Landmark ruling - is it a ship?The personal watercraft (PWC), often known by the trade name of jetski, is an increasingly popular mode of water transport. Partly resembling a motorbike, a PWC is ridden in a similar way and comes with the same dangers to rider and passerby on top of those associated with taking to the water. Remarkably in their 30-year history there have been few fatalities or serious incidents associated with PWCs. A near-fatal incident involving two PWCs sadly did feature in the news this summer.

Until recently it wasn't clear whether PWCs were classed as 'ships' in the eyes of the law and therefore subject to merchant shipping regulations. However a judge at Salisbury Crown Court has now ruled that, in common with other small craft, PWCs are indeed ships and that legislation under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 applies to them. This followed a prosecution of a man from Weymouth, Dorset, after he collided with another PWC whose rider sustained serious head injuries. The man pleaded guilty to riding his PWC in contravention of the Act and was later sentenced to six months' detention.

Sergeant Andy Hack of Dorset Police's marine section said: Following the ruling it's important that all those using PWCs recognise that they have the same responsibilities as all other water users in respect of Collision Regulations and The Merchant Shipping Act. We encourage all users to undertake training.' The survivor of the incident later expressed his profound gratitude to those, including the RNLI, who came to his aid and without doubt helped safe his life.

For essential advice on topics including 'rules of the road', signals, calling for help, man overboard, engine failure, safety equipment and launching, call 0800 328 0600 for a copy of the RNLI's Sea Safety guidelines for personal watercraft.

See page 9 for news of a more typical PWC rescue and page 14 for the benefits of a PWC in expert hands.The call of duty Politician-turned-writer Roy Hattersley celebrated the RNLI's volunteer spirit in an article in the Daily Mail in June. In 'The call of duty on the cruel sea' he recognised that lifeboat crews make light of the dangers they encounter and reflected on their dedication to the service:'The lifeboat is always ready and the crew is always willing.'Visiting Newhaven on a cold winter's day, Roy noted that there was one splash of colour against the grey sea and sky - the glorious orange livery of the town's Severn class lifeboat, the David and Elizabeth Adand. Its crew feel pride in what they do and the purpose-built lifeboat in which they do it and they go to sea because they hear the call of duty. 'We don't dash about all the time saving lives, but when we do, we feel we are doing something worthwhile,' Coxswain Ian Johns was quoted as saying. To a sailor rescued from a sinking ship, 'worthwhile' must sound like an absurd understatement, commented Roy.

In finishing, Roy pointed out that there is something peculiarly British about the notion that the crew who risk their lives for others should be expected to sell paper flags and carry collecting tins to make it possible. The freedom this gives from Government control, however, is jealously guarded.A living coast Following hot on the heels of David Dimbleby's TV series, A picture of Britain, came Coast, an even more lavish 13-part BBC2 documentary series focusing on the 19,000km of UK coastline, exploring how we have shaped it - and how it shapes us. One programme featured the worst disaster in lifeboat history.

Lytham, St Annes and Southport lifeboats were launched to the German barque Mexico in distress off Southport on 9 December 1886. With great difficulty, the Lytham lifeboat rescued the crew of 12 but the Southport lifeboat was capsized by a heavy sea; 14 of her crew drowned and there were only two survivors. The St Annes lifeboat was washed ashore the next day, her entire crew of 13 having drowned. This catastrophe led directly to Sir Charles Macara founding the Lifeboat Saturday Fund. This raised thousands of pounds, eventually evolving into the now familiar lifeboat flag day street collections, thought to be the first by a charity.Rocket Man rescued In a new family drama due to be screened on BBC1 in the coming months, Robson Green stars as a single parent trying to come to terms with his wife's death. At one point in the storyline, his character is rescued at sea. Robson said:'We thought about using actors for the rescue scenes but wanted the reassurance that we could film in the water safely so decided to call on the professionals.' He spent a morning filming the dramatic scenes with the RNLI at Tynemouth and his production company, Coastal Productions, donated £3,000 to the lifeboat station as a 'thank you'.

Tynemouth's Coxswain Michael Nugent said: 'We were only too happy to help out and are extremely grateful for their generous donation. The crew enjoyed being part of the action and we're all looking forward to watching Rocket Man to see if we can recognise ourselves.' See page 5 for news of a real-life widowed dad and lifeboat crew member and the award he has won.Birthday Honours The following have been honoured by HM The Queen: Officer, Order of the British Empire (QBE) For services to the RNLI • Michael Vlasto Operations Director Member, Order of the British Empire (MBE) For services to the RNLI • Alan Barnes Falmouth lifeboat station Coxswain • Tony Glaze - posthumous award Burnham-on-Crouch former Lifeboat Operations Manager • Robert (Snowy) Hamon St Peter Port lifeboat station former Second Coxswain For services to maritime safety • Brian Michie Stornoway lifeboat station Lifeboat Medical AdviserBravery at Burnham Alan Miller, an RNLI launching tractor driver at Burnham-on-Sea lifeboat station, has received the Waley-Cohen award from the Avon and Somerset Constabulary for risking his own life when he wrestled a sword-wielding man to the ground.

