from page 86 in the boat, that is the main thing. To get them back out of the water is the problem. If you keep them in the boat you will not have to pick men out of the water in seas that are still liable to capsize you. The crew should be secured if at all possible. When to strap in, I suppose, would be the big question. In services in lighter weather you wouldn't. But our capsize, and the knockdowns we have been talking about, they all took us so completely by surprise. Even with straps in the boats, would they still be used at all, or would you go over and still find the men not strapped in? Dyer: The only thing I would say with the little bit of experience I have got is that the coxswain should see that as few men as possible are on deck when he is doing a job; he should keep closed ship at all times; and he should make use of all the facilities he has, especially the crash helmets, because they are 100 per cent.

Cocking: If the men can stay with the boat, so much the better, and I agree with George, if crash helmets or caps are issued I think the coxswain should insist the crew wear them and keep them on. Then I think you will find you will not have any head troubles at all.

All my crew have got hats now. If we were called out in a gale of wind I think the crew would pick up their hats automatically and put them on.

Harding: And your boats? You have confidence in them? Walsh: The performance of the boat speaks for itself. We came back twice and the engine worked perfectly. On a service that is the great thing.

Dyer: I think the crews are 100 per cent more confident now than they were before.

Cocking: You try taking our boat away! Harding: That says everything! So, after—let's face it—a tragedy and some near misses, I am sure we would all agree that there is a great deal we can learn from these experiences..