The Jeans that saved him

[Des Taff Jenkins]

I hope this comes under the heading MN as it is about the sea.
Arne Murke a German Yachtsman sailing with his brother in Tolago bay on the East coast of NZ credits his jeans with saving his life. He was knocked overboard on March 6th when the boom swung unexpectedly knocking him over the side.
Unable to reach the life jacket thrown to him by his brother Murke was carried off by the swell.
"Luckily I knew a trick with the jeans, without the jeans i would wouldn't be here today, they were realy what saved me ,"He said.
He fashioned them into a makeshift life jacket that kept him afloat for three hours until rescued by the NZ coastguard
He made knots at the end of the legs and pulled them over the water to get air inside then forced them under to trap the air and create an improvised life vest. the picture shows him in his jeans lifejacket
Des

Arne Murke.jpg

[Ian Stuart Watson]

This is taught at basic survival courses.

[Jarvis Browning]

Yes I or we did have lessons in using jeans to make a life saving device out ones trousers, where or when we did this I can not remember. Must have been when we where in the scouts ? but it was shorts back then ! It was useful to know what one could do, wherpther that it is stillpratced as a life saver now I don’t know ? Thanks for reminding me what was once taught !

[keith pratten]

taught this in Gravesend 1972

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Keith.
Wish I had known this when I used to be towed out to deep water by my father in Three Cliffs when he was teaching me how to swim.
Des

[Keith at Tregenna]

Found this of interest Des and pleased that you made mention of all.

Keith.