Clifdens new lifeboat in Galway

vulcan57

The Mersey Class lifeboat, RNLB The Fisherman's Friend (12-33) arrived by road on the back of a truck in Galway during the week. Set to leave Galway for Clifden on Monday for a 12 month evaluation period. This being a carriage launched lifeboat it is a very rare sight on the west coast of Ireland, maybe one of the first times one has been this side of the country.

vulcan57

Managed to get up to clifden on Tuesday to see her go through some launch and recovery trials. They will be doing that all this week to see if the site is suitable. If so the 12 month evaluation will start in 2014.

jamesdiver

brilliant photos, thanks for sharing

Drummerboy08

Anyone know where I could find the spec of that tractor unit? I've seen the one in Kilmore Quay in action once or twice, and always wondered just how "waterproof" they are....

vulcan57

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

Anyone know where I could find the spec of that tractor unit? I've seen the one in Kilmore Quay in action once or twice, and always wondered just how "waterproof" they are....

This link may be of interest.

http://www.claytonengineering.co.uk/equipmentitem/4d78d64aeeeb8/Talus-MBH

BeardySi

Fantastic photos! Cheers

DownBeaten

vulcan57 wrote: »

This link may be of interest.

http://www.claytonengineering.co.uk/equipmentitem/4d78d64aeeeb8/Talus-MBH

It has, in the event of mechanical failure, the ability to be 'battened down' and abandoned on the sea bed in up to 9.0m of water, without the ingress of sea water.

Cool! And thanks for the brilliant photos, Vulcan.

DownBeaten

Just looking at that brilliant footage of that wonderful rescue of the 4 fish farmers by the RNLI rib, anyone know is there a reason they would not use the larger boat, if it was available?

vulcan57

DownBeaten wrote: »

Just looking at that brilliant footage of that wonderful rescue of the 4 fish farmers by the RNLI rib, anyone know is there a reason they would not use the larger boat, if it was available?

The Mersey (larger boat) isn't actually on station there yet. She was there in October for launch and recovery trials to see if the site was feasible. The plan is to have a Mersey on station for a 24 month trial period sometime this year.

vinnie13

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

Anyone know where I could find the spec of that tractor unit? I've seen the one in Kilmore Quay in action once or twice, and always wondered just how "waterproof" they are....

is kilmores tamar not afloat 24/7?

vulcan57

vinnie13 wrote: »

is kilmores tamar not afloat 24/7?

Correct. There was, however, a carriage launched Mersey stationed at Kilmore Quay until 2004 when they got a Tyne class later to be replaced with the new and present Tamar that, like you say, lies afloat.