LIFEBELT EQUIPMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 74, 24 February 1938, Page 12

LIFEBELT EQUIPMENT.

CRITICISM AT INQUEST. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Feb. 23. Dissatisfaction with the lifebelts provided in an R.N.V.R. whaleboat was expressed by a lieutenant at the inquest into the death of James Wood Jarvis, aged 17. who was drowned on November 7.. It was. stated that the type of life-saving gear provided was very unpopular with the members as it was liable to be caught in the ropes and the ship’s gear in the event of a capsize. Evidence was given that this bad happened in this case. The Coroner (Mr E. Gilbertson) found that deceased was accidentally drowned on November-7 by the capsize of a naval whaleboat in Wellington Harbour, lie being at the time a member of the crew. Jarvis was an apprentice at the Hutt Railway Workshops.. The boat went to-Somes Island under Lieutenant Phipps and capsized in rough weather on the way back. Deceased’s lifebelt caught in the rigging and he was held under the water for some time. He was brought to the surface in a very weak condition and was supported, hut later disappeared and was not seen again. The rest of the crew had a very trying experience in the heavy sea, clinging to the boat for two.and a-half hours before being rescued by a launch.