1964 WAS a record year with more launches by rescue craft of the R.N.L.I. than ever before. In 1965 a similar pattern seems to be developing. In two of the three months covered by this edition of THE LIFE-BOAT records were again established. It was the busiest April and the busiest June life-boats have ever known. In April there were 90 launches compared with 53 launches a year earlier and a previous record figure of 77 in 1941. In June there were 98 launches compared with 81 in June last year and a previous record of 93 in 1963. In a summer which grew progressively worse as the weeks went by demands on the life-boat crews were not only numerous but in many cases arduous. Conditions were not infrequently comparable with those to be expected in the winter months.

DUNKIRK ANNIVERSARY The part played by the Ramsgate and Margate life-boats during the evacuation of Dunkirk in 19405 when they brought 3,400 men off the beaches, was commemorated by a visit to Dunkirk by two life-boats during the Whitsun week-end. One of these boats was the present Ramsgate life-boat, Michael and Lily Davis, 346-foot 9-inch Watson boat built in 1953. The other was the former Aldeburgh life-boat Lucy Lovers, a 35-foot 6-inch Liverpool boat which took part in the Dunkirk evacuation when she was manned by personnel of the Royal Navy. This life-boat is now in the reserve fleet. Members of past and present Margate and Ramsgate crews manned the boats. One of them was Mr.

Jack Hawke of Ramsgate, who was himself at Dunkirk with the old Ramsgate life-boat in 1940 and is now aged 79.

The visit was organized by the Sunday Times and a large number of small craft took part, forming a colourful picture both as they crossed the Channel and in Duflkirk harbour. The life-boat crews followed a detachment of the Royal Navy in a march through the streets of Dunkirk to the Allied War Memorial, where a service of commemoration was held. Among visitors to the life-boats were the British Ambassador to France, Sir Patrick Reilly, with the Naval and Air Attaches; members of the Dunkirk life-boat crew; and representatives of the Sunday Times and the B.B.C.

DISTRICT CHANGES A number of changes have been made in the districts into which the country is divided for the purpose of raising funds for the Institution. The Scottish, Irish, Welsh and London districts are unaffected. One effect of the changes will be to add five life-boat stations to the Midlands district which up till now has included only the Skegness station. The new stations now included in the Midlands district are Caister, Cromer, Great Yarmouth & Gorleston, Sheringham and Wells. The counties of Norfolk, Huntingdonshire and part of Cambridgeshire are added to the Midlands district. Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire are transferred from the Midlands to the North East; Derbyshire from the Midlands to the North West and Gloucestershire from the Midlands to the South West. Berkshire and Oxfordshire are transferred from the South West to the South East.

These changes take effect from ist October.

NEW LIFE-BOAT FILM An admirable film which runs for 37 minutes telling the story of a life-boat station has been made for the British Iron and Steel Federation by Interfilm Ltd. It is entitled "Against the Tide" and was produced by Geoffrey Sumner.

The film was shot at Teesmouth and describes the close link between a life-boat station and a steel works. The part of the coxswain of the life-boat, who is also a foreman at the steel works, is played by Ewen Solon whom television viewers will remember as Sergeant Lucas in the Maigret series. Michael Brennan appears as the bowman of the life-boat who is also the plant manager. Other leading parts are played by Jean Aubrey and John Collin. The film is now available to branches of the Institution. Orders for it should be sent to 42, Grosvenor Gardens.

NEW 70-FOOT LIFE-BOATS At the time of going to press the first of the new yo-foot life-boats has nearly been completed at Messrs. Yarrow's yard on Clydeside. This life-boat, which will be larger and faster than any at present in the service of the Institution, will later go on extensive trials round the coasts of Britain and Ireland. A full description of the new boat will appear in the December number. A second yo-foot life-boat is more than half completed at the same yard.

JOURNAL ADVERTISEMENTS Readers of the present and last number of THE LIFE-BOAT may have observed that there has been a substantial increase in the number of advertisements appearing. This is the result of an intensive drive made necessary by the large increases in the costs of printing and distributing the JOURNAL. We believe that with a circulation of over 35,000 THE LIFE-BOAT will prove a rewarding medium to the new advertisers and it is hoped that more will follow their example.

THE LIFE-BOAT FLEET 148 life-boats 48 inshore boats LIVES SAVED 86,007 from fhe Institution's foundation in 1824 to 30th June, 1965.