Watermanship Page: 88
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b. Sources. (1) Boat's supply. This is the primary
source of drinking water. (See par. 22m.) To keep
water from freezing in breaker, remove the plug. Insert
a stick in the breaker. The lower end of stick should be
weighted and upper end should protrude a foot or more.
Movement of boat will keep the stick in motion so ice
will not be able to form.
(2) Canteens. All canteens are commandeered by the
boat's commander and the water in them made a part of
the boat's supply.
(3) Rain water. Use cups, tin cans, sea anchor, boat
cover, sails, strips of clean clothing, and all canvas gear
in the boat to collect rain water. Be sure this equip-
ment is free of salt; wash it off with the first fall of rain.
(4) Ice. In the cold regions icebergs are a source of
fresh water. In freezing weather, fresh water can be
obtained from sea water. Collect some sea water in a
container. The fresh water will freeze first. The salt
will collect in high concentration as slush in the core of
the frozen piece. Remove the ice and throw away the
slush. The melting ice will produce water sufficiently
free of salt to sustain life. "Old" ice also is a source of
fresh water. It has rounded corners due to rains and
thaws, is bluish in color, has a glare, and splinters easily
with a knife.
(5) Chemical kits. Chemical kits may be provided in
boats or rafts to remove the salt and alkaline from salt
(6) Coral-reef water. On coral reefs brackish water
suitable for drinking can be found by digging a 6-inch
hole, 6 to 8 inches deep. Surface water will collect after
a short time. Do not dig deeper because you will pene-
trate the layer of fresh water and reach salt.
c. Storage. Water is stored in every container that
might be utilized for this purpose. It also may be stored
in carbon dioxide life jackets and in the lifeboat's air
d. Issue. (1) An inventory is taken of all water
aboard. Plan the issue of water with regard to all cir-
cumstances present: total supply of water number of
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United States. War Department. Watermanship, book, April 25, 1944; Washington, D.C.. (digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc96650/m1/94/: accessed June 24, 2017), University of North Texas Libraries, Digital Library, digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.