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High Seas

More views of RNLI lifeboat stations from the air.

Mudeford - South Division Mudeford's lifeboat history dates back to 1935 when a storm broached Mudeford Sandbank leaving the sheltered beaches exposed to the open sea.

The lifeboat station lies on the eastern tip of Christchurch Harbour and houses the Atlantic 21, Ken Derham, which is named after the founder of Mudeford's rescue service (and father of current honorary secretary, Victor).

The station is currently running a fundraising appeal for a new boathouse which will house the Atlantic 75 and DoDo trolley, which is hoped to be on station by 2002.

Portpatrick -- Scotland Division The picturesque village of Portpatrick is set around a circular cliff inlet on a forbidding, enclosed coast. During the 19th century the harbour was a terminal for the Irish ferry and became 'Ireland's Gretna Green' - for many years runaway couples travelled across the sea to be married in the port's church.

The lifeboat station was first established in 1877 and a launching system lowered the lifeboat into the water. Nowadays the station sits just inside harbour entrance and the Tyne class lifeboat. Mary Irene Millar, lies afloat enclosed in the shelter of the harbour and pier.

Trearddur Bay--West Division This beautiful sandy bay is found on the west side of an island off an island off an island! Holy Island is off the Isle of Anglesey, which lies off the island of Britain and all three are joined by bridges.

Trearddur Bay with its long sandy beach and rocky outcrops is enjoyed by fishermen, sailors, surfers and skin divers alike.

The first lifeboat station was built here in 1967 and the current boathouse, which was built in 1993.

houses the station's Atlantic 75 lifeboat, Dorothy Selina. The station also incorporates many other facilities including crew room, changing room, workshop, souvenir sales outlet and fuel store.

Bundoran - Ireland Division Bundoran, on the west coast of Ireland, has one of the increasing number of lifeboat stations needed to cover the Atlantic.

In 1994 an Atlantic 21 was sent to Bundoran to replace a boat that had been operated independently for a number of years by locals. The RNLI built a new boathouse on the site of the house used by this independent boat.

The station's current lifeboat is an Atlantic 75, Helene, which is launched down the slipway by tractor.

Hunting Aerofilms is offering copies of these photographs at well below normal rates - and donating 25% of the print price to the RNLI. Prices Sin by Sin-£13.00, 10in by 10in - £18.00, 12in by 12in - £21.00, 20in by 16in - £43.00.

For larger sizes contact Hunting Aerofilms. The area covered will be larger than the 'cropped' area shown here.

When ordering please follow these instructions carefully: 1. Send orders to: Hunting Aerofilms at Gate Studios, Station Road, Bore ham wood, Hertfordshire WD6 1EJ Please do not send orders or enquiries to any RNLI office or lifeboat station.

2. Quote the full reference number given underneath the photograph - this is the only identification of the exact negative needed.

3. State clearly the size of print required and enclose payment as shown - this includes VAT, post and packing and the RNLI donation.

4. Make cheques etc payable to Hunting Aerofilms, not the RNLI..