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A lifeline in a storm: The Breeches Buoy

Lifeboats News Release

Take a closer look at the continuous lifesaving training at Llandudno RNLI.

RNLI/Luke Heritage

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Llandudno RNLI crew meet every Monday evening for training. Usually launching the station's all weather lifeboat William F Yates every two weeks, with shore based training on the ‘non-launch’ nights.

Gathering on Monday night (27 November) for this week's training session, the crew focused on simulating the operation of a breeches buoy on land. The breeches buoy is a remarkable rope-based rescue device that plays a vital role in extracting individuals from wrecked vessels or transferring people to safety in dangerous situations.

This device consists of a lifering equipped with a leg harness that is securely attached. To create a pulley system, the ropes are carefully threaded around the lifeboat. As a result, the breeches buoy allows for the safe evacuation of one person at a time from a point of peril.

Llandudno RNLI Lifeboat Crew Member and Mechanic, Luke Heritage said:

'By utilising the breeches buoy, the crew are equipped with a powerful tool to rescue individuals who may find themselves in distress at sea. This simulation exercise not only helps us enhance our skills but also ensures that we are well-prepared to respond effectively to real-life emergencies.'

RNLI/Luke Heritage

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RNLI/Luke Heritage

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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

About the author

Luke Heritage
Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, Llandudno Lifeboat Station

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