Letters To add your opinion, write to The Editor at RNLI Headquarters or email [email protected] Dear Editor My father and I witnessed the whole incident reported in ‘Between a rock and an angry sea’ in the LifeboatWinter 2006/07.

The RNLI lifeguards were incredible, repeatedly bringing their rescue boat into 1–2m surf only metres from the rocks. The most impressive part was watching them going back out: at times their boat was vertical as it powered through the surf.

Afterwards, we and two other men helped the catamaran’s owner to move it some 30m over the rocks until it was up under the cliff and above high water.We took the mast up the cliff to our house and then via trailer back round to Rock. The following day the boat owner was able to retrieve the cat with only superficial damage – she was certainly in no way ‘unsalvageable’ as stated in the article, which considering the state of the sea and the battering she had on the rocks was amazing.

All in all, the experience was quite exciting, but also very humbling as we are sailors ourselves but had decided against going out on that day – it certainly showed how quickly things can go wrong, in this case from something as simple as a torn jib. Charlie Goodliffe Polzeath,Cornwall Dear Editor Reading the latest issue of the Lifeboat I saw a face from my past – Henry Blogg, former Coxswain of the Cromer lifeboat.

During the Second World War, I was in the Royal Naval Patrol Service as a gunman on an old smokey joe trawler, minesweeping around ‘the hump’ between Great Yarmouth and Cromer. Convoys were constantly under attack by E boats and we would sweep among the debris. If we picked up bodies, alive or dead, we turned them over to the lifeboat, as we had to carry on with our sweep. I didn’t know the Coxswain’s name until we saw it in the newspaper after one of his many decorations. The next time we met, our skipper gave him a bottle of whisky! I have had several nostalgic thoughts since seeing the photograph but I am also full of admiration for those who, even in these modern times, live lives of such dedication, and all for free. At 90, I give what I can, little and often. Yours thankfully Arthur Roylance Blackpool, Lancashire The Editor comments: See page 2 for more news of the RNLI’s Henry Blogg museum.Dear Editor We keep on hearing about the high demand for the RNLI's services together with requests for more funds but I wonder how the ‘recipients’ respond? If someone saved me, or a member of my family or friends, I would make a donation at the very least and when I found out it was a voluntary organisation would become a member to help others. It would be interesting to know whether during a period of record launchings how many of those rescued feel the same way. Yours faithfully Ernest Duckett RNLI Life Governor Giffnock, Glasgow The Editor comments: This is something about which many of our readers wonder.

The RNLI’s Service information section tells us that, alongside the official report of each and every incident, rescuees are given the opportunity to give their own account using a preprinted form. They can describe how they got into trouble and give feedback on the actions of their rescuers. See page 33 for two grateful survivors.

As to money, some rescuees will spontaneously donate on scene.

Others will show their thanks much later perhaps by sending a one-off donation, setting up a gift in their Will, or even holding a fundraising event, but often with no mention of why. Their family and friends may also react, but again not necessarily with an explanation and sometimes anonymously – there is often much embarrassment at being rescued! All in all it is impossible to put a figure on donations or subscriptions received as a direct result of a rescue. Dear Editor Unlike Mr Long (the Lifeboat letters,Winter 2006/07) I don’t know anyone who has needed the services of the RNLI. I don’t own a boat and my only regular ventures to sea are onboard ferries. Despite this, I have been an RNLI Governor for some years. This is not out of a misguided need for ‘status’ but because I think RNLI volunteers represent the best in altruism. There is also the minor point that, if there was anything contentious needing a vote, I could have my say.

At present I can afford the level of subscription that gives me this right but retirement is looming. One of the first things I am going to reassess is subscriptions, especially those that require an annual payment. I wonder how many RNLI supporters would welcome the opportunity to make monthly contributions, perhaps by Direct Debit? Yours sincerely Clive French Beith,Ayrshire The Editor comments: The Lifeboat is pleased to report that the RNLI welcomes subscriptions and donations by Direct Debit, whether monthly, quarterly or annually. As well as spreading the cost for each supporter, regular giving by Direct Debit allows the charity to plan its finances, and therefore its work, more confidently and accurately. See opposite for contact details to set up regular payments. Dear Editor We had a great time at our school, supporting RNLI SOS day on 26 January 2007.

Not all of us wore trainers – some children wore wellies (like the lifeboat crew do), riding boots or the shoes that are also roller skates.

Our Head Teacher, Miss Dean, greeted us wearing two different trainers, which made us laugh, and Mrs Hobster our School Secretary came to work in her fluffy slippers.

