June 24, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 280

Media Contact Information:  Jim Hall, Indian River Life-Saving Station, 302-227-6991; or Necia Beck, Delaware State Parks, 302-739-9175, Necia.Beck@state.de.us

Breeches Buoy Demonstration to be held
at Indian River Life-Saving Station Museum

REHOBOTH BEACH - The public is invited to see history come to life at the Indian River Life-Saving Station Museum from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, June 25. Museum interpreters dressed in period uniform will reenact an exciting shipwreck life-saving technique from the beach community’s history.

The United States Life-Saving Service, precursor of the U.S. Coast Guard, was established in the 1870s to launch rescue missions and assist victims of shipwrecks along America’s coastline. The “breeches buoy” system was the most technologically advanced as well as the safest method for retrieving passengers and cargo from stranded vessels. 

Using a small cannon to fire a line out to a wreck pole (meant to simulate the mast of a stranded ship), staff will rig up a “breeches buoy” system with which they can bring “shipwreck victims” safely back to shore. This is the very drill the surfmen of the Indian River Life-Saving Station would practice routinely on the same beaches more than 100 years ago.   

Today, the Indian River Life-Saving Station in Delaware Seashore State Park is one of only three sites in the country which re-creates this rescue demonstration for the public. 

The cost for this program, which includes a tour of the museum, is $6.50 for adults, $4 for youth (ages 6-12), $5.50 for seniors (age 62 and older), and free for children (ages 5 and under). Pre-registration is not necessary.

The Indian River Life-Saving Station Museum is located on Route 1, approximately 3.5 miles south of Dewey Beach and 1.5 miles north of the Indian River Inlet. More information about this or other programs at the Indian River Life-Saving Station is available by calling 302-227-6991, or visiting www.destateparks.com.