View some photos of the Supacat Trials at Dungeness taken during July and August 2011

Trials of a new Supacat Launch & Recovery System (L&RS) have been taking place at the end of July and beginning of August 2011 at Dungeness RNLI Lifeboat Station.

Dungeness was chosen for the trials involving the experimental lifeboat FCB2 (Fast Carriage Boat 2) which arrived by sea for testing launching and recovering at different times of day and night and in different conditions. The trials, not surprisingly, have attracted many onlookers to see this futuristic vehicle in operation whilst at Dungeness.

The L&RS design incorporates several unique and innovative features including a permanent, software controlled, Four-Track-Drive System offering exceptional mobility in all beach conditions. The Supacat is capable of being submerged in water up to a depth of 7 metres should it be disabled with an incoming tide, there is also additional seating in the cab to allow for safer crew training. After lifeboat recovery, preparation for the next launch is a much quicker operation as the cradle that carries the boat rotates through 360 degrees to enable 'Bow First' recovery and launch.

In a joint development between the RNLI and Supacat* Limited the L&RS will be used with the new Shannon Class Lifeboat which will be arriving at Dungeness in 2013. For more information on the Shannon Class Lifeboat please read the news release.

*Supacat is an innovative engineering and design house that is geared to producing and supporting high-mobility, all terrain vehicles. www.supacat.com