Ship's lifeboats from the Orient Line cruise ship Orcades (1937) in the water for racing at Korcula, Yugoslavia. Three ten-oared lifeboats, including number 9 nearest the camera and number 5 in the centre, are in staggered line after the start of the race with the furthest boat in the lead. The boats are crewed by a mix of seamen and passengers. The seamen are in uniform and are stationed in the bow and at the helm of each boat. The passengers are doing the rowing with eight oars double banked and they are all wearing paper hats of various designs. The photographer is in the escorting motor lifeboat.