Concern is growing about the environmental consequences and the long term sustainability of such resource use. In response, the UK Government is seeking both to reduce the demand for primary aggregates through devices such as the Aggregates Levy and is also encouraging the use of alternative materials.

This review, supported by the Construction Directorate of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), seeks to identify the potential for using secondary and recycled aggregates, including inert construction and demolition (C&D) waste, in coastal and river engineering schemes. It seeks to reduce the impact of river and coastal construction on natural resources by promoting the use of alternative materials. It aims to increase the use of alternatives to primary aggregates in the UK (already a leading European user of such materials) by raising awareness of the potential to use secondary and recycled/reused materials as aggregates. It will reassure designers and builders of the appropriateness of these materials, thus assisting to overcome resistance to their use and enabling the construction industry to provide more sustainable and cost effective solutions for river and coastal engineering projects.

The book begins by reviewing the types of schemes that exist around the UK and the materials used. The various alternative materials available in the UK are described along with some of the environmental and practical engineering issues that arise in their use. Guidelines on using these alternative materials are supported by numerous case studies. The book concludes with recommendations for future research and development plus a directory of suppliers and sources of further information.

Planning and Design of Ports and Terminals: 2nd Edition Edited by Hans Agerschou Published by Thomas Telford Publishing. ISBN 0 7277 3223 2 Hardback, 446 pages. Price £75 Port development has moved on considerably in terms of concepts, scale and technology since the first edition of this book was published by John Wiley & Sons in 1983. Four of the seven contributors to the first volume return for this second edition and eight new contributors have participated, with Mr Agerschou remaining as editor.

Some topics are now covered in more detail, such as breakwaters and the computer simulation of container terminals, which is aimed at improving the forecasting of facilities requirements. This book's shift in emphasis reflects the fact that general cargo throughputs have decreased dramatically over the last 20 years as more commodities are now containerised. Accordingly, general cargo berths are being converted for other usage, such as multi-purpose and container terminals.

The main new areas and topics in this edition include a transparent outline of the determination of facilities requirements for container terminals by a hybrid approach which includes a computer simulation programme. There is also a detailed analysis of the more important categories of world fleet ships based on statistical material acquired from Lloyds Register. There is a brief outline of financial feasibility, discussions of high speed ferry terminals, fishing ports and environmental considerations, such as the dredging and disposal of contaminated sediments.

With MARPOL now up to speed, its impact on and continuing implications for port development is brought up to date. There are also useful appendixes on mathematical modelling and case studies concerned with new ports and port extensions.

Written by a collection of eminent figures in their varied and related fields, this second edition of Planning and Design of Ports and Terminals will be a valuable addition to the references of anyone involved with or interested in port development at its cutting edge.

Cromer Lifeboats 1804-2004 By Nicholas Leach & Paul Russell Published by Tempus Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0 7524 3197 8 Paperback, 192 pages Price £16.99 The lifeboat station at Cromer was established through a combination of different factors, the geographical location of the town on the north Norfolk coastline, the physical dangers of that coastline, and the growing number of vessels using those seas. Indeed, the requirements were evident to Daniel Defoe, who in the early years of the 18th Century commented that, 'the seaside of this coast is particularly famous for being one of the most dangerous and fatal to the sailors in all England, I may say in all Britain, and the more so because of the great number of ships which are continually going and coming this way in their passage between London and all the northern coasts of Great Britain.'

The first lighthouse was built at Cromer in 1669 but despite its presence and general improvements in navigation, vessels continued to be lost on this treacherous coast. As the Industrial Revolution gained momentum, the foundations of Britain's lifeboat service were laid as money became available to fund and operate a lifeboat in places such as Cromer.

Vessels on the busy east coast trade route could often be seen from the cliffs at Cromer and it was a desire to help those in distress that led people in the prospering town to launch a fundraising drive to pay for a first boat in 1804.

That first boat, a 25ft clinker built double ender rowed by 10 men was delivered early the next year, starting a service at Cromer which this interesting volume documents faithfully and in detail through to the present day. Richly illustrated with 195 images, including a stunning colour section showing recent and current Cromer boats, the book traces the evolution of lifeboats through sailed craft and the arrival of Cromer's first motor lifeboat, H F Bailey in 1923.

Of particular interest in this volume are the exploits of Coxswain Henry Blogg, not only the most famous figure in the Cromer station's history but arguably the most famous lifeboatman in the history of the service. In his very first service as Coxswain in November 1909 Henry Blogg led a crew of 17 men in a 15 hour feat of endurance through heavy seas which resulted in the saving of two lives. Over the following 38 years as a Coxswain he was awarded the RNLI's Gold Medal three times and subsequently received the George Cross, the British Empire Medal and the Coronation Medal. Many of his most incredible rescues are detailed in this book.

This comprehensive book, which for the first time encompasses the complete history of the famous lifeboat station in one volume, concludes with a satisfying set of appendices which include, among other things, a summary of all Cromer's lifeboats, details of their post-service histories and, in some instances, 'where are they now' photographs.