Navigation and Seamanship (1+1)

5.2.11. The breeches’ buoy

        

              Breeches’ buoy is used to transfer of persons from a disabled ship to either rescue ship or to shore. It consists of a Life buoy which has a flat piece of good quality canvas sewn to it to act as the saddle. The life buoy is hung from a rope to be used for heaving with at least 4 ropes at each diagonal end of the life buoy. The initial line may be sent from the rescue ship to the disabled ship by using a line throwing apparatus. Once the line has been received the rescue ship would attach a block through which a strong rope (the Whip rope) has been reeved in (this rope presently has no use and the ropes would be very slack and no attempt must be to haul on this rope (pair since it is reeved through the block).

         The rocket line is to be hauled away until this block is on board, when the rocket line is to be discarded.The block would now be attached to a mast. Once the block is fast, the rescue ship would attach a still stronger rope (small diameter hawser lay rope) to the rope passing through the block and once this is brought on board the disabled ship it is made fast to the mast above the whip rope block.Once the hawser is fast the rescue ship would have it tight and make fast. Adjusting as required if the ships fail to maintain their distance. The breeches buoy is now rove in through the hawser and a steadying line is attached to prevent the swing of the buoy.The traveling rope is now pulled from the rescue ship, which enables the buoy to move to the disabled ship. Persons may now embark on the buoy and again be pulled to the rescue ship.