No Life-Saving Station (Dramatic Irony)
In the middle of the story the narrator reveals that, contrary to the men's hopes, there is no life-saving station for twenty miles in either direction. This instance of dramatic irony introduces a simultaneous sense of humor and dread into the story: the reader understands that the characters are in more danger than they recognize themselves. This adds a layer of irony to their jokes about the near-sighted life-savers.
Billie Drowns (Situational Irony)
Since the captain is injured, Billie is the strongest and most qualified seaman aboard the dinghy. He is confident and steadfast throughout the story, and even swims ahead of the others after the boat capsizes. His drowning presents an instance of situational irony: he dies despite every suggestion he is the fittest and therefore least likely to drown. His death speaks to the random and uncaring nature of the universe.
Ocean as a Soft Bed (Situational Irony)
The correspondent's desire to stay alive leads the reader to expect that the correspondent would fear the ocean water. However, in an example of situational irony, the correspondent imagines capsizing into the ocean would be a relief and feel like a soft bed. This metaphor is surprising, since the water had earlier been compared to hard rocks. The change in attitude speaks to the correspondent's shifting moods as he reassesses his relationship to mortality.
