surfboat, drill A surfboat must be launched through the surf and men must pull at the oars for 30 minutes. Another part of the drill was flipping the boat over and then righting the boat. Because there were not as many forms of entertainment at that time, people in the community would often watch these drills. Some commands used in the surfboat drills: "Man the surfboat" (the wagon that carries the surfboat is run out of the boathouse) "Halt--Unload" (boat is loaded off the wagon) "Take Life Preservers" (men put on life preservers) "Take Oars" (oars are taken up and raised on end and then placed into oar locks) "Go" (the men push the boat out into the water, then spring on board, take their oars and row out into the lake) "In Bow" (the bowmen row once and oars are brought inboard) "Way Enough" (when the stroke is finished, the oars are tossed together on end, and then lowered and stored within the boat; this command occurs when alongside or near a vessel)

CLICK FOR LARGER PHOTO The rescue team gets ready to launch their surfboat in preparation for an actual resuce. Surfboat Captain prepares his crew for a drill.

www.schoolship.org/maritime/