And yet, just as a long-standing illness cannot be cured at once, but keeps recurring, so there were periods when the smuggling disease kept breaking out and seemed to get worse.  Such a period was that between 1825 and 1843, but it was pointed out to the Treasury that so long as the high duties continued, “Your Lordships must look only to the efficiency of the Coastguard for the continued absence of successful enterprises, and that smuggling would immediately revive upon the slightest symptom of relaxation on the part of the Commissioners of Customs.”  The service was therefore glad to encourage Naval Lieutenants to serve as Chief Officers of the Coastguard.

Among the general instructions issued to the Coastguard of the United Kingdom in 1841, were definite orders to the commanders of cruisers.  Thus, if ever a cruiser ran aground the commander was to report it, with full particulars of the case and extent of damage.  During the summer season the Inspecting Commanders were to take opportunities for trying the comparative speeds of these cruisers.  Whenever cruisers should meet at sea, in any roadstead or in any harbour, they were to hoist their ensigns and pendants as an acknowledgment that each had seen the other; and when both had thus hoisted their colours they might immediately be hauled down.  This was also to be done when one cruiser should pass another at anchor.

Cruisers were again reminded that they were to wear only the ensigns and pendants appointed for the Revenue service, and not such as are used in the Royal Navy.  Nor were salutes to be fired by cruisers except on particular and extraordinary occasions.  It was further ordered that no alteration was to be made in the hull, masts, yards, sails, or any fitments of the cruisers, without the sanction of the Controller-General.  To prevent unnecessary expense on fitting out or refitting of any of the cruisers, the use of leather was to be restricted to the following:  the leathering of the main pendants, runners in the wake of the boats when in tackles, the collar of the mainstay, the nip of the main-sheet block strops, leathering the bowsprint traveller, the spanshackle for the bowsprit, topmast iron, the four reef-earings three feet from the knot.  All old copper, copper-sheathing, nails, lead, iron and other old materials which were of any value, were to be collected and allowed for by the tradesmen who perform the repairs.  New sails were to be tried as soon as received in order to ascertain their fitness.  Both boats and cruisers were also to be painted twice a year, above the water-line, this to be done by the crews themselves.