‘LIFE-LINE’ TESTED ON CAPSIZED DINGHY

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30884, 18 October 1965, Page 3

‘LIFE-LINE’ TESTED ON CAPSIZED DINGHY

One man’s simple, but practical, idea to prevent drownings among smallcraft users was demonstrated at Lyttelton on Saturday. An lift dinghy was capsized and the two occupants showed onlookers how swimmers and even nonswimmers could probably save their lives by supporting themselves on two short rope ladders fixed on the sides of the hull.

The person responsible for the idea—Mr M. M. Purves, of Christchurch—is not a seaman, but a 44-year-old electrical worker. Mr Purves said on Saturday that he had been greatly concerned by the number of fatalities from small craft. Many of these could be prevented. About two years ago it had occurred to him that a rope ladder, four feet long, could be bolted on each side of a dinghy about six inches below the gunwale. Normally, the ladders would be slung inboard and would occupy little space, he said. If the craft capsized they should float clear on the surface. The occupant could grasp the ladder as it floated and use it as a support while waiting for assistance. Many victims were unable to reach the keel of an upturned craft after a capsize, he said. di Saturday Mr Purves’s 12-year-old daughter, Linda, and a 17-year-old youth, Mr B. Leask, of the Waimairi Surf Club, gave a practical demonstration.

Among the onlookers were yachtsmen, small-craft users, representatives of a rope manufacturer and the Marine Department, Captain A. R. Champion (Lyttelton harbourmaster) and Mr B. B. Blackmore (chairman of the Canterbury Water Safety Committee). Mr Purves said that he wanted no material gain from his idea. To patent it would be expensive. In February of last year, he had offered it to the National Water Safety Council. His only concern was to prevent drownings, Mr Purves said. He hoped the demonstration would help. Each ladder could be made in an hour or less, with specially manufactured |in rope and beech rungs. For less than £l, a part-time sailor could make his own set.

Mr Purves said £1 was very little to pay to save a life or several lives. In 1964, 35 people were drowned in small-craft accidents, just one more than the number killed on tractors, but one seemed to read more about tractors, he said.