Spring 1995 International Lifeboat Conference Silver and Vellum Services Sea Safety Initiative Last Yean Legacies Helped Us Launch Over 5,000 Times
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Journal of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution Volume 53 Number 531 The Lifeboat Spring 1995 International Lifeboat Conference Silver and Vellum services Sea Safety Initiative Last yean legacies helped us launch over 5,000 times Isnft that worth remembering? As a voluntary organisation, we rely on your generosity to launch our rescue missions and help bring our lifeboat crews safely home. Last year, legacies funded over 60% of the RNLI's income. Providing our courageous volunteers with a vital lifeline of lifeboats, equipment and protective clothing. As a result more than 1,400 lives were saved. We certainly think that's something to remember Royal National L^ V Institution If you would like more information about leaving a legacy to the RNLI (including our recommended wording), please contact: Mr Anthony Oliver, Dept. CFRL51, RNLI West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ. KciMoli.Tt.-d Charm No ;iwhli! The Spring 1995 Lifeboat RNLI News 290 What's happening in and around the Institution Royal National ^"5^A^ International Call... 292 Edward Wake- Walker on the 1995 International Lifeboat Lifeboat Conference in Uruguay Institution Lifeboat Services 294 Contents A Silver medal and six Vellums in three services... Volume 53 A Stitch in Time 30O Number 531 Mike Floyd looks at the Institution's Sea Safety Initiative Chairman: Membership News 3O2 SIR MICHAEL VERNON for Shoreline, Governors and Storm Force members Director and Secretary: LT CDR BRIAN MILES CUE RD FNI RNR Bookshelf 303 Some new books about lifeboats and other matters of interest Your Letters 304 Editor: MIKE FLOYD Editorial Assistant: MARY GYOPARI Your views on all aspects of lifeboats and related subjects 1994 Awards 306 Advertisement Manager: Awards to Coxswains, Crew Members and Shore Helpers DAVID BRANN Classified Advertisements: MARION BARDSLEY Lifeboat Services 3O8 August, September and October 1994 Past and Present 311 Headquarters: From THE LIFEBOAT of 1920 and one of today's lifeboatwomen Royal National Lifeboat Institution. West Quay Road. Poole. The Fundraisers 312 Dorset BH15 1HZ. How some of the money is raised Telephone Poole (01202) 671 133 Telex 4 1328. Registered Charity No. 209603 People and Places 318 Around and about the RNLI Next Issue: The Summer issue of THE LIFEBOAT: THE LIFEBOAT is pub- COVER PICTURE THE LIFEBOAT will appear in July 1995, lished four times a year and is sent free and news items should be received by to RNLI members and Governors. by Colin Watson 12 May 1995, but earlier if possible. For further information on how to join All material submitted for considera- the Institution as a Member or Governor Clogher Head's Mersey tion with a view to publication should contact the Membership section at RNLI class lifeboat Doris Bleasdale be addressed to the Editor, THE LIFEBOAT, Headquarters, West Quay Road, Poole, punches through a steep sea Royal National Lifeboat Institution, West Dorset BH151HZ. in nasty conditions on her Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ. home patch. Photographs intended for return should be accompanied by a stamped, Printed by the Friary Press, Bridport Road, Dorchester, Dorset addressed envelope. 289 NEWS NEWS Knighthood Open days in 1995 at... for RNLI ... most lifeboat stations ...Poole headquarters Most of the RNLI's 214 lifeboat stations will be Every two years the RNLI headquarters and Chairman holding an Open Day on Sunday 28 May 1995 depot at Poole is thrown open to visitors for - the late May Bank Holiday. two days at the end of July. The RNLFs chairman became This provides a great opportunity for any- This year Open Days will be held on Friday Sir Michael Vernon when he one with an interest in the lifeboat service to 28 July and Saturday 29 July, when visitors was made a Knight Bachelor visit either their local, or favourite, station to will be able to see the Institution's latest life- in the Queen's New Year Hon- boats, watch demonstrations and displays and ours list in recognition of his meet the lifeboat crews and examine boats and equipment in detail. take tours of the headquarters building. services to the Institution. The headquarters building and depot will Sir Michael joined the In past years several stations have opened their doors during this Bank Holiday but this is be open from 10am to 6pm on both Friday and RNLI's Committee of Manage- the first year when virtually every station has Saturday. RNLI headquarters is close to Poole ment in 1963, and became a participated. railway station, and limited car parking is avail- Vice President in 1975, Deputy Stations which are not