News and Views The latest news from and about the RNLI Lifeboat Services 8 Rescues from around the country including a Bronze Medal and Vellum services Sepoy Rescue Anniversary 14 Philip Thouless looks back 65 years to when he witnessed the famous Sepoy Gold Medal rescue at Cromer Your Letters Flotilla Special 16 We bring you a six page special celebrating the International Lifeboat Conference week and its highlight - Flotilla day on 23 June 22 Readers put pen to paper Ready for Anything A double page spread taken from Storm Force News magazine looking at lifeboat equipment Bookshelf A look at some of the latest books on lifeboats and the sea 24 26 Two Minutes 26 The solar eclipse on 11 August saw people flocking to the South West to get the best view Mike Floyd describes events at Falmouth High Seas 28 More bird's eye views of lifeboat stations Spotter's Guide 30 Part two of our recap on lifeboat classes People and Places 33 Around and about the RNLI The Fundraisers 36 How some of the RNLI's funds are raised - including anniversary events and how some branches are winning 'fundraising friends' List of Launches 43 Station-by-station lifeboat launches for March, April and May 1999.