Dear Reader Welcome to the summer 2006 issue of the Lifeboat. Do let us know what you think of it.

Have a look at the 'News' and 'Dispatches' sections to get up to date with the RNLI family then linger awhile in the more in-depth features; take that often-surprising'Peep into the past' and read the next instalment in the Train one, save many story.

But the heart of this publication, and of course of the RNLI itself, is the lifesaving work of the lifeboat crew members and lifeguards (see page 24).

Occasionally a particularly notable service warrants special mention. Three such were celebrated at the RNU's ACM and Annual Presentation of Awards in May this year, alongside the work of the charity's fundraisers (see page 38).

At the ACM, the RNLI's Chairman Admiral Sir Jock Slater reported on the RNLI year that was 2005 and highlighted the growing demands on the RNLI's services and how its income has not kept pace. (For a bottom-line summary, see page 21 or, for the detail, look at the RNLI's Annual Review 2005 and Annual Report and Accounts 2005 on the RNLI website or request a printed copy.) Many thanks indeed for your valuable support - and I hope you enjoy reading about what it's achieved.

Liz Cook EditorAre you beachwise? Building sandcastles; peering in rock pools and swimming in the sea - all commonplace activities for the millions of people visiting the seaside this summer. Most visits are uneventful, happy occasions. But for some, tragedy strikes Brothers Jason and Wayne Adams were playing in the sea at St Bees beach, Cumbria, when a strong rip current combined with increasingly large waves got them into serious difficulties. Two members of the public saw what was happening and dived into the water to try and help. Someone else called 999 and the lifeboat crew leapt into action. The boys were plucked from the sea and taken to shore where Lifeboat Operations Manager Ian McDowell and Helmsman Paul McDowell successfully resuscitated Jason, saving his life. Despite the desperate attempts of Crew Members David Barker and Richard Beddows to revive Wayne, he died.

The part played by the four RNLI volunteers and two passers by in what was a particularly distressing and demanding service was recently recognised by the Chief Constable of Cumbria Police at a special ceremony. Afterwards Ian commented:'None of us will forget the terrible events of that day. But it was wonderful for us all to meet Jason again today and to see how well he has progressed.' Shocking statistics This story is not unusual. The RNLI rescues an average of four children every day.

Consistently in the top three of these rescues are those to children on inflatables, blown out to sea. Research shows that two thirds of children don't see any risk in using an inflatable on the water and half don't understand the safety signs they may find on a beach. Only 10% know the meaning of a lifeguard's red and yellow flags. This is all in the context of three quarters of young people nationally visiting the beach at least two or three times a year.

The frontline in protecting children on the beach is the adults in their families - but what if they have little 'sea sense' themselves? The RNLI is solving this problem in several ways.

Prevention is better than cure The RNLI's Education, Beach Safety and Lifeguard teams work together to reach young people in a multitude of ways.

School visits are supported by curriculummatched materials and child-friendlyresources to help make it all fun; intensive workshops such as 'Hit the surf (featured in the autumn 2005 issue of the Lifeboat) make for experiential learning; and a roadshow tours beaches and events to catch the young audience when they need it most.

August 2006 will see a surge in such activity as the RNLI holds its first Beachwise awareness month. You can enter two special competitions as part of Beachwise. First, look out for the holiday challenge leaflet at RNLI shops and other venues and events attended by the RNLI. Fill in and return the form for the chance to win a family Mediterranean cruise kindly donated by Travelscope Holidays Ltd. Second, go to rnli.org.uk/sandcastle and enter the virtual sandcastle competition! It's a shorething! Whether you live by the sea or not, you can still take part in the RNLI's safety work, through the new RNLI Education website.

With a section for young people themselves SHORETHING OME The RNLI'j ne for young people it crammed M of exciting actnibet and gamei. from teting Sow fit you hive to be to become a Lrfeguard. to working out how to tuccetifuHy bunch a FTUHIVC lifeboat and rescue people imng your ifcilb and kiwfcdge.

