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THE BREECHES BUOY RESCUE EQUIPMENT
In this section I will explain the
function, and illustrate the different items of equipment required
to execute a successful Breeches Buoy Rescue, It should be noted that
some of the names and terms used are not in common use today, and
others are nautical names and terms. When necessary I shall provide
an explanation. Unless otherwise stated the equipment is original
and in the livery of the Irish Free State (1922) military green. To
avoid confusion it should be noted that in 1922 Ireland severed ties with Britain and became known as “The Irish
Free State”. In 1948 it became “The Republic of Ireland”
but retained the colour military green until the Irish Coastguard
was re-established in 2000 when the colour was changed to White. The
“Rocket team” as they were known as consisted of about
20 regular persons (men & women volunteers), they could recruit
other people during an emergency to assist in the rescue. This was
rarely necessary as it was regarded as a community effort where all
turned out to assist. The equipment was ready loaded on either a two
wheeled cart or four wheeled wagon and stored in “The Rocket
House” where it was regularly checked and maintained. The horse
/ horses and harness required was provided by a local farmer. some
parts of the harness was supplied as part of the cart equipment. The
“Call out” was signalled by flag on the coastguard tower
and the firing of a Mortar, Gun or Maroon. The duties of the rocket
team were indicated by allocating numbers to each individual who in
turn formed teams to carry out specific duties. These numbers were
worn on the arm of each person for identification purposes. All personnel
were under the direct command of the station officer or senior coastguard
who was in overall command of the operation and of course responsible
for the safe execution of the rescue. It was vital that no time was
lost between receiving a call, setting up the equipment and completing
the rescue. Regular exercises were carried out. At least four full
scale exercises a year were carried out under the supervision of the
area or regional officer, this included the firing of the rocket.
This exercise was not conducted using an actual ship but by using
“The Exercise Pole”. This was a pole 20 feet (6 metres)
high above the ground near the coastguard lookout. It had steps built
on to it and served as a “Lookout” pole as well as simulating
a ships mast during exercises. Many of these Exercise poles remain
on prominent points around the coast. They will be painted white up
to 6 feet (1.80 metres) from the ground and supported by three shrouds
(wire supports) keeping the pole upright and stable. The equipment
required and how it was used during the rescue will be explained in
the following pages. It was a complicated manoeuvre as four or five
separate teams were carrying out different tasks in the same small
area at the same time, to achieve one aim in the shortest possible
time
THE EQUIPMENT REQUIRED.
Well, we know why and how, so let
us look at the equipment needed to carry out a successful rescue.
We start with the methods of transporting the rescue equipment to
the location of the shipping casualty.
THE ROCKET CART
/ WAGON.
The Rocket cart
or Wagon was the name used to describe the vehicle that carried all
the Breeches Buoy rescue equipment from the Rocket House (the place
where the cart and equipment was stored) to the scene of the casualty.
The cart was two wheeled
and drawn by one horse, the wagon was
four wheeled and drawn by either two or three horses, the horses
used would have belonged to the nearest or local farmer. The cart
illustrated was based in Crosshaven, Co. Cork.
Ireland.
from circa 1860 until 1998. It was officially replaced by a Land Rover,
trailer & modern lightweight equipment. The cart and all the equipment
has been restored to its original condition and in Irish livery (1922)
by Captain Brian Smith, Gurteen, Inniscarra, Co. Cork,
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