Pirtek to the Rescue

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is used to responding quickly to an emergency call, so when they had an emergency of their own, it was not unreasonable to expect the same sort of service from their suppliers.

Such was the case when the launch tractor for the Mablethorpe lifeboat station was recently rendered inoperative by a damaged hydraulic steering hose. Pirtek Lincoln was immediately called out to rectify the problem.

General manager Pete Sibbons took the call out of hours on a Sunday, and knew he had to react quickly. The station's articulated launch tractor, a Biglands Talus MB-4H built by Clayton Engineering, is used to push the Atlantic 75 RIB ( Rigid Inflatable Boat) lifeboat and its crew of three, into the sea on a DODO (drive off, drive on) trailer. This highly specialised 9.4 tonne vehicle was designed in conjunction with the RNLI, to wade 1.6 metres in rough seas when launching the lifeboat. The Talus is so specialised and so totally waterproofed, that in an emergency, it can survive being totally submerged and left on the seabed between tides. It was obviously a vital piece of life-saving equipment, and had been used in 50+ rescues the previous year.Taking details of the hose and ensuring he had the correct equipment and parts on board, Sibbons was on site within 50 minutes of the initial call and had the tractor back in action within 15 minutes of arrival.

Mablethorpe's RNLI Operations Manager, Dave Chapman said they were delighted with the response.
The RNLI is an independent charity and depends entirely on public support.
If you would like to know more, please visit www.rnli.org.uk/how_to_support_us