Swords of honour Phenomenal, unselfish, generous - just some of the words used by Irish President Mary McAleese on her recent visit to the RNLIThe RNLI has 43 lifeboat stations in the island of Ireland to support, from Lough Swilly in Northern Ireland to Baltimore in the Republic of Ireland. This complex operation involves 1,500 station personnel and 2,000 fundraisers - and some far less visible support staff.

Lifeboat crews rightly get praise for their spirit of courage and selflessness, while the commitment and dedication of fundraisers are entirely worthy of the many mentions they receive. But behind the scenes is a band of hard-working paid workers who provide the back up that these loyal and steadfastvolunteers so justly deserve. In June 2006, Mrs McAleese opened RNLI Ireland's first state-of-the-art facility for these support staff.

Divisions and regions For many years, support for the RNLI's six operational divisions and nine fundraising regions operated from separate buildings in their respective areas. More recently, the pair of RNLI offices in each of Scotland, north England and south west England have combined to operate from single units.

Now, two more have merged forces in a purpose-built base at Swords, Dublin.All the necessary teams are located under one roof. The first floor is shared by Operations (for both Northern Ireland and the Republic) and Fundraising (for the Republic - currency differences mean an office in the north is maintained. See page 38.) On the ground floor are stores and workshops, with a large meeting room capable of accommodating over 150 delegates. In addition, video conferencing facilities will reduce the need for travel to and from RNLI Headquarters in Poole, saving substantially transport and accommodation costs.

In a moving speech to the assembled media and RNLI staff and volunteers, President McAleese recognised that this day marked the culmination of much ambitious and intensive work. She declared it: 'A day pride, relief and gratitude that is proof positive of the remarkable capabilities of the RNLI and its preparedness for what lies ahead.' She further remarked that the RNLI is: 'A classic example of the phenomenal, unselfish, generous voluntary endeavour... that goes on in Ireland around the clock, week in and week out, year in and year out, without thought of thanks or recognition. Hereyou will find men and women who are prepared to risk their lives at any moment for people who maybe complete strangers and, even occasionally, complete foots.' Speaking directly to the lifesavers in her audience, she continued: 'If there is fear you don't look for an easy out, if there is discomfort you do not complain, if there is danger you face it. And by some miracleyou get a deep personal fulfilment from all this giving which keeps you involved, keeps you faithful to the RNLI, often over a lifetime.' In declaring the new RNLI Ireland Headquarters officially open, Mary McAleese said a heartfelt 'thank you' from the Irish people to: 'the past andpresent crews of our lifeboats, to those who worked in the past and who work today in so many different but essential roles in the background, providing support, training, public education and much needed resources.' Quoting Irish poet Seamus Heaney, President McAleese concluded: "You have won renown:you are known to all men far and near, now and forever.

Your sway is wide as the wind's home, as the sea around cliffs."'Dear Reader Returning from my Summer holiday in North Yorkshire, I was amazed to find that Autumn had arrived in Dorset.

Tightly angled sunlight and long shadows met me en route to work and many was the spider's web I had to apologetically break.

The diversity of our islands' climates and habitats, not to mention accents and food, is such that I could have been abroad. But one of the pleasures of being part of the RNLI is the unity of understanding and purpose it brings across borders. I hope the Lifeboat brings some of this to life for you as we focus on the RNLI's service across the island of Ireland.

The twilight of a year can bring mixed emotions: we remember those who lost their lives in war and in more peaceable acts of bravery (page 14) and then begin to plan for Christmas.

The RNLI is providing a range of help: its classic 'livesaving shopping' catalogue (including Ray and Susannah Kipling's latest lifeboating book Never turn back ref 131172) and now a Virtual' gifts catalogue too. Meanwhile, the season's blockbuster is The guardian, starring Kevin Costner as a US Coast Guard rescue swimmer. Look out for RNLI publicity focused around this film's release.

Liz Cook EditorA global perspective RNLI International Development Manager Gerry Keeling has been named as the first Chief Executive of the new International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF).

The IMRF has evolved from the International Lifeboat Federation (ILF), whose secretariat the RNLI has hosted since 1924. In recent years the 90 or so ILF members have expressed a desire to widen the federation's role and sought greater independence.

By its 2007 conference in Gothenburg, Sweden, the federation will have financial and constitutional independence from the RNLI, although its secretariat will probably continue to be based in Poole.

Veronica Zhao, a secondee from the China Rescue and Salvage Bureau, is providing the administration.

