The immaculate appearance of lifeboats is no accident, and reflects the pride of a lifeboat station in its boat.

However that glossy finish on the hull has to be put there in the first place, and this is another instance of the latest technology putting a shine on even the older lifeboats.

The relief Oakley Fairlight is seen here between stints at St Ives and New Quay glistening in a new coat of paint applied at Marine and Port Services at Pembroke Dock.

John Smith, seen with his handiwork, used to be a brush-and-roller man, but now sprays coat after coat until the boat gleams.

'Near enough is not good enough,' he says, 'it doesn't go out of our workshop until its immaculate.'.