Royal National Lifeboat Institution Contents Volume 53 Number 523 Chairman: MICHAEL VERNON Director and Secretary: LT CDR BRIAN MILES RD FNI RNR Editor: MIKE FLOYD Assistant Editor: GILL MACE Editorial Assistant: MARY GYOPARI Advertisement Manager: BARBARA TROUSDELL Classified Advertisements: MARION BARDSLEY Headquarters: Royal National Lifeboat Institution, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 I HZ.

Telephone Poole (0202) 671133 Telex 41328.

Registered Charity No. 209603 RNLI News What's happening in and around the Institution Lifeboat Services Notable launches around the coast Fast Work 11 The development of the 25-knot FABs 3 and 4 - now the Severn and Trent classes Past and Present 15 From THE LIFEBOAT of 1963 and one of today's lifeboatmen Ceremonies 16 New all-weather and inshore lifeboats named and dedicated Your Letters 17 Your views on all aspects of lifeboats and related subjects Membership News 18 Last year, this year and TV adverts Bookshelf 19 Books of RNLI and maritime interest reviewed Lifeboat Services 20 Services for August, September and October 1992 Around the Fundraising Regions 23 Branches and guilds from the Southern and Republic of Ireland regions The Fundraisers 25 Fundraising events across the British Isles People and Places 31 Around and about the RNLI Awards to Coxswains and Crew Members 33.