RNLI and slipway launch

ShipsWoofy · #1 22-02-05, 00:57

Just out of interest. As the slowest RNLI offshore lifeboats now top 16kts is there still a viable need for slipway launch boathouses?

Both Tenby and Padstow are about to have brand new slipway launch facilities would it not be cheaper to find a floating mooring for the life boats. In days past when the lifeboat would plod along between 6-8 kts slipway boathouses were needed along the coast to maintain coverage. Surely that has closed up now and this type of facility is a very expensive way to house the boats. As proven with the estimates for Padstows new shed.

Surely there is room now to move the boats to an all tide sheltered mooring or even a marina berth along the coast.

FWIW I think it would be sad to lose the nostalgia of the slipway launch into heavy seas, I just wonder if it is still ‘really’ a requirement. Would anyone from an area with a slipway launch like to comment or tell me why I am wrong. Just got me thinking reading about Padstows shed, nothing sinister…..

gandy · #2 22-02-05, 08:41

What are the reasons for a slipway launch? For example they have them at Arbroath and Scrabster, both launching either into or next to a harbour. Are they covering for times when it's not safe to leave harbour conventionally?

Tony S

milltech · #3 22-02-05, 08:53

I'd love to keep BA in one, it must be a great ride down!

Sui Generis · #4 22-02-05, 09:30

There is no sheltered harbour at the Lizard. The Lizard is 15 miles from Falmouth and about 18 from Newlyn. Hence the need for a slipway.

Cornishman · #5 22-02-05, 10:07

It might seem very obvious - but why don't you ask the RNLI?

orion21 · #6 22-02-05, 10:53

Hi all,
Stromness and Longhope both were slip and shed but are now moored in the harbour. some advantages with keeping the boat in the shed was no growth on the bottom of the boat and on a night of poor weather when the boat was launched the crew were all aboard, no need to cross the harbour with the boarding boat in bad weather whitch was saver and faster, with the faster and bigger boats of today its not possible to slip them, but they do have to go and get the bottoms cleaned thoughout the year.

cheers, geordie

isha · #7 23-02-05, 00:09

What are the reasons for a slipway launch? For example they have them at Arbroath and Scrabster, both launching either into or next to a harbour.

This has not been the case at Scrabster for a number of years now
Dave

halcyon · #8 23-02-05, 00:33

At Padstow the slip is seaward of Doom bar, so they can launch in any tide/sea state.

Brian