You can also cbck onto any of the characters to fiod out more about them and another for adults who work with them, the site is both stylish and practical. It's crammed with information and activities (linked into the National Curriculum), games, interviews and downloadable accessories. Visit rnli.org.uk/shorething or for further information email [email protected].

Emergency! RNLI lifeguards are now amongst the best in the world at saving lives at sea from the beach. There are many beaches where even the swift response of a lifeboat and crew is not enough. Trouble strikes when someone is already in the water and there needs to be an immediate reaction. This is where a lifeguard comes in: a strong swimmer equipped with rescue board, watercraft or boat, first aid training and back up onshore.

Better still, though, is the work a lifeguard can do on the beach preventing trouble before it occurs. The saying goes that a good lifeguard doesn't even get wet.

Instead they maintain a constant vigilance, patrolling the beach, monitoring the state of the sea, talking to beach goers and giving advice. In this way, thousands of incidents are avoided and dozens of lives saved.

Value for money It is of course impossible to put a value on the life of just one person whose life is saved at sea but the RNLI's lifeguarding service gives particular value for money. It now covers 62 beaches in the south and south west of England and provides training and equipment to other lifeguarding organisations around the country, yet its total annual running costs are about that of one all weather lifeboat purchase.

Funding is now forthcoming from an increasing number of local authorities, i-2-i fundraising on beaches, and corporate donations. For example, Unilever, in the form of Wall's ice cream, are funding the beach safety roadshow and the'Hit the surf'programme for the second year running, WA L L'S to the tune of £ 50,000.Learn these messages and put them into practice and you'll be very beachwise! 1. Choose a lifeguarded beach to make your visit safer - check goodbeachguide.co.uk, produced by the Marine Conservation Society in partnership with the RNLI.

2. On any beach, be SAFE pot the dangers Iways go with a friend ind and read the safety signs and flags I mergency? Stick up your | hand and shout, or ring 999 3. On a lifeguarded beach, remember FLAGS " ind the red and yellow flags and swim between them L ook at the safety signs A sk a lifeguard for advice G et a friend to swim with you S tick your hand up and shout for help if in difficultyA capital pier The RNLI's busiest lifeboat station,Tower on the River Thames, has relocated to an historic new location - Lifeboat Pier. A former police station, the entire structure was towed away, rebuilt and returned to its mooring on the Embankment in time for a grand opening on 8 May during London Lifeboat Week. To read more, see page 42.

Tamars safely home The first of the RNLI's newTamar class all weather lifeboats to be placed on operational service have safely arrived at Tenby, Pembrokeshire (below), and Peterhead, Grampian, and the third is completing her trials for service at Padstow.

Read more on page 18.Reconfiguring the fleet As part of its rolling programme of operational coast reviews, the RNLI has closed Teesmouth lifeboat station, Teeside.

This inevitably controversial action follows a two-year study of RNLI search and rescue provision in the Tees Bay area.

The pattern of cover here dates back to a time when lifeboats were only capable of 8 knots and every small port had a fishing fleet. Today's lifeboats are much faster, improving their range and response time, and the demands on the service have changed, with more than two-thirds of rescues now being carried out in inshore waters. With two all weather lifeboats just four miles apart (Teesmouth and Hartlepool) and a total of eight lifeboats along a 25-mile stretch of coast (see page 25), it was concluded that there was an over-provision of lifeboats in the area.

The RNLI exists to save lives at sea and this will always be the driving force behind any decisions relating to lifeboat cover.