In the afternoon it was Team Time when all the classes get mixed up.We had a quiz on the work of the RNLI and when it’s safe and not safe to play on the beach and in the sea.

We really did enjoy ourselves on the RNLI’s special day and we hope our donation of £100 will help. From the children of Gosfield Community Primary School Halstead, Essex The Editor comments: The RNLI hopes to receive up to £300,000 from schools, businesses and individuals involved in SOS day around the UK and RoI.Why not put the next RNLI SOS day in your diaries now: Friday 25 January 2008? Also see rnli.org.uk/shorething, the RNLI’s website for young people, parents and teachers. Some characters from the RNLI’s Shorething! website Can you help? Are you a trained, experienced journalist or writer, with a passion for the sea and the RNLI – and some spare time? If so, please contact the Editor to discuss how you might contribute to the range of RNLI publications. Dear Editor I write to say how pleased I was to read that the ‘powers that be’ have come to their senses and conceded that all fuel for lifeboats will be VAT free. It is a great pity that this concession was not granted from an earlier date and it is to be hoped that the same powers will not be as dilatory in relieving from VAT the various areas you itemise in connection with saving lives at sea. Yours very sincerely WLR Reed Cobham, Surrey The Editor comments: This was one of dozens of such letters and emails received following our article.You may wish to petition the UK Government directly at http:petitions.pm.gov.uk/Charities/ to remove the RNLI and other charities from liability for the high amount of VAT they must still pay on a range of other items. Dear Editor Over the past decade I have had a regular crew of about 20 pals who come sailing with me onboard my Stag 28 yacht Arkaroola from Lymington.We set up a schedule at the beginning of the year as to who will be sailing on which weekend and it is very frustrating when a crew member drops out at the last minute. I used to dissuade this with a punishment of walking the plank or keelhauling, but I was losing too many good crew … I therefore introduced a penalty system where a fine of £10 has to be paid to the RNLI. In this way, I keep to a minimum the number of crew dropping out at the last minute while also raising funds for a worthy cause. Other skippers in a similar situation may want to give it a try! Best wishes Ben Mitchell by email Corrections In the Winter 2006/07 account of Barra Island crew’s Bronze Medal service to the yacht Vijaya we wrongly labelled the wind direction arrow in the accompanying diagram as easterly when it should have been westerly, forgetting that winds are described by the direction they come from, tidal streams by the direction they go to.

In our list of Atlantic 85 lifeboats to come into service during 2006, we included B-808 at Walmer and incorrectly named her Arthur Donald McLauchlan. This should have been simply Donald McLauchlan.

The former Deputy Launching Authority and Crew Member at Helensburgh listed in our Deaths column should have been Rob Hyslop not Hislop. Reader information Introducing the RNLI The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is a registered charity that saves lives at sea. It was founded in 1824 as the National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck.

Today, it provides the 24-hour on-call search and rescue service out to 100 nautical miles from the coast of the UK and RoI; on the tidal reaches of the River Thames; and on selected inland waterways plus a seasonal lifeguard service on appropriate beaches in the south and south west of England. (See page 18 for a map of the service as of May 2006.) The RNLI is independent from Government and continues to rely on voluntary contributions and legacies for its income. How to support the RNLI You can help save lives by becoming a regular supporter of the RNLI. There are three adult grades of support: Shoreline, Offshore (for those who use the sea themselves) and Governor. Governors may vote at the RNLI’s annual general meeting. Storm Force is the RNLI’s membership club for children.

Contact the RNLI’s Supporter Care team for more information and to set up payments: telephone 0845 121 4999, email [email protected] or write to them at Headquarters (see below) quoting LBM579.

The Lifeboat is the RNLI’s supporter magazine. Blind and partially sighted readers can choose to receive an audio-tape version as well – this is a free service.

To advertise in the Lifeboat, contact Laura Gibbs at Madison Bell Ltd on 01225 465060 or email [email protected].

Offshore members, and those Governors who opt to, receive Offshore News as well, in April, July and October.

Storm Force members receive Storm Force News quarterly. Minimum annual subscription rates For general enquiries contact Headquarters: telephone 0845 122 6999, email [email protected], or write to RNLI,West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ.

UK RoI Shoreline single £24 €34 Shoreline joint £42 €60 Offshore single £60 €86 Offshore joint £102 €146 Governor single £72 €103 Governor joint £120 €172 Life Governor £1,750 €2,512 (One-off payment) Storm Force £7.50 €10.50 children’s club .