Alan had spotted the man threatening people with what first appeared to be a stick. It soon became apparent that he was in fact carrying a samurai sword. Alan said: 'I ran down to him and held the man in a bear hug, put him in a head lock and then grabbed the sword with my other hand. I then had help from some door staff who helped me to wrestle the man to the ground where we kept him until police arrived.' His extremely courageous actions thoroughly deserved such recognition and reflect a remarkable willingness to Volunteer' in even the most dangerous of situations.Our eagle-eyed readers spotted an error in the spring 2005 issue of the Lifeboat article 'Gallant rescue by ladies'. Twenty one women have now been awarded Medals for Gallantry in the RNLI's history, 19p/us Grace Darling plus Aileen Jones. Apologies for not being able to add up!The RNLI was proud to host the 2005 International Lifeboat Federation (ILF) conference at The Lifeboat College in Poole in August.

The event saw around 100 delegates, representing search and rescue organisations from all around the world, come together to discuss latest developments and exchange information and ideas.

The conference theme,'the human element in search and rescue operations', covered topics as diverse as medical standards and team building. Fishguard lifeboat Crew Member Paul Potter celebrated an extra special Father's Day this year after he became the Eurocamp Lone Parent of the Year 2005. Paul beat nine other regional finalists from across the UK after being nominated by his three sons, Matthew (age 10), Adam (13), and Daniel (15). They had admired the way he had juggled work and family commitments since their mum's death from cancer in 2002.

Paul won a luxury Eurocamp holiday worth £2,500 and, on hearing the news, said: 'I'm absolutely delighted. I never expected to win, not in a million years, and I'm flattered that so many people voted for me. As a lone parent, I've always done the best I can for my boys, but you do miss out on luxuries like holidays, so it will be great to be able to take the whole family away somewhere special.' Have a good holiday, Paul - you deserve it!We will remember them During the Second World War, RNLI lifeboats launched more than 2,000 times and saved over 7,500 people, as well as bringing 3,000-plus men off the Dunkirk beaches. Over 40 extra lifeboat stations were opened temporarily to provide cover for aircraft forced down by bad weather, lack of fuel, or enemy action. The lifeboat Queen Victoria escaped capture by the Germans at St Peter Port, Guernsey, as she was away in refit, so she was placed on service at Killybegs temporary station in Co. Donegal.

A permanent memorial to RNLI crews and supporters who have lost their lives for others, not just during the War, can be seen at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire. Set in 150 acres with over 40,000 trees and a wildlife lake, the Lifeboat Plot is one of over 50 and pays a living tribute to the bravery of all lifeboat crews.Thousands attended the many events during the summer that marked the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. An open-air ecumenical service in Aberdeen saw members of the local lifeboat crew and fundraising branch taking part in a near 1,000-strong parade of the emergency services and armed forces. Aberdeen's Second Coxswain Bill Deans carried the RNLI flag, as did Shoreham's Coxswain Peter Huxtable MBE at the national service at Horseguards, London.

In the same week that the wartime commemorations were taking place, RNLI crews joined in two minutes' silence remembering those lost in this year's terrorist attacks in London.

Thames lifeboats had assisted on 7 July in providing safety cover while thousands of people, unable to commute in the normal way, were evacuated by passenger vessels. Emedia and the RNLI Using the web, email and mobile phones has become second nature to many, providing a great opportunity to the RNLI to engage with its supporters in a new way and to attract entirely new supporters. Other charities are already making good use of these channels and the RNLI has been working hard to ensure it doesn't fall behind.

As reported on page 32, the RNLI has used SMS (mobile phone texting) in a campaign to promote Beach Lifeguards to a younger audience. Last year saw the introduction of Message Brand, a service that enables the RNLI to 'stamp' its external emails with relevant images and a message.

With over 4M external RNLI emails a year, this is a wonderful way of raising awareness of the RNLI in a large and diverse audience.

In the last few months, the RNLI has surveyed those members who have supplied their email addresses. Over 70% said thatthey used the internet every day, with 65% having access at home.

Notably, 70% felt that the RNLI rarely used email as a method of communications and that they would expect to see more. Over 60% said that they would prefer the majority of communications to be via email rather than by printed material, with 70% saying they would like to receive national RNLI 'newsflashes' by email.

The RNLI will use these findings as a base for its future online communications, making sure that it is contacting supporters in the most appropriate and cost-effective way. (If you would prefer to be contacted by email in the future or would like to sign up for the RNLI e-newsletter, email [email protected] with your supporter number or name and address.) The RNLI has had a website since the mid 1990's and, in its heyday, it won the prestigious Yell.com award for 'The best site from a non-profit organisation'. However, six years is a long time in the online world. The site is now looking rather dated and does not accurately reflect the work and the needs of the lifeboat service today.

To remedy this, the RNLI is working with external partners Good Technology and M-Corp to redevelop the site. The new website will have the same address (rnli.org.uk) and keep many well-loved features, such as 'out on a shout', but will have a fresh and modern design and boast greatly improved navigation. Users will be able to get a closer look at the latest lifeboat designs, find out more about a particular lifeboat station or local fundraising activity, enjoy an animated guide through RNLI history and sign up for an e-newsletter. It will also make it easier to donate or become a member.

At the time of going to press, the design had been finalised and the site was under construction. The new site is due to go live at the end of the year, following thorough testing, so why not take a look - the Lifeboat would be interested to hear what you think..