breeches buoy

noun

, Nautical.

1. a rescue device consisting of a life buoy from which is suspended a canvas sling, similar in form to a pair of breeches, in which shipwrecked or disabled persons are hauled from a vessel to the shore or to another vessel by means of a rope and pulley between them.

breeches buoy

noun

1. a ring-shaped life buoy with a support in the form of a pair of short breeches, in which a person is suspended for safe transfer from a ship

Word History and Origins

Origin of breeches buoy¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Then they attached a breeches buoy, or a canvas sling, to the pulley, which they hoped could carry the men ashore.

From New York Times

The ship’s crew would tie off the rope and attach a breeches buoy that worked like a zip line to bring survivors to shore.

From Washington Times

But when they got there they found the crew had been rescued by a breeches buoy, which consists of a rope and winch fired by rocket to the Western Lass crew by coastguards.

From BBC

No one but Billie and Mr. Bangs recognized Belle Rogers in the miserable object which now crawled out of the breeches buoy.

From Project Gutenberg

If they could not get the breeches buoy to her the sea would be the grave of the castaways. 71For already the waves, smashing down upon the grounded wreck, were tearing it apart.

From Project Gutenberg