T.V.L.B. Training and Drill Gallery

31st July 2004

Breeches Buoy demonstration at Cullercoats Harbour Day 2004

The following set of pictures shows the T.V.L.B. carrying out a Breeches Buoy demonstration involving sending a stretcher from the cliffs at Cullercoats Bay to a vessel in difficulty (which for the purposes of this demonstration was the South Pier at the Bay). The demonstration shows how the Brigade could recover a casualty from a ship if required to.

The Brigade landrover sits at top the cliffs at Cullercoats as the demonstration gets underway.

This image is taken from the South Pier and gives an idea of the distance and height than can be covered by the breeches buoy equipment.

Brigade member Richard stands ready to fire the rocket to the South Pier.

The rocket would have a line attached to it which would be caught by the Ship's crew and attached to a strong point on the vessel. Here we see Brigade members attaching the line to the Pier.

Once attached to the 'vessel', the line is then used to haul out the whips and jackstay which are attached to the vessel and carry the stretcher or breeches buoy.

The lines run through a Tripod which can be seen in this image, as can the Jackstay (Red rope) and Whips (Blue rope).

In days gone by hundreds of people have been rescued at one time by use of the Breeches Buoy and this can be a very physical and demanding task as the whips can be very heavy. Therefore members of the public would assist the Brigade in pulling the whips and this tradition was upheld at this demonstration with help even coming from a local police officer.

With the kit prepared, the stretcher is attached - this could also be a set of breeches.

The stretcher is attached to one whip and the jackstay.

Finally it would be hauled out to the casualty 'vessel', the injured person would be placed into it and then hauled back to the safety of the mainland.

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