Conference 155) plank and frame wooden construction. Burdensome sail and displacement-type power yachts are proper candidates.

The only overlap of applicability occurs in the case of fibreglass and aluminium. But even here the decision is easy to make. If appearance is important and if a small weight penalty can be accepted, and if many boats are to be built, fibreglass is the choice. If the duty is severe and ease of major repair and adaptability are important, or if few are to be built, then aluminium is the choice." Among aids to life-saving at sea on which papers were written were a Finnish heatblanket bag, Japanese fire-fighting appliances, the Canadian use of hovercraft in search and rescue, and even a Dutch proposal for training dolphins to swim round people who had fallen into the sea and attract the attention of rescuers.

Unfortunately water pollution has up to now limited the efficacy of the dolphins.

Four papers were presented by the R. N.L.I.

In addition to the one on the 52 ft. boat, there was a comprehensive presentation of different types of inshore rescue boats and the problems arising from their operation. A former delegate to an international conference, Commander E. W. Middleton, wrote a paper on volunteer crews in the 1970s, and Mr. Patrick Howarthj the Public Relations Officer of the R. N.L.I., presented a paper on exchange of information between life-boat societies.The upshot of the discussion on this last paper was that it was agreed to establish an international technical journal provided the necessary funds could be obtained from some trust or foundation. This would take the form of a periodical to be published in England in the English language, with an editorial board with representatives from five life-boat societies. In addition to the R.N.L.I., the U.S. Coast Guard and the French, Netherlands and Swedish societies have now appointed their members to the editorial board.

At the end of the conference the delegates expressed the wish that the 12th international life-boat conference, which is due to take place in 1975, should be held in Finland.

Admiral Sir Wilfrid Woods, G.B.E., K.C.B., D.S.O., Chairman, led the R.N.L.I, delegation, supported by the Deputy Chairman, Commander F. R. H. Swann, O.B.E., R.N.V.R., and the Secretary, Captain Nigel Dixon, R.N. The Chief Inspector of Life-boats,Lieut.-Commander W. L. G. Dutton, R.D., R.N.R., was unable to be present, and the head of the staff representation on the operational side was Commander Peter Sturdee, R.N. The other two delegates who represented Great Britain and Ireland, both of whom presented papers, were Mr. Patrick Howarth and Lieut. E. D. Stogdon. Lieut.- Commander J. A. Douglas, M.B.E., R.N. (Retd.), represented H.M. Coastguard..