Description:  This lifebuoy has spent many years at sea. Pictured here, it shows all the ravages of many passages in anticipation of being used one day to save someone's life. Fortunately this lifebuoy was never thrown overboard or used. The sun-burnished lifebuoy features the hand-painted name of Sir Francis Chichester's famous yacht Gipsy Moth V.   Records show that this lifebuoy was many years older than Gipsy Moth V. Research is being undertaken on the hand-painted name written on the lifebuoy

The lifebuoy usually is ring-shaped or horseshoe-shaped and has a connecting line allowing the casualty to be pulled to the rescuer. They are carried by ships and are also located beside bodies of water that have the depth or potential to drown someone.