Oh thank you for these links!

When I used to sail around the British Isles, we'd often huddle on the rail, sipping coffee, eating chocolate and trying to shelter from the rain. The only entertaining relief from the cold, miserable nights would be listening in to the 'Channel 16' open radio frequency.

We'd be hoping to hear the soothing voice of the cashmere pullover-wearing, curvaceous, auburn-haired beauty on duty at Liverpool Coastguard. We'd picture her leaning over the radar, a single dim bulb illuminating her long eye-lashes, making notes with her 'rouge-noir' nail varnished fingers in impeccable handwriting, looking out for us miles out to sea and reassuring us all was well...

Of course, she doesn't exist, it was some bloke called Tel in a neon-lit office block, but it helped keep us warm.

"Flight level Three Five Zero..." ohh, the memories...