Aug 30, 2026 · 8 min · 7 segments
In the 19th century, the "rocket car" was rolled out across Ireland so that shipwrecked sailors could be brought safely to land on a pulley system known as ‘breeches buoy’. Few cars survive after a…
This week on RTE Radio 1.
Finally this Sunday, a maritime story of a decommissioned shore rescue service.
In the 19th century, the rocket car was rolled out across Ireland to ensure that a rope could be fired towards a stricken vessel and imperiled sailors could be brought safely to land on the pulley system known as the Breacher's Boy.
Few of these cars survive now after general decommissioning which started in the 1980s.
But it's a labour of love for Ted O'Driscoll, who was a crew member in the 1970s, just like his father before him.
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