FORMER R.N.L.I. life-boats can be converted into reliable pleasure craft, as many amateur sailors have dis- covered. Demand is keen for life-boats which are no longer required for the Institution's service and a list is kept of prospective buyers who are in- formed when old life-boats come on to the market.

At the present time reserve prices vary from £1,000 to £2,500 according to size and condition. Readers who would like to receive details about the sale of these life-boats should apply to the Superintendent of Depot, RoyalNational Life-boat Institution, Bore- ham Wood, Hertfordshire.

The active station life of a life-boat is usually about 20 to 25 years. When they are relieved by new craft the old life-boats, with certain exceptions, enter the reserve fleet.

Life-boats in the reserve fleet are used as temporary replacements for station life-boats which are under- going survey or are being repaired.

A definite complement is laid down for the reserve fleet and as new boats enter it the older ones become re- dundant and are sold out of the service..