RNLI Operations Director Michael Vlasto says: 'A decision of this magnitude can only be justified if we are certain of the facts and if past, present and predicted future lifeboat activity in the Tees Bay has been examined in minute detail. We have done just that and also consulted extensively with the lifeboat stations in the area and other interested parties. Teesmouth lifeboat station has a long and distinguished tradition and we recognise that this closure will arouse strong feelings among its committed crew and loyal supporters. We thank them whole-heartedly for all they have done and very much hope that they will remain involved with the RNLI.' Teesmouth lifeboat, theTyne class Phil Mead, is 21 years old and will now enter the relief fleet, which is used to provide cover when station lifeboats are off service for repair or refit.Is it a ship? The House of Lords has overturned a landmark decision regarding personal water craft (PWCs, commonly known by the brand name jetski), much to the consternation of sea safety experts.

In autumn 2005, the Lifeboat reported the case of a man who collided with a fellow PWC rider, causing serious head injuries. A Crown Court judge ruled that PWCs should be classed as 'ships' and that the man could therefore be prosecuted under the 1995 Merchant Shipping Act. Now, the House of Lords has quashed this judgment on the grounds that a PWC is neither used in navigation nor is it sea going.

Peter Chennell, the RNLI's Sea Safety Manager, comments:'Although there may be specific circumstances where regulations do not apply, both the RNLI and Maritime and Coastguard Agency regard it as best practice for all craft to observe the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea at all times. This ruling is not helpful to the cause of safety at sea.'Anglesey report Two people died off Anglesey in July 2005 after their dinghy capsized. Now, the Government's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) have published their findings.

MAIB discovered that the dinghy did not meet stability and buoyancy standards and that the crew were unaware of the deteriorating weather. They were inexperienced dinghy sailors, their clothes gave little protection and the owner's lifejacket was not securely fastened.

The RNLI continues to promote its sea safety messages to combat such accidents, including: • get training to use your craft safely ensure your crew have appropriate protective clothing and safety equipment ensure lifejackets are worn, correctly fitted and securely fastened check the shipping and inshore weather forecasts before you set out always have an alternative strategy in case the weather changes and don't be afraid to change your plans Also see details of the RNLI's new Sea Safety: the complete guide on page 8.Morecambe verdict Two years after the drowning of 21 cocklepickers in Morecambe Bay, the trial of their gangmaster finally came to its inevitable close with a verdict of multiple manslaughter.

Sixteen RNLI volunteers took part in the search and recovery operations of 5-6 February 2004, using Morecambe's rescue hovercraft Hurley Flyer and D class lifeboat Peter Bond and Fleetwood'sTyne class William Street. They worked tirelessly for 18 hours, rescuing one man and recovering 11 bodies.

Michael Guy, Morecambe's Lifeboat Operations Manager, says: 'Unfortunately, there are no guarantees that such a tragedy will never happen again. Despite the huge publicity surrounding both the incident and the trial, people are still risking their lives by venturing out into Morecambe Bay without checking tide times and weather conditions or seeking advice about where it is safe to go. Morecambe's crew has dealt with about 100 incidents since February 2004 and around half of them were cockling related.'The joy of diving Those in the know describe scuba diving as entering an awe-inspiring and beautiful 'other' world. Unfortunately that experience can all too quickly change to nightmare.

In 2005, RNLI lifeboats launched to divers in distress 177 times, rescuing more than 200 people. The British Sub Aqua Club national diving committee recorded their highest ever annual total of 441 diving incidents and 17 diving deaths. As ever, proper training is key to preventing such tragedies - and to keeping the joy in diving.

Mike's Dive Stores across England are supporting the RNLI by promoting their Professional Association of Diving Instructors Discover Scuba courses at a special price of £20 (usual price £25) and donating £10 from each 'try-dive' to the RNLI, until the end of 2006. Why not try scuba diving for yourself, in a warm and safe environment, and help raise money for the RNLI at the same time? To find the closest dive centre to you, call 020 8994 6006 or go to mikesdivestore.com.

Then check out the RNLI's new Sea Safety: the complete guide (see right).Out now - the complete guide All users of the sea, from sailors to motorboaters, from kitesurfers to divers, can now enjoy a fun and safe summer thanks to Sea safety-the complete guide.

