For the purpose of examining and testing devices, plans, and inventions for the improvement of station equipments, an advisory board is con stituted, consisting of which meets an nually, as a rule, to eonsler matters submitted to it by the general superintendent.
Members of crews, including keepers, who be come disabled in the line of duty may be con tinued on the rolls of the service, under pay, during the continuance of their disability, not to exceed one year. except in the most meritorious eases, but not longer than two years in any case. In case of their death. from disease or other cause incident to the service, their widows and children under sixteen years of age, if they have any, are entitled to receive for two years. in equal portions. the same pay that the or fathers would have received had they lived.
Gold and silver medals are awarded in cases of heroism. where persons endanger their own lives in resetting or endeavoring to rescue lives front the perils of the sea. These rewards. how
ever, are not confined to the professional life savers, but mar he bestowed upon others who have shown conspicuous heroism on such occa sions.
The general superintendent, in accordance with the requirements of an act of Congress. publishes annually a complete report of life saving operations. incorporated in this is also a collection of statistics of marine disasters, at home and abroad, put in tabular form for con venient reference, which is of great value to commerce. The net cost of maintaining the service during the fiscal year ending June :M. 19N, wls I1.682..793.7-1. The results of service operations for the same period are as follows: Number of disasters 770 Value of property involved S7.567.54.1 'Value of property saved St1.565,2:5 Value of property lost SI '415 Number of persons involved . • Nninher of lust • • IT Number of persons ;11,eored at stati•tns . . 647 Natal ger of days sueeor afforded . 1.214 Numlwr of vessels totally lust 43