COASTGUARD WORK

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 94, 22 April 1933, Page 22

COASTGUARD WORK

A report on. his Majesty's Coast Lifesaving Corps of Great Britain for 1932 has been, sent to New Zealand by the Board of Trade. During the year the coastguard organisation was required to take action —sometimes of a precautionary nature only—in the case of 580 vessels observed or reported to be in distress off the coasts of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Fifty-five times the rocket life-saving appliance companies were assembled for service. In forty-three cases it was not necessary for the appliance to be brought into action for saving life, but in the remaining twelv© cases ninety persons were" rescued. Of this number sixty were landed by means of the breeches buQy and twenty-three by other means. Of the total crew of the twelve vessels concerned, only one person lost his life;, he was drowned before the arrival of the life-saving company to the scene of. the wreck. During the year eighty vessels which were observed to be standing into danger were warned by means of signals made by the coastguard or nuxihr.ry watcher. As a result of these warnings vessels - concerned were ■ enabled

to alter course and avoid the risk of casualty. Among other duties performed by the coastguard and its auxiliary service assistance was afforded to twenty-seven persons in difficulties on cliffs and to twenty persons cut oft' by tide. In twelve eases, of which eight were successful, assistance was rendered for the purpose of restoring persons apparently drowned. Arrangements were completed during the year for the amalgamation of the life-saving companies and other auxiliary helpers in the Coastguard Life-sav-ing Corps. The corps, which is now practically complete, consists of approximately --6000 enrolled members, who are trained, or being trained, in the work of the life-saving service.