News and Views The latest news from and about the RNLI At the Sharp End 2 7 Lifeboat services - some seen through the eyes of the casualty Waiting for the Lytham Lifeboat 13 The coxswain and honorary secretary from Lytham St Annes add their views to our Autumn '96 look at the ways a casualty can prepare for rescue Your Letters 16 Readers put pen to paper on lifeboating subjects Bookshelf 17 A look at some of the latest books on lifeboats and the sea Scene from above 18 Jim Ferguson looks at the way lifeboats work with their airborne counterparts People and Places 21 Around and about the RNLI Where do we go from here? 22 The RNLI is working on a new design of slipway boat. This is the story so far High Seas...

More lifeboat stations from the air Spotters Guide _25 26 Part two of our illustrated guide to lifeboat classes - intermediate and inshore lifeboats The Fundraisers How some of the RNLI's funds are raised Lifeboat Services 37 Station-by-station lifeboat launches for August, September and October 1996 The Lifeboat is published four times a year and is sent free to RNLI members and Governors. The next issue will be Summer 1997 and will appear in July 1997.

News items should be received by 30 April 1997, but earlier if possible. All material submitted for possible publication should be addressed to the Editor, The Lifeboat, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1 HZ.

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For further information on how to join the Institution as a Member or Governor contact the Membership section at RNLI Headquarters, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ.

The Lifeboat is published by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and printed by The Friary Press, Bridport Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1JL..