Keep our launches!
In response to Christopher Hansen’s comment last issue, please do not give up the lifeboat launchings summary. You can’t possibly feature more than a very few high-profile rescues in detail. But every single launching represents some people’s volunteer effort. And so I think every single launching deserves to be put on public record.

Please continue to give thousands of your supporters – dare I say the majority? – the pleasure of handling your well-produced paper magazine as they read the RNLI stories, features, advertising. Of course the launchings can go on the website, lots of room for that and more there. But I am one of many people who work on computers to earn their living and who do not want to spend their leisure hours staring at a screen.

The Lifeboat as it is makes inspiring reading – the Winter 2011–12 issue especially, with the two contrasted stories from December 1981, the Bonita rescue and the Solomon Browne disaster. Please, whatever else you do, keep the printed magazine going out to your supporters, essentially as it is.
Michael Loughridge

Please keep your listings of launches. It’s one of the most interesting pages in your very interesting magazine. It’s fascinating to compare up North with down South West as the weather moves around and launchings are necessary in deteriorating conditions in different regions. Living near the sea I am fascinated watching the changing conditions, and as a Shoreline Member support and admire all the brave crews who are prepared to keep others safe.
Joan Johnson

I always read the listings of launches, looking particularly at those close to where I live or am staying at the time, or indeed those near to family or friends living on the coast.
Penny Taylor

Each magazine, I look to see how the lifeboats and stations I have visited have got on. This year I was on holiday in Newquay and watched the 25 September rescue. To me it shows lifeboating is a 24/7 job as, while I enjoyed a week’s holiday, Newquay lifeboat crew launched 9 times.
Cath Swann
Birmingham

Those pages tell me what the RNLI has been doing for the quarter, and how worthwhile my tiny support is to the lives of seafarers. Your many articles are always of interest, but one glance at those pages shows why I support you. Please keep them.
Frank Nance

These pages give us clear useful information of where we can find lifeboat stations if we are travelling near the coast, which type of boat we may see if we visit the stations, and the number of launches they have made.
Gordon and Joan Smith

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The above letters and emails are only a small selection from one of our largest postbags ever – almost all of you want Launches to remain. We have taken note of your suggestions for improvement too and hope you find the map on page 44 useful as a first step.

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On the night of Monday 19 September 2011 it was necessary to summon urgent medical assistance. We are writing to express our sincere gratitude to the St Davids RNLI crew for coming to our rescue and for the calm and professional way they took charge of the situation.

A 65-year-old residential volunteer was taken ill at 9.23pm. He was receiving oxygen from the lifeboat crew by 10pm and removed from the island within 20 minutes.

Considering the slippery and rocky conditions underfoot, the crew did a very safe and professional job of carrying the casualty from the farmhouse into the harbour and onto the lifeboat. We have nothing but admiration for the way that the boat was manoeuvred safely into harbour in the dark and rain for the transfer.

This is the first time in our 6 years of being wardens that we have had to request assistance but we are always thankful to have the lifeboat station as our nearest neighbour. If there is anything that we can ever be of assistance with please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Greg and Lisa Morgan
RS PB Ramsey Island Wardens, Pembrokeshire

Last Autumn, my father Roy Connor died. He was a lifelong supporter of the RNLI and had been a member of the fundraising committee in Newport. The interest my father had in the RNLI rubbed off on all the family and wherever we go, we always make a point of visiting the local station.

Following his death the committee sent a touching letter to my mother explaining how his fundraising exploits would be sorely missed. We decided that in lieu of flowers at his funeral we would ask people to donate money to the RNLI. I am pleased to say that in total we collected £228. I know my father would be so pleased.
John Connor
Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taff

After reading Friends of the RNLI [see page 45] I notice you do not mention the Co-op. Perhaps people do not realise they can donate their ‘divi’ to charity – in my case of course the RNLI.
Eileen Sang
Newent, Gloucestershire

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Let us know of any other easy ways to support your favourite
charity.

To add your shout, especially any stories that might fit our Then and Now section (see page 48), write to the Editor at [email protected] or RNLI Headquarters, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ. Letters may be edited for length or clarity.