People have travelled around the world in quite small boats. It is not an easy thing to do. Sometimes the weather gets bad, and that can be the end of everyone in the boat. Accidents can happen easily and quickly.
One family once had an accident because of some big fish. The fish swam under their boat and bit holes in it. Sea water came in and the boat soon sank. However, these people had another small boat-a lifeboat, and they all got into it. They lived and hoped for many days. At last a ship found them.
How do sailors(海员) live in a very small lifeboat for a few weeks or even a few months? They must be strong in every way. They must have hope and they want to live. They cannot drink sea water. If they drink a lot of sea water, they will soon die. They can drink rainwater. They must catch rainwater. They must also catch fish and birds for food. A lifeboat does not carry a cooker, so they cannot cook their food.Rawmeat is not very nice, but there is no other choice in a lifeboat!