opening include able on site. Chairman in 1980 and Chair- Arbroath, Stornaway, Stromness, Thurso and Further details will be provided in the Sum- man in June 1989. Wick while Rosslare, Rye Harbour, Hastings, mer issue of THE LIFEBOAT, which is published in NEWSPOINT Ramsgate and Eastbourne are uncertain. early July. Lymington will not be opening on 28 May The tragic loss of two crew from but will be open on Bank Holiday Monday, 29 ...and Chatham the German rescue cruiser May instead. AlfriedKrupp recorded on these Anyone making a long journey and who The collection of historic lifeboats which was pages was the subject of a pa- moved to Chatham Historic Dockyard from per at the recent International would like to check whether a station is open should either call the station direct (telephone the now-closed Bristol museum will be open Lifeboat Conference, and serves for viewing on several weekends during 1995. to remind us all that despite great number in the local directory) or contact the advances in technology the sea Public Relations Department at Poole Head- Although the display is far from complete is indeed a harsh mistress. visitors will be able to view up to 14 lifeboats in quarters on (01202) 671133. The loss is felt across na- the No. 4 covered slip at tional borders, reinforcing the Chatham on the weekends of 27 International Lifeboat Federa- and 28 May, 24 and 25 June and tion's role in ensuring that infor- The Annual Meetings mation is shared between every 12 and 13 August. The collec- nation's lifeboat service - vol- tion may also be open for view- untary and state-run. The Con- A final reminder that the RNLI's Annual General Meet- ing on 16 and 17 September, sub- ference (reported on page 292) ing and Annual Presentation of Awards will be at a new ject to confirmation. Volunteers also examined the Estonia Ro- venue in 1995. Ro ferry disaster, to ensure that will be on hand to provide infor- lessons learned in the resulting Both meetings will be at the Barbican Hall in the City mation. SAR operation can be heeded of London on Thursday 18 May, the AGM starting at 1130 Please note that although the internationally. and the APA at 1430. Historic Dockyard will be open Safety must always be the The AGM is restricted to Governors of the Institution throughout the season the life- over-riding consideration, and but the APA is open to any interested party. Admission is the RNLI has never shied away boat collection is inaccessible ex- from making difficult decisions by ticket only and the last day for applications was 31 cept on the dates given above. when they are needed-for there March 1995. Tickets are being despatched in early April The Historic Dockyard is a are no second chances at sea. and any queries should be addressed to the AGM Office magnificent setting for the life- It is therefore particularly gall- at the RNLI's Poole headquarters. boats, telling the story of ing that the facts of a recent and well-publicised incident, involv- wooden warship construction ing four Cornish lifeboatmen on and the history of the yard. a fundraising event, were not fully explained by some parts of Jolly good show the media. The RNLI's stand at steering position from memory of two yachts- Two awards went A decision - logical, sensi- January's London In- a Trent class lifeboat men murdered in An- to the BBC, the broad- | ble and fully justifiable - was j reported in some quarters in a ternational Boat Show was a good crowd- tigua. cast media award to way which lent credence to the proved to be highly puller, with a 'video The central stage '999', and the special old adage of never letting the successful, in terms of wall' showing pictures was used to gain expo- group effort award to facts get in the way of a good both fundraising and of heavy seas in front of sure for the launch of 'Blue Peter'. story. public awareness. it realistic enough to the RNLI's 'Safety on Motor Boat and j Fortunately such events are rare, and most of the media re- The position of the test the sealegs! the Sea' booklet and for Yachting took the ports the RNLI's activities factu- stand was close to Several cheques the Public Relations printed media award ally, recognising the difficulty of ideal, and sales of sou- were presented during awards. The awards, and Derek Calder- its work, and supporting the venirs were up by the show, including made for contributions wood, honorary cura- whole organisation, for although some 25% on 1994 with £66,000 from the Royal to publicity for the In- tor of the Grace Dar- the crews do not seek publicity media exposure is the lifeblood membership receipts Bank of Scotland, stitution, were pre- ling Museum, the au- I of fundraising. also substantially up. £10,500 from the For- sented by Richard dio-visual and display A complete upper esters and £11,000 in Stilgoe.