The RNLI/Kodak Photography Competition prompted an overwhelming response. After much deliberation the judges chose this outstanding photograph by Hilary Watkins, a senior NHS Manager, as the overall winner.

Hilary's photograph shows Poole lifeboat crew on joint exercise with HM Coastguard helicopter from Portland. Hilary was on board the helicopter as part of a project for a City and Guilds certificate in photography. The judges felt that Hilary's photograph really captured the action and excitement of the moment as the helicopter hovered over the lifeboat, and clearly showed the skill and spirit of the volunteer crews.

Two runners-up were also chosen. The stunning shot taken by Tony Rive shows the St Peter Port lifeboat on exercise with HM Coastguard helicopter from Portland on 6 December 1998. The picture was taken from the marine ambulance Flying Christine III, which Tony was involved in building.

The other runner-up was Mrs E Hall from North Shields with this impressive head-on shot of the Cullercoats Atlantic 21 lifeboat as it headed back into Cullercoats Harbour. The photo was taken from the harbour wall on a fresh spring day while she was out walking with her husband and dog.

As overall winner, Hilary wins a Kodak Advantix 5800MRX 5x zoom camera worth £299.99. Look out for her photo printed on the new Lifeboats Photo Service envelope included in your magazine.

The two runners-up each win a Kodak Advantix 5x 3800ix camera worth £79.99. The judging panel included representatives from Kodak and the RNLI. The RNLI would like to thank Kodak for their generous sponsorship of this competition.Lifeboats photo service Just a reminder that the Lifeboats Photo with Kodak is the only official RNLI photo processing service and for every film you have processed, the RNLI receives 50p..