The Sumner Lifeboat

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31316, 11 March 1967, Page 12

The Sumner Lifeboat

Volunteer members of the Sumner Lifeboat Institution on Thursday night sounded the alarm which led to the rescue of two of four theological students trapped by the sea at the foot of Whitewash Head. From the lifeboat the two survivors were located and their rescuers directed. Two other crew members led the search party over the rocks to bring out the survivors. The lifeboat is the only one in Australia or New Zealand. The institution was founded in 1898, and its members, who practise twice a month, have taken part in many notable rescues. The lifeboat, Rescue 11, was unable to return to its base in the Scarborough boat harbour on Thursday night because of low water and had to go to Lyttelton instead—its crew unaware that two other young men had been swept out to sea. It was then, presumably, too late; but it is easy to imagine circumstances in which the lifeboat’s inability to work effectively from its base might mean the difference between tragedy and rescue. The institution and the City Council should come to agreement about the best method of making the slipway usable at all tides and in all weather, so that the lifeboat’s crew can carry out their voluntary work whenever called upon.