Lifejacket

Lifejacket


The Lifejacket
This lifejacket was the only one recovered from the vessel and was presented to the Gabo lighthouse keeper who helped and gave assistance to Desmond Hampton and marked the lifejacket. The lighthouse keeper was on duty at this remote island when the Gipsy Moth ran hard aground on the rocks just a few hundred yards away from the lighthouse.
	Gabo Island

The lifejacket is one of the most important things to a single handed sailor. In the 60s and 70s they found them cumbersome to wear but wore them on occasions when they felt there was some risk. If they fell overboard, this was all they had for survival.

Most single-handers nowadays have jackets that are much smaller and can be worn at all times. They automatically inflate or can be inflated by hand as soon as you hit the water.