THE JOURNAL OF THE RNLI Volume XLVI Number 467 Spring 1979 25p Functional protection with the best weather clothing in the world Functional Clothing is ideal for work or leisure and gives all weather comfort and protection. The "Airflow" Coat and Jackets are outer clothing which provide wind and waterproof warmth Our claim of true all-weather comfort in them is made possible by Functional 'Airflow' a unique patented method of clothing construction Outer & One Foamliner is fitted within lining Coat and Jackets but a second one may Removable Foamliner fabric* ol be inserted for severe cold wind and within waterproof Airflow" JACKET & CONTOUR HOOD The "foam sandwich" "Airflow" the coated principle forms three layers of air garment nylon between the outer and lining fabrics, insulating and assuring warmth without weight or bulk There is not likely to be condensation unless the foam is unduly compressed FUNCTIONAL supplies the weather ROYAL NATIONAL clothing of the United Kingdom LIFE BOAT INSTITUTION Television Industry, the R.N.L.I. and leaders in constructional Letter from Assistant Superintendent (stores) and off-shore oil activity Your company's protective clothing has now been on extensive evaluation.... and I am pleased to advise that the crews of our offshore boats have found the clothing warm, comfortable and a considerable improvement. The issue.... is being extended to all of our offshore life-boats as replacements are required r 75 -*, * Please send me a copy ot your | COLD WEATHER JACKET SEAGOING OVERTROUSERS A body garment g catalogue | 0 20p from personal enquirers | * Name _ * DIRECT FROM MANUFACTURER • Position _ t Company _ 1 % • *» Address I FUNCTIONAL \ • ! FUNCTIONAL CLOTHING ^ A^ • Dept 24 20 Chepstow Street * Manchester Ml 5JF 20 CHEPSTOW STREET MANCHESTER Ml 5JF 061-236 2606 and at 9 Alfred Place London WC1E 7EB 01 580 4906 THE LIFEBOAT Spring 1979 /~*\ .— y» x ft.^ 4- Q Notes of the Quarter, by Patrick Howarth Ill Nigel Dixon: 'We give thanks for his life' 112 Volum•17 i e XLV-\7--r -\ 7IT Lifeboat Services 113 r^iit-r-ifipr- A,f\~l Clacton-on-Sea: Celebration of a centenary year, by Jack Froom 119 Lifeboats of the World: Part I—European organisations, by Eric Middleton 120 Lifeboat People 123 Chairman: MAJOR-GENERAL R. H. FARRANT, CB Lleyn Peninsula: Abersoch, Criccieth, Porthdinllaen and Pwllheli, by Joan Davies 124 Acting Director and Secretary: JOHN R. ATTERTON, MBE " Seaham station closes 127 Shoreline 128 Building a Rother Class Lifeboat: Part XI—Fitting out 129 Managing Laitor: PATR.CK HOWARTH Here ^ There 13Q JOAN"DAVIES London International Boat Show 1979 131 Some Ways of Raising Money 132 Headquarters: Royal National Life-boat Institution, Letters 136 West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ (Telephone Poole 71133). Awards to Coxswains, Crews and Shore Helpers 138 Offshore Lifeboat Services, September, October and November 1978 ... 141 London Office: Royal National Life-boat Institution, Inshore Lifeboat Services, September, October and November 1978 .... 142 21 Ebury Street, London SW1W OLD (Telephone 01-730 0031). Index to Advertisers 144 COVER PICTURE Editorial: All material submitted for Advertisements: All advertising consideration with a view to publica- enquiries should be addressed to In this issue there are reports of four inshore tion in the journal should be addressed Dyson Advertising Services, PO Box 9, lifeboat services to people cut off by the tide to the editor, THE LIFEBOAT, Royal Godalming, Surrey (Telephone or trapped in cliffs or caves; it is a type of National Life-boat Institution, West Godalming (04868) 23675). service for which ILBs are admirably suited Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ but which may have to be carried out in hazardous conditions. Here is a photograph (Telephone Poole 71133). Photographs taken of Whitby D class ILB when she was intended for return should be accom- Subscription: A year's subscription of launched on June 5, 1977, to help a man cut panied by a stamped and addressed four issues costs £1.40, including post- off below cliffs by the rising tide. A very envelope. age, but those who are entitled to heavy breaking swell, estimated at 7 to 8 receive THE LIFEBOAT free of charge feet, was breaking along the shore. This will continue to do so. Overseas, sub- service, for which the thanks of the Institu- scriptions depend on the cost of post- tion inscribed on vellum were accorded to Next issue: the summer issue of THE age to the country concerned. Helmsman Michael Coates and Crew Mem- bers Brian Hodgson and Anthony Easton, LIFEBOAT will appear in July and news was reported in full in the winter 1977/78 items should be sent by the end of issue of THE LIFEBOAT. The photograph was April. News items for the autumn issue Printers: The Friary Press, Dorchester, taken by D. Barton. should be sent in by the end of July. Dorset. 