The Story of the Barmouth Lifeboats by Jeff Morris A recent addition to the series of comprehensive booklets from the prolific Honorary Archivist of the Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society, this time chronicling the history of Barmouth's lifeboat station.

The booklet, now with a more colourful and stiffer cover, charts the story of the station from its inception in 1828 through to the present day and the arrival of a new Mersey class lifeboat in September 1992.

As usual the author illustrates the station's progress with both archive and modern photographs and describes the more notable services in some detail.

An excellent history of the station, available from Barmouth Lifeboat Station at £2 or by post from the Souvenir Secretary Derek Taylor, 8 Fford Bro Mynach, Branksome Estate, Barmouth, Gwynedd LL421LZat£2.50.

The Story of the Wick and Ackergill Lifeboats by Jeff Morris Although only Wick survives as a lifeboat station today the early history of these two nearby stations and their communities is so interwoven that Jeff Morris has taken both as his subject for one of his informative booklets.

Ackergill lifeboat station closed in 1932, but Wick continues its proud tradition - which is ably traced by the author right through to the present day.

As usual the booklet is illustrated with modern and archive photographs of boats and boathouses, although the production methods do not allow them to be reproduced to the standard achieved in the author's new series of colour- cover publications.

The Story of the Wick and Ackergill Lifeboats can be obtained from Jeff Morris at 14 Medina Road, Foleshill, Coventry CV6 5JB at £2.50 including postage and packing.First Aid Afloat by Dr Robert Haworth published by Fernhurst Books at £9.95 ISBN 0-906754-88-7 Dr Robert Haworth is no stranger to injuries and medical emergencies at sea - being a crew member and honorary medical adviser at Barmouth's lifeboat station.

This straightforward book is aimed at the novice first aider and intended for use at the time of the incident. Each topic is short, the language simple and with photo sequences illustrating the steps to take.

Several of the photo sequences make use of lifeboats, giving a useful insight into how a casualty will be transf ered if required and how they could be lifted from the water.

First Aid Afloat would be a very valuable addition to any small boat's bookshelf.

Wrecked Around Alderney by Brian Bonnard published by the author at £3.95 ISBN 0-9520707-0-7 Many a yachtsman's initial reaction to the title of Brian Bonnard's fascinating book mightbe: 'yes, I've been pretty wrecked on Alderney too...' but we should make it clear from the outset that this book concerns itself not with epic nights in the bar of the Diver's but shipwrecks around this tide-swept, iron-coasted gem of an island.

Dedicated to the Alderney lifeboat crew and picturing the station's Waveney on the cover this small-format volume is based on stories recounted to the author by John Quinain, the last of the official Alderney pilots, who retired in 1990.

It is hardly surprising that, with such a personal knowledge of the events, the tales are full of anecdotes and asides, the like of which would never appear in a formal report of a stranding! Among the anecdotes are the history of a parrot which survived for 50 years after the loss of the ship in which it was a, probably unwilling, passenger in 1889 and among the asides are aspersions on the sobriety of certain ships' officers.

A fascinating insight into the maritime history of an island The book is available from bookshops in the Channel Islands or from the publisher at The Twins, Le Petit Val, Alderney, Channel Islands.

A Lerwick Lifeboatman's Story by George Leith published by The Shetland Times at £14.00 ISBN 0 900662 87 5 George Leith spent 30 years with the RNLI, the last ten before retiring in 1979 as coxswain, so who better to recount the tale of the Lerwick lifeboat? The book starts with the events leading up to the establishment of the station in 1930 and then looks at some of the more interesting services by the variety of lifeboats which served there over the years.

From crew member aboard a motor lifeboat with auxiliary sails through to coxswain of an 18-knot Arun, George Leith saw much change in the world of lifeboats - and little change in the seas around Shetland and the dangers of the job.

The Mevagissey Companion by Sheila Bird published by Bird of Freedom at £2.75 ISBN 09512236 4 X Sheila Bird's latest work on Cornwall is a meander through the life and work of Mevagissey. There is a strong maritime content, including an account of the lifeboat station with illustrations. In her easygoing style Miss Bird provides a welcome addition to the library of any visitor.Boat's Wanted The Story of Sennen Cove Lifeboat Station Running Time 2 hours Sennen LifeboatStation, with professional studio assistance, has produced an excellent video which not only tracks the history of the station but which also paints an eloquent picture of its present day role.

Sennen Cove is just a mile from Land's End, and its exposed position, often difficult launching conditions and unique double slipway (a long one for launching and a shorter, more sheltered one for recovery) provide scope for some spectacular footage of services and exercise launches.

Having dealt with the station's history in archive footage and stills the video moves to the present day and Coxswain Terry George gives an enlightening tour of the station's Mersey class The Four Boys before looking at some recent services and the ways in which the boat is launched and recovered.

An admirable achievement by the station, and excellent value at £11.95 (including post and packing) for two hours compulsive viewing. Obtainable from: The Lifeboat Station, Sennen Cove, Cornwall TR19 7BT..