Ready for 2007 yet? The Lifeboat is pleased to announce that the third RNLI SOS day will be on Friday 26 January 2007. Will your school, youth organisation, office or factory colleagues wear their trainers for the day in exchange for a £1/€2 donation? It's all in support of the RNLI's Train one, save many campaign. Contact your area's fundraising office (see page 38) or visit rnli.org.uk/sos to find out how you can get involved.

Above: Sam, Anna and William from Kington St Michael school in Wiltshire getting into the SOS day spirit rnli.org.uk RNLISOSCall answered Readers of the Lifeboat may have received a letter or phone call from the RNLI in June 2006. Its theme was the need to increase income to meet increased demand on the RNLI's services and to ask supporters to set up direct debits to reduce costs. The Lifeboat can now report that the response to this appeal was huge.

RNLI Fundraising and Communications Director David Brann comments: 'We are extremely grateful to all supporters who responded so generously to my letter earlier this year. Along with the efficiency savings the RNLI has managed to make, I am confident that we are well on the way to balancing the RNLI's income and expenditure.'Surf hire safety There are around 500,000 regular surfers in the UK and, in 2005,37% of RNLI lifeguard activity was in response to surfboard and bodyboard incidents. With this in mind, the RNLI's Beach Safety team has begun working with the surfing industry to adopt and promote safer practices, focusing primarily on the surfing hire sector.

One pilot scheme is a joint initiative from RNLI Lifeguards and the British Surfing Association. Initially concentrating on surf hire outlets in Polzeath, Cornwall, the scheme encourages surfers and would-be surfers to look out for the Surf Hire Safety logo. Surf hire outlets displaying the logo will have agreed to only rent equipment suitable to the surfers' ability, and to provide safety information to all customers, check equipment regularly for damage and provide adequate insurance.

RNLI Senior Lifeguard Tony Clarke says: 'It's so easy to hire or buy surfing equipment these days but it's important that you get it from a recognised provider who can offer advice suitable to your ability.' (See page 26 for an example of a surfing rescue.) Outlets and hirers taking part will both get a range of benefits, including promotional material to advertise the scheme in their area, discounted hire equipment and discounted insurance rates. If the pilot is successful the project may be rolled out nationally. For more details visit surfhiresafety.co.uk.A marathon challenge In 2006 the RNLI raised its highest fundraising total ever for the London Marathon - over £150,000 raised in sponsorship from 122 runners.

Following this huge success, the RNLI has decided to go international, and for the first time ever is offering a number of overseas marathon places in 2007.

The RNLI has secured 60 guaranteed charity places in the INC New York Marathon, as well as a limited number of guaranteed places in the Chicago, Berlin, Boston and London Marathons.

For more information on how to run one of these marathons as a member of TEAM RNLI, please contact Heidi Shrimpton on 020 7839 3369 or email [email protected] or visit the official marathon partner Realbuzz website at www.realbuzz.com.

One supporter who went the extra mile for the RNLI is Brian Love (63) from Padstow, Cornwall. Brian ran the London Marathon 2006 for the RNLI as a 'thank you' to the crews who saved his life in 2004. He said: 'I owe my life to the professionalism and training of the RNLI crew at Rock.' Brian's sponsorship has been split between Rock lifeboat station and the Padstow lifeboat station appeal (see page 9).

Three more beaches Woolacombe, Croyde and Blackpool Sands beaches in Devon have been added this Summer to the 59 others already patrolled by RNLI lifeguards. Visitors to these beaches have already benefited from the eagle-eyed vigilance and professional lifesaving skills of both paid and volunteer lifeguards, all trained to the RNLI's exacting standards (see pages 20 and 26).A tOaSt tO the RNLI Why not enjoy some Christmas spirit this year and support the RNLI? Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky, the'Genuine Maritime Malt,' will be sold in special RNLI promotional tubes and £2 from each sale will be donated to the charity.

This Christmas campaign, and donations of their product for fundraising competition prizes, should bring Old Pulteney's total contribution to the RNLI to an impressive £30,000.

lain Baxter of Old Pulteney comments: 'Our company has.

both a rich maritime past and present - we're involved in sailing sponsorship nowadays - so we are delighted to add our support to the RNLI. I hope we can help raise the profile of their fantastic lifesaving work and look forward to a long and productive relationship with the charity.' Look out for the special packs of Old Pulteney in major stores including Waitrose, Sainsbury's, ASDA and Oddbins over the Christmas period.

