on inland waters' Please note the consequent changes in terminology: Now The Council The Trustee Committee Advisory Committees* The Executive Team The Senior Management Group " Though each committee will retain its working title, e.g.

Operations Committee, Fundraising Committee.

Previously The Committee of Management The Executive Committee Standing Committees The Senior Management Team First ReportsIsle of Man sculpture unveiled A striking memorial, commemorating the founding of the RNLI and honouring lifeboats through the ages, has been unveiled at Douglas, the Isle of Man The sculpture, by internationally renowned artist Michael Sandle, depicts Sir William Hillary and crew striving to save survivors from the Saint George, wrecked in Douglas Bay in 1830.

It comes to the town at a fitting time, as the Douglas lifeboat celebrates the 200th anniversary of its founding. The bronze cenotaph was unveiled on 29 June 2002 and was funded by the Arts Council together with the Henry Moore Foundation.Outstanding rescue award In the Spring issue of the Lifeboat magazine, we included a write-up of the rescue of three people from their capsized speedboat by the Trearddur Bay lifeboat. The Atlantic 75 helmsman Chris Pritchard has now been chosen to receive the Walter and Elizabeth Groombridge Award, for the most meritorious service performed by the crew of an Atlantic inshore lifeboat. This is on top of the Thanks of the Institution on Vellum he was awarded.

In the official report of the rescue, Andy Ctift, divisional inspector of lifeboats for the west commented: 'Chris displayed a great deal of skill and seamanship to conduct a search pattern in the prevailing conditions,' and praised the teamwork of the Trearddur Bay and Holyhead lifeboats.

Ipswich divisional base now open The new RNLI eastern divisional base was opened in Ipswich, on 20 July 2002. Eric Freeman, deputy chairman of the RNLI Search and Rescue Committee, cut the tape and declared the base officially open. The premises on Ransomes Europark, Ipswich, replaces the Central Avenue base, providing a larger working area for the administrative and engineering staff as well as training/meeting venue and improved stores facility.

Divisional inspector of lifeboats, east, Martyn Smith is delighted with the new base, 'The new facility will enable us to offer a better service to our volunteer crew and supporters.

The whole team is privileged to be working in such excellent conditions.'Cool Matthew radios for help Eight year old Matthew Edgar received a letter of thanks from Andrew Freemantle, chief executive of the RNLI, in recognition of his brave and calm behaviour during a frightening ordeal at Ramsgate Matthew was out in a small motorboat, Rebecca, with his father, when the boat broke down and was cast upon the rocks of the south breakwater, in rough conditions.

While his father battled to keep the boat off the rocks. Matthew stayed calm and called Port Control. He managed to let the Port Control know their situation and location.

A local workboat, Bumble, came to help Rebecca, at which point Matthew's dad was in the water attempting to push the boat off the rocks. While his father climbed back in, Bumble passed a line to Matthew, which he took and secured, enabling it to hold Rebecca off the breakwater.

The inshore lifeboat arrived and towed Rebecca into the harbour. Matthew's father was proud of Matthew's actions and thanked the Port Control for: 'assisting my son to remain calm under what, for him, were terrifying circumstances'. At the age of eight, Matthew knew enough to operate the radio and maintained communication with Port Control, giving them clear information.

In recognition of his bravery, Matthew was invited to visit the RNLI headquarters, where he toured the offices, looked around the lifeboats and then met up with Andrew Freemantle, who praised the boy's 'brave actions' in an official letter of thanks.Palace party RNLI supporters gathered outside Buckingham Palace, before attending a royal garden party in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen on 16 July.Storm Force event blows into Chatham Dockyard A family event staged at the lifeboat display within Chatham Dockyard was a great success on 20 and 21 July.

Over 500 people visited the Dockyard that weekend. Many people of all ages attended, and Storm Force members were allowed into the Dockyard free of charge.

The children were welcomed by Stormy Stan and there were many activities to entertain them.

Lifeboat enthusiasts helped children with boat building.

They queued up to enter competitions to win VIP visits to Whitstable lifeboat station and RNLI branded fleeces. Under 11s sketched a lifeboat in the collection and over 11 s wrote a story of a rescue by one of the boats in the collection.

The children particularly enjoyed looking at and climbing on the displayed D class inflatable lifeboat.

Many of the children also had fun dressing up in RNLI crew kit from the past and present and were stunned at the difference.Euro changes Irish RNLI members have been paying their subscription payments in Euros since January 2002.

Over the last few years the Irish currency has devalued in relation to pounds sterling. This has now reached such an extent that it has been necessary to make an adjustment to bring the Irish membership rates into line with those paid by RNLI members in the United Kingdom.

These changes took place on the 1 September 2002.

The new rates are as follows: Minimum subscription rates Current New UK Irish rate rates Shoreline £18 €26 Joint Shoreline £30 €45 Offshore £48 €72 Joint Offshore £84 €126 Governor £60 €90 Joint Governor £105 €156 Life Governor £1,200 €1.850 Storm Force £5 €7.50 Storm Force Group £1 €1.50 Per Person (min 10) All subscription rates are reviewed annually and are adjusted when necessary to take account of increases in the cost of providing membership.

Members have said that they prefer small increases on a regular basis rather than large, infrequent increases, but this needs to be balanced against the cost of reprinting materials. The last increase in subscription rates was 2000 and the RNLI expects that a modest increase will be necessary in late 2003.

It is important to note that the above rates detail the minimum amount for each membership group. Many supporters generously give more every year for their membership.

For any queries regarding this matter or any other aspect of RNLI membership, please call our help desk +44 1202 663234 or email [email protected]..