The year was notable also for the large number of lives rescued from foreign vessels. In the midst of war the life-boat service has never forgotten its undertaking to rescue all in peril at sea, whatever their nationality. There were launches to 137 foreign vessels belonging to 16 different countries during the year. Life-boats rescued from them 445 lives. They rescued as many lives from foreign vessels alone during this year of war as the total number they rescue in a year of peace..