Reader offer For a limited time, Virgin is offering all readers of the Lifeboat a 'Diamond' balloon flight voucher (rrp £270) for just £ 135. What's more, they will pay the RNLI £5 for every booking made as a result of this promotion. The Diamond flight standard is certainly luxurious and includes: • transport to your launch site • a traditional champagne toast • three to four hours' experience, with approximately one hour in the air • a commemorative certificate signed by Sir Richard Branson and your pilot • balloon flight binoculars, a DVD, a keyring and a pen But you must book before 30 November 2006.

Call 0870 444 2768 quoting'RNLI' or go to: virginballoonflights.co.uk.

Terms and Conditions Offer valid until 30 November 2006 and relates to a Virgin Balloon Flight Diamond Voucher, which is valid for one year from its start date, which you can specify at the time of purchase. Voucher price includes VAT and is £ 135 for one person. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion. This promotion is only open to readers of the Lifeboat and RNLI staff. Payments are made to RNLI (Enterprises) Ltd, which pays all its taxable profits to the RNU, charity registered in England, number 209603. A full copy of Virgin Balloon Flights' voucher terms and conditions is available upon request. Full postal address for Head Office of Virgin Balloon Flights is Jesson House, Stafford Court, Telford, Shropshire,TF3 3BD. Youngsters aged 7-16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Passengers must be at least 4'6" in height. Offer not valid in Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland for flying, but vouchers may be purchased and used for launch sites in England. Scotland and Wales. We are unable to fly pregnant passengers.Paws for thought Lifeboat crews are sometimes called into action to rescue animals - not least, to keep their human owners safe.

One such incident occurred in the Spring in Broughty Ferry, Forfarshire, when Harry, a chocolate-coloured labrador, decided to see what was on the other side of the sea wall. His owner reluctantly called the lifeboat after he realised that he wasn't able to rescue the dog safely himself. For the lifeboat crew, there were training advantages from the rescue, similar to those they would have gained from locating and rescuing a human casualty.

Later two cocker spaniels, Charlie and Archie, astonishingly survived a 30m fall from cliffs when out walking with their owners near Exmouth, Devon. The local lifeboat crew had no trouble persuading them to sit in the lifeboat, but in Newquay, Cornwall, Lifeguard Summa Calaghan realised that another dog, Jasper, hated water and was reluctant to be rescued after he fell from an 18m cliff. Summa paddled her rescue board to the base of the cliff and managed to coax Jasper into her arms. Summa, who is on an RNLI exchange from the lifeguard service in Australia, says it was her first dog rescue, although she has saved a few turtles back home! RNLI advice is that all dog walkers should keep their animals on leads and parents of young children should supervise them closely near cliff tops and paths.Looking glorious in Padstow September 2006 saw the completion of a brand new boathouse and slipway at Trevose Head, Padstow, Cornwall ready for the latest Tamar class all-weather lifeboat.

Building a new lifeboat station raises huge logistical and technical difficulties. In Padstow's case the roads nearby were unsuitable for HGV transportation, so 90% of the building materials had to arrive by sea.

The resultant design, architecture and construction of the distinctively shaped boathouse and slipway took only 14 months to complete but is intended to have a lifespan of more than 50 years. RNLI Shoreworks Manager Howard Richings says:'Construction of any building with its feet in the sea, and exposure to the forces of wind and wave, is a challenging and high-risk enterprise. Design standards have to be top class and inevitably this costs money.' An appeal to raise the £5.5M needed to cover the cost of the new station is still underway and donations are welcome.

Supporters of the appeal include Gloria Hunniford, who visited the station in July.

Gloria explained: 'I have always had a deep fondness for Cornwall and feel close to this very special corner of the country where RNLI volunteer crew members are an important part of the community. I have an immense admiration for their selfless courage and devotion to duty. Rescuing people from the sea and shore demands a very special kind of commitment. I am therefore more than happy to commit my support to this appeal.' The crew at Padstow includes an hotelier, a restaurant owner, a boat builder, a painter and decorator, a sales representative, a digger driver and several fishermen. Some have over 30 years' experience while one prospective crew member is waiting to join on his 17th birthday.

The £2.5M Tamar class Spirit of Padstow was generously funded by the HB Allen Charitable Trust. A life-long supporter of the RNLI, Miss Heather'Mickie'Allen also funded James Burrough, the previous Padstow lifeboat, a relief lifeboat, Mariners Friend, and three shoreworks projects in Padstow and the Isle of Wight. The lifeboats Mickie has funded have launched 436 times, rescuing 450 people..