• Ship wiring cables and flexible curds manufactured by British Insulated ("allcnder's Cables Ltd are being used almost exclusively in the latest vessels being built for the RNLI. Such cables have to conform to rigorous standards set for insulating, sheathing and protective compounds and carry the approval of international classifying authorities. For example, some 5,000 metres of BICC cables, including flexible leads up to three cores, are installed mainly in conduit and trunking for instrumentation and genera! services wiring in the 52-foot Amu class lifeboat.

now stationed at St Peter Port, Guernsey.

• Sometimes maritime search and rescue operations have to be called oft" at night. The use of reflective markings on merchant ships, fishing vessels and private pleasure craft will therefore be a way of improving the chances of being spotted by visual means. Already the Coastguard are recommending that all life-saving equipment should be reflectorised, and the RNLI are reflectorising all their new lifejaekets and inshore rescue boats. This follows a demonstration of reflectorisation as an aid in night sea rescue which was held inflexible May at Aberavon, South Wales, in abominable weather conditions. Run under the guidance of Commander Charles Thomson, director of the National Coastal Rescue Training Centre, the demonstration involved swimmers and craft from the Centre marked with Scotchlite reflective sheeting supplied by 3M United Kingdom Ltd. Deployed at sea, they were identified in the beam of a searchlight by the watchers on shore when a control group which was not reflectorised could not be seen. While the reflectorised boats and swimmers could be seen at the start of the demonstration at 700 yards, those not reflectorised could not be seen until they were within 75 yards of the shore.

Scotchlite reflecting sheeting, which is already in use w i t h the Royal Navy and the RAF, is retro-reflective, returning light directly back to its source. This gives the searcher, stationed directly behind the light beam, the best possible chance of seeing the reflection. For the help given during the demonstration at Port Talbot, the RNLI received a substantial donation from the company.

• The lucky enthusiast scoring the lowest number of points at this year's Mirror class European championships at Troon found it all worthwhile. For Miss Hilary Taylor, aged 19, a geography student, of Reading, won a brand new Mirror dinghy (No. 4100). The prize was donated by one of Scotland's leading carpet manufacturers, Grays of Ayr, who are part of the Guthrie Corporation's British Carpets Division. Announcing the sponsorship in June, Mr David Irvine, marketing manager, said: 'Placed as we are beside one of the most beautiful stretches of sailing water in the world it is natural for us to be associated with this event. We chose to support the Mirror class because it is so popular throughout Europe, particularly with young people who need the most support.'The variety and flexibility of WasoLtd roof racks are well known to motorists. The racks are available in many designs to suit every motorist's need. The smallest and among the most versatile is the fisherman rod rack, a single clamp which can be fitted in seconds or stowed in the glove compartment when not needed. Two clamps on one side of the car will carry fishing rods or any similar items too long for boot or back seat. This rack is safe, cannot mark or damage the car roof and represents extremely good value.

% Bouyer Ltd is a British-controlled company set up to market and service a full range of public address equipment manufactured by Bouyer et Cie of France. The range provides a comprehensive selection of matched equipment at reasonable prices. Although continued on page 65Bouycr equipment accounts for over 60 per cent of the French market and about 40 per cent of the German market, this is the first concerted effort to make a significant impression on the British market with the full range. Bouyer Ltd say that it is their objective to supply every item from their extensive catalogue from stock, thus eliminating the costly delays that are so common with this type of equipment. The Bouyer range of over 250 items of finished equipment includes sound columns, membrane and pressure unit loudspeakers, microphones, amplifiers (up to 200 watts), chimes, and a unique selection of portable battery powered public address systems..