After every possible effort to save your boat has failed, your first duty is to complete your destruction bill.  That is, destroy all confidential gear beyond recognition and other gear beyond repair.  It is wise to always have your publications in a weighted canvas bag or sack and thro9w them off only in deep water.  This drill is fully as important as the Abandon Ship Drill.  Run them in conjunction for practice to insure complete familiarity with the duty assigned.  For complete details on Destruction Bill see pp. 46-48 MTB Communications Manual.  The value of this publication cannot be overestimated.

 

Before going over the side be sure you have all necessary gear lashed inside the life rafts.  Most important, have a painter, a small line secured from the bow of the raft to the PT.  This will prevent the raft from drifting away.

 

Don’t forget your clips of 45 cal. Tracer.  A gun without ammunition is merely a club and you can pick a club up anywhere in the jungle.

 

More pointers:  Keep your clothes on and especially your shoes.  Keep your hair dry, that is, don’t jump into the water, just slide in.  Don’t get into the raft.  It is primarily a support and not a sail boat.

 

In addition to the balsa raft, each boat is equipped with two 7 man rubber rafts which are ideal for abandoning ship.  They are lightweight equipment and not designed to be used as dinghies.  Maintain them for the one important purpose for which they are issued, life saving.