SS Lakemba

Interesting that the Crew barring for the Officers and Passengers are wearing the old style Kapok filled B.O.T. Lifejackets which were considered to be neck breakers if you jumped in from a height, the advice being to fold your arms in front and above the Lifejacket before making the plunge.

They're still around. I sailed in a ship with the old BOT type lifejackets as late as 2006 (British flag)!

I remember my father showing me (8 yrs.old) how to place my hands and arms should I ever have to jump overboard wearing those lifejackets. That was on the "Highland Monarch" returning to the UK (1946) after the War.

good day davodavo,m,tue 9th sep.14.re:ss lakemba,interesting views on how to wear a lifejacket,but the good thing about this photo,is the passengers have been saved,great post,excellent photo,regards ben27

All the later model lifejackets were the ones that the Retriever's lifeboats carried as standard equipment. Lakemba didn't launch any lifeboats. The lifeboats' crews would have instructed the passengers how to wear them correctly and what to do if they had to jump into the water, we took safety very seriously on all Cable and Wireless cable ships.