The inflatable lifeboats of the Atlantic class weigh around 1.5 tonnes. Equipped with two 70hp outboard motors, they carry a crew of three and can reach a speed of 32 knots.

'Retrieval of the boats can be slow, potentially dangerous, and can cause damage to the boat, ' said RNLI principal engineer Andrew Tate. 'Lowering the boats into the water with the winch is helped by the weight of the boat but when it is returned to the winch after operations, the retreating tide can mean the boat is now much lower than the quayside. Winding the winch down to retrieve it is also time consuming and tedious for the recovery crew.'

The RNLI instructed Hunter Gears of Tyneside to upgrade two of its lifeboat stations' davits to all electric operation. The drive solution was provided by local ABB Drives Alliance partner, Slater Drive Systems (SDS) in Northumberland. The first of the electrically operated davits is to be installed at the RNLI's facility in Harwich.

Jonathan Marks, managing director of Hunter Gears said, 'We needed a system that could start smoothly without jerking the boats and risking damage to them and the ABB drive provided this. The new system allows the boats to move more quickly and efficiently.'

As well as the Harwich installation, the system will also be installed at the RNLI station at Gorleston Lifeboat Station near Great Yarmouth and potentially at other facilities around the country.

MJ Information No: 18718