This brand new booklet and CD-ROM is written and produced by the RNLI and kindly funded by long-term corporate partner Bishop Skinner. It is designed to address the needs of both first-time and more experienced seagoers.

The booklet provides the basics common to all, such as weather, tides, navigation and personal flotation devices, while the CD fills in the details for each specialist watersport.

At home, the reader can test their knowledge with the interactive animations on screen and then take the booklet with them for quick reference next time they're out and about. Safety information stickers also provided will prompt them in case of an emergency. A website ensures topicality.

To order your free copy, phone RNLI sea safety on 0800 328 0600 or visit rnli.org.uk/seasafety.Take a You may be familiar with Google, but now there's MagicTaxi - and if you use it to search the internet, the RNLI will benefit too.

The RNLI is one of 20 charities that MagicTaxi is supporting by passing on 50% of all revenue their site generates. For general users, this donation is spread equally between all 20 but users can opt to support just one charity. You can make sure the RNLI benefits by either setting the MagicTaxi RNLI search page as your homepage or downloading the MagicTaxi RNLI toolbar. For information on how to do this visit magictaxi.co.uk/lifeboats.

MagicTaxi is efficient, its results are tailored to UK users (sourced from Google and other search engines), and the MagicTaxi toolbar does not run advertising software, so it's a practical choice as well as a charitable one. Just as importantly, your privacy is protected, as MagicTaxi won't track your searches. MagicTaxi can provide you with the best search resources on the web, with no strings attached - and help you save lives at sea! Turn your discs into donations! Here's i new and easy way for you to support the RNLI Lifeboats niLjC 'ami ! jyf OSFR Trading to save lives at sea Thanks to the online trading website eBay, you can now enjoy two new ways to raise money for the RNLI, whether or not you're one of eBay's current 168M users.

Firstly, online sellers can opt to donate 10-100% of the final sale price of their items to their chosen charity (a minimum £5 donation applies) and then eBay will add to this by donating the same percentage of their final value fee. Log on to ebay.co.uk/charity to find out more.

If online trading isn't for you, then how about sending in your unwanted CDs, DVDs or computer games so that the RNLI can trade them on eBay for you? This is a pilot scheme in aid of the RNLI'sTrain one, save many campaign but, if successful, it may become a standard way of supporting the charity. To find out more, email Alison O'Neill at [email protected] or phone the RNLI Supporter Care team on 0845 121 4999. Send in your good-quality discs, suitably packaged, to RNLI eBay Appeal, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ.From darkest Peru to ...

A duffle coat, felt hat, Wellington boots and marmalade can only mean one thing - Paddington Bear is around.

Small Paddington Bear soft toys will be on sale in branches of Barclays and Woolwich throughout the UK from 4 July-7 August 2006. They cost just £2 each and all proceeds will go to the RNLI'sTrain one, save many campaign. There are three delightful versions to collect - one on the beach, one in rainy weather gear, and one in his traditional outfit.

Competition Once you've bought your bears it does not end there. Paddington once said:'Thing's happen to me - I'm that sort of bear.' So we'd like you to take him on your travels and show us where he's been by having your photo taken with him. The best three photos in the opinion of the judges win.

Prizes are from the RNLI Sales catalogue: • First prize: radio-controlled Severn class lifeboat (RRP £49.99) Runners up prizes: radio-controlled Atlantic 75 lifeboat (RRP £16.99) andOllieBear(RRP£13) Entries should be sent to Sarah Michell at 'Paddington Bear Competition', RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1 HZ or emailed to [email protected] by 30 September 2006. Please include your name, address and telephone number.

Competition terms and conditions The winner will be notified by 31 October 2006 The judges' decision is final Judges cannot enter the competition The names of winners and their photos will be published in the winter 2005/07 issue of trie Lifeboat Photographs cannot be returned There is no cash alternative to the prizes offered Only one entry per individual will be accepted Entry implies acceptance of these rules.