EVERYTHING associated with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution speaks of generosity of spirit and the willingness to put the welfare of others before self-interest or even personal safety.

This is obvious at the level of the volunteer crews who man RNLI vessels around Britain’s coasts. Crewmen and women, including those in Jersey, are ready to put to sea in the most appalling conditions when lives are at stake. They are, moreover, willing to do this without any thought of reward.

It is, however, clear that the work of RNLI personnel and vessels does not go unrecognised – particularly in this Island, where the institution is not only deeply respected but also widely supported.

Clear evidence of this comes in the shape of the success of the appeal to raise £2.7 million for a new Tamar-class lifeboat to replace the present St Helier vessel, the Tyne-class Sir Alexander Coutanche. The target has been reached with time to spare and the new boat is expected to be on station in April.

This, of course, will be due to the generosity of all those who have contributed to the appeal, including major donors whose lump sums have made so much difference.

Notable among the contributors is the trust set up to commemorate the life of the late Major George Langford Sullivan, who lived in Jersey until his death in 2005. The trust has just donated £550,000 and, fittingly, the new vessel will be named in Major Sullivan’s honour.

It will be with regret that Islanders witness the departure of the Sir Alexander Coutanche, which has served the RNLI, its crews and those in peril on the sea so well. Testimony to the vessel and crew’s effectiveness comes in the shape of the 64 call-outs handled last year, a record for the St Helier base.

But in spite of the nostalgia which will attend the departure of our present vessel, it has to be acknowledged that the replacement will present a number of advantages. These will include superior speed and equipment, but, most importantly, those who go to sea to help others will do so with increased margins of comfort and, above all, safety.

Congratulations to the fund-raisers of the RNLI on this impressive and important achievement.