Shannon Launch and Recovery System (SLARS) is a custom designed tractor and trailer specifically designed for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) to launch and recover Shannon-class lifeboats.[1]
The SLARS is produced by two British companies, Supacat, based in Honiton, Devon, and Clayton Engineering Limited, based in Knighton, Powys. In 2015, Supacat rebranded as SC Innovation.[2]
Operation
The Shannon launch and recovery system (SLARS) was developed to launch and recover the 18-tonne Shannon-class RNLI lifeboat.[3][4]
SLARS SC-T08 with the St Ives lifeboat Nora Stachura
The lifeboat is launched, and recovered, bow-first. The carriage, mounted on tracked wheels, is used to transport a lifeboat from boathouse to sea. The carriage can then be tilted, effectively acting as a slipway to launch the boat when released.[5]
On return, the boat will be driven ashore. A synthetic winch line, designed not to recoil should it break, is attached to the bow of the lifeboat, and the carriage is again tilted to meet the bow of the boat. The lifeboat is then hauled up the carriage. When the carriage is returned to the horizontal, and the lifeboat securely attached, the top section of the carriage rotates 180° as a turntable, and the lifeboat is ready to relaunch.[5]
Both the tractor and carriage are tracked vehicles. In some locations, the carriage is also a powered unit, to assist traction and movement. The driver has two sets of controls, and can rotate the seat 180°. The high cab gives excellent visibility, with CCTV to assist. The cab is fully waterproof, and the vehicle can be operated in 2.4m (7.9ft) of calm water.[5]
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