Assistant Chief Inspector of Life-boats A MODERN life-boat may cost as much as £36,500. The great bulk of the cost is, of course, that of the hull and machinery, but a modern life-boat also carries a variety of stores and equip- ment. These are limited to those items which have been found by exper- ience to be necessary, but their number is still appreciable.

The Royal National Life-boat Insti- tution continually receives suggestions for the addition of further items of equipment. In many cases the sug- gested improvements take the form of new devices which scientists have developed and which might, in certain circumstances, be useful. But if every such suggestion were adopted there would soon be little room for the crew to go about their work or for survivors to be placed in safety. The provision of all indispensable stores and equip- ment and the elimination, in the interests of operational efficiency, of inessentials is a subject to which the Institution devotes continuous study.

Major Items The major items of equipment, apart from the propelling machinery and capstan, are the compass, radio telephony set, loud hailer, deck flood- light, searchlight, signalling lamps, storm oil tanks and line-throwing pistol or gun. In special circum- stances a direction finder and a patent log are also supplied.

Radar is not fitted into life-boats.

The possible use of radar has been considered for a number of years, but tests have shown that it would not offer practical advantages. The scanner cannot be erected high enough above the water line to give satis- factory results except in very calm seas. These are not the conditions in which life-boats normally operate.

The compass is specially designed so that the effects of the violent motion in which it may have to function are as nearly as possible eliminated. The radio telephony set is fitted in water- tight containers and is also specially designed for life-boat work.

Ropes and Lines The more modern signalling1 arrange- ments are supplemented by hand flares. There are brilliant pyrotechnic lights whose colours convey their messages unmistakably to seamen and coast watchers.

The various ropes and lines which a life-boat carries all have important parts to play. The anchor cable, 90 to 120 fathoms in length, according to the size of the boat, with its heavy fisherman-type anchor, is perhaps the most important single item of equipment and is often used to veer the life-boat down upon a wreck on a lee shore. On the strength of the cable the lives of the rescuers and rescued will often depend.

In certain circumstances a supremely important piece of equipment is the drogue, with its towing1 rope and trip- ping line. The drogue is used to steady the boat when she is running before a high, breaking sea, and it makes complete control possible in the most dangerous conditions.

Two Veering Lines Two veering lines are supplied to each boat. These are used to work the breeches buoy to and from a wreck if the life-boat cannot come alongside. Two securing ropes are carried for making fast alongside, and a heaving line for passing ropes where the distance is not sufficient to call for the use of the line-throwing- pistol.

There is also a heavier line for use with a grapnel, and a hand leadline.

Outside life-lines, which hang in bights to the water line, can be used by survivors to cling on before being hauled aboard. There is also a scramb- ling net for picking survivors out of the water. Six stout rope fenders are carried to protect the sides of the boat when alongside. There are also two boat hooks, two axes, a marline spike and a special implement for cutting1 away any rope which may have fouled a propeller.

Provisions, which include rum, bis- cuits, corned beef, chocolate and self- heating soup and cocoa, are carried in all boats, together with blankets for the use of survivors. Certain life- boats also have a pressure paraffin stove.

Stretcher and First Aid A Neil Robertson or naval type stretcher, which can be used to hoist an injured person into or from the life-boat with ease and safety, is now included in the equipment of cabin life- boats. There is also a first aid outfit.

Binoculars, charts, parallel rulers and dividers make up the navigational instruments, and there are two clocks.

There are also a number of minor articles, and an essential part of the training of every member of a life- boat crew is instruction in where to find immediately any of the many items of equipment which he may have to use.