The Survivor, by Linda Tanner.  Reprinted by permission.

True Story:

Years ago, a U.S. Coast Guard cutter and a British Royal Navy ship were in the Caribbean to do some joint patrolling; as is often the case, they exchanged a few crew members.

During this exchange, the British ship conducted a man overboard drill.  The Royal Navy Chief in charge made a call for volunteers and a young man selected.  He donned a lifejacket, hopped over the side, and the drill commenced.  After he had been retrieved from the water, the sailor was given a towel to dry off and a tot of rum as a reward.

The visitor from the U.S. Coast Guard watched all this with some bemusement.  Turning to the Chief,  he said,  “In the Coast Guard, we throw a dummy over the side.”

Said the Chief:

“So do we.”