breeches buoy

American  

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 British  

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

---

Etymology

Origin of breeches buoy

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 • Nov. 5, 2019

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 • Aug. 8, 2018

From the shore the Coast Guard cutters Saukee and Carrabasset, with breeches buoy and Lyle guns, steamed for the Dixie.

From Time Magazine Archive

They are gradually carried off by grace of the wireless and the breeches buoy.

From Time Magazine Archive

“Right about here,” directed the captain of the life saving crew, when the cart containing the gun, “shears” and other parts of the breeches buoy had been dragged farther along.

From The Moving Picture Boys on the Coast by Appleton, Victor [pseud.]