HARBOUR DROWNING

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 128, 24 February 1938, Page 3

HARBOUR DROWNING

Capsize Of Naval Whaleboat

CRITICISM OF LIFEBELTS

At an inquest yesterday into the death of James Wood Jarvis, aged 17, a member of the Royal Naval 1 oluntecr Reserve, who was drowned on November 7 las# in Wellington harbour when a whaleboat capsized, dissatisfaction was expressed with the type of lifebelts provided for the crew. These, u was said, were unpopular with members of the R.N.V.R., as they were likely to be cpUght in ropes and gear in a capsize. The coroner, Mr. E. Gilbertson, J.P., returned a verdict of accidental drowning. Sergeant J. Martin conducted the inquest. , ~ Lieutenant Peter Phipps told the coroner how a crew of live reservists ami himself had taken a whaleboat to Somes Island, and had lunch, leaving the island at about 3 p.m. A course was set toward Kaiwarra. As we were going over we noticed the breeze had stiffened considerably,” said witness. . Entangled in Ropes. “We were’ about a two-thirds of the way across to Kaiwarra and were preparing to run down to Pipitea Wharf when we capsized.” He described how all the crew clung to the boat, ami when he noticed Jarvis missing he and Quinn, another member of the crew, dived down and found that Jarvis was entangled in ropes which were keeping him down. He was pulled to the surface, but had to be supported for some time. Later he was washed away and did not reappear. The coroner: When you got the boat righted, was it not possible to climb in and row it?

“It is impossible to keep a whaleboat the right way up once it capsizes,’’ replied Lieutenant Phipps. He said it was the regular practice in the service to handle such a boat upside down once it had capsized. "Some people might think we should have unshipped the mast, but that is contrary to practice, because with the mast in the water it has a tendency to seady the boat and stop it from spinning. It is not possible in any sea to bail these boats out as can be done with some other types.” Asked by the coroner what he thought was the cause of the capsize, witness said the boat was caught broadside on against heavy wind and sea while turning. “Lifebelt, Very Clumsy.” “The type of lifebelt used is very clumsy,” said Lieutenant Phipps. “It

consists of cork blocks that project from the back and fropt, and is very unpopular with all the people who do sailing, as' it is liable to catch up with ropes or the gunwale of the boat in the event of a capsize.” , When Jarvis was first submerged it was the rope that had caught round the belt which was responsible. When he was brought up alongside the boat he was still being held by the rope, though his face was out of the 'water. It was necessary to free him very quickly, and the only way to do this was to take off the lifebelt. “I, myself, would not wear one of the belts.” The coroner: Are the lads not told to learn to swim?—“)Ve accept them before they can swim; they have swimming instruction in the reserve.” Tlie coroner: Was the water very cold?—“Yes.” ' The coroner; They would become numb? —“Yes.” . Each member flf the crew was provided with a lifebelt similar to that worn by Jarvis, witness added. "Every Care Was Taken.” Sergeant Martin asked witness if he did not realise his responsibility in taking out so young a crew. “With that responsibility facing you did you not see that you were equipped to stand up to such eventualities which occurred?” Witness replied that the boat was equipped with lifebelts. Replying to a suggestion by Sergeant Martin that the crew were too heavily clothed; witness said it was not difficult to get out of oilskins in a hurry. Sergeant Martin: Do you think that due care was taken in the circumstances?—“l consider that every care was taken. Tlie belts were there.” Sergeant Martin. But you ®did not use them. The coroner: They were evidently regarded as a menace in that they became mitangled with the ropes in the case of a capsize. When the boat was returning from the island conditions were not the same as when tlie outward journey was made, witness continued. He, did not then consider conditions dangerous, but later on he appreciated the difficulties. At the time of the mishap the whaleboat was carrying the minimum of canvas.

The coroner said that In his opinion no blame was attachable to Lieut. Phipps, who had done everything possible. “Whether he will make any representations to the naval authorities about the clumsiness of the cork lifefelts Is for him to decide,” he said. “I think it would be worth while.” Lieut. Phipps; I have already done 1 that, sir. The coroner : You are quite right.