Shannon Launch and Recovery System

Last updated

Shannon Launch and Recovery System
Lifeboat Launch and Recovery System.JPG
Supacat SLARS Vehicle and Lifeboat
TypeLaunch vehicle
Manufacturer
  • Supacat (later SC Innovation)
  • Clayton Engineering Limited
Production1993–
Length22 m (72 ft)
Width3.5 m (11 ft)
Height4 m (13 ft)
Weight37 Tonnes
PropulsionTrack
Engine modelScania DC13 12.7 litre turbo-charged diesel
Gross power331  kW (444  hp)
Drawbar pull 18.5 Tonnes
Speed10 miles per hour (16 km/h)

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]

Contents

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]

Barmouth lifeboat Ella Larsen.jpg


Barmouth lifeboat 13-30 Ella Larsen

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 of calm water. [5]

RNLI SLARS Fleet

Op.No. [lower-alpha 1] Reg No.ManufacturerNameStationIn service [6] Comments
SC-T01WF13 ZNJSupacatUnnamedRelief fleet2013–
SC-T02WG13 AKZSupacatUnnamedRelief fleet2013–
SC-T03HK63 BVWSupacatUnnamed Dungeness 2014–
SC-T04HF14 HFKSupacatUnnamed Exmouth 2014–
SC-T05HF14 HLJSupacatUnnamedRelief fleet
Lytham St Annes
Relief fleet		2014–2019
2019–2021
2021–
SC-T06HF14 HLKSupacatRoland Hough Hoylake 2014–
SC-T07HF64 CVGClaytonJune and Gordon Hadfield Ilfracombe
Relief fleet		2014–2021
2021–
SC-T08HF15 FRXSupacatKenneth George Fulford St Ives 2015–
SC-T09HF65 HUASupacatUnnamedRelief fleet
Bridlington
Relief fleet		2015–2017
2017–2019
2019–
SC-T10HF65 HPJClaytonThe Cairns Scarborough 2016–
SC-T11HJ16 JVUSupacatFred Henley Skegness 2016–
SC-T12HJ16 JRUClaytonMiss Eileen Beryl Phillips Selsey 2017–
SC-T13HF67 DSOSC InnovationUnnamed Lytham St Annes
Relief fleet
Lytham St Annes 		2017–2018
2019–2021
2021–
SC-T14HF67 CAVClaytonRoy Barker Llandudno 2017–
SC-T15LK18 FVUSC InnovationUnnamed Bridlington 2019–
SC-T16HF18 DYSClaytonRichard and Mark Colton Hastings 2018–
SC-T17HD66 VBJSC InnovationUnnamed Clogherhead 2019–
SC-T18HF68 DDLClaytonUnnamed Barmouth 2019–
SC-T19HF69 CXVSC InnovationDavid Cooper Seahouses 2020–
SC-T20HF19 EHHClaytonViolet Rose Saw Rhyl 2019–
SC-T21HF20 EBDSC InnovationUnnamedRelief fleet
New Quay 		2019–2023
2023–
SC-T22HF69 DPO
1335 MAN		ClaytonUnnamed Peel 2019–2023
2023–
SC-T23HF70 EBZSC InnovationUnnamed Ilfracombe 2021–
SC-T24HF70 EBKClaytonJohn Llewellyn Mostyn Hughes Pwllheli 2021–
SC-T25GX71 CUWSC InnovationUnnamedRelief fleet2022–
SC-T26GX71 ETF
PMN 747T		ClaytonUnnamed Ramsey 2022–
SC-T27HF22 BWJClaytonPatricia Jean Bettany Wells-next-the-Sea 2022–
SC-T28HF72 FXDClaytonUnnamedRelief fleet2023–
SC-T29HF73 BXNClaytonUnnamed Anstruther 2024–
SC-T30Clayton
  1. ↑ Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the tractor.

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "The power behind the launch". RNLI. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  2. ↑ "SC Rebrand takes Supacat into new era". SC Innovation. 10 September 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  3. ↑ "SLARS". Clayton Engineering. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  4. ↑ "Lifeboat Launcher". SC Innovation. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 "Shannon Launch and Recovery System (SLARS)". Launch and Recovery Equipment. Irish Lifeboats. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  6. ↑ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 93–95.
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