(below) An Atlantic 21 lifeboat airborne in trials at the Shingle Bank off the Isle of Wight. The Atlantic 21 has enough speed, up to 30 knots, to run clear of unstable seas in shallow water or steer round breaking crests when going to windward. The first operational lifeboat of this class went on station at Hartlepool in 1972.

photograph by courtesy of 'The Observer'.