It was a traditonal rule of the sea "women and children FIRST"

First Officer Murdock, who was in charge of loading the boats on the starboard side, follwed the rule of women and children first. But second Officer Lightoller, who was in charge of the port side, was more strict, insisting on women and children only.

Lightoller had the crew form a ring around Collapsible D in order to prevent a rush on the lifeboat. Only women and children were allowed through the locked arms of the ships men.

Lightoller at the Board of Trade inquiry had insisted that Titanic did not break in half after the collision. Because of his testimony, the Board declared that Titanic "sank intact."

Lightoller was the last survivor of the Titanic to climb aboard the Carpathia.

Lightoller was never made a captain of any White Star Line ship but did become a commander in the Royal Navy during the First World War. Later he became a successful chicken farmer, and during the Second World war he bravely used his own yacht to bring soldiers across the English Channel from Dunkirk after the fall of France. He died in 1952.