- Contributed by听
- Telling_Lives
- People in story:听
- Stephen Daniels
- Article ID:听
- A2571239
- Contributed on:听
- 27 April 2004
As a large plane rolled over the sea the bottom seemed to drop away and come hurtling down. Three parachutes blossomed and the ditch bomber crew could see a boot hanging beneath the canopies. A rocket fired from the barrel, dragging out a funnel end of rope only seconds before the stem plunged into the water just a few yards away. The boat seemed to vanish beneath its own splash but as this cleared they could see the infated canopies at each end.
As the crew paddled towards the boat, a rocket with yellow lines zoomed out from each side, one floated within reach. Once aboard the boat the survivors found special clothing in a compartment beneath the deck. Then, tinned self-heating soup and drinking water, other stores and finally two apparent outboard engines beneath square hatches.. but it took a moment or two to realise that propellers had pieced the bottom.
Then a book of instructions - clear away all trailing lines, raise the mast and fasten it, this is the area for an automatic position signal. Mount the compass, fit the rudder and tilling unit before starting the engines. Don't run them full out, steer the course as on the signal to perform. Contact will be maintained until you reach port or interception by an air-sea rescue launch. Sails can be used.
Soon the fledgling yaughtsmen were heading for home. I was in the team that built that lifeboat.
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