Carley Float: a Maritime Lifesaver

Invented by Horace Carley of Cambridgeport, Massachusetts in 1903, the Carley Float was widely carried by both merchant and naval vessels during the First and Second World Wars. Its small size and light weight made it easier to launch than conventional lifeboats while its robust design allowed it to stand up to the rigours of the open sea. Though it provided it occupants with little protection from the elements, it nonetheless helped save countless lives.

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