When the Duchess of Kent, whose husband, the Duke of Kent, President of the R.N.L.I., visited Exmouth, Devon, earlier this year, she was taken to sea by Coxswain Brian Rowsell aboard the 48-foot 6-inch Solent class steel life-boat City of Birmingham. During her 15-minute trip in the life-boat, which cost £70,000 and was provided through contributions made by the citizens of Birmingham and the general funds of the Institution, the Duchess took the wheel under the watchful eye of the coxswain. The new boat, which arrived at Exmouth in 1970, has to date launched on ten services. The much admired photograph was taken by Mr. L.

Chown, the honorary secretary..