Mersey class lifeboats are designed to be able to take the ground. Not only in an emergency but also as a part of their launch and recovery onto a carriage or slipway. At the heart of this design is the fact that each propeller and rudder is housed in a tunnel under the boat. These allow the boat to sit on the beach without damaging these appendages.If you look closely at the photo you can see the freeing trunk above the shaft, this allows us to gain access to the rudder and shaft while at sea. There is also a small hook inboard of the rudder, this is part of the launching system for when the boat is on a carriage. Our own boat, the Robert Charles Brown is without this hook as it was built specifically as a slipway launched boat. The grey looking disk inboard of the propeller is an anode, this prevents electrolytic action from eating away at metal fittings such as shaft and propeller.
3 comments:
Actually our boat has got those hooks . . its the only "carriage" bit that she's got. They are for the launching falls on the carriage. These are longs ropes with loops in the end, basically they pull the boat off the carriage then unhook as the boat drives away. You'll be able to see a week on Weds when the boat comes back :o) DT
Boats are real nifty and all but how about some more pictures of cute guys? Oh. I guess this IS a blog on the lifeboat. Damn. Okay then.
Wow, that's a sexy prop there.
Might have guessed you would spot that Dave! I was rather hoping that our boat would return from refit fully ready for Carriage launching!
MK, have a look at today's post......just for you. Like your new April profile shot....nice shaft you're holding!
jg
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