Kapok offers great advantages over cork as regards weight, buoyancy, the ease with which it can be adjusted to any shape, and the protection which it affords against cold. Kapok is a vegetable fibre found chiefly in the East Indies, the best quality coming from Java. It looks very like cotton, but its follicles, have a natural oil which makes them entirely non-absorbent. In 1904 Kapok belts were issued to two stations for trial. In 1906 the belts were adopted and distributed to all stations. In 1908 the Board of Trade began to sanction their use.

‘In 1916 it was found that the Institution’s pattern would not support an unconscious man so that he floated with his face upwards. The Institution carried out exhaustive experiments and designed a belt which fulfilled the conditions. But the new belt was condemned as being so cumbersome that men could not use their arms freely; it interfered with the breathing, while the “collar” at the back prevented the sou’wester from covering the neck, pouring water down the men’s backs!

‘The RNLI asked the Board to recognise the fundamental difference between Life-boatmen and passengers. The men go through the strenuous exertion of pulling heavy oars, hoisting and lowering sails, and should have complete freedom. The Board agreed on the understanding that the crews were informed of the additional buoyancy afforded by its belt, and be given the choice. An overwhelming majority expressed their preference for the Institution’s belt; some elected to retain the Board’s. The Institution’s technical Officers once more tackled the question, producing the No. 5 belt, now in use all round the coast.

‘The Rye Harbour crew was one who chose the Board of Trade pattern, and wore it when overwhelmed by disaster on the 15th November last. Experiments made by the Board and the Institution proved that, even after tremendous pounding in the surf, the belts still provided sufficient buoyancy. The bodies, were supported with heads above water, though the unfortunate men had probably been beaten to death before they were swept ashore. No belt ever designed would have saved men subject to these conditions. However, while the belt gave the additional chance of survival aimed at, the same qualities made any attempt to swim extremely difficult, whereas the Institution’s pattern does afford not only the required buoyancy, but ease of movement and power to swim.