Lifeboats Do Noble Work

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 4, 5 January 1940, Page 9

Lifeboats Do Noble Work

HEAVIER DEMANDS CAUSED BY WAR (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Jan. 2. The exceptionally heavy demands made upon the services of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution during the past four months owing to the brutal and indiscriminate uso of mines and torpedoes by Germany are reflected in a review published to-day of the, year’s work of this great voluntary society. The institution, which maintains a fleet of lifeboats and life-saving apparatus round the British coasts and is served by fishermen crews, is entirely supported by voluntary contributions. During 1939 a total of 1356 lives were saved, constituting a record in the history of the institution, the previous holiest figure being 1348 in 1917. In- order to effoct these rescues lifeboats were launched 077 times.- Most of theso launches and the consequent rescues were effected during the waf. Since September 2 the boats havo been out 411 times and rescued 1101 persons, being an average of 64 each war week. Twenty-four medals .for gallantry were awarded during the'year to members of the lifeboat crews. The institution put into service 17 new motor lifeboats during the year and there are now 145 of theso and 15 sailing lifeboats stationed round the British and Irish coasts.