• Patrick Howarth, who retired as the RNLI's public relations officer in 1979, is far from retired from his career as an author. His latest book, George VI (Hutchinson, £12.50) recently published, is a meticulous biography of a shy, reluctant but finally much loved and effective monarch. Mr Howarth's painstaking and scholarly research makes full use of a great number of sources, not least Kew Public Records Office and documents only recently accessible to the public under the 30- year rule.

The book gives fascinating insight into the early life of the future king. He received what can only be described as a patchy education and one certainly not geared to prepare him for public life, let alone monarchy. The abdication crisis is seen through the eyes of whom many considered its victim. The Duke of York. It was even suggested by some that his younger brother, The Duke of Kent should succeed Edward, such were the doubts about the suitability of the natural heir.

But this is a story akin to that of Grace Darling. The seemingly weak pulling off a triumphant reversal against the stormy odds presented first by the • abdication and then the trials of World War II. By the end of his 15 year reign, George VI had fully restored the country's faith in their monarchy. The man who was really happiest playing tennis, squash or shooting pheasants had nonetheless as Winston Churchill stated "drawn the Throne and the people more closely together". He also witnessed the setting up of the new Commonwealth.

The responsibility he felt nurturing both these aspects has undoubtedly been passed to his daughter who regards them as cornerstones to the success of her own reign.—EWW • The lifeboat station at Barmouth, Gwynedd was established in 1828 following a number of shipwrecks along that part of the Welsh coast. Three years earlier, local man Edmond Lewis had been awarded the silver medal of the National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (later to become the RNLI) for climbing down steep cliffs to rescue seven of the crew of the ship Neptune, wrecked close to Barmouth.

The history of the lifeboat station since 1828 has been one of gallantry and dedication and is detailed in the latest volume from the pen of Jeff Morris, honorary archivist of the Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. The History of the Barmouth Lifeboats follows the fortunes of the eight boats stationed there over the past 160 years, concluding witha description of the naming by the Princess of Wales in 1982 of the present 37ft 6in Rother class lifeboat which bears her name. This limited edition book is available direct from Jeff Morris at 14 Medina Road, Coventry CV6 5JB, price £1.50 plus 25p P&P.

The same is true of An Illustrated Guide to our Lifeboat Stations, Part 2 (Grimsby to Southend) by the same author, which lists all lifeboat stations past and present along that stretch of the East Coast, with a brief station history and a record of those who have been awarded medals, together with photographs of many of the stations, old and new.

The Closed Lifeboat Stations of Lincolnshire, also available from Jeff Morris at the same price, traces the histories of stations from Grimsby to Skegness and includes accounts of the exploits of lifeboatmen at Cleethorpes, Donna Nook, Theddlethorpe, Mablethorpe, Sutton, Huttoft and Chapel.—NH • John Marriott ends his book Disaster at Sea (Ian Allen Ltd., £14.95) with an account of the 1979 Fastnet yacht race, in which 15 lives were lost during the severe storm which swept across the Atlantic as most of the 303 competitors were scattered between the Isles of Scilly and the Fastnet Rock.

Thirteen lifeboats from both sides of the Irish Sea were called out, towing in or escorting 20 yachts and rescuing 60 people.

The massive combined search and rescue operation, lasting 36 hours, also involved naval and merchant ships, fishing boats and the yacht crews themselves, some of whom went to the help of other boats, even at the cost of putting themselves in jeopardy.

Throughout his book, which deals with around 20 maritime disasters, including the capsize of the Herald of Free Enterprise close to Zeebrugge Harbour in March, 1987, John Marriott casts a dispassionate look at the circumstances leading to each incident, eyewitness reports and the results of the subsequent inquiries, to produce a very readable volume, well illustrated and researched.

Chapters on the history and modern role of Lloyds of London and the current British search and rescue organisation (including a section dealing with the RNLI) set the scene.

One chapter deals with the sinking of the giant passenger liner Titanic on April 15, 1912, having struck an iceberg off the coast of Newfoundland during her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York.

Dr Robert D Ballard, a senior scientist and head of the Deep Submergence Laboratory at the Wood's Hole Oceanographic Institute in America, led the marine expedition which found the wreck and his lavishly illustrated account is documented in The Discovery of the Titanic (Hodder & Stoughton, £16.95).

Both these books, with their common theme, make compelling reading.—NH • This is the time of year when serious sailors study their nautical almanacks and, among the most popular, are Reed's—this year sporting a new image- —and The MacMillan and Silk Cut Nautical Almanack 1988.

Each is packed with information on tides, navigational aids, the rules and regulations to be followed at sea and a host of other useful facts and figures for the mariner.

Each costs £13.95 and publishers are Thomas Reed Publications Ltd and MacMillan London respectively.

For those whose sailing is limited to the south coast, the Channel West and Solent Almanack 1988 (Adlard Coles Ltd., £10.95) is recommended.

Cruising Anglesey, published by the North West Venturers Yacht Club, is a detailed pilot for those who spend their leisure hours sailing off that part of the British coast.

Compiled by Ralph Morris, it is available from the yacht club at Gallow Point, Beaumaris, Anglesey, Gwynedd, North Wales, price £10.50, including P&P.—NH.