††In 1895 a Frenchman, Francois Barathin, developed a pedal-driven lifebuoy. It consisted of a rubber air-filled bag fitted with a sail. Pedals could be operated by both hands and feet to propel a person to safety. Modern lifeboats come in various forms. Smaller boats can be carried by ships, and larger craft are equipped to carry out rescue operations. They can be made from steel or glass-reinforced plastic, and are often designed to right themselves if they should capsize in stormy weather.
