NEW LIFEBOAT

Evening Star, Issue 19855, 2 May 1928, Page 10

NEW LIFEBOAT

PROPELLER WORKED BY HARD FOR NEW ZEALAND SHIPS. Some further details are available concerning the Fleming lifeboats which the New Zealand Shipping Company is adopting for its now ships. The Double at present is getting a lifeboat away from a sinking vessel. So long as the lifeboat is under the side of the ship only one bank of oars, the outside bank, is available, and their use brings hack the boat to the vessel’s side. The other oars must be used for pushing off until there is room to use them, and this business is not one to.ho undertaken easily by inexperienced passengers. Moreover, an oared boat be sent off relatively lightly laden in order to give room to uso the oars, or otherwise those at the oars are cramped. Valuable time is lost in getting the boat far enough away from tho vessel to allow both banks of oars to be used. Given that a quick and successful get away is made, there then arises the question of the number of people on hoard, competent to use an oar. The new typo of lifeboat dispenses with oars, adopting instead a small propeller which is worked by hand levers, so many on each side of tho boat. The number depends upon the carrying capacity of the boat. To take a six-lever boat as an example, three levers are tied on each side. They are worked backwards and forwards, and tliis bn ness can bo done by any man, woman, or young person in a reasonable state of physical fit ness. A rod is connected to the levers, and, in turn, it is coupled up to the propeller. So long as it is necessary to drive Ibo boat the work van he done by all tho fit passengers in shifts. As the lovers take, up no room—they can be folded down when not in use—and as the movement is in a line parallel with the boat, the lifeboat can be loaded to its full capacity without inconvenience to those at the levers. The only skilled aid needed on hoard is in connection with the use of a rodder. Immediately a boat is lowered, and filled it can get away from the vessel; the maximum pace being about four knots. If the weather is rough a. cover can be fitted. This cover follows the lines of the boat; it can be fitted watertight,' so that if the boat rolls, even gnmvhale under, no water can be gathered. In its latest form the propeller gear of these lifeboats is fitted with pumps, to get rid of any water that may he shipped, and the gear also works a magneto for wireless purposes, so that each boat is now a complete self-contained unit. When away from the ship’s side the boat can lay off at some distance, the passengers secure under the canvas roofing, and, riding to a- sea anchor, can summon help and await the coming of the rescue ship.