Lifeboat! by Edward Wake-Walker, Heather Deane and Georgette Purches, published by Ian Allen at £5.95 ISBN 0-7110-1835-9 As the authors of this volume are the RNLI's public relations officer, his deputy and a recently retired assistant PRO it is, as one might expect, a definitive look at the service today and at its long history.

Introduced by the Institution's director.

Brian Miles, the book opens with a profile of a lifeboat station - using Bridlington as an example - and moves on to look at famous rescues, the history and structure of the RNLI.

its lifeboats and their designers and the coordination with other services which is necessary to save lives in today's highly complex and technological world.

But behind all the technology it is the courage and determination of the coxswains and crews which sees a rescue through and the men and women of the service play a large part in this book. One chapter is devoted to Coxswain Henry Blogg, whose 53 years aboard the Cromer lifeboat until his retirement in 1948, three Gold medals and two Silver medals earned him the accolade The Greatest Lifeboatman'. Modern lifeboatmen also share the limelight with profiles of Coxswain Richard Evans of Moelfre (the only lifeboatman alive to hold two Gold medals) and Superintendent Coxswain Brian Bevan of Humber (the only serving lifeboatman to hold four medals and the only one to be awarded three in a single year).

Chapters also record the way in which the RNLI's funds are raised by an 'army' of voluntary workers and outline the requirements for crew in a section entitled 'So you want to be a Lifeboatman'.

Lifeboat! is profusely illustrated in blackand- white and colour and at only £5.95 (with the RNLI receiving a share of the royalties) is excellent value. It is obtainable through RNLI Sales as well as booksellers.

Ex Lifeboats of the RNLI by Tony Den ton, published by the RNLI Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society Tony Demon's labour of love for the Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society has produced a volume whose contents are valuable beyond all proportion to its relatively slim size.

Within its covers are listed, in numericalorder of Official Number, every lifeboat from ONI (Grace Darling) to ONI 168 (yet to be put in service) with her current name if known, dimensions and builder. A further alphabetical listing of names gives any subsequent names and the LBES's last reported sighting of her.

The fate of earlier lifeboats varies from entries such as 'Broken up in 1895' through the poignant' Wrecked on service in 1916' to the tantalising' Last reported as a y acht at...'.

In addition the author gives a useful potted history of many of the earlier classes of lifeboat and provides a good guide to identifying ex-lifeboats.

The work is as complete as could be at the date of publication (March 1989) and there are surprisingly few gaps. However armed with this useful booklet many people may be able to help Tony Denton fill in those elusive 'Whereabouts now unknown', or firm up the 'Last reported...' entries.

The booklet is available from the Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society's Honorary Archivist Jeff Morris at 14 Medina Road. Coventry for £1.75 plus 25p post and packing.

The Story of the Mablethorpe and North Lincolnshire Lifeboats The Story of the Hayling Island Lifeboats Written and published by Jeff Morris Two more volumes in Jeff Morris's continuing documentation of the lifeboat stations around our coasts. Both are in the normal 'booklet' format of the series and each contains a wealth of background information on the stations concerned.

The area around Mablethorpe on the Lincolnshire coast has had a lifeboat station since the 1820s and in this latest look at the area the author covers the coastline from Grimsby and Cleethorpes in the north to Skegness in the south, recording the changes which have taken place in the area over the years and reporting many of the rescues undertaken by lifeboats from its shores.

Mablethorpe's history was interrupted for some 45 years, the station first opening there in 1883 only to close in 1920 due to a shortage in available crew. In 1965. when the increase in small-boat calls and the introduction of the new inflatable lifeboats changed the pattern of requirements the station was re-opened and a D class inflatable now serves this busy area.

The station at Hayling Island now operates a high-speed Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable to cover the labyrinthine channels and shallows of Chichester Harbour and the dangerous waters on the Bar and sands outside, but Jeff Morris's story starts back in the 1860s when a pulling and sailing lifeboat was first established on the island. The station, which was originally on the seaward coast of the island, was moved to the east in 1914 and further east again in 1975 when the current boathouse was built on Sandy Point in the harbour entrance. All this, and details of the various lifeboats and some of their outstanding services are recorded in the booklet, which gives an invaluable insight into the operations at this lifeboat station through more than 120 years of operation.

Both books cost £1.75 including postage.

The Story of the Mablethorpe and North Lincolnshire Lifeboats is available from Mrs H. Howells at 16 Wellington Road, Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, and The Story of the Hayling Island Lifeboats from Mr N. F.

Roper, 10 Fisherman's Walk, South Hayling.

Hayling Island. Hants.

Also received..

GENERAL INTEREST...

Jackspeak by Rick Jolly and Tugg Wilson, published by Maritime Bookg at £8.95 ISBN 0 951 4305 05 A guide to the Royal Navy's 'slanguage' with cartoons by Tugg (Wilson). Often very funny, but a little near the bone in places. Keep on the top shelf! FOR THE YACHTSMAN...

Practical Motor Cruising by Dag Pike Published by Adlard Coles at £12.95 ISBN 0-229-11827-5 Fast Boats & Rough Seas by Dag Pike, published by Adlard Coles at £14.95 ISBN 0-229-11840-2 Two very useful books for the skipper and crew of small power yachts. 40 years of valuable experience distilled into two volumes.

Using Your Decca by Pat Langley price and Philip Ouvry, published by Adlard Coles at £6.95 ISBN 0-229-11853-4 A very useful paperback to help the smallboat owner make the most of this now relatively inexpensive aid to navigation.

Where to Launch Your Boat by Diana Goatcher, published by Barnacle Marine at £3.95 ISBN 0-94788-22-4 Handy paperback listing more than 850 sites to launch a small boat in England. Scotland and Wales. Heed the author's advice on local conditions!.