Wanted: the glamour factor. Surely no problem in the west of Ireland, where a new annual event has been added to the social calendar.
The "Maritime Ball" in aid of the Friends of the Galway Lifeboat is due to take place on October 29th in the Corrib Great Southern Hotel.
Guests of honour include RTE's Derek Davis and the Fine Gael TD and sailor Mr Simon Coveney. The organisers hope to sell 500 tickets at £60 a head.
Mind you, there are conditions, as outlined at the launch of the event last week on the Naval Service flagship, LE Eithne. According to a press release, the organising committee "will bring a well-heeled, party-loving crowd with an age profile of 25 to 60". It quotes chairman Dr Jack McCann, of University College Hospital, Galway, as saying "there is no event which truly celebrates our love of the sea, and we are delighted that the proceeds are going to such a good cause". The ball will be preceded by a champagne reception.
All proceeds will go to the Galway lifeboat, which has a committed voluntary crew on call, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.
The organisers also hope to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. For tickets and bookings, contact (091)568024.