Interesting to note that in 1954, the crew of the "Britannia Barge" were not required to wear lifejackets, unlike this afternoon on the Thames.

Not many bothered with life jackets in those days and we all survived. Did the buoy jumpers in Sliema Creek wear them? many is the time they went for a swim.
Mind you it has gone a little OTT on the BeeB where if the reporter steps into 6" of water they put on a life jacket.

Our sense of pride in Queen and Empire buoyed us up - hence "Chin Up". Don't get me started Phill - see THIS. I love the way they decided he was dead from 20 feet away.

As you say Martin best not get started, our friends in Gosport new the pond and said you could easily walk it. As they used to say, Wooden ships and iron men, now it is iron ships and wooden men. But hey, don't get ME started.