109 Glanvill Enthoven INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE BROKERS As specialists in marine insurance for over 75 years, we are extremely proud that our clients include the Royal National Life-boat Institution. Glanvill s marine service covers both hull and cargo insurance as well as their attendant liabilities for shipowners and users of shipping throughout the world. For more information please phone 01-283 4622 or write to Glanvill Enthoven & Co. Limited, 144 Leadenhall Street, London EC3P 3BJ. Now available (FARNBOROUGH)LTD RNLI SAVE LIVES WE SAVE YOU MONEY ON ALL NEW LEYLAND CARS (Normally over 100 in stock) Special on-the-road prices and we will donate an extra £25.00 to the RNLI for every new vehicle purchased by a SHORELINE MEMBER. Part exchanges welcome. LIFEBOAT VC Finance and leasing arranged. The Story of Coxswain Dick Evans Delivery England and Wales a pleasure. and His Many Rescues Ian Skidmore £4.95 Contact us now for a SUPERDEAL. He has received a standing ovation at the Guildhall in London, and appeared on 'This is Your Life'. He is (Agents for Dixon-Bate Towbars.) not a film star but a man who has worked at his job in Anglesey for half a century and only recently retired as active lifeboatman with the Moelfre lifeboat. The Tel: Farnborough (0252) 41345 only man to have won two- RNLI gold medals, he has much to say, in his modest way, about the human 116FARNBOROUGH RD experience as well as the seamanship involved in saving FARNBOROUGH lives. HANTS Available from all good booksellers or direct from DAVID & CHARLES, NEWTON ABBOT, DEVON no Arun class lifeboat had ever experi- lifeboat officials are full of admiration enced. She was struck by what was for the manner in which their col- described as 'a solid wall of water' leagues in rescue helicopters have been estimated at between 30 and 35 feet. carrying out dangerous and exacting Nearly all the crew were injured and tasks. Unfortunately the successes of damage was done to the lifeboat's mast these helicopters have led to some not and searchlight. Coxswain John Jack very well informed public comments, tore a ligament in his leg and the second in which suggestions have been made coxswain, Hugh Scott, had a badly that much of the work of lifeboats can broken ankle. and should be taken over by The worst storms in January 1978 helicopters. occurred on the east coast from the All those with first hand experience Humber to North Foreland. This New know that the two types of rescue craft, Year. too. the east coast of England the lifeboat and the helicopter, are in was the scene of some of the worst many respects complementary, and a damage. At Clacton the doors of the similar view is taken in other countries. main lifeboat house and those of the The United States has always been ILB house needed extensive repairs ahead of the rest of the world in and the tipping cradle was distorted. At helicopter development ever since Igor NOTES OF Walton the pier which gave access to Sikorsky, the Russian who settled in the lifeboat berth was washed away. the United States in 1919. began his THE QUARTER Seaham and Sheringham were other pioneer experiments. The United east coast stations to suffer damage to States Coast Guard, a highly efficient their installations, and in the south body which is not starved of funds, west of England repair work had to be operates both the lifeboat and helicop- by Patrick Howarth done at The Lizard-Cadgwith. Lyme ter rescue services around the coasts of Regis. Penlee and Sennen Cove. the United States. In spite of all the For sound financial reasons the progress made in American helicopter THE DEATH of Captain Nigel Dixon was RNLI carries its own insurance, and design and construction the US Coast a serious and sudden loss to the RNLI. the cost of putting right all the damage Guard not only continues to operate a He became Secretary of the Institution. which occurred will once again run into large lifeboat fleet but builds numerous a title which was later altered to that of many thousands of pounds. new lifeboats. It would hardly do so if Director, at a difficult time in 1970. Not the lifeboat was likely to be obsoles- long after he took over the Fraserhurgh cent in the foreseeable future. lifeboat disaster occurred. Following so soon after the I.onghope disaster, Closure of a station this led many people to question the It is always sad when a lifeboat is quality of RNI.I lifeboats and there was withdrawn from a station, but this is a considerable public controversy. The price which has to be paid for the Committee of Management began a maintenance of an up-to-date fleet, reappraisal of its policy and decided on including faster lifeboats with greater a major boat-building programme with range, and for a policy of flexibility.