On board the Orient Line cruise ship Orford (1928) during a boat drill. The photographer is on the starboard side of the poop looking forward showing the motor lifeboat number 21 swung out and being lowered while an officer with a megaphone is overseeing the proceedings. The boat's crew are wearing life preservers and one of the seamen is holding an ignited smoke flare over the side of the lifeboat. The accommodation ladder is in the centre of the picture and, ahead of it, lifeboat 19 has been manned and is being lowered. Passengers are watching the work with interest. A vertical format negative.