From Mary Taylor to MB4H: A New Chapter for Sidmouth Lifeboat Launch
Our launch tractor, Mary Taylor – named in recognition of the generous bequest that made her possible – is now approaching the end of her operational life.
With that in mind, we placed an order two years ago for a replacement tractor and carriage system with Clayton Engineering, specialists in the design, construction and maintenance of launch vehicles for the RNLI.
This new bespoke MB4H tractor and carriage system is due to arrive on station in Sidmouth this May, following an extensive and carefully managed build process. The tractor features centre steering and four independently hydraulically driven wheels. It can be operated either via a traditional steering wheel and throttle or, for launch operations, using a joystick – making for a very different driving experience. As a result, comprehensive training for our launch drivers has been underway at Clayton Engineering and continues as we prepare for its arrival.
Our previous tractors began life as standard agricultural vehicles, each requiring over a thousand hours of workshop modification to make them suitable for marine use. These typically delivered 8 to 10 years of service – equivalent to around 1,500 launches and recoveries, across a wide range of conditions.
The MB4H is purpose-built from the outset for operation in the marine environment. We expect it to deliver decades of reliable service, with a major refit anticipated approximately every 15 years.
Below are some more pics from the in-progress build of our new MB4H (photos courtesy of Clayton Engineering):
