New lifeboat, the Dana Rescuer, after launch at Esbjerg
May 10, 1956 - Submarine Lifeboat launched to go on world demonstration trip: The first unsinkable submarine lifeboat was launched this week at Esbjerg, Jutland, and Danish seaman, Walter Westbound will soon set off on a solo round the world voyage, to demonstrate the new type of lifeboat resembling a submarine. It was the invention of Claus Soerenson, director of the Danish-Greenland Fishing Company and West Jutland Machine works. The new craft is Soerenson's answer to the problem of finding a safer lifeboat. It is equipped with ventilating apparatus, stablisers so that it will remain upright, and a manhole. It is so designed that it is not necessary to launch it from a ship. In case of need, the crew go aboard, close the manhole and remain there whilst the sinking ship is still afloat. When the ship goes down, the lifeboat, Mr. Soerenson claims, will float off. There is also a hollow mast which can be used partly as a radio aerial and partly as an air inlet to the inside of the boat. A periscope has been replaced by a dome-shaped case so that the steersman can seen in all directions. Photo Shows The new lifeboat - the Dana Rescuer - pictured after it had been launched at Esbjerg
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Afloat Answer Claims Demonstrate Directions Dome-shaped Equipped Esbjerg Finding Float Greenland Hollow Inlet Jutland Launched Lifeboat Manhole Mast Necessary Need Partly Periscope Remain Replaced Rescuer Resembling Safer Seaman Unsinkable Ventilating Westbound Whilst
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